Circle Women Doc Accelerator Highlights New Talent at Cannes Docs 2025
The Circle Women Doc Accelerator has announced its selection of four documentary projects created by women and gender-expansive filmmakers for the prestigious Cannes Docs program, set to take place at the Cannes Film Market.
A Continuing Tradition of Empowerment
This marks the sixth consecutive year that the program has spotlighted works-in-progress from its alumnae, providing a platform for diverse stories that highlight both personal and societal issues.
Showcase Lineup
The 2025 selection includes a blend of established and emerging filmmakers, featuring:
- Mina Keshavarz, renowned for her films, The Art of Living in Danger and Profession: Documentarist.
- Anna Khazaradze, making her feature directorial debut, known previously as the producer of 9 Month Contract, which received acclaim at CPH.
- Ramona Mos and Rachel Close, both newcomers whose works have garnered interest from competitive production companies.
The Selected Films
The showcase features the following documentaries:
- “Berliner” (Georgia)
Director: Anna Khazaradze
Production Company: 1991 Productions
This documentary follows Nana, a Georgian translator in Berlin, who aids asylum seekers in sharing their experiences amidst shifting translation policies that threaten her role. - “Dear” (Germany/Norway)
Director: Ramona Mos
Production Companies: Fünfer Film (Germany) and Stray Dogs (Norway)
A personal account spanning six years, this film explores themes of justice, solidarity, and the emotional resilience of the director’s family and friends. - “Hope Against Hope” (Norway/France)
Director: Mina Keshavarz
Production Companies: MinDoc Film Production, FolkFilms (Norway) and Ici et La Production (France)
This documentary spans 25 years, examining the impact of sociopolitical turmoil on personal identity through a deeply personal lens. - “Something Familiar” (Romania/U.K.)
Director: Rachel Close
Production Companies: Manifest Film (Romania) and My Accomplice (U.K.)
As the filmmaker aids a fellow adoptee in her search for her birth mother, she undertakes her own journey into her family’s past, revealing a complex history of trauma and resilience.
A Legacy of Excellence
The Circle Women Doc Accelerator has consistently identified standout documentaries. Notable alumni include Lin Alluna’s Twice Colonized, which premiered successfully at Sundance after winning the Docs-in-Progress award in 2022, and other award-winning films that have achieved international recognition.
Looking Forward
According to Biljana Tutorov, the program director, “We are happy to present the four cinematic, personal and political films by Circle alumni in Cannes 2025 for the sixth time. This showcase will also mark the celebration of Circle’s seventh birthday.”
Tutorov further emphasized the significance of the showcase, stating, “This year we will highlight another four talented filmmakers from across the world, navigating and negotiating the personal, political, and ethical dimensions in their films.”
Event Details
The Circle Women Doc Accelerator showcase is scheduled for May 18, 2025, providing an invaluable opportunity to witness groundbreaking documentary storytelling.
About Circle
Circle runs two primary initiatives designed to support filmmakers: the Women Doc Accelerator, a dedicated training program for projects at all stages, and Fiction Orbit, a workshop aimed at mid-career filmmakers developing scripted narratives.
The program benefits from co-funding by Creative Europe MEDIA and is organized under the patronage of Eurimages, with Wake Up Films (Serbia) playing a key organizational role. Partners include When East Meets West, IEFTA, and the DAE Documentary Association of Europe, among others.
