NEXTDOOR NETWORKING film students training and co-production project development program is now OPEN FOR APPLICATIONS
NEXTDOOR NETWORKING initiative is part of FILMER FORGE industry program of IN THE PALACE and presents an intensive training, followed with the opportunity for international co-production project development and pitch.
The program runs parallel to the upcoming in 2025 festival edition of ITP and strives to develop productive networking environment and increase participants - as the newest generation of filmmakers - competitiveness and provide opportunities for better access to film industry.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Dates: 27-30 June 2025
The program aims to add partical value and thus enhance the participants' academic training and skills in Film Directing, Scriptwriting, Film Production, and Film Criticism by organizing intensive labs and active networking.
Alongside trainings, participants, guided by their tutors, will be able to further develop their international co-production film projects. The program concludes with a pitching session where projects are presented to a professional audience, accredited participants, and decision-makers at the 22nd IN THE PALACE in 2025.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE
· final-year university students
· in Film Directing, Scriptwriting, Film Production, or Film Criticism
· from: Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Turkey, and Ukraine
Each national team or individual participant are provided the opportunity to engage with a film project, which must be potential to develop as a co-production with any of the other countries presented in the program.
BENEFITS
To ALL PARTICIPANTS the program offers:
· practical valued intensive training
· networking and new professional contacts
· industry accreditation for 22nd IN THE PALACE in Pernik, Bulgaria (27 – 30 June 2025) and access to all festival programs and events
To 3 most promising FILM PROJECTS the program offers:
· € 1,000 for production expenses;
· a premiere screening of the completed work at the next edition of Oscar® Qualifying IN THE PALACE;
· presentation and promotion at the Short Film Market (Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival).
To ALL PARTICIPATING FILM PROJECTS the program offers:
· exposition in IN THE PALACE’s video library for professional access and viewing by accredited professionals;
· full accreditation for the 23rd IN THE PALACE in 2026, including free access and invitations to all professional events for all project team members.
To FILM CRITICS PARTICIPANTS the program offers:
to actively engage with the dynamics of international event and the opportunities to:
· present and report on films from the festival’s Official Selection; NEXT DOOR NETWORKING’s student film projects and the program itself;
· moderate Q&A sessions and discussions with filmmakers;
· пublish news, reviews, and critical essays in English and their native languages in local and international online media;
· contribute to IN THE PALACE’s paper journal, and thus gaining exposure at the Clermont-Ferrand and Cannes film markets;
· receive full accreditation for the 23rd IN THE PALACE in 2026, with free access to all professional events;
· coordinate, create, and publish content on IN THE PALACE’s blog as a paid professional engagement for one year (for the most outstanding participants).
DEADLINE:
1st MAY 2025
WHO CAN SUBMIT APPLICATION/S
· Individual applicants, who complete program requirements
· Group application of a crew consisting of director, scriptwriter, producer or team of two of respected roles, who complete program requirements
· Institutional application by film educational institution or national film centers. Institutions organize internal selection process of students and projects and provide the selected ones to take part in NEXTDOOR NETWORKING.
To discussing possible collaborations with film schools, universities, companies, organizations, institutions and other private or public bodies, please contact us via email: filmerforge@inthepalace.com.
HOW TO APPLY:
Please, fill the FORM ATTACHED and send it to us before the deadline to: filmerforge@inthepalace.com.
To discussing possible collaborations with film schools, universities, companies, organizations, institutions and other private or public bodies, please contact us via email: filmerforge@inthepalace.com.
For more information about NEXTDOOR NETWORKING`s idea, context and objectives, please check here:
For more information about FILMER FORGE industry program, please check here: https://www.inthepalace.com/en/industry/filmer-forge.
If you are still looking for more information, please do not hesitate to contact us by email: filmerforge@inthepalace.com.
