Call for Applications – ACE Training Days Slovakia 2026

ACE Producers is pleased to announce the Call for Applications for the Training Days SK 2026, taking place on 14 & 15 April, in Modra, Slovakia.

The ACE Training Days SK is themed around “How to Build a Sustainable Economic Foundation for Your Business” and is designed for emerging producers at relatively early stages in their careers. The programme welcomes producers working in fiction, animation and documentary and strives to make the industry more inclusive and diverse.

The world is changing fast and the world of film and television is no different. Just when you think you have everything under control, something changes. Ever-evolving technology, changing legislation, climate change, turbulent politics and so on. This has a huge impact on film production companies and the people who work for them, requiring a great deal of flexibility, adaptability and above all, the right strategy supported by accurate leadership.

In this workshop we will focus on two main pillars of building a sustainable business in this VUCA* times:

  • Developing and implementing an agile and at the same time sustainable strategy;
  • Effective leadership in a VUCA world.

*VUCA stands for:
Volatility: The nature and dynamics of change, and the speed at which things evolve.
Uncertainty: The lack of predictability and the inability to foresee future events.
Complexity: The multitude of interconnected and interdependent variables that can complicate decision-making and problem-solving.
Ambiguity: The lack of clarity about the meaning of an event or situation, making it hard to interpret and act decisively.

The ACE Training Days SK has been set up in collaboration with the Slovak Audiovisual Fund.

WORKSHOP DATES
14 & 15 April 2026

LOCATION
Modra, Slovakia

ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS

  • Emerging producers at a relatively early stage in their careers;
  • Producers should have at least one credit on a short film;
  • Producers will best benefit from the workshop when already working on feature-length projects in development;
  • Producers would need to be committed to attend the entire workshop;
  • Producers who were selected for previous editions of the Training Days are eligible to re-apply.

FEES

The participation fee for the workshop is €150 (excluding VAT, if applicable). This includes the workshop programme and subsistence during the workshop. Travel and accommodation expenses that may arise will not be covered by the organisation.

APPLICATION DEADLINE
6 March 2026, noon CEST (up to 6 places available)

HOW TO APPLY
You can apply by completing the application form. In the form, we request the following information:

  • A one-page motivational letter;
  • A company profile;
  • Producer’s biography & filmography;
  • List of current projects in development (with information and status on each project).

FOR MORE INFORMATION
Contact us at ace@ace-producers.com

slovak-audiovisual-fund

18 INDEPENDENT PRODUCERS SELECTED FOR THE ACE ANIMATION SPECIAL

ACE Producers has selected 18 experienced independent producers for the 7th edition of the ACE Animation Special. The intensive workshop is designed to provide extensive knowledge of how to diversify business with developing and producing long form, feature film and series animation productions for an international audience including cinema, broadcast and streaming. Supported by Screen Ireland, the Netherlands Film Fund and Animation Ireland, the ACE Animation Special will take place from the 17th to the 22nd March 2026 in Dingle, Ireland, in collaboration with the Animation Dingle festival.

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 sessions on physical line production as well as case studies on completed animation projects.

SELECTED ACE ANIMATION SPECIAL PRODUCERS:

Agne Adomene – ART SHOT – Lithuania

Marine Arrighi de Casanova – Apsara Films – France

Brunella Cocchiglia – Lovely Productions – Ireland

Alexander Glehr – Film AG Produktions GmbH – Austria

David Keitsch – Komplizen Film – Germany

Felipe Lage – Zeitun Films – Spain

Natalia Libet – 2Brave Productions – Ukraine

Lillian Løvseth – Loev Film (LØV Film) – Norway

Heather Millard – Compass Films & Animation Studio Iceland – Iceland

Ed Moline – Lighthouse Studios – Ireland

Chantal Nissen – Cool Beans / Katuni – The Netherlands

Samuli Norhomaa – Just Republic Oy – Finland

Julia Ouston – Title Page Films – United Kingdom

Marta Reguera – Fox in the Snow – Sweden

Vicki Rock – Enter Yes – United Kingdom

Danae Spathara – HERETIC – Greece

Artem Vasyliev – Lazy Sunday – Ireland/Moldova

Bostjan Virc – Leavante Produzioni – Italy

For more information please contact:
specials@ace-producers.com

Oscar Nominations 2026

BEST PICTURE

BUGONIA by Yorgos Lanthimos
Produced by Ed Guiney (ACE Ireland)

