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Documentary Current Opportunities

From UK funding opportunities and calls for delegations, to international training labs and co-production markets, we bring you the latest opportunities and deadlines to be aware of.

Visions du Réel 2026 - Rough Cut Lab

VdR–Rough Cut Lab is an intimate workshop for four feature-length projects seeking specific feedback and advice from professionals on their most up-to-date rough cut. Taking place during the VdR–Industry days  (19-22 April 2026)  in Nyon, Switzerland, the Rough Cut Lab is a competitive lab dedicated to supporting filmmakers during the editing process to find the best creative direction for their films. Four rough cut projects will be discussed together with the film team alongside tutors (experienced editors and industry professionals) during a multi-day workshop that took place during the VdR–Industry programme. A springboard for creative documentaries, participation in this lab also offers an opportunity for curated meetings with a myriad of buyers participating across the Industry programme. 

Deadline to Apply

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Visions du Réel 2026 - Work in Progress

VdR–Work in Progress highlights six upcoming creative documentaries in their finishing stages of post-production. This boutique showcase is designed to facilitate distribution opportunities, targeting festivals, sales agents, distributors and finishing funds. Taking place during the VdR–Industry days (19-22 April 2026) in Nyon, Switzerland, the VdR–Work in Progress Showcase is an exclusive presentation of projects close to completion to film professionals including festival representatives, funders supporting post-production, post-production facilities, sales agents, distributors, TV buyers, and more. The presentations are  followed by curated individual meetings designed to secure new partners to assist in accessing finishing funds and future distribution pathways.

Deadline to Apply

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ACE Producers Mentoring Programme

The ACE Mentoring Programme aims to support upcoming producers in managing their careers and developing their international network, by providing them with the opportunity to learn from established mentors actively working within the European film industry. Each year up to 10 producers, based in the EU or a Creative Europe MEDIA Programme country, will be selected for the Mentoring Programme EU. However, there are also three spaces open for producers from non-EU countries. With this, ACE Producers wants to contribute in creating a film industry that is more inclusive and diverse. After being selected, each producer will be matched to a mentor according to their specific needs. Throughout the year, the producers will have up to 4 meetings with their mentor, online or if possible in person at international festivals and events.

Deadline to Apply

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trc. SuperSizer Television Training

SuperSizer is a career-enhancing development programme for ambitious Development Executives based in the Nations and Regions who want to win high value commissions.  In an increasingly competitive and changing TV landscape, it’s more important than ever to build the skills and confidence that help your ideas break through. SuperSizer, which first launched in 2017, equips Development Executives who produce factual, factual entertainment or specialist factual programmes with the skills, knowledge, and connections to create bold, inspiring ideas and formats that have the potential to scale and return and transform indies in the Nations and Regions. Previous contributors to the programme have included the BBC, Channel 4, Channel 5, ITV, Sky, Netflix, UKTV and Disney+.

Deadline to Apply

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International Co-production Fund - UK Global Screen Fund

The UK Global Screen Fund's International Co-production strand supports UK producers to work on international television (documentary and animation only) and feature film co-productions. All projects should have strong export potential and international audience reach, and should be able to demonstrate the potential to generate revenues for the UK producer.

Deadline to Apply

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SuperSizing Entertainment Formats - BBC x Screen Scotland x trc.

Open to independent production companies based in Scotland and will run from November 2025 to April 2026.  The fully funded training programme has been developed to support BBC Entertainment and BBC Scotland’s aspiration to find ambitious and distinctive entertainment formats to develop as potential co-commissions. Through a combination of in-person training, masterclasses, cases studies and business advice, successful applicants will learn what it takes to develop impactful formats of scale and benefit from direct access to experienced entertainment executives who’ve built global hits and returning series. 

