Throughout 18 to 22 May 2026, selected filmmakers and journalists from the Republic of Moldova took part in an intensive five-days’ training programme in Chișinău, dedicated to the production and development of human rights documentaries, with a particular focus on freedom of expression and social issues. The initiative was developed by the Council of Europe in cooperation with the documentary department of Moldova’s national public broadcaster, Telefilm-Chișinău.

The training aimed to strengthen the professional capacities of Moldovan filmmakers by introducing them to European standards and practices in documentary production. Through a combination of theory, practical exercises, on-site creative activities and mentoring sessions, participants explored both the creative and technical dimensions of documentary filmmaking with the focus on human rights, democratic values, and social inclusion.
Throughout the five-day course, participants worked on development of documentary concepts addressing a wide range of pressing social and human rights issues important to the Moldovan society. 
The training concluded with a pitching session and the authors of the three best documentary synopses selected by the jury will receive further support from the Council of Europe for the production of their films. The selected projects will benefit from continued mentoring and production assistance until March 2027.
The activity was carried out with the support of the Council of Europe, within the framework of the project “Advancing Media Freedom in the Republic of Moldova.”