BIFA WORK IN PROGRESS is a showcase of 10 Belarusian independent fiction and documentary film projects, currently seeking funding and partnerships. Organized by the Belarusian Independent Film Academy (BIFA) and moderated by the producer Stefano Tealdi, this showcase highlights the resilience and creativity of Belarusian filmmakers striving to create impactful stories despite overwhelming challenges.

The program features 9 fiction films and 1 documentary, including 3 undisclosed projects at various stages.

• August by Nella Agrenich (feature drama)

• The Land of Pleasure by Alexandra Se Glück and Michal Mieszczyk (feature drama)

• The Swan Song of Fedor Ozerov by Yuri Semashko (feature dreamedy)

• Lithuania Minor by Artsiom Lobach (feature documentary)

• Judgment of the Dead by Andrei Kashperski and Mikhail Zui (feature horror, comedy)

• Superposition by Marya Ptashka (feature drama, comedy, absurd)

• Three years of November by Vlada Senkova (feature drama)

BIFA was established in 2022 as a non-governmental organization in exile to unite and support Belarusian filmmakers who oppose the oppressive totalitarian regime in Belarus both inside and outside the country. The academy provides a vital platform to promote their work, advocate for their rights, and create opportunities for collaboration. Most members of BIFA were forced to flee Belarus due to political oppression and now live in exile across Europe, navigating the challenges of immigration, cultural adaptation, and an absence of state financial support.

Supporting these filmmakers is more than an act of solidarity — it is a statement against the erasure of artistic voices under authoritarian rule. In exile, filmmakers face enormous hurdles: severed ties to their home industries, limited access to funding, and the emotional toll of displacement. Yet, their stories are crucial—they preserve the culture, history, and voices of a people facing oppression.
BIFA WORK IN PROGRESS aims to amplify these voices but also foster connections that can help ensure these stories reach global audiences.