Deadline to Apply

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CPH:DOX 2026 - CPH:FORUM

CPH:DOX’s long-standing international financing and co-production event CPH:FORUM is now open for submissions. CPH:FORUM presents 30 carefully selected documentary projects in various stages of development and production. The event is dedicated to supporting creative and visually strong film projects in the intersection of non-fiction, fiction, visual art, journalism and science. Selected projects will be invited to present their work to key European and international financiers, distributors and potential co-producers and take part in tailored one-to-one meetings.

Deadline to Apply

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Festival Launch Support, International Distribution Fund - UK Global Screen Fund

The UKGSF International Distribution: Festival Launch Support funding aims to help UK sales agents or UK producers to maximise the festival premiere of a UK feature film by supporting enhanced publicity and/or marketing activity, as well as assisting with the technical and logistical costs involved with a high profile festival launch. This funding offers support to applicants who can clearly demonstrate how they will utilise a festival premiere to enhance the promotion, reach and value of a UK film internationally.

Deadline to Apply
Open Call

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Audience Projects Fund - BFI National Lottery

The BFI National Lottery Audience Projects Fund supports ambitious, audience-facing independent UK and international film and broader screen activity of national scale. The fund will support film exhibitors, film distributors, and other organisations delivering audience development activity with multi-year and short-term projects as well as research and development.

Deadline to Apply
Open Call

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Market and Festival Attendance Fund - Screen Scotland

This fund aims to support the continued development of a skilled and diverse screen workforce, fostering real professional opportunities and sustainable careers by supporting the professional and creative development of both emerging and established filmmaking talent, and promoting their work and Scottish filmmaking internationally.

Deadline to Apply
Open Call

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RAD Fund - BFI Doc Society

The BFI Doc Society RAD (Research and Development) Fund provides support of up to a maximum of £5,000 to first or second time feature length documentary directors or director/producer teams with a single feature documentary film in early development; or up to £10,000 to producers with more than one feature documentary film in early development with first or second time feature length documentary directors attached.

Deadline to Apply
Open Call

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Production Funding - Northern Ireland Screen

Northern Ireland Screen offers production funding in the form of a recoupable loan with profit participation or in limited circumstances a grant. The fund is intended to assist in completing budgets on productions which are almost fully financed. Funding is available towards the production of feature films, television drama, animation, factual and entertainment television and interactive content.

Deadline to Apply
Open Call

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WEMW 2026 - Co-Production Forum

When East Meets West 2026 will take place on January 18-20, 2026 in Trieste (Italy) and will select 20 projects in development (live-action features, creative documentaries and short animated projects), with special attention to the 2026 East & West spotlight countries: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Projects can be live-action features, creative documentaries, short animated projects in development/financing stage with 10% of the total production budget already in place and have have international co-production potential. All selected projects will compete for two main cash prizes: the Film Center Serbia Development Award and the CICLIC WEMW Award (granted by the French Centre-Val de Loire Region).

Deadline to Apply
Call Closed

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Pact x Future Wales

Creative Wales and Pact are looking for 10 non-scripted companies to join their Future Wales cohort – an exciting opportunity for companies to get free Pact membership and exclusive benefits to support the Welsh film and TV sector. Successful applicants will access to regular coaching/development sessions with industry leaders, professionals and commissioners, and peer to peer networking opportunities with all 10 companies.

Deadline to Apply
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Made in the UK, Sold to the World Roadshow - Northern Ireland

Registrations are open for the Made in the UK, Sold to the World Roadshow, Northern Ireland - an exciting opportunity to propel your creative sector businesses onto the global stage. Held by the Department for Business and Trade as part of their Spotlight on the Creative Industries, the event will allow attendees to network with overseas buyers and markets, enhancing the global competitiveness of UK businesses. 

Deadline to Apply
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International Co-production Workshop 2025 – Belfast, Northern Ireland

The UK Global Screen Fund is organising a two-day participatory workshop in Belfast for UK-based feature film and TV producers interested in international co-production. The workshop will consist of panels, talks, and workshops on co-production with a range of both UK-based and international experts and producers. Applicants must have a lead producer credit on a completed feature film or TV project (including documentary) that has been released or broadcast commercially within the last five years to be eligible to apply to participate.

