The industry program of the Hot Docs Canadian International Documentary Festival takes place in Canada and focuses on international documentary projects. It includes sections such as pitch sessions (Forum), market activities, and development platforms like Deal Maker, all designed to connect projects with financiers, distributors, and co-production partners.
The industry dates are scheduled from April 27 to April 29, 2026. Regarding submissions, the main deadlines for project-based initiatives such as Forum and Deal Maker close on December 18, 2025. For film submissions to the festival, the latest deadline is January 8, 2026.
This call targets documentary projects in various formats, mainly feature-length films and series, across different stages including development, production, and completion. It is an international platform that accepts submissions from around the world and stands as a leading global marketplace for documentary content.
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Hot Docs Industry
¡MATCH! Profesional 2026 is an industry initiative of Encuentros Australes at the Valdivia International Film Festival (FICValdivia), designed to connect audiovisual professionals and companies from Chilean regions with the film industry. The call for applications is open from July 27 to August 21, 2026, and the selected participants will be announced in September 2026. The program will take place as part of the 33rd Valdivia International Film Festival, scheduled for October 12–18, 2026, and includes networking activities, professional meetings, and preparatory mentoring sessions.
The call is open exclusively to national applicants from Chile’s regions, excluding the Province of Santiago. Rather than accepting films or audiovisual projects, the program selects audiovisual professionals and companies based on their portfolios to foster connections with producers, filmmakers, and other industry representatives. It functions as a professional market and networking platform aimed at increasing collaboration opportunities and visibility for regional talent.
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¡Match! Profesional - FICValdivia
The Slow Cinema Workshop-Residency is a training initiative within the Ibizacinefest, focused on contemplative and slow-paced filmmaking. Its goal is to help participants develop a personal vision, encourage mindful observation, and explore alternative narrative approaches beyond conventional cinematic pacing. Attendees will learn about framing, composition, camera movement, and cinematic language, while producing their own audiovisual piece, such as a city portrait or self-portrait.
The 2026 edition will take place from February 20 to 28, and is aimed at students and professionals in film, art, photography, and audiovisual fields, as well as anyone interested in experimental and reflective cinema. The workshop includes accommodation, meals, transfers, festival accreditation, and public screening of participants’ works, with a maximum of 15 participants and a total cost of 580 €. The program combines practical and theoretical learning, fostering experimentation and the development of a personal filmmaking style in the inspiring environment of Ibiza.
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SLOW CINEMA WORKSHOP-RESIDENCY - IBIZACINEFEST
Simbiosis Inmersiva Lab is a collaborative development lab organized by Encuentros Australes of the Valdivia International Film Festival (FICValdivia). It brings together filmmakers and science professionals to create immersive storytelling projects using Extended Reality (XR) technologies, including virtual, augmented, and mixed reality. The program is open exclusively to Chilean citizens or residents of Chile interested in science communication through innovative audiovisual formats. Projects may be at the concept or development stage, with no genre restrictions, provided they incorporate scientific content and a clear immersive approach. The lab will take place in Valdivia, Chile, from October 9–12, 2026, offering mentorships, workshops, and collaborative sessions led by national and international experts. Applications close on August 16, 2026, and selected participants will be announced during the first week of September.
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Simbiosis Inmersiva LAB - FICValdivia
The FIRE!! LAB call is part of the LGTBIQ+ Film Festival in Barcelona and targets audiovisual projects focused on LGTBIQ+ themes. The lab is designed for the creative development of feature films and series, providing mentorship, guidance, and pitching sessions with producers to support projects in the writing and development stages.
The call is open to both national and international participants, with a particular focus on the Spanish audiovisual industry. Projects should be in development and may be fiction or documentary, always centered on LGTBIQ+ content.
Applications for this edition close on March 15, 2026, while the lab activities will take place from June 8 to June 10, 2026 in Barcelona, Spain. This initiative offers a unique opportunity for creators to receive professional support to advance the writing, structuring, and presentation of their stories in a specialized audiovisual market.
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FIRE!! LAB
