VdR–Pitching is an international platform within the Visions du Réel festival that supports feature-length documentary projects in advanced development. Its aim is to connect filmmakers with industry professionals to facilitate funding, co-production, and distribution. The call is open to projects over 60 minutes, with a creative approach and international potential. Both debut and experienced filmmakers can participate, provided the projects are original and not yet in production.
Selected projects participate in pitch sessions in front of experts and receive mandatory pitch training. Documentation is required in English, including synopsis, treatment, visual references, preliminary budget, and team CVs. Narrative innovation and the potential for international reach are highly valued.
Projects may also be eligible for development awards, including the Eurimages Co‑Production Development Award, which encourages international co-productions. The call includes submission deadlines and presentation sessions, with travel and accommodation costs covered by participants, although partial support may be available. VdR–Pitching offers a unique opportunity to gain professional visibility and support for creative documentaries in development.
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VdR–Pitching
FICH LAB I, the film artistic residency of the Chiloé International Film Festival, aims to strengthen audiovisual creation in southern Chile and support the professional development of filmmakers, visual artists, photographers, and writers. The call is primarily for applicants over 18 from the regions of Biobío, La Araucanía, Los Ríos, Los Lagos, Aysén, and Magallanes.
The residency will take place from March 16 to 22, including 7 days of intensive work in Queilen, Chiloé, with individual and group mentorship from prominent Chilean film professionals. Projects in the writing, development, or editing stages are accepted, both fiction and non-fiction, with priority given to works reflecting an authorial perspective and connection to the territory.
The laboratory focuses on project creation and mentorship, offering full scholarships covering travel, accommodation, and meals during the residency. Participation requires full commitment to all activities and proof of intellectual property rights over the submitted project.
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FICH LAB
The VdR–Work in Progress call from the Visions du Réel festival targets feature-length documentaries in the advanced stages of post-production. Projects must have at least 10 minutes of edited material and will have the chance to be presented to industry professionals such as distributors, sales agents, TV channels, and festivals.
Projects from all over the world are eligible, as long as they are feature-length documentaries nearing completion. Selection is based on artistic quality, international potential, financial viability, and the experience of the team. Attendance of both the director and producer at the event is mandatory if selected.
The main goal is to facilitate professional connections, access to finishing funds, and support the film’s distribution and festival strategy. Applications are submitted online in English, with English subtitles required for audiovisual material in other languages, and a small participation fee applies. Selected projects receive accreditation, pitch training, and participation in presentations and one-on-one meetings with industry professionals.
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VdR–Work in Progress
The Writers’ Vision Pitch at Seriencamp is aimed at creators of fiction series looking to present their projects in development. Applications for the 2026 edition are open until January 18, 2026, with the live pitch taking place on June 9–10, 2026 in Cologne, Germany, including mandatory pitch training on the first day.
The program welcomes projects from any nationality, provided they are in English, and accepts all fiction genres, from drama and thriller to comedy and sci‑fi. The main goal is to provide visibility for series in development, allowing writers to present their first season to industry professionals and access networking and mentoring opportunities.
Only fiction series with a minimum of four episodes are accepted, including miniseries and short-form serial formats. Documentaries, animated series, or children’s series are not eligible. Participants must be the original creators or hold the rights to the project, which should not be previously tied to production companies or distributors. The pitch offers a platform to enhance the project and increase its international exposure.
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Writers's Vision Pitch - Seriencamp
The Rough Cut Lab, taking place during the VdR–Industry Days (April 6–9, 2025) in Nyon, Switzerland, is a competitive lab designed to support filmmakers during the editing process, helping them find the best creative direction for their films.
As part of the VdR–Industry program, this workshop focuses on four rough cuts, developed in collaboration with the filmmaking teams and mentors, who are experienced editors and industry professionals. Participation in this lab, conceived as a springboard for creative documentaries, also provides an opportunity for curated meetings with a wide range of buyers attending the industry program.
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VdR–Rough Cut Lab
