CPH:DOX Reteams With European Film Promotion for Europe! Docs

Variety

by Leo Barraclough

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

CPH:DOX, the Copenhagen International Documentary Film Festival, has renewed its partnership with European Film Promotion (EFP) for Europe! Docs, an initiative aimed at showcasing top-tier European documentaries to North American audiences. This collaboration seeks to boost market access in the U.S. by highlighting films that exemplify the diversity and creative strength of contemporary European documentary filmmaking. The second annual online showcase, curated jointly by EFP and CPH:DOX, features six world premiere films from this year’s festival lineup, selected to generate early buzz and attract industry attention before the festival begins. The initiative is designed to connect European filmmakers directly with key North American buyers and distributors, creating opportunities for new partnerships. Sonja Heinen, managing director of EFP, emphasized that Europe! Docs provides a unique platform for fostering these connections, while Mara Gourd-Mercado, head of industry and training at CPH:DOX, highlighted how the showcase adds value by giving outstanding European documentaries early exposure to U.S. decision-makers. This year’s selection includes a diverse range of films, from Nathan Grossman’s “Amazomania,” which revisits footage of first contact with an isolated tribe, to Pieter-Jan De Pue’s “Mariinka,” a 16mm-shot documentary about Ukrainians navigating the Donbas conflict. Among the selected films is “Arctic Link,” a hybrid documentary by Ian Purnell that explores the intersection of technology and climate change in Alaska. Karl Friis Forchhammer’s “Christiania” delves into five decades of radical experiments in freedom and consensus democracy in Copenhagen, while Nolwenn Hervé’s “The Cord” follows a maternity warrior in Venezuela’s broken healthcare system. Rachel Close’s “Something Familiar,” which won multiple awards, examines themes of adoption and family legacy through a personal journey. These films not only showcase the depth and innovation of European documentary storytelling but also underscore the importance of fostering international collaborations to expand global exposure for non-fiction cinema. This partnership reinforces CPH:Industry as a key meeting point for the global documentary sector, offering a platform for meaningful exchange and strengthening pathways for European filmmakers. By bringing these films to North America early, Europe! Docs sets the stage for increased visibility and potential distribution opportunities, ultimately supporting

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Originally published on Variety on 2/24/2026