Deadline to Apply
Call Closed

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BFI NETWORK@LFF

BFI NETWORK@LFF is a professional development programme that supports emerging writers, directors and producers working towards their debut feature film. It provides an incredible opportunity for up to 15 UK-based screenwriters, directors, and producers working in fiction and documentary to engage in the BFI London Film Festival programme, attend industry events, and meet with leading filmmakers and professionals. The programme combines curated conversations, facilitated networking and exclusive opportunities to interact with filmmakers and industry guests. Participants will also receive accreditation for the duration of the festival.

Deadline to Apply
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The Sundance Institute Documentary Fund

The Sundance Institute Documentary Fund supports filmmakers worldwide in the development, production, and post-production of cinematic documentaries on a wide range of contemporary topics and themes. For over two decades, the fund has been a stable source of nonrecoupable funding, supporting work that expresses the world in creative, complex, beautiful, and provocative ways. We remain committed to nonfiction projects that elevate and advance cultural dialogue, expand the form through creativity and innovation, and have the potential to generate social impact around some of the most compelling issues of our time.

Deadline to Apply
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International Screen Institute - Market Ready

Led by distribution, marketing, and finance experts, the programme improves participants’ knowledge of international markets, developing strategies, and confidence for navigating markets and festivals. Topics covered include packaging, pitching, negotiating, and securing sales and distribution deals. Individual mentoring on specific projects is also an important part of the curriculum. A combination of in-person and on-line, aims to impart a deeper understanding of the interconnected nature of the film/doc industry.

Deadline to Apply
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International Business Development Fund - UK Global Screen Fund

The UK Global Screen Fund's International Business Development strand aims to support the development of UK screen content businesses focusing on revenue generation through export and international expansion. Eligible companies can apply for funding between £50,000 and £200,000 in total over the three-year funding period, with support in the form of non-repayable grants

Deadline to Apply
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Venice Production Bridge 2025: Final Cut in Venice

Final Cut in Venice is a programme to provide assistance in the completion of films from Africa and from Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Syria, and Yemen. UK producers can apply with projects that are co-productions between the UK and one or more of these countries; and/or if the director of the project originates from one of the aforementioned countries.

Deadline to Apply
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Ontario Creates International Financing Forum (iff)

iff is Ontario Creates’ feature film co-financing and co-production event during the Toronto International Film Festival for independent producers and industry executives developing and financing English language projects for the world market. Now in its 20th year, iff has introduced hundreds of projects to the international marketplace with over 125 successfully financed to date.

Deadline to Apply
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BFI International Connections Fund – Group Attendance at IDFA 2024

The BFI, in collaboration with Doc Society, is inviting applications from UK documentary producers (film and immersive) with active projects in development to take part in a Group Attendance to the International Documentary Festival in Amsterdam (IDFA) between 16 and 20 November 2024. IDFA is the world’s largest documentary film festival, held annually since 1988 in the Netherlands. IDFA is an independent, international meeting place with a wide range of professional activities as part of their industry programme, contributing to the development of non-fiction filmmakers and their projects at all stages. 

Deadline to Apply
Call Closed

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New Talent Strand: Production Finance Market - Film London

The Production Finance Market's New Talent strand offers international financiers the chance to connect with a curated selection of the most promising emerging feature filmmakers from the UK and abroad. Showcasing filmmakers making their first or second feature, the event also includes training for the selected filmmakers to ensure they are ready to find finance and grow their networks within one of the world’s most unique and respected markets.

