The CANTERA - Alcalá Short Film Lab call is aimed at emerging filmmakers who want to develop their first professional short film. Up to six projects will be selected to participate in an intensive training lab, including 16 hours of workshops led by industry professionals in scriptwriting, directing, pitching, and production.
The winning project will receive an in-kind prize valued at over €20,000, providing resources to complete the short film. Additionally, the final work will have the opportunity to premiere at a future edition of the Alcalá de Henares Film Festival, offering national exposure.
Participants must be over 18 years old and have limited professional short film experience (no more than one). Project duration should be between five and thirty minutes. Applications are open until October 24, 2025. This initiative is an excellent opportunity to gain training, support, and visibility in the film industry, fostering emerging talent and enabling the creation of high-quality short films.
Review official bases.
ECAM Films to Come
The Young Audiovisual Laboratory of the Reteena Festival 2025 is aimed at young filmmakers aged 17 to 25 with projects in Catalan that are still in development, including short and feature films. Its purpose is to provide training, mentorship, and visibility for emerging cinematic talent.
Selected participants will receive personalized script tutoring with professional filmmakers, along with workshops on pitching, project dossiers, and masterclasses on production, distribution, and sustainable filmmaking. Participants will have the chance to present their projects in an open pitching session with well-known production companies, increasing their funding and development opportunities.
The laboratory also offers a €1,000 prize for the most outstanding project and full accreditation to the Reteena Festival, granting access to all festival activities. Key dates include registration in September–October, selection announcements in November, and in-person workshops in December.
This call is a unique opportunity for young filmmakers seeking to professionalize their projects, gain expert guidance, and showcase their work in a professional and creative environment.
Review official bases.
Young Audiovisual Laboratory
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.
Review official bases.
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.
Review official bases.
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.
Review official bases.
Festival de cine Hollywood Storytellers - CONCURSO DE GUIÓN
