In 2020, Belarus saw a spontaneous uprising against Aliaksandr Lukashenka’s dictatorship, exposing deep-rooted repression, militarization, and election fraud. This “suspended revolution” was brutally crushed with Russia’s assistance, leading to mass emigration and over 1,800 political prisoners today. Having spearheaded the uprising, a new generation of filmmakers emerged, creating socially and politically charged cinema. These filmmakers who are now in exile continue to promote Belarus's independent culture through cinema. In February 2022, they founded the Belarusian Independent Film Academy.

The panel discussion shed light on the current state of Belarusian independent documentary cinema, offering insights into the filmmakers challenges and successes, both within Belarus and in exile. It also explored ways to support them through festivals, funding, and partnerships, all within the context of the ongoing fight against the dictatorship in Belarus and the war in Ukraine.