Opportunities

Market · HKIFF Industry Office

About 25 to 30 features in script development or pre-production are invited to pitch to investors at HAF in Hong Kong, 15 to 17 March 2027. Applications close 30 October 2026 and selected projects hear back by mid December.

Closes in 8 days, October 30, 2026Non-refundable submission fee per project; early bird rate before 30 September and a reduced rate for new directorsFeature, Animation

Lab · The Black List and Women in Film

A small in-person lab that takes an original pilot through notes, pitch practice and a mock room. You can apply with up to three scripts.

Closes in 11 days, November 2, 2026$40 per application for non-members of Women in FilmSeries, Screenplay

Lab · TorinoFilmLab

A year-long script development lab from April to November 2027, with residential and online workshops. The deadline is 4 pm CET and won't be extended.

Closes in 12 days, November 3, 2026EUR 3,000 + VAT if selected; half-fee scholarships for low-capacity countriesFeature, Screenplay

Fellowship · Realness Institute

A six-month fellowship for ten producers, with online sessions plus in-person weeks in Johannesburg (February 2027) and Reunion Island (April 2027). Applications close 3 November 2026 at 16h00 SAST.

Closes in 12 days, November 3, 2026Feature, Short, Series

Fellowship · Sundance Institute

A year-long fellowship for Indigenous women directors, named for the Maori filmmaker Merata Mita, with a cash grant, festival attendance and mentoring. The 2027 round closes 3 November 2026.

Closes in 12 days, November 3, 2026Feature, Documentary

Market · CPH:DOX

A co-financing forum for creative documentaries at CPH:DOX in March 2027. Filmmakers from DAC-list countries, Pakistan among them, can ask for the fee to be waived before submitting.

Closes in 12 days, November 3, 2026DKK 250; waived for DAC-list countriesDocumentary, Series

Lab · TorinoFilmLab

A year-long development lab for ten director and producer teams, with two residential weeks (June and November 2027) and one online module. Closes 5 November 2026 at 4 pm CET.

Closes in 14 days, November 5, 2026Participation fee of 3,500 EUR (+ VAT) per team of two if selected; 2,300 EUR for a third memberFeature, Screenplay

Fund · New Zealand Film Commission

NZFC production and post-production money for feature films, documentaries included. Next deadline is 1pm on 9 November 2026, then 9 February, 12 April, 26 July and 20 September 2027.

Closes November 9, 2026Feature, Documentary

Contest · BlueCat

Every entry gets written analysis, and one prize is kept for writers outside the USA. The late deadline is November 10, 2026.

Closes November 10, 2026USD 95 feature, USD 50 short (late deadline)Feature, Short, Screenplay

Market · Series Mania Forum

Pitch a drama series to international co-producers in Lille in March 2027. Up to 15 projects are picked and entering is free.

Closes November 30, 2026FreeSeries

Fund · Sundance Institute

The main 2027 Episodic Lab window has closed, but this science-focused grant stays open until 2026-12-03. It suits series with a real science story at their core.

Closes December 3, 2026Series

Market · Hot Docs

Pitch a documentary to international commissioners and funders at Hot Docs in Toronto, April 2027. One form covers the Forum and the Deal Maker one-on-one meetings.

Closes December 10, 2026CAD 45Documentary

Lab · TorinoFilmLab

A short online development workshop in two week-long sessions between March and July 2027. Fully remote, so it's the most reachable TorinoFilmLab programme from outside Europe.

Closes December 11, 2026EUR 1,900 + VAT per team if selectedFeature, Screenplay

Market · Visions du Reel

Pitch a late-development feature documentary at the Nyon market in April 2027. Entering by 2 November is cheaper, and some countries enter free.

Closes December 15, 2026CHF 30 until 2 Nov 2026, CHF 40 until 15 Dec 2026; waivers for listed countriesDocumentary

Lab · TorinoFilmLab

A long development lab for scripted series, original or adapted. Documentary series aren't accepted.

Closes December 16, 2026EUR 3,500 + VAT per team of two if selectedSeries

Market · HKIFF Industry

The HAF strand for films already shooting or in post, connecting them with sales agents, festivals and finishing funds in Hong Kong in March 2027. Submissions run 2 November to 16 December 2026.

