In 2026, ESoDoc will host the 5th edition of the Inspiration Lab "IMPACT ZONE" at When East Meets West in Trieste, which will take place from January 18 to 20, 2026.
The lab will be led by Impact Producer and Co-founder of The Good Media Network, Vivian Schröder, and will take participants on a unique impact journey to help their film realise meaningful and measurable change.
This year, 12 participants will join the lab:
- Paulina Albrecht | Germany
- Alexandra Borza – Fugace Films | France
- Max Ciorbă – Teasc Doc | Moldova
- Roberta Coutinho Sauerbronn – Saraguina Filmes | Brazil
- Elettra Gallone | Italy
- Elizabeth Kapsa – Elizabeth Kapsa Film | Norway
- Lucija Perić – Pipser | Croatia
- Laura Raud – Nafta Films | Estonia
- Alice Royoux – Amour Fou Vienna | Austria
- Giorgio Soncin – SIGOO communication | Italy
- Liene Ulmane | Latvia
- Agi Zapart – Pilgrim Film | Italy
Furthermore, we congratulate Armands Začs (EsoDoc 2025) on his selection to pitch his project "Going Underground" at the Co-production Forum. The project explores humanity’s deep-rooted fear and search for security. Travelling through bunkers and bomb shelters, the film asks a haunting question: In times of crisis, what would I do?
We're also proud to announce that Alessandro Leonardi (ESoDoc 2024) will be at Last Stop Trieste with his project "Now You See It". he project tells the story of a young physicist on the brink of a sensational discovery, grappling with depression and academic setbacks while evading in the strange world of quantum physics. What happens when you venture to the edge of human thought and end up losing your mind.
Moreover, Andrius Lekavicius (ESoDoc 2023) was selected to participate in the Amazing Intelligence Inspirational Lab.
Congratulations on being selected, and we wish you successful pitches, presentations and insightful meetings!