Berlinale Talents 2026
Berlinale Talents 2026 is now open for applications from film and television professionals with an existing track record of work.
Berlinale Talents is the Berlin International Film Festival talent development programme for the world’s top 200 emerging filmmakers, drama series creators and key players of the cinema industry. It consists of a creative Summit with talks, discussions, workshops and numerous networking events, the Berlinale Talents Lab for Berlinale Talents alumni with projects in development and the Talent Project Market for Berlinale Talents producer alumni seeking co-production and/or financing.
The Berlinale Talents Lab and Talent Project Market take place onsite during the Berlinale (13–18 February 2026), with additional preparation sessions online from mid-January. Each participant receives in-depth one-on-one sessions with mentors who offer detailed feedback and guidance. In addition to these personalised meetings, there are also peer-to-peer exchange sessions, various networking opportunities to discuss the projects with fellow filmmakers and industry professionals. During the Berlinale, the lab participants also attend the Berlinale Talents Summit and present their projects to the international Berlinale Talents audiences of filmmakers and experts.
Berlinale Talents is aimed at filmmakers, series and XR content creators with an existing track record of work. They are currently open to over 15 film disciplines. To be eligible, applicants need to have made at least one feature-length film OR two short films OR a high-quality drama series or TV movie that have screened in festivals or been widely streamed.
There is no participation fee for Berlinale Talents. Several regional film institutes and foundations around the globe offer support schemes for participants of Berlinale Talents. If invited, applicants will have to cover their accommodation and travel costs as well as daily expenditures during their stay in Berlin.
Berlinale Talents 2026 application guidelines
Deadline: 3 September 2025