Closes December 16, 2026HKD 800 onlineFeature, Animation

Fund · BFI Doc Society

Development grants for UK feature documentaries. This round opens 9 November and closes at 1 pm on 21 December 2026.

Closes December 21, 2026Documentary

Contest · Script Pipeline

A feature screenplay contest built around getting writers in front of producers and executives. The pre-register deadline is December 30, 2026, and the last is May 31, 2027.

Closes December 30, 2026USD 50 pre-register; USD 60 to 75 for later deadlines through May 31, 2027Feature, Screenplay

Fund · IDFA Bertha Fund

Co-production money for European producers backing documentaries from IBF countries. Entries open on 15 November 2026.

Closes January 15, 2027Documentary

Fund · Screen Australia

Production investment for Australian documentaries, from one-offs to series. The next round closes 5pm on 4 February 2027; Documentary Development (up to A$30,000) is open year round.

Closes February 4, 2027Documentary, Feature, Series

Fellowship · Sundance Institute

Emerging documentary producers with a work in progress are considered for the Sundance Producers Lab and Fellowship. Applications open 17 November 2026 and close 10 February 2027 at 9am PT.

Closes February 10, 2027Documentary, Feature

Lab · Sundance Institute

The open route into Sundance's Screenwriters Lab, Intensive and related fellowships. The application runs March 30 to April 20, 2027.

Closes April 20, 2027Feature, Screenplay

Contest · Script Pipeline

The TV twin of Script Pipeline's film contest, for original pilots. Finalists get development help and their scripts circulated to industry.

Closes May 31, 2027$50 pre-register (to 2026-12-30), $60 early (2027-03-05), $65 regular (2027-05-01), $70 late (2027-05-15), $75 extended (2027-05-31)Series, Screenplay

Fund · Asia Pacific Screen Awards

Development grants for feature scripts from across the Asia Pacific, announced at the APSA ceremony each autumn. The 2026 round is open to members by email request, with no public closing date posted.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in OctoberFeature, Screenplay

Lab · Film Independent

A one-week lab for six documentary projects, with an editing advisor and a final pitch to industry. Film Independent's page lists a December deadline but also says applications are closed, so check before applying.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in DecemberUSD 65 non-members, USD 45 membersFeature, Documentary

Fund · Hot Docs

Hot Docs funds four to ten African documentaries a year, with mentorship through Hot Docs and Durban FilmMart for some grantees. Calls have opened in October and closed around December or January in recent years.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in DecemberNoneDocumentary, Feature

Fund · IMCINE (Instituto Mexicano de Cinematografia)

Mexico's federal subsidy for documentary feature production, covering up to 80 percent of the budget. FOCINE production calls register in January each year.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in JanuaryDocumentary, Feature

Fund · Red Sea International Film Festival

Four funding cycles a year: post-production (January), production (March), development (May) and post-production again (July), for features of 60 minutes or more and episodic projects. The page lists the windows without a year, so 2027 dates are not confirmed.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in JanuaryFeature, Documentary, Animation, Series

Fellowship · Writers Guild Initiative

A fellowship that pays a young screenwriter to write an original screenplay, with entries through The Black List. The next call isn't confirmed; the last closed in January 2026.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in JanuaryFeature, Screenplay

Lab · Locarno Film Festival

Co-production platform, producer workshop and director showcase at Locarno. The 2026 call closed on 15 January 2026.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in JanuaryFeature, Documentary

Contest · PAGE International Screenwriting Awards

A major international screenplay contest with genre categories. 2027 entries open on December 1; the 2027 deadlines and fees aren't posted yet.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in JanuaryFeature, Series, Screenplay

Market · Proimagenes Colombia and Camara de Comercio de Bogota

Colombia's industry market runs 28 June to 2 July 2027 in Bogota, with pitching and co-production calls. Last cycle's calls opened in November and closed in early January.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in JanuaryFeature, Documentary, Animation, Series, Screenplay

Fund · Doha Film Institute

DFI runs two grant cycles a year, Spring (opens late December or January) and Fall (July), and grantees are invited to its Qumra mentoring event in Doha. The Spring 2027 dates are not yet published; Spring 2026 closed 8 January.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in JanuaryFeature, Short, Documentary, Animation

Market · Durban FilmMart Institute

Africa's leading co-production market, held in Durban each July, where selected projects pitch to financiers and compete for development awards. The 2026 live-action call closed 1 February and the animation call 31 October 2025; the 2027 call is not yet published.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in FebruaryFeature, Documentary, Animation, Series

