European film markets are enthusiastically welcoming American audiences, thanks to the Europe! On Demand initiative spearheaded by European Movie Promotion in collaboration with the renowned CPH:DOX documentary festival in Copenhagen. This initiative offers U.S. distributors and other industry stakeholders exclusive access to seven exceptional European documentaries showcased at the festival, specifically curated for North American audiences. This strategic move not only enhances cultural exchange but also opens new avenues for European filmmakers to connect with a broader audience across the Atlantic.

On March 12, a select group of a dozen U.S. buyers, representing leading names such as Neon, MUBI, Netflix, Sony Pictures Classics, and Kino Lorber, participated in an online pitching session. This session featured the creative, production, and sales teams behind the documentaries, facilitating a dynamic exchange of ideas and opportunities. The initiative aims to bridge the gap between U.S. and European film markets, culminating in an in-person networking event scheduled to take place during the festival’s business segment, CPH:FORUM, occurring from March 24 to 27.

Among the documentaries, five are set to have their world premieres in the highly esteemed DOX:AWARD category. One notable entry, “See You Tomorrow on the Moon,” is directed by the acclaimed Thomas Balmès, known for his previous works such as “Happiness” and “Babies,” and is being represented internationally by Universal Pictures Content Group. Another highlight, “The Helsinki Effect,” is an all-archival documentary essay created by Arthur Franck, who previously directed “The Hypnotist.” Competing for the coveted €10,000 ($10,900) DOX:AWARD are three debut feature documentaries: “Sanatorium” by Gar O’Rourke, “The Citadel” by Danny Biancardi, Virginia Nardelli, and Stefano Guiseppe La Rosa, and “Flophouse America” by Monica Strømdahl.

Additionally, two compelling titles are in the running for the prestigious HUMAN:RIGHTS Award, just acquired by the Paris-based sales agent Cat & Docs: “Black Water” by Natxo Leuza and “Ladies & Gods” by Verena Soltiz and Arash T. Riashi. These films delve into critical social issues, highlighting the importance of human rights and the narratives that shape them.

The Europe! On Demand initiative has garnered enthusiastic support from all participating documentarians, including producer Nadège Labé of “The Citadel.” She emphasized the initiative’s potential to significantly enhance their film’s visibility in the U.S. market. As she noted, “This initiative is a genuine opportunity to expand our film’s reach to the U.S. market, which has traditionally been a challenging territory for European films to penetrate due to a lack of established networks.”

In conjunction with this promotional initiative, the selected creative teams are sharing their visions and insights with Variety, providing an in-depth look at their projects and the stories behind them.

Here’s a detailed overview of the featured titles:
“Black Water” (Spain, En Buen Sitio)
In this poignant film, filmmaker Natxo Leuza, who was nominated for the San Sebastian Irizar Award for “El Drogas,” travels to Bangladesh. He captures the harrowing story of a family forced to flee their rural home for the urban landscape of Dhaka, as the relentless forces of storms, cyclones, and erosion drive thousands into precarious living situations. “This film sheds light on the human tragedy faced by poorer nations like Bangladesh, which bear the brunt of the exploitation of natural resources by wealthy countries,” explains Leuza, who experienced the brutal monsoon conditions firsthand alongside producer and cinematographer Jokin Pascual. Pascual describes “Black Water” as “the most ambitious project” for their recently established production company, En Buen Sitio.

“Ladies & Gods” (Austria, Golden Ladies Movie)
In this compelling documentary, Verena Soltiz, known for “Thierry Henry,” collaborates with veteran director and producer Arash T. Riashi, who previously won the CPH:DOX audience award for “Everyday Rebellion.” Together, they delve into the contentious question of whether monotheistic religions can embody feminist principles, guided by Ukrainian activist Inna Shevchenko of the FEMEN collective, and taking their exploration from Copenhagen to New York. Soltiz describes, “Ladies & Gods is not merely a documentary made from a safe distance; it’s an unsafe film, sparking difficult conversations that resonate deeply as truth can often be uncomfortable yet profoundly joyful.”

