18 Producers selected for ACE 36 Annual Programme

ACE Producers has selected 18 experienced independent producers to participate in the 36^th edition of its ACE Annual Programme. Representing 16 different territories, the selected producers will attend three workshops throughout 2026 and 2027, developing the projects with which they applied and moving them forward. After completing the programme, these producers will join the established ACE Network.

The selection committee consisted of members of the ACE Network, ACE director Inke Van Loocke and ACE senior studies manager Adrien Barrouillet.

“The ACE 36 producers are an exciting group of experienced independent producers navigating an industry in transition. They come from sixteen different countries and bring different perspectives to the table. What connects them is a creative and forward-looking approach to producing and a willingness to share knowledge and rethink how projects and companies are developed. I’m excited to see what happens when we bring all that collective experience into one room.”, Inke Van Loocke comments

Geoff Arbourne – Inside Out Films – United Kingdom
“No Earthly Words”, director to be confirmed

David Bohun – Panama Film GmbH & Co KG – Austria
“Fanny is Alive” directed by Alexandra Makarová

Claudia Calviño – Fasten Films – Spain/Cuba
“Dasha” directed by Mar Coll

Stefano Centini – Volos Films – Italy/Taiwan
“I Have to Fuck Before the World Ends” directed by Andrea Benjamin Manenti

Kristof Gerega – Schuldenberg Films – Germany
“Wherever You Are I Leave You the Keys” directed by Visar Morina

Nelson Ghrenassia – Yukunkun – France
“The Big Party”, directed by Nicole Genovese

Tena Gojić – Dinaridi Film – Croatia/Norway
“Tekton” directed by Tin Žanić

Gints Grube – Mistrus Media – Latvia
“She Devil” directed by Davis Simanis

Rogier Kramer – Labyrint Film – The Netherlands
“Men Ruin Everything” directed by Michiel van Erp

Maria Møller Christoffersen – Frau film – Denmark
“Divine” directed by Jesper Dalgaard

Samuli Norhomaa – Just Republic Oy – Finland
“The Year of the Hare” directed by Mika Kaurismäki

Lubomira Piperova – Ginger Light – Bulgaria
“69 meters”, director to be confirmed

Julie Ryan – MK1 Studios Productions – Ireland
“Skinful” directed by Louise Ní Fhiannachta

Roxanne Sarkozi – De Wereldvrede – Belgium
“Harvest” directed by Anke Blondé

Marko Talli – Yellow Film & TV – Finland
“Baby Box” directed by Joona Tena

Lindsay Tapscott – Babe Nation Films – Canada
“Soft As It Began” directed by Durga Chew-Bose

Noortje Wilschut – Family Affair Films – The Netherlands
“Pack” directed by Mirjam de With

Nicolas Wittwer – Box Productions – Switzerland
“Reel Skin” directed by Fisnik Maxville

in Leiden, The Netherlands, in mid-October, with the support of the Netherlands Film Fund. This workshop is dedicated to content development and includes group sessions and individual meetings, analysing the concepts, dramaturgy, and target audiences of producers’ projects.

In November, the second workshop, offering the producers advice on possible financing strategies for their projects, will take place in Strasbourg, France, with the support of the Contrat Triennal Strasbourg Capitale Européenne 2024-2026 and Région Grand Est. This week-long workshop consists of interactive sessions exploring international financing opportunities and strategies through detailed analysis of the producers’ finance plans, with input provided by high-grade professionals from across the industry. The sessions offer a uniquely open exchange of experience and ideas which sheds light on the evolution of co-production practices, of public and private funding schemes, and of the global marketplace in the digital age.

The third workshop looks at the producers’ business strategies, providing them with models of sustainable company management and ways to build businesses that have real value. Group sessions and panel discussions guide the producers through keener applications of marketing techniques and diversified commercial activities. The Business Prospects Workshop is immediately followed by the ACE Annual Reunion, where the new producers will be officially welcomed into the ACE Network. Both will take place in Albania, with the support of QKK – Albanian National Center of Cinematography.

The ACE 36 Annual Programme is supported by the Netherlands Film Fund, CNC, QKK – Albanian National Center of Cinematography, Contrat Triennal Strasbourg Capitale Européenne 2024-2026, Eurimages, Région Grand Est, Téléfilm Canada, Procirep, German Films, Screen Ireland, Roma Lazio Film Commission, Focal and APA Czech Republic – Audiovisual Producers Association.

Please find more information here:
https://ace-producers.com/programme

Or contact:
thijsvanderlaak@ace-producers.com