THE SECRET AGENT by Kleber Mendonça Filho
Co-produced by Leontine Petit & Erik Glijnis (ACE The Netherlands)

SENTIMENTAL VALUE by Joachim Trier
Produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway)
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany) & Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

BEST DIRECTOR

SENTIMENTAL VALUE by Joachim Trier
Produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway)
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany) & Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

BEST ACTOR

Wagner Moura for THE SECRET AGENT by Kleber Mendonça Filho
Co-produced by Leontine Petit & Erik Glijnis (ACE The Netherlands)

BEST ACTRESS

Renate Reinsve for SENTIMENTAL VALUE by Joachim Trier
Produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway)
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany) & Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

Emma Stone for BUGONIA by Yorgos Lanthimos
Produced by Ed Guiney (ACE Ireland)

SUPPORTING ACTOR

Stellan Skarsgård for SENTIMENTAL VALUE by Joachim Trier
Produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway)
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany), Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

SUPPORTING ACTRESS

Elle Fanning for SENTIMENTAL VALUE by Joachim Trier
Produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway)
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany), Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas for SENTIMENTAL VALUE by Joachim Trier
Produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway)
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany), Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY

Jafar Panahi for IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT by Jafar Panahi
Produced by Philippe Martin (ACE France) and David Thion (ACE France)

Eskil Vogt and Joachim Trier for SENTIMENTAL VALUE by Joachim Trier
Produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway)
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany), Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

ADAPTED SCREENPLAY

Will Tracy for BUGONIA by Yorgos Lanthimos
Produced by Ed Guiney (ACE Ireland

INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILM

THE SECRET AGENT by Kleber Mendonça Filho
Co-produced by Leontine Petit & Erik Glijnis (ACE The Netherlands)

IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT by Jafar Panahi
Produced by Philippe Martin (ACE France) and David Thion (ACE France)

SENTIMENTAL VALUE by Joachim Trier
Produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway)
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany) & Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

SIRĀT by Olivier Laxe
Produced by Mani Mortazavi (ACE France)

THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB by  Kaouther Ben Hania
Produced by Nadim Cheikhrouha (ACE France)

MUSIC (ORIGINAL SCORE)
BUGONIA by Yorgos Lanthimos
Produced by Ed Guiney (ACE Ireland)

SOUND
SIRĀT by Olivier Laxe
Produced by Mani Mortazavi (ACE France)

MAKEUP AND HAIRSTYLING
THE UGLY STEPSISTER by Emilie Blichfeldt
Co-produced by Ada Solomon (ACE Romania) and Mariusz Włodarski (ACE Poland)

BEST EDITING

SENTIMENTAL VALUE by Joachim Trier
Produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway)
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany) & Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

CASTING
THE SECRET AGENT by Kleber Mendonça Filho
Co-produced by Leontine Petit & Erik Glijnis (ACE The Netherlands)

 

We’re also very proud to see a Best Animated Film nomination for Little Amélie or the Character of Rain, which was developed during the ACE Animation Special.

Films by ACE producers at Berlinale 2026

BERLINALE COMPETITION

AT THE SEA by Kornél Mundruczó
Produced by Viktória Petrányi (ACE Hungary)

DUST by Anke Blondé
Produced by Dries Phlypo (ACE Belgium)
Co-produced by Joanna Szymanska (ACE Poland), Giorgos Karnavas (ACE Greece)

EVERYBODY DIGS BILL EVANS by Grant Gee
Produced by Janine Marmot (ACE United Kingdom), Alan Maher (ACE Ireland)

HOME STORIES by Eva Trobisch
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany), Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

MY WIFE CRIES by Angela Schanelec
Produced by Kirill Krasovski (ACE Germany)

NINA ROZA by Geneviève Dulude-de Celles
Co-produced by Nikolay Mutafchiev (ACE Bulgaria)

ROSE by Markus Schleinzer
Produced by Johannes Schubert (ACE Austria), Karsten Stöter (ACE Germany)

ROSEBUSH PRUNING by Karim Aïnouz
Produced by Viola Fügen (ACE Germany), Simone Gattoni (ACE Italy)

SALVATION by Emin Alper
Produced by Nadir Öperli (ACE Turkey)
Co-produced by Miléna Poylo (ACE France), Stienette Bosklopper (ACE The Netherlands), Yorgos Tsourgiannis (ACE Greece)

YELLOW LETTERS by İlker Çatak
Co-produced by Nadir Öperli (ACE Turkey), Carole Scotta (ACE France)

