The Rotterdam Lab 2026 is a program for emerging international film producers seeking to expand their professional network and develop feature-length projects with international co-production potential. It is open to independent producers, freelancers, or junior producers in production companies, with no age limit, who have completed at least two short films and are working on their first or second feature.
The program prioritizes diversity and inclusion, especially welcoming applicants from minority, indigenous, LGBTQIA+, neurodiverse, disabled communities, or underrepresented regions in the international film industry.
Selected participants receive full access to IFFR Pro and CineMart 2026, including accreditation for meetings, screenings, networking events, and five nights of accommodation. Travel expenses are not covered.
The lab takes place during the International Film Festival Rotterdam, from late January to early February 2026. Applicants must submit an application form, CV, and motivation letter, with an optional portfolio or dossier. The main focus is on the international potential of the project and the producer’s ability to contribute to and benefit from the lab.
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Lab - IFFR
Conecta 2026, the 11th International Documentary Industry Meeting, will take place in Santiago, Chile, from December 9 to 12, 2026, in a hybrid format. It is focused on the documentary and non-fiction industry of Chile, Latin America, and the Caribbean, with national and international participation depending on the requirements of each section.
Applications for Conectados, Conecta con la Distribución, and Docs in Progress FIDOCS + Conecta were open from June 8 to August 3, 2026. Pitch The Whickers, Conecta con tus Raíces, Conecta con las Series, and Conecta con la Región accept applications from August 17 to September 24, 2026.
The event includes a market, pitch, laboratories and workshops, distribution, development, production, editing, post-production, and Work in Progress. It mainly accepts documentary feature films, standalone documentary projects, and documentary or non-fiction series, depending on the section. Docs in Progress will also have an online stage during FIDOCS, from November 12 to 19, 2026.
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CONNECT - Industry
The Hollywood Storytellers Script Competition is an international screenwriting contest open to feature films, shorts, and TV pilots across all genres. The submission deadline is November 2, 2025. Scripts must be submitted in English as PDFs and meet standard length requirements per category. The jury consists of industry professionals from major studios such as Disney, Netflix, and Warner Bros. Participants can optionally request executive feedback with a free resubmission option. Winners receive laurels, certificates, industry exposure, and an invitation to attend the live event in Los Angeles on March 21 and 22, 2026. This festival is a valuable opportunity for screenwriters seeking visibility, networking, and direct access to Hollywood professionals. Entry fees range from $28 to $80 USD, with discounts available.
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Festival de cine Hollywood Storytellers - CONCURSO DE GUIÓN
The Slow Cinema Workshop-Residency at IbizaCineFest will take place from February 20 to 28, 2026, in Ibiza, Spain. This program functions as a creative and educational laboratory focused on exploring contemplative cinema, known as slow cinema. It is not a competition for pre-existing works; participants will develop and produce an audiovisual piece during the workshop, such as a city portrait or a self-portrait.
The call is open to individuals of any nationality, with no restrictions on film genre, emphasizing practice and observation rather than completed project submissions. Attendees will receive theoretical and practical training in cinematic language, editing, observation, and filming techniques, fostering the development of a personal vision and unique style.
The workshop includes accommodation in Ibiza, internal transfers, and festival accreditation, though international transportation and personal filming equipment are not covered. Registration is done directly through the organizers, and interested participants must apply before the submission deadline set by the festival.
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TALLER SLOW CINEMA CON JIAJIE YU YAN
The Darkroom 2026 program, organized by the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) through its professional market CineMart, is aimed at feature films and immersive media projects that are in an advanced stage of editing or post-production. It focuses on Work in Progress projects, providing a professional platform to showcase films that are not yet fully completed. Short films or fully finished films with distribution already in place are not accepted.
The event will take place in Rotterdam, Netherlands, during IFFR Pro / CineMart from January 31 to February 4, 2026. The call was international, allowing submissions from any country, with no restrictions on cinematic genre; fiction, documentary, and hybrid projects are welcome.
The submission deadline was October 19, 2025, so the call is now closed. Darkroom offers a unique opportunity to connect with industry professionals, receive expert feedback, and prepare projects for international release or distribution.
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Darkroom - IFFR
