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The Danish documentary film festival CPH:DOX continues to drive discussions on sensitive political issues, focusing on the impact of modern technologies such as artificial intelligence on the concept of truth and media freedom. This comes amid increasing global political tensions affecting the documentary film industry and independent media.
In its latest edition, the festival introduced the CPH:DOX SUMMIT program, featuring conversations with thinkers, politicians, and researchers to discuss future challenges. This yearās events were themed "Sovereignty: Rethinking, Reimagining, and Redefining," and were inaugurated by Bruno Patino, President of ARTE France.
Mara Jord-Mercado, Head of Industry and Training at the festival, stated that the presence of a wide range of experts added significant value. She noted that the documentary film industry faces major challenges, especially with the shrinking financial support from governments and public media, necessitating the creation of new structures to ensure the industryās sustainability.
Jord-Mercado explained that linking the documentary film industry with journalism was a natural step, as collaboration between journalists and filmmakers forms part of the festivalās identity. She emphasized the importance of "safe spaces" that allow access to independent media, free from the control of governments or major corporations such as tech companies.
She praised the context of hosting the festival in Denmark, a country with a long history of supporting democratic discourse, which enables the festival to be bold and transparent in addressing political issuesāsomething not easily achievable in countries like Georgia, Hungary, the United States, and India.
She also pointed to the growing interest among American filmmakers in collaborating with Europe, seeking support they cannot find in their own country due to the current political climate. She affirmed that the festival plays an important role in building bridges of cooperation between Europe and North America.