BERLINALE PERSPECTIVES

FOREST HIGH by Manon Coubia
Co-produced by Charlotte Vincent (ACE France)

A PRAYER FOR THE DYING by Dara Van Dusen
Produced by Dyveke Graver (ACE Norway)
Co-produced by Pavel Bercík (ACE Czech Republic), Vicky Miha (ACE Greece)
Executive Producer Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway)
Developed during the ACE 28 Annual Programme

TRULY NAKED by Muriel d’Ansembourg
Co-produced by Tom Dercourt (ACE France)

BERLINALE SPECIAL GALA

NO GOOD MEN by Shahrbanoo Sadat
Produced by Katja Adomeit (ACE Denmark)
Opening Film Berlinale 2026

THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE by Mona Fastvold
Produced by Viktória Petrányi (ACE Hungary)

BERLINALE PANORAMA

ÁRRU by Elle Sofe Sara
Co-produced by Jani Pösö (ACE Finland)

THE EDUCATION OF JANE CUMMING by Sophie Heldman
Produced by Bettina Brokemper (ACE Germany)

ENJOY YOUR STAY by Dominik Locher & Honeylyn Joy Alipio
Produced by Flavia Zanon (ACE Switzerland)

THE GARDEN WE DREAMED by Joaquín del Paso
Produced by Nicolás Celis (ACE Mexico)

IVÁN & HADOUM by Ian de la Rosa
Produced by Emilia Fort (ACE Spain), Jan Krüger (ACE Germany)

LONDON by Sebastian Brameshuber
Produced by Lixi Frank (ACE Austria)

BERLINALE PANORAMA DOKUMENTE

A RUSSIAN WINTER by Patric Chiha
Produced by Charlotte Vincent (ACE France)

TRISTAN FOREVER by Tobias Nölle & Loran Bonnardot
Produced by Christof Neracher (ACE Switzerland)

BERLINALE GENERATION

ATLAS OF THE UNIVERSE by Paul Negoescu
Produced by Radu Stancu (ACE Romania)

EVERYONE’S SORRY NOWADAYS by Frederike Migom
Produced by Ivy Vanhaecke (ACE Belgium)
Co-produced by Iris Otten (ACE The Netherlands)

A FAMILY by Mees Peijnenburg
Produced by Iris Otten (ACE The Netherlands)

FOUR GIRLS by Karen Suzane
Co-produced by Ellen Havenith (ACE The Netherlands)

GHOST SCHOOL by Seemab Gul
Co-produced by Dorothe Beinemeier (ACE Germany)

BERLINALE FORUM

LUST by Ralitza Petova
Co-produced by Eva Jakobsen (ACE Denmark)

WOMEN AS LOVERS by Koxi
Produced by Christine Kiauk (ACE Germany)

ACE Producers awarded during 2026 European Film Awards

Best European Film
SENTIMENTAL VALUE by Joachim Trier
Produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway)
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany) & Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

Best European Director
SENTIMENTAL VALUE by Joachim Trier
Produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway)
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany) & Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

Best European Actress
Renate Reinsve for SENTIMENTAL VALUE by Joachim Trier
Produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway)
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany) & Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

Best European Actor
Stellan Skarsgård for SENTIMENTAL VALUE by Joachim Trier
Produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway)
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany) & Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

Best European Screenwriter
Eskil Vogt & Joachim Trier for SENTIMENTAL VALUE by Joachim Trier
Produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway)
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany) & Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

European Young Audience Award
SIBLINGS by Greta Scarano
Produced by Andrea Paris (ACE Italy)

Best European Casting Director
Nadia Acimi, Luís Bértolo & María Rodrigo for SIRĀT by Olivier Laxe
Produced by Mani Mortazavi (ACE France)

Best European Cinematographer
Mau ro Herce for SIRĀT by Olivier Laxe
Produced by Mani Mortazavi (ACE France)

Best European Composer (Original Score)
Hania Rani for SENTIMENTAL VALUE by Joachim Trier
Produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway)
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany) & Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

Best European Editor
Cristóbal Fernández for SIRĀT by Olivier Laxe
Produced by Mani Mortazavi (ACE France)

Best European Make-up & Hair Artist
Torsten Witte for BUGONIA by Yorgos Lanthimos
Produced by Ed Guiney (ACE Ireland)

Best European Production Designer
Laia Ateca for SIRĀT by Olivier Laxe
Produced by Mani Mortazavi (ACE France)

