Category: News

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 eligibillity conditions carefully. If you are eligible you can apply by filling in the application form.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information or questions, please contact
Maegene Fabias – Springboard Manager: maegenefabias@ace-producers.com

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.

SELECTED PRODUCERS ANNOUNCED FOR TRAINING DAYS POLAND 2025

ACE Producers and the Independent Film Foundation are excited to announce the 12 emerging producers selected for the fifth edition of ACE Training Days Poland, a workshop aimed at strengthening upcoming producers from Poland and other Central Eastern European countries. Focusing on “Fundamentals of International Co-productions”, it gives the participants the opportunity to learn from established producers and film professionals and to further develop their international network. The ACE Training Days Poland is supported by the Polish Film Institute.

The 2-day interactive workshop, taking place on 26 and 27 November 2025, includes plenary sessions and case studies, as well as group meetings and round table discussions, provided with the help of ACE consultants and producers who have notably strong track-records in international financing, co-production, sales and distribution, and who will share their knowledge and international expertise.

The Training Days Poland is connected to the ACE 35 Financing Strategies Workshop (24 – 29 November 2025, Warsaw), which is a workshop within the ACE Annual Programme organised for the selected 18 experienced producers from Europe and beyond.

SELECTED PRODUCERS FOR ACE TRAINING DAYS POLAND:

Greta Akcijonaite – Magic Film – Lithuania

Marita Bierońska – Hamsa Film – Poland

Malwina Gorecka – EGo FILM and nonoto film cooperative – Poland

Kristina Husová – Pure Shore – Czech Republic

Małgorzata Małysa – Furia Film – Poland

Matěj Paclík – Breathless Films – Czech Republic

Justinas Pocius – Smart Casual – Lithuania

Jakub Rálek – BFILM.cz – Czech Republic

Agnieszka Rostropowicz – Consigliere Film Studio – Poland

Nevena Semova – Attic Films – Bulgaria

Rafał Ulicki – Raster Film – Poland

Maria Wachowiak-Czuchnowska – No Prob Production House – Poland

Together with the ACE Mentoring Programme, the ACE Training Days are part of ACE Springboard, a combination of programmes strengthening emerging independent producers. 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.

Please find more information here, for more information please contact us at ace@ace-producers.com.

Call for Applications – ACE Mentoring Programme NL 2026

The ACE Mentoring Programme aims to support producers from The Netherlands and Dutch Overseas Territories 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 three Dutch producers will be selected for the programme. After selection, each producer will be matched to a mentor according to their specific needs.

Throughout the year the producer will have up to 4 meetings with their mentor, either at international festivals and events where both are present, or online. Participation in the Mentoring Programme NL is free of charge (all travel and accommodation expenses that may arise will not be covered by the organisation).

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

The ACE Mentoring Programme NL has been set up in collaboration with the Netherlands Film Fund.

PROGRAMME DATES
February – December 2026, up to 4 (online) meetings held throughout the year.

ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS

Emerging producers from the Netherlands and Dutch Overseas Territories with some experience in production, who are looking to expand their knowledge of international co-production, feature film financing, production, sales, distribution, marketing and business development;
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

Up to 3 producers will be selected;
Participation is free of charge;
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. If you are eligible you can apply by filling in the application form.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
For more information or questions, please contact
Maegene Fabias – Springboard Manager: maegenefabias@ace-producers.com

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

Selection Announced for ACE Training Days NL 2025

11 emerging producers have been selected for the upcoming ACE Training Days NL. Taking place on 14 and 15 October 2025 in Leiden and Amsterdam, the workshop will focus on “How to Build a Sustainable Economic Foundation for Your Business”.

The ACE Training Days NL is a tailor-made programme designed for emerging producers at relatively early stages in their careers, who are looking to expand their network and learn more about the international context of the audiovisual industry. The workshop 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* time:

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

The ACE Training Days NL has been set up in collaboration with the Netherlands Film Fund, a key funder of ACE Producers.

