ACE ANIMATION SPECIAL

ACE Producers is pleased to announce the call for applications for the seventh ACE Animation Special. The workshop, which will be held in Dingle (Ireland) between 17 and 22 March 2026, is organised thanks to Creative Europe MEDIA, the Netherlands Film Fund, Screen IrelandAnimation Ireland, in close collaboration Animation Dingle.

“Set in a dream location, international producers, each with different experiences, come together to share, listen, and learn from the best professionals”.
Konstantinos Vassilaros – Animation Special 5

The workshop is aimed at two kinds of experienced producers: those looking to expand their businesses into animation production, and those who already have experience in the field but seek to deepen their knowledge and grow their international network. For all participants it is a chance to build stronger industry connections and enhance their skill set.

16 to 18 producers will be selected for the workshop, preferably with a long-form/feature-length animation project at concept stage. Focusing primarily on the creative and financial aspects of feature and long-form animation production, the ACE Animation Special will offer sessions on animatic story development, international production workflows, the creative dynamics of animation production, financing strategies and international distribution. The workshop will also include one or more sessions on physical line production as well as case studies on completed animation projects. Group sessions, plenary sessions and one-to-one meetings will together build a workshop where producers learn from each other’s experiences and those of key industry guests.  

“A comprehensive and immersive experience with a strong and supportive group of fellow producers, alongside top international consultants . ”
Kathryn Kennedy – Animation Special 4

Topics covered include:

  • Story development and defining the rules of the world of your story;
  • Visual world building and asset creation;
  • International production workflows in multi-country co-productions;
  • Financing strategies for films with productions schedules of two years or more;
  • Strategically integrating an animation department into an existing (film-) production company;
  • The broadcaster’s view – when broadcasters can become involved and what they expect.

Click here for more testimonials

*Please note, participants of the ACE Animation Special do not automatically join the ACE Network.

WORKSHOP DATES
17 – 22 March 2026
during the Animation Dingle Festival

LOCATION
Dingle, Ireland

ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS

  • To be an owner, partner or associate of an independent film/animation/TV production company;
  • To be an ACE member or producer with a similar level of experience;
  • To have a long-form or feature-length animation project at idea or concept stage; producers without a project are also welcome to apply but must demonstrate a clear motivation.

APPLICATION DEADLINE
22 October 2025
Up to 18 places available

HOW TO APPLY
For more information or to request an application form, please contact specials@ace-producers.com

FEES
€2.500 (€2.250 for ACE Network Members). The fee covers full board, accommodation and training during the workshops. Travel costs are not included.

SCHOLARSHIPS

There are partial scholarships available for Irish producers selected to attend the programme, thanks to our support from Screen Ireland.

Based on our support from Creative Europe MEDIA, scholarships are available for producers from low capacity production countries.

These scholarships are granted in priority to participants from low production capacity countries, group B or third countries considered as Group B**; participants from a country not providing scholarships for training or participants in any other proven situation of need for financial support.

Decisions to award scholarships are made by the selection committee. The scholarship is never more than half of the overall fee. We encourage participants to apply for financial support with their national/regional funding bodies first.

** Low Capacity Countries:
Group A: Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Poland, Portugal, Romania
Group B: Albania; Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Hungary, Iceland, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, and Ukraine.

HOW TO APPLY
For more information or to request an application form, please contact
specials@ace-producers.com

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