They include two new industry programme sections making their bow at Jihlava: Conference Fascinations, a presentation and discussion on experimental film distribution; and DOC.STREAM, a networking platform with selected partner countires.

The profusion of industry programmes has the festival stretching its reach to house its growing guest list, which ranges from high profile professionals to new film school graduates working on their debut films.

High on the list of must-do’s is the “appearance” of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange via Skype. Assange, along with Pussy Riot activist Maria Alyokhina and Syrian refugee Osama Abdul Mohsen (who gained fame when he and his son were tripped by a Hungarian journalist) are this year’s Inspiration Forum guest speakers. The Inspiration Forum, which surely comes into its own in its 5th annual edition, is an example of what makes Jihlava a standout festival. The provincial town is the perfect setting for a small, forgettable event, but the festival’s iconoclastic approach under fest director Marek Hovorka more than compensates for its off-the-beaten-track location.

The festival had been the gathering point for the documentary pitching forum Ex Oriente, but when Ex Oriente announced its intention to move its main event to Prague, it seemed Jihlava would lose its prominence. Hovorka turned that loss into an opportunity – in fact, several opportunities – to broach new territories. Inspiration Forum, a nod to the concept that documentary filmmakers are inspired by ideas and events, was one of the results. Emerging Producers, now in its 4th year, and the 6th edition of Festival Identity quickly filled the space left by Ex Oriente. This year, Festival Identity turned the table on journalists, putting them on the spot with a discussion about the ways new media has changed coverage of festivals and documentary films. One point that the panel could agree upon: Jihlava IDFF has established its identity on the festival circuit.