Sofia Innovation Lab 2026
Europa Cinemas in partnership with the Sofia International Film Festival (Bulgaria) is inviting applications for a four-day Innovation Lab: Future-Proof Cinemas: Strategies for Resilience, Relevance and Renewal, from 18 to 21 March 2026 in Sofia, Bulgaria.
The lab brings together international practitioners from across the film value chain to share hands-on field experiences, renew perspective and find possible solutions for adapting activities.
A variety of topics will be discussed, including:
- Brand Identity: who you are as a cinema—your unique voice, values, and visual identity.
- Define your content: Beyond the screenings, determine your cinema’s special offerings and experiences.
- Promotion & Marketing: Leverage social and digital tools to engage and grow your audience.
- Partnerships & Collaborations: Build strategic alliances to expand your reach and impact.
- Weaving connections, shaping identity—NETWORK with purpose: Cinemas as hubs for citizenship and democracy
Themed sessions and practical workshops will give participants the space to share a problem, pitch innovative ideas and/or identify potential innovative programming and communication strategies.
Eligibility
This lab is open to all European exhibitors, members of Europa Cinemas network or not. The number of participants is limited to 35 people. Applications will be considered in the order they are received. However, priority will be given to exhibitors who never attended a Europa Cinemas Lab before and to exhibitors from Central and Eastern Europe and Balkan countries.
Support
- Accommodation will be provided for 3 nights
- Accreditation to the Sofia International Film Festival with access to all festival screenings
Sofia Innovation Lab 2026 application guidelines
Deadline: 19 January 2026