Deadline to Apply
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Production Finance Market - Film London

Film London’s Production Finance Market is an annual two-day financing event for independent film held during the BFI London Film Festival. The market connects filmmakers and financiers from across the globe through one-to-one meetings as a way to navigate potential business partners and investment. The main strand accommodates feature film projects from established producers, including Animation, with budgets above €1m, while the New Talent strand specifically targets filmmakers on their first feature. Documentaries are also welcome to apply and films reflecting a range of diverse perspectives and stories are positively encouraged.

Deadline to Apply
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Biennale College Cinema - International

Biennale College Cinema has reached the 13th edition: a strategic programme for training new filmmakers from all around the world, which was already operating in the Art, Architecture, Dance, Music, and Theatre departments of La Biennale di Venezia. Biennale College fosters new talents, allowing them to work in contact with masters in order to develop “creations”.

Deadline to Apply
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BFI International Connections Fund – Group Attendance at San Sebastian Film Festival 2024

The BFI has developed an opportunity for UK producers to take part in a group attendance to the San Sebastian Film Festival’s Industria programme in Spain in September 2024. The festival and its industry section is a major meeting point for the European and Latin American film industries, playing a strong role in connecting potential co-producers and partners from both regions. The event welcomes filmmaking talent from countries including Spain, France, Germany, Argentina, Colombia and Brazil, and is therefore an excellent gateway for UK industry to meet their European and Latin American counterparts and to gain insight into co-production opportunities with the regions served by the event.

Deadline to Apply
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San Sebastian - Europe-Latin America Co-production Forum

The Co-production Forum at San Sebastian International Film Festival is open to Latin American and European projects at the development stage. European projects must have a direct link with Latin America: involvement of a Latin American producer, shooting locations, actors in the leading roles or subject in the script.

Deadline to Apply
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International Business Development Strategy Days - UK Global Screen Fund

The UK Global Screen Fund is inviting applications for its 2025 International Business Development Strategy Days which will run from Tuesday 3 June to Wednesday 4 June 2025 in Belfast. This event is a two-day  set of workshops for UK-based companies which create, acquire or exploit narrative IP in the screen sector, across film and TV (fiction and factual), animation, interactive narrative video games, and distribution.

Deadline to Apply
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Venice Production Bridge 2025: Gap Financing Market

The Venice Gap-Financing Market is a platform for selected projects that aims to support European and international producers to secure financing for their projects (Fiction Films, Documentaries and Immersive Projects) through one-to-one meetings with potential and pertinent international professionals (producers, sales agents, distributors, financiers, broadcasters and funds).

Deadline to Apply
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Cross Continental Forum 2025: Decolonizing Co-Production

The Cross Continental Forum serves as a dynamic hub for global film and television co-production. Specifically designed to bridge connections between the UK, Canada, Africa, and the Caribbean, this five-day forum aims to create a collaborative environment where high-level producers, experts and professionals explore synergies, share expertise, and build partnerships that will drive innovation and growth within the film industry. The opportunity is open to documentary, feature film and TV series producers from the UK, Canada, the Caribbean and South Africa who are of Black or Global Majority descent and have successfully produced at least one full length project domestically.

Deadline to Apply
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Meet, Match, Make: Speed-dating with International Producers at Cannes 2025

On Sunday 18 May the British Film Institute (BFI) are organising Meet, Match, Make during the Cannes Film Festival 2025, a speed-dating and networking event to connect UK and international producers with an interest in collaborating on feature film co-productions. Applicants must have at least one lead producer credit with international or UK distribution within the last 5 years.

Deadline to Apply
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CoCreate Meetings at Cannes 2025

Hosted by Ontario Creates, Telefilm Canada, the New Zealand Film Commission, Screen Australia, British Film Institute, Screen Scotland, and Screen Ireland, UK producers can apply to participate in curated business meetings to discuss projects (from the early stages of development onwards) with experienced producers from New Zealand, Australia, Ireland and Canada who are looking for co-production partners.  

