DOCU/PRO

Lecture and Practical Workshop on Mental Health Support for Filmmakers as Part of DOCU/PRO Events

30 April 2025

This year at DOCU/PRO, we’ve dedicated an entire day to the topic of improving mental health in the film industry, with a focus on tools that can support filmmakers in their work. On June 9, we invite you to join a theoretical and practical session focused on trauma, care, creativity, and community.

During the morning session, psychotherapist and facilitator at Film in Mind, Serra Ciliv, will share tools created specifically for filmmakers for emotional preparation before production, care for crews, ethical engagement with participants, mindful editing practices, and post production care. The event will be accessible both on-site and online. You can find a detailed lecture description here.

The session will be followed by a facilitated group process – a space to feel, express, and listen together into the different roles, ghosts, edges, relationship dynamics, belief systems, and larger social forces that shape our shared experience. This 3-hour workshop for filmmakers, led by Yaroslava Kot-Mironova and Alina Oborska (Process Work Institute of Ukraine NGO), will introduce the method of “inner work” — a tool that can be helpful during challenging moments to restore clarity and a sense of groundedness. Yaroslava and Alina will also guide paired body-based exercises using different channels of emotional processing (sound, sensation, image, relationships, signals from the world), which can later be used with colleagues for both support and creative inspiration. More about the group work can be found here.

Access to these events is free with prior registration for directors, producers, filmmakers, distributors, festival programmers, film school students, and all those actively working in the film industry. We recommend attending both parts, as the group work (practical session) builds upon the lecture content. The group session is limited to 40 participants. The lecture is open to everyone — either via Zoom or on-site at KINO42. Group work will take place in person only.

Learn more about DOCU/PRO events and industry accreditation opportunities on our website. Full event program available via the link.

Photo: Stas Kartashov

The 22nd Docudays UA is held with the financial support of the European Union, the Embassy of Sweden in Ukraine, International Renaissance Foundation. The opinions, conclusions, or recommendations do not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union, the governments, or organisations of these countries. Responsibility for the content of the publication lies exclusively with the authors and editors of the publication.

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