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MIDPOINT Feature Launch 2027

Features
Open Call

A unique script and project development program designed to strengthen early-stage feature film projects creatively and strategically for the international market. The program is open globally, with a particular focus on Central and Eastern Europe and European co-productions.

Benefits

Feature Launch supports emerging filmmakers at a crucial stage of their careers, strengthening both their projects and their ability to navigate the international industry.

The program brings writers, directors, and producers into a collaborative development process, giving creative teams the tools to advance their projects, refine their creative approach, and build confidence in the international film industry. Along the way, participants connect with experienced mentors, peers, and key decision-makers from across Europe.

From all applications, approximately 20 projects will be shortlisted for the Online Feedback Session. During this stage, each creative team will take part in individual online consultations with an experienced script consultant and producer tutor, receiving feedback on both the creative and production aspects of their project.

Following the Online Feedback Session, 9 projects will be selected for Feature Launch 2027 and invited to continue with the full program.

For teams of writers, 1st or 2nd time directors and producers

  • move your feature film project to the next level
  • create a financing, marketing, sales, distribution or pitching strategy for your project
  • work with some of the most established European and international creators and professionals who are willing to lay the cards out on the table (good or bad)
  • get unique professional international feedback from our tutors and your peers
  • explore the current film industry landscape and trends
  • pitch it & network at Karlovy Vary IFF
  • Feature Launch also serves as a training platform for emerging script consultants. Throughout the program, selected script consultant trainees follow the development process of the participating projects, working alongside experienced mentors and gaining hands-on experience in preparation for their future careers as professional script consultants. 
    A separate open call for the Script Consultancy Training will launch on September 10.
  • Feature Launch 2027 will partially coincide with Focus Queer 2027, creating additional opportunities for networking and exchange with tutors, experts, and participants. Queer film projects are welcome to apply to both programs. However, projects that would particularly benefit from being developed within a dedicated group of queer filmmakers and are encouraged to apply to Focus Queer, which offers a development environment specifically focused on queer stories and perspectives.

Fees & how to apply

OPEN CALL
SEPTEMBER 3-OCTOBER 19, 2027

ONLINE FEEDBACK SESSION

FEE
100 EUR per project

WORKSHOP 1 + 2 + 3

FEE
1 800 EUR
Possible to pay in installments. The fee includes accommodation, board and tuition during the residential workshops. Travel costs are NOT included.

COMPANY TIME

FEE
400 EUR
The fee includes accommodation and tuition. Travel costs are NOT included.

Who can apply

  • CREATIVE TEAMS of writer and/or director of first or second feature film, and producer (max. of 3 participants per team).

  • PROJECTS

    • First or second feature films by directors.
    • Special focus on projects coming from Central and Eastern Europe.
    • Global eligibility: non-European projects should demonstrate an intention to co-produce with a European country.

    In case you are not sure about your eligibility, please contact the Feature Launch Program Coordinator Sona Morgenthalova.

Application requirements

To apply for the program, please create an account on the MIDPOINT Visitor Page and follow the instructions within the submission form, where you can also find detailed information about application materials. 

Scholarships

Partial scholarships may be available, primarily for participants from low-production-capacity countries, war-affected regions, and those facing particularly challenging circumstances. Scholarships are limited and cannot be guaranteed.

Thanks to our partnership with the European Roma Institute for Arts and Culture, ERIAC members whose projects are shortlisted receive free participation in the Online Feedback Session. Projects subsequently selected for the full Feature Launch program are eligible for a 500 EUR discount (per project) on the participation fee.

Program Awards

All awards are available to projects participating in either the Feature Launch or Focus Queer program.

KVIFF & MIDPOINT Development Award

A joint financial award of MIDPOINT Institute and the Karlovy Vary IFF of 10,000 EUR for the best project underlines the aim of the program itself – help emerging talents to develop their film projects. 

connecting cottbus Award

A selected project will be given the opportunity to present itself during the pitching event within the connecting cottbus co-production market. Participation will include individual consultations from international film professionals and one-on-one meetings with potential partners.

* Please note that the project must meet eligibility criteria to be considered for this award.

Rotterdam Lab Award

One producer will be handpicked to participate in the professional training program for producers, Rotterdam Lab, which takes place during the International Film Festival Rotterdam.

Tutors

Inspirational professionals with a passion for sharing their experience

To ensure the most comprehensive approach to training, Feature Launch works with established and respected names from all over the European industry.

Producer Mentor

The Producer Mentor oversees the development of all projects, advises them during the process regarding production and budgetary issues, and guides them through the European industry landscape.

Danijel Hocevar
Slovenia  
Danijel Hočevar is a film producer and CEO of Vertigo, a Ljubljana-based production company with a distinctive track ...
Complete bio

Group Leaders

The Group Leaders oversee the development of projects in their group from the very beginning of the program through graduation. They also coach the script-consultant trainee assigned to their group.

