Sixteen production houses have been selected as winners of the documentary film proposals contest, launched at the beginning of June by the National Cinematography Center. The authors of the winning projects will share five million lei, tax-free money, offered by the Ministry of Education, Culture and Research, IPN reports.

Academician Mihai Cimpoi, one of the jury members, told a press conference on Friday, August 12, that 16 documentary films would be shot. The proposed stories concern topical issues in our society. “These are issues like migration, theft, corruption, deportations, Transnistria. Also the history of our people, our cultural monuments. There are also several portraits of significant cultural figures”, said Cimpoi.

Poet Emilian Galaicu-Paun added that local cinematography was sinking into abyss because authorities were ignoring it, but this contest will revive it. “Supporting cinematography has been a must for a long time. We were losing artists and talents”, stressed the poet.

Valeriu Jereghi, head of the National Cinematography Center, said that the jury received 22 applications but only 16 obtained the required minimum of 6 points. All the productions must be shot within Moldova. A new edition of the contest will be announced in January.