On Friday, February 17, 2023, at 11:30 a.m., the founding members will introduce their plans for the Belarusian Independent Film Academy for the first time: They will outline their initiative as well as introducing first projects in the works. The presentation will take place at the Berlinale EFM, venue: Producers Hub (EFM, Martin Gropius Bau, 2nd floor).

In response to the constant threat of persecution, imprisonment and torture to independent artists living in Belarus, as well as a need to leave the country in order to continue working without state repression and in accordance with freedom of expression, a group of independent Belarusian filmmakers in exile are now uniting in an independent Belarusian Film Academy (BIFA) to give a voice to independent artists from Belarus who work in the film industry.

The event is held in close cooperation and partnership with the European Film Market and its director Dennis Ruh. It is endorsed by the European Film Academy, whose director Matthijs Wouter Knol will be present to voice the EFA's support. Also present will be Simone Baumann, Managing Director of German Films.