Best European Sound Designer
Laia Casanovas for SIRĀT by Olivier Laxe
Produced by Mani Mortazavi (ACE France)

Eurimages International Co-Production Award 2026
Komplizen Film – Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany) and Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

ACE Producers’ Films in Sundance 2026

WORLD CINEMA DRAMATIC COMPETITION

HOW TO DIVORCE DURING THE WAR by Andrius Blazevicius
Produced by Marija Razgute (ACE Lithuania)
Co-produced by Jessie Fisk (ACE Ireland) & Vratislav Slajer (ACE Czech Republic)

LEVITATING by Wregas Bhanuteja
Co-produced by Si En Tan (ACE Singapore)

SHAME AND MONEY by Visar Morina
Co-produced by Marija Dimitrova (ACE North Macedonia)

PREMIERES

FRANK & LOUIS by Petra Biondina Volpe
Produced by Reto Schärli (ACE Switzerland)

IN THE BLINK OF AN EYE by Andrew Stanton
Executive Produced by Daniel Bekerman (ACE Canada)

TIME AND WATER by Sara Dosa
Co-produced by Heather Millard (ACE Iceland)

THE WEIGHT by Padraic McKinley
Executive Produced by Oana Iancu (ACE Romania)

FICTION PILOT SHOWCASE

WORRIED by Nicole Holofcener
Produced by Daniel Bekerman (ACE Canada)

NONFICTION PILOT SHOWCASE

THE OLIGARCH AND THE ART DEALER by Andreas Dalsgaard
Produced by Miriam Nørgaard (ACE Denmark)

ACE PRODUCERS ANNOUNCES LEADERSHIP TRANSITION

ACE Producers today announces a leadership transition reflecting the Association’s continued growth and long-term vision. President Marleen Slot and the ACE Board are delighted to welcome Inke Van Loocke as its new Director and Adrien Barrouillet as Senior Studies Manager, following the hugely successful nine-year tenure of outgoing Director and Head of Studies, Jacobine van der Vloed.

The transition follows Jacobine’s much lauded leadership during which she implemented the successful move of the association from Paris to the Netherlands in 2017, and where she and the ACE team re-established the Association as Europe’s premier training and networking community of independent producers. Other accomplishments included expanding the ACE Annual Programme and revitalising the organisation, shown by a 40% growth of the ACE Network and a 200% rise in applications.

Jacobine oversaw the development of new programmes including the ACE Series Special, ACE Animation Special and ACE Leadership Special, which have trained over 240 experienced producers. The ACE Springboard Programme was also established to mentor and train emerging professionals, with the aim of creating a successful new generation of independent producers.

Marleen Slot, President of ACE Producers, said:
“Jacobine has played a pivotal role in the development of ACE. Under her leadership we have grown in strength and professionalism and she has laid a solid foundation for the years ahead. We are deeply grateful for her vision, commitment, and the way she has shaped the Association. We look forward to hearing what she chooses to do next and wish her all the best.

As part of the transition we are delighted to welcome our new Director, Inke Van Loocke. Inke comes to us with a wealth of experience in talent and project development at IFFR as well as a wide international network and broad industry knowledge. She and our new Senior Studies Manager Adrien Barouillet bring complementary strengths which align perfectly with ACE’s next phase, expanding the relevance of its programmes, deepening international partnerships and strengthening our producer network. We look forward to working with them to build ACE’s future while embracing new opportunities.”

As Director, Inke Van Loocke will lead ACE’s Amsterdam-based international team and manage the Association towards the realisation of its mission to deliver Europe’s premier executive training to independent producers.

Inke Van Loocke joins after nearly two decades at the International Film Festival Rotterdam, followed by an impactful managerial role at the Schiedam Library. During her tenure at IFFR, Inke became head of the festival’s industry strand, overseeing its strategic vision and professional programmes, while before that she led two of IFFR’s cornerstone initiatives: the CineMart co-production market and the Rotterdam Lab workshop.

Inke Van Loocke said:
“ACE Producers embodies the kind of filmmaking culture that I value most: one that is grounded in artistic ambition, collaboration, and an unwavering belief in independent voices. Over the past years, Jacobine, the team, board and members have built an amazing home for creative leadership together. Fostering a supportive and thriving network has been a guiding principle throughout my career, and I am honoured and excited to take on this role.”

