Internationally renowned composer Ádám Balázs discusses the power and role of music in documentary storytelling — how sound becomes one of the most vital tools of narrative emotion and meaning. He has composed music for more than sixty films, including Ildikó Enyedi’s On Body and Soul (Golden Bear winner, Oscar nominee), Kristóf Deák’s Oscar-winning Sing, and Dorottya Zurbó’s acclaimed documentaries The Next Guardian, Easy Lessons, and Agent of Happiness.
Verzió DocPro 2025
The professional and educational program of the Verzió International Human Rights Documentary Film Festival returns again this year! Between November 12–16, DocPro welcomes everyone interested in the world of documentary film — from professionals to students and general audiences. The aim of Verzió DocPro is to create space for connection, exchange, and inspiration within the documentary community. Over five days, the program explores both current professional issues and broader topics that engage the public, through panels, masterclasses, and presentations.
Thursday, November 13: DocPro Academy Day (CEU, Nádor u. 15, 1051 Budapest, Auditorium B)
For the first time in DocPro’s history, an entire day will be dedicated specifically to students. The DocPro Academy Day offers a series of masterclasses exploring the practical side of documentary filmmaking. Students can learn from internationally acclaimed professionals and Hungarian experts who have worked on award-winning films. All students attending the Academy Day will receive a free ticket to one of the Verzió screenings!
Registration:
For groups: industry@verzio.org (Please include a full class list with names and emails.)
For individual registration: https://forms.gle/i5TGcixpMWgUozKa9
13 November - 11:15AM 75'
CEU - Auditorium B
How can deeply local stories become universally understood and emotionally resonant? This discussion explores how filmmakers can translate cultural context while maintaining authenticity — bridging the gap between local specificity and global audiences.
13 November - 1:15PM 60'
CEU - Auditorium B
Universality makes the story readable; uniqueness makes it memorable. Award-winning editor Réka Lemhényi examines how an editor’s subjectivity shapes a film’s narrative and layers of meaning. Her masterclass highlights how rhythm, emotion, and structure create stories that remain deeply rooted in their local culture, yet speak to global audiences.
13 November - 2:30PM 75'
CEU - Auditorium B
How do international workshops and pitching forums shape a film’s journey from the first idea to festival premiere? Through personal experience, the speakers reveal how these programs support directors’ and producers’ growth, strengthen visibility, and connect local stories with global audiences.
13 November - 4:00PM 90'
CEU - Auditorium B
How can filmmakers create a coherent yet artistically powerful visual language in documentary filmmaking — a genre often shaped by unpredictability? Cinematographers discuss how deliberate visual, lighting, and archival decisions help achieve authenticity while meeting the artistic standards of cinema and the increasingly high expectations of the international documentary community.
