Open Call - Screen Talent Europe Pitching Forum 2026

Screen Talent Europe Pitching Forum 2026

The Screen Talent Europe Pitching Forum returns for its 11th edition, and we are excited to invite emerging European filmmakers to Grimstad, Norway, during the Norwegian Short Film Festival, June 2026.

Set against the backdrop of Norway´s most vibrant short film festivals, the Pitching Forum offers a unique opportunity to develop, present, and internationalize your next short film project — while connecting with fellow filmmakers and industry professionals from across Europe.

New for 2026: We are expanding the forum to three full days of programming, offering even more opportunities for learning, inspiration, and networking in close collaboration with the festival.

What is the Screen Talent Europe Pitching Forum?

The Screen Talent Europe Pitching Forum is a collaboration between Screen Talent Europe, Mediefabrikken, and the Norwegian Short Film Festival.

Each year, a select group of filmmakers aged 22–32 is invited to pitch their short film project in development to an international jury and festival audience. One project will be awarded a €4,000 production grant.

Beyond the pitch itself, participants take part in a curated program designed to:

Strengthen their projects
Develop pitching skills
Build international networks
Encourage future collaborations and co-productions across borders

The forum aims to create a supportive, inspiring space where emerging filmmakers can take the next step in their careers, creatively and professionally.

Event Dates & Program Overview

Norwegian Short Film Festival:
June 10–14, 2026

Screen Talent Europe Pitching Forum:
June 10–12, 2026

Program highlights:

Wednesday, June 10
Mandatory pitch preparation workshop
Thursday, June 11
Pitching session Each selected filmmaker presents a 4-minute pitch to a professional jury and audience Followed by a scenic boat trip through the beautiful fjords of Grimstad. The winner of the Pitching Forum will be announced later that evening as part of the festival’s official program
Friday, June 12 – NEW!
An extended program including masterclasses and/or networking sessions, as well as the opportunity to attend selected festival screenings (Full program to be announced).

Practical Information

Travel, accommodation, and meals from June 9–13, 2026 are covered by the event
Please note that some partners may require participants to cover their own travel costs — check with your local Screen Talent Europe partner before applying.
Selected participants must attend a mandatory online pre-meeting on June 3, 2026, where practical details and expectations will be reviewed.

Eligibility & Terms

To apply, applicants must meet the following criteria:
Be affiliated with a Screen Talent Europe partner (The application form includes a list of the partners you can apply through).
Apply as a director, producer, or screenwriter between the age of 22 and 32 years old
Have produced at least two short films (fiction or documentary)
Apply with a short film project in development (fiction or documentary), with a maximum length of 20 minutes
Be available to attend the full Pitching Forum program in Grimstad, both pitching preparations on Wednesday, June 10, and the pitch itself on Thursday, June 11. You must be prepared travel to Grimstad on June 9.
Be comfortable pitching in English

Application Deadline & Selection

Application deadline is March 1st
Applicants will be notified of their selection status by March 13th
We will publicly announce the selected participants on: TBA

Please keep the Pitching Forum dates available until final selections have been announced.