The Ópera Prima LAB 2026 call from the Cartagena International Film Festival is open to filmmakers from Ibero-America, South America, and the Caribbean, accepting international submissions. The lab is designed to support first feature film or first series projects in the development stage, providing mentorship, workshops, and a final pitch to industry professionals.
Projects of any genre are accepted, including fiction, documentary, animation, or hybrid formats. Applicants must submit a complete script or written pilot, along with development materials such as synopsis and creative dossier. The program focuses on script and creative development, not on completed projects.
Submissions are open from November 26, 2025, to January 18, 2026. The lab will take place virtually from March to April 2026, with in-person sessions from April 14 to 19, 2026, during the festival in Cartagena, Colombia.
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First Feature film LAB - FICCI/a>
Shortpitch is an activity aimed at the audiovisual short film industry. It is open to directors or production companies operating nationwide (Spain) with a project in the development or pre-production phase, including those that have previously received public and/or private funding.
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Shortpitch - skylinefest
The Sentiero Film Factory – Film Pitch is an international short film screenplay competition open to directors and screenwriters from any country. Participants can submit original screenplays of up to 20 pages in Italian or English, with no genre or style restrictions. Selected projects will have the opportunity to present a live pitch during the festival, which will take place from September 18 to 26, 2026, in Florence, Italy. Participation in the live pitch is mandatory to be eligible for awards.
The submission deadline is June 1, 2026, for all materials. This section of the festival allows creators to present their projects to producers and industry professionals, providing opportunities for development and funding. The Film Pitch focuses on direct interaction between creators and experts, fostering networking and international visibility for short film projects.
In summary, it is an ideal platform for filmmakers seeking professional support, international exposure, and the chance to turn their screenplay into a tangible audiovisual project.
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Sentiero Film Factory - FILM PITCH
Arché Porto, part of Porto/Post/Doc, is a development lab and residency for early‑stage projects. It targets emerging filmmakers working on creative documentaries, hybrid works, or film essays in feature‑length or medium‑length format.
The next edition will take place in Porto during the festival, 25 November – 1 December 2025 (Arché sessions usually happen on the Industry days, around 25–27 November).
The program offers tailored mentorships, feedback sessions, and networking activities, encouraging formal and narrative experimentation. Selected projects are developed and presented to international industry professionals during the festival.
Priority is given to projects linked to Portugal, Galicia, or the Iberian Peninsula. The call opens in summer and closes by late September 2025 (exact date to be confirmed). A dossier with synopsis, treatment, CV, and development status is required.
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Porto/Post/Doc - Arché Porto
The BAM Projects – Documentary Films 2026 call is aimed at feature-length creative documentaries in development, with a minimum duration of 70 minutes. It is organized by the Bogotá Audiovisual Market and is open exclusively to Colombian projects, where both the legal entity and the director must be Colombian nationals.
Applications are open from November 13, 2025, and close on January 8, 2026, at 3:59 p.m. Colombia time. Selected projects will be announced on March 27, 2026. Afterwards, teams will participate in business and creative development activities from April 20 to June 5, 2026, culminating in their participation in the Bogotá Audiovisual Market from July 6 to 10, 2026.
This call seeks to support advanced documentary projects with partial funding secured, offering spaces for assessment, mentorship, and visibility in the national and international audiovisual industry. Short films, series, and educational, corporate, or institutional documentaries are not accepted.
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Documentary Films - BAM