PRODUCERS SELECTED FOR THE ACE TRAINING DAYS NL 2025:

Maritza Grass – Carousel Film – Germany

Dwight Groot – Narang Film – The Netherlands

Rosalien Hollestelle – Bind Film – The Netherlands

Katharina Kolleczek – Kalekone Film – Germany

Nina Landau – Associate Director – Belgium

Zipporah Nyaruri – Zippy Creatives – The Netherlands

Sulin Passial – Pantalla Chica Productions – Curacao

Anna-Sophie Philippi – Contando Films – Germany

Felix Schreiber – Sommerhaus Filmproduktion – Germany

Daniel Tenné – 70 Steps – Germany

Marijn van der Ploeg – Mad Scientists Movement – The Netherlands

Together with the ACE Mentoring Programme, the ACE Training Days, 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.

ACE 35 Producers Selected

Anaïs Bertrand – Insolence Productions – France
“Bergies” directed by Dian Weys

Ioanna Bolomyti – Atalante Productions – Greece
“Sunbruise” directed by Stavros Markoulakis

Vanessa Ciszewski – Luftkind Filmverleih – Germany
“Minzi Monster” director to be confirmed

Agnieszka Dziedzic – Koi Studio – Poland
“We Have No Chances” directed by Marta Karwowska

Emilia Fort – Avalon – Spain
“Basarda” directed by Salvador Sunyer

Lixi Frank – Panama Film – Austria
“Ice Cream” directed by Patric Chiha

Sébastien Haguenauer – 10:15 Productions – France
“Paz” directed by Guillaume de Fontenay

Elisa Heene – Mirage – Belgium
“L’Invention du Sauvage” directed by Fien Troch

Anda Ionescu – Tangaj Production – Romania
“Agatha Candy” directed by Andrei Tănase

Veselka Kiryakova – Red Carpet – Bulgaria
“Magdalena” directed by Dimitar Kutmanov

Kirill Krasovski – Blue Monticola Film – Germany
“Little Explosions” directed by Vladimir Beck

Vladimír Lhoták – Hausboot – Czech Republic
“The Northern Star” directed by Eléa Gobbé-Mévellec

Kim McCraw – micro-scope – Canada
“Heart’s Exil” directed by Ivan Grbovic

Kristýna Michálek Květová – Cinémotif Films – Czech Republic
“Nora” directed by Martin Krejčí

Rikke Tambo Andersen – Tambo Film ApS – Denmark
“The Devils’ Film” directed by Thora Lorentzen

Si En Tan – Momo Film Co – Singapore
“Other People’s Dreams” directed by Daniel Hui

Flaminio Zadra – Dorje Film – Italy
“Moldovan Story” directed by Giuseppe Gagliardi

Flavia Zanon- Close Up Films – Switzerland
“Sunlash” directed by Carmen Jaquier

ACE Producers has selected 18 experienced independent producers to participate in the 35^thedition of its ACE Annual Programme. Representing 15 different territories, the selected producers will attend three workshops throughout 2025 and 2026, 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 president Marleen Slot and director and head of studies Jacobine van der Vloed.

“We are delighted to welcome this inspiring new group of established producers, chosen from a record-breaking pool of applicants this year. Representing fifteen territories and a wide range of backgrounds, they bring with them a wealth of perspectives, experience, and expertise. Each producer adds something unique to the ACE Network, and we look forward to the collaborations and exchanges that the coming year will bring” Jacobine van der Vloed commented.

Four events make up the core of the training. The first workshop takes place 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 Warsaw, Poland, with the support of the Polish Film Institute and in collaboration with Independent Film Foundation. 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.

The ACE Annual Programme is supported by Creative Europe MEDIA, Netherlands Film Fund, Polish Film Institute, Procirep, Screen Ireland, German Films, Téléfilm Canada, 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

ACE Project Spotlight: SK+TE’KMUJUE’KATIK

SK+TE’KMUJUE’KATIK (AT THE PLACE OF GHOSTS) by Bretten Hannam is premiering at Toronto International Film Festival 2025. Producer Marc Tetreault participated with the project in the ACE 33 Annual Programme.

Mise’l and Ante have drifted apart in adulthood, but are forced to reunite when a supernatural presence they thought was long-buried threatens them and their loved ones. As they set off on a journey through an ancient forest rich with Mi’kmaq history, the past, present and future collide.

How did the ACE Annual Programme benefit you as a producer, and your ACE project?
When I joined the ACE Annual Programme, SK+TE’KMUJUE’KATIK was already fairly developed. We found a great co-producer in Diana Elbaum (ACE Belgium), and financing was largely in place. My goals for participating in the ACE Annual Programme was mainly to refine the creative vision.