Inke will join the ACE team at the beginning of 2026, alongside new Senior Studies Manager Adrien Barrouillet. In his role, Adrien will deliver ACE’s outstanding training programmes which continue to evolve and adapt to the needs of the industry. Adrien was previously the founder of Furyo Films in France, producing the 2024 film In the Land of Brothers, which won the Directing Award – World Cinema Dramatic Competition at the Sundance Film Festival.

Jacobine van der Vloed said:
“I am delighted to be leaving the wonderful ACE organisation in such good health. Inke and I worked together at Rotterdam, so I know how kind, driven and motivated she is. I am so pleased that she is stepping up to the role of Director and I’m sure she will lead ACE to discover fresh perspectives. It’s been the most amazing job, but I’ve been thinking for a while about what I want to do next. In the short term my next steps are going to be physical ones, as I plan to take some time off and do some hiking!”

Golden Globe nominations for ACE Producers

Best Picture – Drama

IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT by Jafar Panahi
Produced by Philippe Martin (ACE France) and David Thion (ACE France)

THE SECRET AGENT by Kleber Mendonça Filho
Co-produced by Leontine Petit & Erik Glijnis (ACE The Netherlands)

SENTIMENTAL VALUE by Joachim Trier
Produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway)
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany), Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

Best Picture – Musical or Comedy

BUGONIA by Yorgos Lanthimos
Produced by Ed Guiney (ACE Ireland)

Best Director

IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT by Jafar Panahi
Produced by Philippe Martin (ACE France) and David Thion (ACE France)

SENTIMENTAL VALUE by Joachim Trier
Produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway)
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany), Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

Best Screenplay

Jafar Panahi for IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT by Jafar Panahi
Produced by Philippe Martin (ACE France) and David Thion (ACE France)

Eskil Vogt and Joachim Trier for SENTIMENTAL VALUE by Joachim Trier
Produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway)
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany), Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

Best performance by an actor in a motion picture – drama

Wagner Moura for THE SECRET AGENT by Kleber Mendonça Filho
Co-produced by Leontine Petit & Erik Glijnis (ACE The Netherlands)

Best performance by an actress in a motion picture – drama

Renate Reinsve for SENTIMENTAL VALUE by Joachim Trier
Produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway)
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany), Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

Best performance by an actress in a motion picture – musical or comedy

Amanda Seyfried for THE TESTAMENT OF ANN LEE by Mona Fastvold
Produced by Viktória Petrányi (ACE Hungary)

Emma Stone for BUGONIA by Yorgos Lanthimos
Produced by Ed Guiney (ACE Ireland)

Best performance by an actor in a motion picture – musical or comedy

Jesse Plemons for BUGONIA by Yorgos Lanthimos
Produced by Ed Guiney (ACE Ireland)

Best supporting actor

Stellan Skarsgård for SENTIMENTAL VALUE by Joachim Trier
Produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway)
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany), Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

Best supporting actress

Elle Fanning for SENTIMENTAL VALUE by Joachim Trier
Produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway)
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany), Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas for SENTIMENTAL VALUE by Joachim Trier
Produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway)
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany), Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

Best picture – non-English language

IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT by Jafar Panahi
Produced by Philippe Martin (ACE France) and David Thion (ACE France)

THE SECRET AGENT by Kleber Mendonça Filho
Co-produced by Leontine Petit & Erik Glijnis (ACE The Netherlands)

SENTIMENTAL VALUE by Joachim Trier
Produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway)
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany), Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

SIRAT by Olivier Laxe
Produced by Mani Mortazavi (ACE France)

THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB by  Kaouther Ben Hania
Produced by Nadim Cheikhrouha (ACE France)

Best original score

Kangding Ray for SIRAT by Olivier Laxe
Produced by Mani Mortazavi (ACE France)

 

We’re also very excited to see a project developed during the ACE Animation Special nominated for Best Motion Picture – Animation: Little Amélie or the Character of Rain

European Film Awards 2025 Nominations for ACE producers

EUROPEAN FILM

IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT by Jafar Panahi
Produced by Philippe Martin (ACE France) and David Thion (ACE France)

SENTIMENTAL VALUE by Joachim Trier
Produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway)
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany), Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

SIRAT by Olivier Laxe
Produced by Mani Mortazavi (ACE France)

THE VOICE OF HIND RAJAB by Kaouther Ben Hania
Produced by Nadim Cheikhrouha (ACE France)

EUROPEAN DIRECTOR

BUGONIA by Yorgos Lanthimos
Produced by Ed Guiney (ACE Ireland)

IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT by Jafar Panahi
Produced by Philippe Martin (ACE France) and David Thion (ACE France)