“With ‘Ladies & Gods,’ we aim to empower the silent masses to rise and cleanse their religions from the antiquated dust of violent, misogynistic patriarchy, which has fueled countless wars, conflicts, and injustices, particularly against women,” adds Riashi, who distanced himself from religion after his family was forced into exile by the Islamic regime. He produces under his outfit, Golden Ladies Film, in collaboration with Switzerland’s Amka Films. He believes this documentary has the potential to resonate with a broad audience, particularly in the U.S., given the multiple incidents involving feminists fighting for abortion rights, pro-choice Catholics, Iranian/U.S. activist Masih Alinejad, and trans rabbi Abby Stein. The film is set to be released theatrically in Austria this fall by Filmladen.

“Flophouse America” (Norway, The Netherlands, U.S., Fri Movie)
For over 15 years, acclaimed still photographer Monica Strømdahl has traveled across the U.S., documenting the stark realities of housing conditions and the lives of families residing in flophouse hotels. When she met a 12-year-old boy named Mikal, who was raised in such an environment with his alcoholic parents, she realized that his story required more than just a photograph; it needed to be filmed. “Flophouse America” chronicles Mikal’s journey over three years, capturing a pivotal moment in his life. “Our goal is to encourage audiences to see children like Mikal, not as mere statistics, but as complex human beings,” explains Strømdahl, who aims to raise awareness about child poverty and social inequality globally, prompting actionable change from policymakers and the public. Producer Beathe Hofseth was captivated by Strømdahl’s vision when she first approached her in 2014, stating, “Combining art, striking visuals with essential and powerful content is precisely what we — producer Siri Natvik and I — are passionate about at Fri Movie.”

The film, co-produced with Dutch partner Basalt Film, is set for release by Norsk Filmdistribusjon in Norway and Cinema Delicatessen in the Netherlands. Broadcasters on board include RBB/Arte, a testament to the film’s significance and reach.

“Sanatorium” (Ireland, Ukraine, France, Venom Movies)
This documentary, directed by Gar O’Rourke, explores the lives of staff and patients at the grand Kuyalnik Sanatorium in Odesa, who seek healing, love, and happiness amidst the backdrop of ongoing conflict. O’Rourke, who filmed his short documentary “Kachalka” in Kyiv in 2019, developed a fascination with the Ukrainian perspective on health and living. Introduced to the remarkable world of Soviet-era sanatoriums, he fell in love with the Kuyalnyk Sanatorium and began working on his film in 2021. After the Russian invasion, he feared his project might collapse, but he found a way to return in 2023. “This is a story about the strength of the human spirit and resilience,” he shares with Variety. “The conflict has changed everything for the lives of Ukrainians, and I witnessed firsthand the bravery of both the staff and patients at the sanatorium during such perilous times.”

Inspired by O’Rourke’s vision for “Sanatorium” and his previous work “Kachalka,” Zak Smart, head of sales and distribution at Met Film Group, joined the project during pre-production. He is currently handling multiple territory offers from broadcasters and distributors in anticipation of CPH:DOX. This production from Venom Films has already been pre-purchased by BBC Storyville, further underscoring its potential impact and reach.

“See You Tomorrow on the Moon” (France, TBC Productions)
In his latest project, director, producer, and cinematographer Thomas Balmès, renowned for his critically acclaimed documentary “Babies” (2011), and his stunning work in “Happiness,” shifts his focus to a palliative care unit at Calais Hospital in northern France. Here, a gentle horse named Peyo visits the most vulnerable patients, providing comfort in their final days. One of these patients is Amandine (39), who is battling terminal cancer and only has a few months left to live.

“The film originated from a photo story featuring Peyo that was published by the Guardian newspaper, which sparked an idea I wanted to explore further,” Balmès reveals. He approached the Calais Hospital, negotiating his presence daily with the medical staff, the patients, and their families. “What was particularly unique about Amandine is her eagerness to participate in the film. She immediately expressed her desire to leave a trace behind for her children, to show them who their mother was and

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