Fellowship · Durban FilmMart Institute with Berlinale Talents

The African edition of Berlinale Talents, a talent programme with workshops and mentoring during Durban FilmMart in July. The 19th edition closed 9 February 2026; the 2027 call is not yet published.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in FebruaryFeature, Short, Documentary, Series

Market · Sarajevo Film Festival

Development and co-production programme run in hybrid modules through the year, ending at the Sarajevo festival in August. The 2026 deadline was 10 February 2026.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in FebruaryFeature, Documentary

Fund · Chicken & Egg Films

Grants for feature documentaries in research or development, including hybrid docs. The next call is tentatively set to open in December 2026, with the regular deadline usually in early February.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in February$20 early bird, $35 regular (2026 cycle); limited waiversDocumentary, Feature

Fund · Berlinale World Cinema Fund

Production and post-production funding for films from regions with little film infrastructure. Two rounds run each year; the portal opens four to six weeks before each deadline.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in MarchFeature, Documentary, Animation

Fund · Programa Ibermedia

Ibero-American support for co-development of features and series, co-production and distribution. The 2026 call ran 30 January to 30 March; all lines are closed until the 2027 call is published.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in MarchFeature, Documentary, Animation, Series

Contest · Austin Film Festival

A long-running script competition tied to the Austin Film Festival and Writers Conference. The 2027 dates aren't out; in 2026 the early deadline was in late March.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in MarchFeature, Short, Series, Screenplay

Contest · Final Draft

Final Draft's annual feature and TV script contest with genre categories. The 2027 dates aren't posted; in 2026 the deadlines ran from late April to late June.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in AprilFeature, Series, Screenplay

Fund · International Film Festival Rotterdam

Development grants for adventurous features. The 2026 deadline was 2 April; IFFR says the 2027 date will be announced towards the end of 2026.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in AprilFeature, Documentary

Fund · Busan International Film Festival

Busan's fund for independent Asian documentaries, with an invitation to the market in Busan. The last window ran from late March to 20 April.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in AprilDocumentary

Fund · Busan International Film Festival

A script development grant for emerging Asian directors that comes with a place at the Busan market. The last window ran from late March to mid April.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in AprilFeature, Screenplay

Fellowship · Busan International Film Festival

A 20-day filmmaking programme in Busan for 24 emerging Asian directors, producers, cinematographers and editors, who make pilot shorts together. Applications usually close in early April; the 2027 call is not yet published.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in AprilShort

Fund · Telefilm Canada

Production financing for first features through industry-partner, festival-selection and apply-direct streams. The 2026 intake ran 14 to 28 April; partner nomination deadlines fall earlier in spring.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in AprilFeature, Documentary

Market · The Gotham Film and Media Institute

A New York co-production market where projects in development meet financiers, sales agents and distributors. The 2027 dates aren't posted; in 2026 the deadlines were in April and May.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in AprilFeature, Documentary, Series, Short

Fund · Catapult Film Fund

Early-stage money to shoot a sample and shape a documentary in development, alongside Catapult's Research Grant and Rough Cut Retreat. Catapult is not accepting applications now; the last development round closed in spring 2026.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in AprilDocumentary, Feature, Short

Fellowship · Firelight Media

A year-long fellowship with a grant, mentors and industry access. The 2026 call ran April to early May and only took films in post-production.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in MayDocumentary, Feature

Fund · Canada Media Fund

CMF's selective fund for auteur, point-of-view documentaries in English and French. The 2026 window ran 28 April to 14 May.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in MayDocumentary

Fellowship · Tokyo FILMeX and Arts Council Tokyo

A week-long talent programme in Tokyo each November with project consultations and masterclasses for about 17 filmmakers. The 2026 call ran 1 to 31 May; 2027 dates are not yet published.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in MayFeature

Market · Busan International Film Festival

About 30 Asian feature projects are selected to meet financiers and co-producers in Busan each October and compete for around 11 awards. The 2026 call closed in late May; the 2027 call is not yet published.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in MayFeature

Market · Red Sea International Film Festival

A curated market of about 32 features in development or production, held in Jeddah during the festival in December. In 2026 the development deadline was 14 June and the works-in-progress deadline 24 July; 2027 dates are not out yet.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in JuneFeature, Documentary, Animation

