Documentary feature Bigger Than Trauma has been selected for the programme The Changing Face of Europe, while the Canadian audience will have a chance to see it in the cinema on 29th April and 4th May. The screening at Hot Docs will be its international premiere, while its world premiere is scheduled for early April, in the ZagrebDox Regional Competition.

Film by the author duo Vedrana Pribačić and Mirta Puhlovski will appear in the programme devoted to outstanding documentary accomplishments from Europe, created in collaboration with the European Film Promotion, organized with the support of the EFP members, including the Croatian Audiovisual Centre. All the filmmakers whose works are screening in this programme in front of the Toronto audience will get a chance to participate in different intensive industry activities, including workshops, pitching sessions and meetings, aimed at advancing their international visibility and careers.

Shot over a period of three years, Bigger Than Trauma traces the emotional states and progress of three women (Katica, Ana and Marija) who experienced trauma during the Croatian War of Independence. In a layered process of strengthening their resources, the women tell their life’s stories. The healing process takes place as part of the pioneering programme “I Am More Than My Trauma”, in which the women gradually regain their dignity and trust, lost in the war, through systemic and integrative methods of support.

The film was directed by Vedrana Pribačić, co-directed by Mirta Puhlovski, who is also the film’s producer (Metar60). Director of photography is Dario Hacek, while cinematography was also done by Dinka Radonić. Marta Broz edited the film, with sound design done by Dario Domitrović, Tihomir Vrbanec and Frano Homen.

Also to appear at Hot Docs is Srđan Keča’s documentary feature Museum of the Revolution, whose screening in the World Showcase programme will mark its North American premiere. The film is on the programme on 28th April and 2nd May. Museum of the Revolution had its world premiere last year at the International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam - IDFA, followed by appearances at home, at the Human Rights Film Festival, and in competition at the Trieste Film Festival.

The film’s producers are Vanja Jambrović (Restart) and Srđan Keča (Uzrok), with co-producers Lukás Kokes (Czech company Nutprodukce), Croatian Radiotelevision and Al Jazeera Documentary Channel (Qatar).

Both films screening at Hot Docs will compete for the Audience Award, which is an Oscar-qualifying award, putting the winner in the running for next year’s Academy Award nomination.

Hot Docs is one of the most important documentary film festivals, while this year’s 29th edition will feature 226 titles, available for viewing at festival venues and online, 28th April – 8th May.