SENTIMENTAL VALUE by Joachim Trier
Produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway)
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany), Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

SIRAT by Olivier Laxe
Produced by Mani Mortazavi (ACE France)

EUROPEAN ACTRESS

Léa Drucker for DOSSIER 137 by Dominik Moll
Produced by Carole Scotta (ACE France)

Leonie Benesch for LATE SHIFT by Petra Volpe
Produced by Reto Schärli (ACE Switzerland)

Renate Reinsve for SENTIMENTAL VALUE by Joachim Trier
Produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway)
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany), Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

EUROPEAN ACTOR

Stellan Skarsgård for SENTIMENTAL VALUE by Joachim Trier
Produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway)
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany), Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

Sergi López for SIRAT by Olivier Laxe
Produced by Mani Mortazavi (ACE France)

EUROPEAN SCREENWRITER

Jafar Panahi for IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT by Jafar Panahi
Produced by Philippe Martin (ACE France) and David Thion (ACE France)

Eskil Vogt and Joachim Trier for SENTIMENTAL VALUE by Joachim Trier
Produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway)
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany), Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

Santiago Fillol and Oliver Laxe for SIRAT by Olivier Laxe
Produced by Mani Mortazavi (ACE France)

EUROPEAN DISCOVERY

LITTLE TROUBLE GIRLS by Urška Đukić
Co-produced by Miha Cernec (ACE Slovenia), Dragana Jovovic (ACE Serbia) and Julie Paratian (ACE France)

MY FATHER’S SHADOW by Akinola Davies Jr.
Executive produced by Ed Guiney (ACE Ireland)

EUROPEAN YOUNG AUDIENCE AWARD

I ACCIDENTALLY WROTE A BOOK by Nóra Lakos
Co-produced by Joram Willink (ACE The Netherlands)

LUX AUDIENCE AWARD

IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT by Jafar Panahi
Produced by Philippe Martin (ACE France) and David Thion (ACE France)

SENTIMENTAL VALUE by Joachim Trier
Produced by Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway)
Co-produced by Jonas Dornbach (ACE Germany), Janine Jackowski (ACE Germany)

Call for Applications – ACE Mentoring Programme EU 2026

The ACE Mentoring Programme aims to support upcoming producers in managing their careers and developing their international network, by providing them with the opportunity to learn from established mentors actively working within the European film industry.

The goal is to help these emerging producers reach the next level of experience and help them in the development of their international network.

Each year up to 10 producers, based in the EU or a Creative Europe MEDIA Programme country, will be selected for the Mentoring Programme EU. However, there are also three spaces open for producers from non-EU countries. With this, ACE Producers wants to contribute in creating a film industry that is more inclusive and diverse.

After being selected, each producer will be matched to a mentor according to their specific needs. Throughout the year, the producers will have up to 4 meetings with their mentor, online or if possible in person at international festivals and events.

To best benefit from the programme, we ask producers to have a full-length project in development – fiction, animation or documentary.

PROGRAMME DATES
February – December 2026 with a total of 4 (online) meetings held throughout the year.

ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS

  • Emerging producers with some experience in production, who are looking to expand their knowledge of international co-production, feature film financing, production, sales, and (online) distribution;
  • Producers should have at least one credit on a film or TV series, without necessarily having a full production credit;
  • Producers need to have a full-length fiction, animation or documentary project in development;
  • Producers would need to be committed to the programme for the entire duration.

PARTICIPATION DETAILS & FEE

  • Up to 10 producers will be selected;
  • Participation fee is 300€ for each participant;
  • All travel and accommodation expenses that may arise will not be covered by the organisation.

APPLICATION DEADLINE
The deadline to apply is 9 December 2025. We will accept applications till 18:00 CET.

HOW TO APPLY
All applicants will be asked to complete an application form comprising of:

  • A motivational letter;
  • Company profile;
  • Producer’s biography;
  • Producer’s filmography & current projects.

Before applying, please read the eligibility conditions carefully.
As the deadline has passed, it is no longer possible to apply. Please contact us at ace@ace-producers.com if you have any questions.

Together with the ACE Training Days, the ACE Mentoring Programme, is part of ACE Springboard, a combination of programmes focusing on emerging independent producers to strengthen their careers at an early stage. ACE Springboard provides participants with the tools needed to be adaptable and innovative in an ever-changing film industry – for a successful new generation of independent producers!

More information on the ACE Springboard Programmes can be found here.
For questions, contact us at ace@ace-producers.com.