MoldoxLab 2025 brought together more than 25 young creators from Moldova and the diaspora in Chisinau between 24–30 November for four intensive workshops dedicated to documentary film, narrative photography, and professional development in the film industry. The program of the MOLDOX International Documentary Film Festival for Social Change included workshops led by experts from Moldova, Romania, and the USA, public masterclasses, networking sessions, and meetings with European specialists.
The workshops explored themes such as urban life, collective memory, identity, and social change. For one week, participants worked within the Exploration, Intersections, Unfolding, and Inspiration Lab 2025 workshops, the latter coordinated by American director Melody Gilbert, an Emmy nominee and Alfred I. duPont Award winner. The event concluded with a public pitching session and individual meetings with international experts.
During the Pitch@Moldox Awards 2025 competition, the following winning projects were announced:
Thessaloniki International Documentary Festival (TDF) Award: “IMPORT/EXPORT MD” – Max T. Ciorba & Sergiu Scobioala
The award grants access to TDF 2026 in Greece and participation in the Agora Market and Doc Market — two of the most important professional platforms for documentary film in Southeastern Europe.
Balkan Documentary Center (BDC) Award:“Moldova on VHS” – Lucia Lupu
In Search of the Tiny Flower, The Melody, The Ladder and The Elegy – Mihaela-Stefania Turchina
The award offers access, as an observer, to a one-year training program at the BDC in Sofia, Bulgaria — a regional hub for European production and co-production training.
Pitch the Doc Award: “Garbageddon” – Vladislav Chiriliuc
The prize includes international promotion of the project and a personalized consulting session.
Individual consultations were also offered for outstanding projects: “IMPORT/EXPORT MD” (Daniel Kötter, Germany) and “NELLY FOLLOWS THE SUN” (Guilaine Chenu, France).
The special mention The Spark Award, dedicated to creative comeback, went to the team formed by Ghena Moroșanu (“A Perfume for ZSU”) and Pavel Nasalciuc (“American Dream in Moldova”).
Travel costs for the TDF and BDC award laureates will be covered by Innovate Moldova, funded by Sweden and the United Kingdom through the Bridge Program.
MoldoxLab remains one of the most important educational programs dedicated to social documentary in Moldova, connecting young local creators to opportunities and mentors from the European film industry. These workshops are organized with the support of the National Youth Agency, through the 2025 Annual Grant Program for youth organizations.