Anne Gensior
Germany  
Anne Gensior is a Berlin-based international script consultant for feature films and documentaries, a lecturer and ...
Complete bio
Pavel Jech
Czech Republic  
Pavel Jech co-founded MIDPOINT in 2010 and has been active ever since as a group leader and speaker in its various ...
Complete bio
Ivo Trajkov
Czech Republic  
Ivo Trajkov works as a director, film editor, screenwriter and story editor. He was born in Macedonia and graduated ...
Complete bio

Script-consultant Trainee Mentor

The Script-consultant Trainee Mentor co-creates the training for the script-consultant trainees, ensuring that this training is implemented organically into the group work and that the collaborative set-up simulates a real-life industry environment. He meets regularly with the trainees, providing feedback and support.

Gyula Gazdag
United States  

Pitching Tutor

The Pitching Tutor prepares participants to present themselves and their projects, in general and for the final pitching session of the program.

Gabriele Brunnenmeyer
Germany  
Complete bio

Producer Tutor

Katarina Tomkova ensures each team develops effective promotional materials and positions their project in an international context.

Katarina Tomkova
Slovakia  
Complete bio

Get informed when the call opens

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Structure

Comprehensive program combining various formats

Company Time

Follow-up workshop for producers

  • Producers
    Company Time
    November 2027 | Thessaloniki, Greece, in collaboration with Thessaloniki IFF, TIFF Agora and EAVE

    This follow-up workshop offers participating producers support in the areas of company sustainability and strategic business planning. This training is designed and co-organized with our partner EAVE.

    The workshop is led by Juliane Schulze, a strategic creative economy expert in business, finance, investment and sustainability, who advises European and international audiovisual companies as well as funding institutions and business agencies. Over four days, participants will sharpen their competitive advantage and enhance the viability of their businesses. Feedback rounds and individual mentoring sessions will offer direct support to tackle the challenges they are facing as film professionals in an ever-changing marketplace.

    This workshop is run in collaboration with the Thessaloniki IFF and within its industry section Agora, which brings participants further networking opportunities via its industry program.

Successful films

Selection of our successful alumni

References

Huge motivation boost and way to move your project to the next level

Contact

Sona Morgenthalova
Program Coordinator
sona.morgenthalova@midpoint-institute.eu
Renata Goryszewska
Production
renata.goryszewska@midpoint-institute.eu

FAQs

You may ask...

  • Can I apply with an animation or documentary film project?

    Sadly, Feature Launch does not work with animation or documentary projects, as these require a different set of skills and addresses a different market.

  • Can I apply without a writer OR director OR producer in the team?

    You can't. All these creative roles have to be present in your team. One person could represent more than one role (writer/director OR director/producer, etc.), or there could be two people representing one role (2x writer OR 2x producer, etc.). In any case, the team must consist of 2-3 people.

  • I'm not European, can I apply?

    Feature Launch is specifically designed for European projects, as we'd like to address the demand for training coming particularly from this territory, and nurture European co-productions. The special focus is put on the region of Central and Eastern Europe. However, non-European projects with a strong co-production potential or already attached partners/team members from Europe can be accepted as well. In case you are still not sure about your eligibility, please contact the program coordinator Sona Morgenthalova.

  • I'm not fluent in English, can I still apply?

    Sadly, no. As the entire training runs in English, and during the working days you'll be asked to write directly in English, we require an intermediate level of these language skills. This simply means: your grammar doesn't have to be perfect, but you need to talk/write fluently and have the vocabulary to do so.

  • Once selected, how much time should I allocate to the training?

    Quite honestly – a lot. Feature Launch is an intensive training, and apart from the assignments and work done during residential workshops, it operates with a system of tasks and deadlines in between these modules. So clear that calendar up a bit.

  • Do I need to attend all the workshops in the program?

    Yes, to fully engage in the training, it is essential for all team members to be present at every module of the program. It is not possible to selectively choose which workshops to attend, nor can someone else be nominated to take your or your teammate's place without the permission of the program´s selection board. 

    If you are aware, at the time of application, that you will not be able to participate in all the modules as described in the program structure above, please reconsider your application or seek a dedicated teammate who can commit to completing the entire training. 

  • Does MIDPOINT Institute offer scholarships?

    It does. However, these are only partial, cannot be allocated to all participants, and their granting therefore considers various criteria. We HIGHLY recommend applying to a local supporting organization (national or local funds, ministries of culture or education, professional associations, etc.) at the same time you're applying to MIDPOINT Feature Launch. You can always withdraw your application if not selected, but as the processing time of this support can be rather long, it might be quite late to do this once we confirm you're in.

  • Can I send you the application materials via e-mail?

    We only accept applications submitted through our Visitor Page. Firstly, that way you can be sure your e-mail doesn't end up in junk, and secondly, all submitted materials are distributed to the selection committee via the Visitor Page (please see the 'Application' section).

Meet MIDPOINT alumni—writers, script consultants, and development executives ready to bring stories to life!

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