Every year, Doc at Work pays tribute to a European country by inviting a delegation of producers interested in developing new collaborations with Italy. The initiative aims to strengthen artistic and production ties between the two countries, creating concrete opportunities for professional meetings and exchanges. In 2023, the guest country was the Netherlands, while in 2024, the focus shifted to Switzerland.

France is the guest of honor at the 2025 edition of Doc at Work. This tribute celebrates the historically strong and fruitful bonds between the French and Italian film industries, aiming to foster new connections between professionals from both countries.

In collaboration with Unifrance, the French Embassy in Rome, the French Consulate in Florence, the Institut Français in Rome, and the Institut Français in Florence, this year's Festival dei Popoli programme features homages to Sarah Maldoror and Marie Losier. 

Concerning the industry programme, Doc at Work will host a panel dedicated to co-production between France and Italy and a panel focusing on documentary distribution in Italy.

Furthermore, Doc at Work will host a delegation of French producers who will be in Florence to pitch their upcoming projects, seek new potential partners, and explore the Italian documentary ecosystem.

The invited projects are:

Anita by Sandra Vieira (Gaëtan Trigot - Pentacle Productions)

Black Waves by Augustin Martinez (Lorenzo Bianchi - Société Acéphale)

The Age of Rebellion by Eduardo Sosa Soria (Eduardo Sosa Soria - La Féline)

Zefiro e Flora by Luigi Brandi (Mathilde Leite - Vilanova Productions)

Here the programme of the activities of Country in Focus: France on November the 8th:

• 10.00 - 10.45 (Cinema Astra): Panel: Co-production between France and Italy, with institutional representatives from DCGA and CNC, moderated by Maria Bonsanti (Open to all the Industry accredited)
• 10.45 - 11:30 (Cinema Astra): French Delegation Pitch (Open to all the Industry accredited)

12.00 - 13.00 (Cinema Astra): Panel: Documentary Distribution in Italy, with Anastasia Plazzotta (Wanted Cinema), Maud Corino (Zalab), Luigi D’Alife (OpenDDB) and Fabio Mancini (Rai Documentari), moderated by Michele Crocchiola (Open to all the Industry accredited)