Market · Thessaloniki International Film Festival

Co-production forum at Thessaloniki in November with cash development awards. The 2026 call closed on 15 June 2026.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in JuneFeature

Fund · Arab Fund for Arts and Culture (AFAC)

Grants for Arab fiction features and shorts, opened in AFAC's second call each year (the 2026 call closed 19 June). AFAC's separate Documentary Film grant opens in its first call and closed 2 April in 2026.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in JuneFeature, Short

Fellowship · Disney Entertainment Television

A year-long paid programme that develops TV writers for staffing on Disney shows. The 2027 window ran May 4 to June 1, 2026, so watch for the 2028 call next spring.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in JuneSeries, Screenplay

Fellowship · Locarno Film Festival

Ten filmmakers present first-feature projects at Locarno in August, and three get a year of mentoring. The 2026 call closed in early June.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in JuneFeature, Documentary

Fund · Sundance Institute

A global documentary grant with one open call a year. The next call will be announced in early 2027; the 2026 call ran from May to mid-June.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in JuneFreeDocumentary, Feature

Fellowship · Film Independent

A nine-month mentorship programme across writing, directing, producing and other tracks, ending in a short made with a production grant. The next cycle's dates aren't posted.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in JulyShort

Fellowship · Warner Bros. Discovery Access

A Warner Bros. Discovery writers program with bootcamp weeks in Los Angeles and placement support. No call is open now; the last window closed in July 2026.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in JulyFreeSeries, Screenplay

Lab · Marrakech International Film Festival

An industry and development programme with online sessions and five in-person days in Marrakech during the festival in late November. In 2026 the development call closed 6 July and the shooting or post-production call closed 31 August.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in JulyFeature, Documentary, Short

Fellowship · Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

The Academy's screenwriting fellowship, now taking public entries through The Black List and Writers Guild Foundation portals. The next call isn't out; the last public windows closed in July 2026.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in JulyFeature, Screenplay

Market · International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam

IDFA's co-financing market with pitches, roundtables and rough cut presentations in Amsterdam each November. The 2026 entries ran from 1 June to 23 July.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in July30 EUR entry fee (excl. VAT); 475 EUR presentation fee if selected (2026 edition)Documentary, Series

Lab · Film Independent

A two-week spring lab in Los Angeles with one-on-one script mentoring. The 2027 round closed on August 31, 2026; travel and lodging are not covered.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in AugustFeature, Screenplay

Fund · International Documentary Association (IDA)

IDA paused this fund and says it will reopen in late 2026 with a new theme favouring films near completion and approaching a premiere. IDA's other open calls, including the Enterprise Documentary Fund, show no current cycle.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in AugustDocumentary, Feature

Lab · NFDC India

A multi-session script lab with international mentors that ends with a pitch at Film Bazaar in Goa. The 2026 call had an early deadline of 28 July and an extended deadline of 8 August.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in AugustScreenplay, Feature

Market · NFDC India (WAVES Film Bazaar)

South Asia's main co-production market, held in Goa in November. No 2027 dates are posted yet.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in SeptemberFeature, Series

Market · Ventana Sur (Marche du Film, ACAU, INCAA)

Latin America's biggest film market runs 30 November to 4 December 2026 in Montevideo, Uruguay. Its project calls (VS Docs, Proyecta, Series, Animation) closed in September 2026.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in SeptemberFeature, Documentary, Animation, Series, Screenplay

Market · International Film Festival Rotterdam

Rotterdam's co-production market, held in late January. The 2027 call closed in early September 2026; the next one usually opens in early summer.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in SeptemberFeature

Fellowship · Festival de Cannes, Cinéma de Demain

A four-and-a-half-month writing residency in Paris. The March 2027 session closed on 30 September 2026; no date is published yet for the October 2027 session.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in SeptemberFeature, Screenplay

Market · Berlinale / European Film Market

Pitch-and-meetings market held during the Berlinale. The 2027 call closed on 16 September 2026 (series on 1 October); the next call usually opens in August.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in SeptemberFeature, Series

Lab · Berlinale

A six-day talent summit in Berlin during the festival. The 2027 call closed on 2 September 2026; expect the next one to close in early September 2027.

Next call not out yet. Usually closes in SeptemberFeature, Short, Documentary, Series, Animation, Screenplay