The National Talent Academy for Film & TV and Ardán are excited collaborate again with Norwegian Short Film Festival in Grimstad on the 11th annual Screen Talent Europe Pitching Forum!
In association with Screen Talent Europe and Mediefabrikken, a selection of European filmmakers will be invited to pitch their short film projects during the festival. The winner this year will receive a production grant of €4,000.
Applications are welcomed from producers, directors, and screenwriters aged between 22 and 32 years old who have a fiction project in development with a maximum length of 20 minutes, who wish to attend and represent both the NTA and Ardán as the Irish nomination.
Course Overview:
The STE Pitching Forum will take place during the Norwegian Short Film Festival in Grimstad, Norway which runs from 10th to June 14th of June.
The Pitching Forum takes place on 10th – 12th June with the following activities:
- Wednesday, June 10
A workshop on pitch preparation
- Thursday, June 11
Each selected filmmaker presents a 4-minute pitch to a professional jury and audience followed by a scenic boat trip through the beautiful fjords of Grimstad.
The winner of the Pitching Forum will be announced later that evening as part of the festival’s official program
- Friday, June 12
Masterclasses and/or networking sessions, as well as the opportunity to attend selected festival screenings (Full program to be announced).
Selected participants must attend a mandatory online pre-meeting on June 3, 2026, where practical details and expectations will be reviewed.
Deadline To Apply is March 1st 2026.
How To Apply:
- To apply please fill out the form linked here.
- Irish applicants must list The National Talent Academy Film & TV and Ardán as the host film organisation.
- You will receive notification of your selection status by March 13th 2026. Please hold the dates for the STE pitching forum until participants have been announced.
Who Can Apply:
- Applicants must be between 22 and 32 years old.
- Applicants must be out of education (full or part time)
- Participants must be full time residence of Ireland
- Applicants must be a producers, director or screenwriter who have produced at least two films (short fiction or documentary).
- Applicants must apply with a fiction project in development, with a maximum length of 20 minutes.
- The chosen participants must attend the online meeting on June 3rd to review the details of the STE Pitching Forum.
- Applicants must be available to travel to Grimstad on June 9, the workshop on pitch preparations on Wednesday June 10, the pitch itself on Thursday, June 11 and the Masterclasses on June 12th.
- The pitch will be conducted in English.
Selection Process:
Applications made through the NTA/ Ardán for the Pitching Forum will be assigned to the National Talent Academy Film & TV / Ardán to be assessed.
Candidate will be nominated to represent the NTA Film & TV & Ardán at the Pitching Forum. The selection committee at the Pitching Forum will then make the final selection of what applicants will get to pitch. The NTA Film & TV & Ardán are not guaranteed a place at the Pitching Forum.
Further Information:
Accommodation and meals from June 9th – 13th are covered by the event.
Travel to Grimstad will be covered by the NTA Film & TV Drama.
Before applying please ensure that you are available to attend the Pitching Forum on the dates required.
The National Talent Academy for Film & TV Drama is an initiative of Screen Ireland and is managed by Ardán.
About Screen Talent Europe
Screen Talent Europe is a network of film workshops and media centers in Europe. The purpose of the network is to promote and foster co-operation between our partners. We also help filmmakers exchange knowledge, experiences and methods through talent camps, network meetings and co-productions. The network collaborates to produce international talent development projects such as pitching forums, film production camps, networking and social events. Furthermore, Screen Talent Europe works to strengthen the workshop model for support-based talent development and also assists countries in Europe currently without film workshops in developing similar resources and models.
About Norwegian Short Film Festival
The Norwegian Short Film Festival is a short film festival with a competition programme for Norwegian and international short film, short documentaries and Norwegian music videos. In addition to the competition programmes, we present retrospectives, organize panel debates and industry meetings, arrange workshops and seminars, concerts, boat trips, and many other interesting events and programmes.
The competition programme for international short films attracts filmmakers from all over the world to Grimstad, and the festival facilitates networking and connections between Norwegian and the international film community. The films from both the Norwegian and international competitions are discussed during daily participant gatherings.
About Mediefabrikken
At Mediefabrikken you can get help to develop projects, and to develop yourself as a filmmaker. We offer mentoring, free production equipment, production grants and development programs. Our task is to facilitate development, to meet you where you are, regardless of background and experience. We are a resource for all filmmakers from high school age to established industry.
Mediefabrikken has Viken and Oslo as its catchment area, but is also involved in activities and projects at a regional, national and international level. Read more about the projects and our partners.
Mediefabrikken is a unit in the Section for Cultural Development, Volunteering and Outdoor Life in Akershus County Municipality .
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