The Projects Submission call for the FEST – New Directors | New Films Festival in Portugal (Espinho) invites film projects to its Pitching Forum 2026. Submissions are open from December 18, 2025 to April 6, 2026, with Early Bird, regular, and late fee periods. The main event takes place during the festival, running June 20–28, 2026, with training sessions from June 23–25 and final pitch presentations on June 26–27, 2026. This call accepts international submissions with no country restrictions and is open to projects of all genres and filmmaking techniques (fiction, documentary, animation, experimental). The focus area is a Pitching Forum for development, funding, and co-production, where selected projects are presented to industry professionals. Accepted formats include feature films, short films, and series at various stages from development to post-production, organized in categories such as Feature Gems, Work In Progress, Make It Short, and Series, according to the participation guidelines.
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FEST — Pitching Forum
The ALGA Ibero-American Residency 2026 is an in-person training opportunity for filmmakers and audiovisual professionals with feature film and series projects in development. Applications are open until January 31, 2026 and the program is open to international applicants from Ibero-America, Spain, and Portugal, with no genre or theme restrictions. It accepts fiction, documentary, animation, and experimental projects in development. The residency takes place in Valdivia, Chile, in four-week sessions divided into Group 1 (April 27 – May 22, 2026), Group 2 (June 1 – 26, 2026), and Group 3 (July 6 – 31, 2026). Participants receive creative and industry support, training activities, and dedicated time to develop their projects. This program aims to strengthen and support emerging audiovisual works during early stages of creation.
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Residencia Alga
IndieLisboa Lab is a film project development workshop aimed at Portuguese filmmakers or foreign residents with permanent residency in Portugal. Its goal is to provide mentorship and training focused on narrative development, creative vision, and preparing projects for both the national and international markets.
The 2026 edition application deadline is January 16, 2026. The lab activities will take place in two phases: the first from March 27 to 29, 2026, and the second from May 3 to 6, 2026.
Projects of any genre are accepted, including fiction, documentary, animation, and experimental. The lab targets projects in development, whether short or feature films, providing mentorship, feedback, and professional guidance.
Although some foreign participants may apply if they meet the residency requirement in Portugal, the call is not open internationally to all countries. It is primarily a national initiative aimed at strengthening the Portuguese film industry.
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Indie Lab - Industry
FIDLab 2026 is an international call organized by FIDMarseille, focused on fiction and documentary film projects with a strong artistic vision and international co-production potential. It targets filmmakers and producers seeking professional support, funding opportunities, and strategic industry connections.
The call is open to projects at various stages, including writing, development, production, and post-production, as long as they are cinematic works in progress. There are no thematic or narrative genre restrictions, but priority is given to singular, sensitive projects with a clear authorial perspective.
FIDLab operates as a co-production platform and laboratory, providing selected projects with access to meetings and exchanges with producers, funding bodies, distributors, sales agents, and other key international audiovisual professionals.
The call is open to international submissions. The application deadline is March 2, 2026. FIDLab will take place on July 9 and 10, 2026, as part of FIDMarseille, which will be held from July 7 to 12, 2026, in France.
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FIDLab - Marseille
Bolivia Lab 2025 invites Ibero-American filmmakers with projects in development, whether documentary, fiction, or animation. This lab provides a unique space to reflect on the state of cinema in the region, encourage cooperation and co-production among countries, and strengthen creative, productive, and artistic ties. In a hybrid format, Bolivia Lab will feature conferences, masterclasses, international film screenings, and discussion panels with renowned film professionals from both Bolivia and internationally. The event will take place in the city of La Paz, Bolivia, promoting cultural identity, equity, and mutual respect among participants.
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Bolivia Lab - Project Laboratory and Clinic
