Project Support for Dokufest

The achievements of DokuFest over the past year highlight a progress in both its strategic direction and community impact. DokuFest Festival through the years, with its return to a full in-person format, showcased a rich array of activities including film screenings, debates, masterclasses, exhibitions, and music performances. In 2023 the festival's theme, "I AM AI AM I," prompted deep reflections on the intersections of artificial intelligence and human identity. Additionally, the launch of regional and youth initiatives signifies DokuFest's ongoing commitment to cultural exchange, skill development, and the promotion of impactful stories. Without a doubt DokuFest is growing every year and is even more accepted by all group ages, communities regarles of believes, gender or ethnicity. Additionally, the approval of the DokuFest Strategic Plan for 2024-2028 by the Board represents a solid foundation for the festivals future, emphasizing long-term sustainability and enhanced impact. As unexpected results perhaps it is worth noting the formalized collaboration with the Ministry of Education, Science, Technology, and Innovation marks a important step towards integrating art and media into educational frameworks, fostering essential digital skills, critical thinking, and creativity among students. Furthermore, the accreditation of DokuFests teacher training programs by the State Council for Teacher Licensing underscores a substantial contribution to modernizing educational practices through audiovisual tools. Internationally, DokuFest's participation in events like "The European Arthouse Cinema Day" and collaborations with Swedish festivals have broadened its global network and influence. Overall, these accomplishments not only affirm DokuFests role as cultural and educational platform but also as a pathway for future growth and continued contribution to both local and international artistic communities. The intervention clearly achieved its objectives, particularly by promoting inclusiveness, fostering peace, and integrating a human rights perspective. These efforts have contributed to build trust and create promising opportunities for societal transformation.

Two strategic objectives drive the project forward:  1) structural development of the capacities of the organization to gradually configure the scope of its strategic program with a clear Mission and Vision for the future, reflected in a comprehensive long-term organizational strategy by end of 2022 and to evaluate & assess of the short-term outcomes by end 2023. 2) Furthering response to the challenges of contemporary society, such as, erosion of democratic institutions and lack of dialogue and inclusion, by merging arts and culture with wider relevant social issues and by employing innovative, inclusive, emancipatory and democratic models of organization, program collaboration and governance accessible to all segments of society. Through a series activities, the following results will be achieved throughout the project: 1) A sustainable Organization with clear Festival structure and management and a 10-year strategic plan set forward for implementation by 2023; 2) Digitalization of the processes (Cinema and film library) 3) Accredited educational program modules at Ministry of Education & Science and The Kosovo Accreditation Agency 4) Thematic film programs in the Festival and Cinema for children and youth with specific focus on democracy and human rights, gender equality and non-discrimination, climate change and media literacy; 5) International cooperation training program for youth skill development and nonfiction storytelling implemented in Kosovo and extended to the region; 6) Grant scheme to support local talent of storytellers and producers for production and distribution of local stories to international festivals.