Call for submissions - European Genre Forum 2026!

The European Genre Forum, a six-month training cycle for emerging European genre

filmmakers, opens a call for submissions for 2026. In three talent labs between July and

November, the EGF gives genre film projects a boost artistically, businesswise and in

understanding its audience potential.

The European Genre Forum provides comprehensive cross-sector and film life cycle training

for professionals working in European genre and fantastic film. It is aimed at European first or

second feature film directors and their teams developing a genre film project. Genre films and

related genres include horror, science fiction, fantasy, anime, dark thrillers, dark comedies,

mystery, adventure and martial arts. Documentaries with a focus on genre film or topic can

also be considered.

The European Genre Forum is collaboration between the Fantastic Zagreb Film Festival,

Imagine Fantastic Film Festival in Amsterdam, and the Black Nights Film Festival in Tallinn.

Now in its 10th year, it has established itself as a recognized learning platform for professionals

working in European genre and fantastic film industry, with fruitful collaborations with the BIF

Market (part of the Brussels International Fantastic Film Festival) as well as other events.

Former projects had their world premieres at Sundance, Tribeca, Fantastic Fest and others.

Each year, eight projects are selected for the training cycle, which consists of three talent labs.

Together, these labs will increase the level of the participating projects in every aspect:

creatively, financially, and in terms of access to audiences.

• The Screenwriting & Directing Lab (Zagreb, early July) focuses on script development and

other artistic aspects of the projects

• The Producing Lab (Amsterdam, early November) is aimed at the business side, with

coproduction and legal aspects among its topics

• The Marketing & Packaging Lab (Tallinn, late November) revolves around pitching,

packaging, marketing and sales. The projects will be pitching to the international audience

of film professionals and have one-to-one meetings with attending professionals

The call for projects in now open. Please find all information, terms and conditions and the

Timeline

Submission Deadline Sunday, 15 March 2026, Midnight CET

Announcement Selection Friday, 10 April 2026

Directing & Screenwriting Lab 02 – 05 July, Zagreb

Producing Lab 03 – 06 November, Amsterdam

Marketing & Packaging Lab 16 – 20 November, Tallinn

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