Deadline to Apply
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Co-production Lunch at Cannes 2025

The UK Global Screen Fund is hosting an International Co-production Lunch on Saturday 17 May 2025, during the Cannes Film Festival. UK-based production companies can apply to attend this event, the goal of which is to meet international decision makers, share potential co-production projects and develop international networks. Applicants must have at least one production credit with international or UK distribution within the last 5 years.

Deadline to Apply
Call Closed

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BFI International Connections Fund – Group Attendance to Paris 2025

In collaboration with the French National Centre of Cinema (CNC), the BFI is inviting applications from UK feature film and TV producers with active projects in development to take part in a group attendance at the UK-France Co-production Meetings 2025 between 30 June and 1 July 2025 in person in Paris, France (the Event).

Deadline to Apply
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ACE Mentoring Programme EU 2025

The ACE Mentoring Programme aims to support upcoming producers in managing their careers and developing their international network, by providing them with the opportunity to learn from established mentors actively working within the European film industry. The programme dates are February – December 2025 with a total of 4 online meetings held throughout the year.

Deadline to Apply
Call Closed

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Co-production Lunch at Berlinale 2025

The UK Global Screen Fund in partnership with the British Council are hosting an International Co-production Lunch on Saturday 15 February 2025, during the Berlinale International Film Festival. UK-based production companies can apply to attend this event, the goal of which is to meet international decision makers, share potential co-production projects and develop international networks. Applicants must have at least one production credit with international or UK distribution within the last 5 years.

Deadline to Apply
Call Closed

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BFI International Connections Fund – Group Attendance at CPH:DOX 2025

The BFI, in collaboration with Doc Society, is inviting applications from UK immersive documentary producers and producers/creators with active projects in development to take part in a Group Attendance to CPH:DOX between 23 and 27 March 2025 in person in Copenhagen, Denmark.

Deadline to Apply
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BFI International Connections Fund – Group Attendance at IFFR 2025

The BFI's International and Inclusion teams are inviting applications from disabled UK producers, writers and directors to take part in a Group Attendance to the International Film Festival Rotterdam (IFFR) between 1 and 5 February 2025. Selected delegates will receive IFFR industry accreditation, and attendance will allow them to meet potential international funders and partners, to explore co-production opportunities, and to take part in the full range of industry programme activities and networking events.

Deadline to Apply
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Doha Film Institute Producers Lab

This intensive programme takes place online and focuses on the creative, artistic and strategic aspects of producing a feature-length documentary and fiction films. Through intensive training exercises, group tutorials, tailor-made one-on-one meetings and master classes led by noted industry experts, participants will gain deeper insight into various elements of film producing and come to truly understand the role of a producer.

Deadline to Apply
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UK-France Co-production Meetings @ LFF - New Waves 2024

The French National Centre of Cinema (CNC), the Institut Français in the United Kingdom, Unifrance, Animation UK and the British Film Institute (BFI) are once again collaborating on a series of B2B networking meetings between French and UK producers during the BFI London Film Festival (LFF) 2024. There will be a spotlight on animation for this year's delegation, with a selection of the French producers being from the animation sector. The meetings will take place on Saturday 12 October 2024 in London.

Deadline to Apply
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UK-Italy Co-production Meetings @ LFF - 2024

The Directorate General for Cinema and Audiovisual of the Ministry of Culture in Italy (DGCA-MiC), Cinecittà, the Italian Cultural Institute of London and the British Film Institute (BFI) are collaborating on a series of B2B networking meetings between Italian and UK producers during the BFI London Film Festival (in partnership with American Express) 2024. The meetings will take place on Friday 11 October 2024 at a central London location

Deadline to Apply
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Berlinale Talents 2025

Berlinale Talents is the talent development programme of the Berlin International Film Festival, with project development labs taking place digitally in late January and an onsite summit with panels, discussions and networking opportunities during the Berlinale each February. Berlinale Talents is aimed at filmmakers, series and XR content creators with with an existing track record of work.

