Each year, the Millenium Festival invites the greatest documentary filmmakers that have their heart set on sharing their field experience with film-lovers.
This year, we were proud to offer high-quality masterclasses with world-renowned filmmakers. Leading filmmakers, including director Ken Loach, shared their expertise during the 17th edition of the Millennium Festival, which took place from March 28 to April 6 2025. The programme of masterclasses provided an exceptional cinematic experience.
02.04
The Millenium Festival had the honour of presenting an exceptional masterclass by Ken Loach, a legendary figure in socially engaged cinema and two-time Palme d’Or winner. An iconic British filmmaker, Loach is renowned for his ability to combine cinematic artistry with social commitment, through powerful films that have left a lasting mark on the history of cinema.
Although he was unable to attend in person due to an accident, he recorded a special masterclass, allowing the audience to delve into his creative process, distinctive style, and the depth of his work. It was a moment rich in insight and passion, offering a true glimpse into Ken Loach’s unique vision.
30.03
The 17th edition of the Millenium Festival hosted an electrifying Professional Dialogues masterclass, where acclaimed filmmakers peeled back the curtain on their creative processes. This year’s session became a vibrant exchange of bold ideas, featuring:
– Zabou Breitman & Florent Vassault (co-directors of LE GARÇON, Be TV Award winner), who dissected the razor’s edge between fiction and documentary—and explained how to direct actors in the spirit of documentary filmmaking.
– Jen Debauche (L’ANCRE), who took the participants on a unique exploration of human psychology through an innovative approach to documentary filmmaking.
– David Mikulán (KIX), who sparked debate on ethical storytelling, and how to film a character that evolves in a negative way.
From Breitman’s revelations about directing non-actors to Mikulán’s moral balancing act, the dialogue sparked with raw moments—proving that the most compelling cinema is born where artistry meets daring.
03.04
The masterclass on new documentary funding strategies brought together leading industry experts for an inspiring exchange with passionate professionals. The session delivered concrete solutions for today’s documentary landscape, covering budget optimization techniques, the tax shelter mechanism, and groundbreaking funding models.
Highlights included standout contributions from:
- Rada SESIC (Sarajevo FF) on project development
- Tom Hameeuw (Founder of The Pack Studio)
- Thibaud DOPCHIE (Producer at Big Trouble in Little Belgium)
- Béatrice GILMONT (Triodos Bank)
- Sophie SCHOUKENS (Filmmaker and producer at SOPHIMAGES)
The takeaway? In challenging economic times, the documentary community continues to pioneer collaborative, creative approaches to bring projects to life – proving that shared expertise lights the way forward.
Special thanks to our partners SCAM, SABAM, and ARPi for their invaluable support.