Deadline to Apply
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IFFR: CineMart Project Submissions

CineMart is IFFR Pro’s co-production market, where a carefully curated lineup of projects in development are presented to international industry representatives. Bold independent feature film projects are launched onto the market, along with select immersive media projects. Together they receive vital mentorship and networking opportunities, finding the right connections to bring their projects to reality.

Deadline to Apply
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Producers Lunch at LFF 2024

The 68th BFI London Film Festival in partnership with American Express and the UK Global Screen Fund are hosting a lunch for international and UK producers on Sunday 13 October. A limited number of UK producers with a strong interest in and experience of international co-production will be invited to attend. To apply for a place, please complete the short application form.

Deadline to Apply
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Locarno Documentary Summer School

The DSS program offers a one-of-a-kind experience that includes five half days of engaging lectures and carefully selected films from the prestigious Semaine de la Critique and the Festival's International Competition. By participating in this program, you will have the opportunity to engage in a stimulating exchange between the academic and film communities, immersing yourself in a dynamic dialogue that spans a wide range of topics - from theoretical reflection to creative practice.

Deadline to Apply
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Short Film Funding - BFI NETWORK

This fund is open to filmmaking teams with directors based in England. It supports the production costs of standalone fiction films. These can be live action, animation or immersive/VR and must be no more than 15 minutes long. The fund is intended to stimulate new ideas and stories, so it does not support adaptations of existing material, apart from of the writer’s own previous work.

Deadline to Apply
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Galway Film Fleadh Marketplace

The Marketplace takes place during the Galway Film Fleadh, and co-ordinates pre-scheduled meetings between a pre-selected group of producers with feature films, documentary and animation projects in development (and/or completed films) and invited film financiers, distributors, sales agents, broadcasters, film funds and major producers.

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MIT Open Documentary Lab

The MIT Open Documentary Lab’s Fellows Program hosts a limited number of distinguished artists, creative technologists, and scholars in residence or virtually who want to engage deeply with new documentary storytelling techniques and technologies in a collaborative and interdisciplinary environment.

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EAVE Producers Workshop

EAVE is aimed at producers (fiction, documentary and TV series), who are already working in the film and television industries who wish to expand their operation internationally by increasing their knowledge of producing and co-producing in Europe and by building up a pan European professional network. Applications are also welcome from associated branches of the industry – e.g. commissioning, funding, legal and finance, festivals & markets, media administration.

Deadline to Apply
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UnionDocs Summer Lab

The primary goal of both Summer Documentary Labs is to support the development of your project. We provide a framework of instruction, workshops, assignments, and deadlines; all designed to push your work forward. Group critiques with peers and one-on-one sessions with the lead instructor and mentors challenge you to clarify your interests and perspective.

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Ji-hlava Emerging Producers

Emerging Producers is an industry flagship project of the Ji.hlava International Documentary Film Festival and the only one of its kind designed for documentary film producers in Europe. Every year we select 18 talented producers (17 European and one representing a guest country), which we provide with educational, networking and promotional support.

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IDFA Forum

IDFA Forum is one of the most influential meeting places for filmmakers, creators, producers, and industry representatives working on ground-breaking creative feature documentaries and new media projects. Created 30 years ago to bring together creative documentary makers with potential financial and sales collaborators, the IDFA Forum has grown into a world-leading space to explore coproduction, co-financing and distribution strategies.

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Rotterdam Lab

Rotterdam Lab is an annual training workshop for international film producers. Taking place during IFFR, the Lab hosts more than 70 producers nominated by partners from across the world. The aim is to offer emerging professionals the means to build and develop their network, providing confidence and skills to navigate the world of international film financing, sales and distribution.

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Dok Leipzig Co-production Market

The DOK Co-Pro Market features 35 international documentary and animated documentary projects in development and matches project holders with new partners for co-production, financing and distribution. Over two days, DOK Industry organizes 850+ curated one-on-one meetings and plenty of informal networking opportunities in a friendly and welcoming setting.

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