The Content Development Workshop in Oslo, Norway was an important moment for me. Working with our script consultant and the other producers helped me realise that although the story is deeply rooted in North American history, and specifically around First Nation experiences, it was also a universal story that would resonate with international audiences. This creative input was valuable for the project and it was interesting to hear the European perspectives on the project.

The financing plan of the project didn’t change drastically during the workshop, but it had a huge impact on how I approach future work, and made me realise co-productions are not only financial collaborations, but also make for stronger and more meaningful films.

What was the most challenging part in getting this film from script to screen?
Interestingly, the financing of SK+TE’KMUJUE’KATIK came together relatively smooth, which is often not the case. The production and post-production were more challenging.

We shot almost entirely in remote forests, which was beautiful but logistically very difficult. The biggest challenge in the project came in the edit. This was by far the longest and most complex post-production I’ve ever been part of. With the footage, we could have made many different films, and after months of editing, we felt lost and didn’t agree on what the film was anymore.

At that time, we brought in a new editor from Belgium, who wasn’t involved until that time and brought a new perspective on the film, which was exactly what we needed. It took a while for everyone to align, but eventually we did, and we are excited that we will present it at TIFF now, following by screenings at BFI London Film Festival and at our home turf at Atlantic International Film Festival in Halifax.

What’s ahead for you and your company? What are you currently working on?
The ACE Annual Programme has changed how I look at co-producing, and that’s directly shaped our strategy at Shut Up & Colour Pictures.

We are currently in post-production on a low-budget Christmas horror movie, and have a UK/Canada co-production greenlit to shoot early next year: ODDLY FLOWERS. I actually found my partners for this project through a consultant I met at the Financing Strategies Workshop of the ACE Annual Programme.

We also have an Australia/Canada co-production that seems like it is financed for the same period.

Although we didn’t find a project yet, I would love to collaborate with any of my fellow ACE 33 producers. We build strong and long term relations during the programme, and I’m sure we will work together in the future.

ACE Project Spotlight: GRAND CIEL

GRAND CIEL by Akihiro Hata is premiering on 5 September during the 82nd Venice Film Festival. Producer Clément Duboin (ACE France) participated in the ACE 29 Annual Programme, and discussed the development of the project and the benefits of the workshop with us.

Vincent works the night shift on the construction site of a futuristic district. When a worker goes missing, Vincent and his colleagues begin to suspect that their superiors are covering up an accident. But soon, another worker disappears.

How did the ACE Annual Programme benefit you as a producer, and your ACE project?
ACE 29 was a truly unique edition, as the COVID-19 pandemic made it the longest ACE Annual Programme to date. We were able to have Content Development Workshop and Financing Strategies Workshop in the fall of 2019, before the lockdown, but had to wait until November 2021 for the Business Prospects Workshop.

By then, our outlook on company sustainability, growth, and management had shifted significantly, which made that final workshop especially engaging and refreshing, both personally and as a group.

For my project as well, the workshop has been decisive. From the initial feedback from my peers and consultants, the diverse perspectives they shared, to the ongoing mutual support we’ve maintained on each other’s projects.

What was the most challenging in getting this film from script to the screen?
The development and financing of GRAND CIEL took time and were inevitably slowed down by the pandemic. Within just a few months, the industry and the market had changed dramatically, and by the time we were ready to secure financing, the landscape was no longer the same as when we first initiated the project.

As an ambitious first feature, both arthouse and genre-blending, the project became a riskier bet after the pandemic than it had been before. At one point, we even considered scaling down our ambitions, but doing so would have compromised the very essence and uniqueness of the film.

Complicating matters further, during our initial preparation we faced difficulties securing our main shooting location—a massive construction site at night. This forced us to postpone filming for a year, reorganize our financing and production strategy, and ultimately bring the project together thanks to a decisive, organic co-production with long-time friend and ACE member Gilles Chanial (ACE Luxembourg) of Les Films Fauves.

What’s ahead for you and your company? What are you currently working on?
Beyond GRAND CIEL, we are completing Ulrich Köhler’s new film GAVAGAI, a co-production with Ingmar Trost (ACE Germany) from Sutor Kolonko, which will premiere in the Main Slate of the New York Film Festival at the end of September. With the same ACE partner, we are also in post-production on Ilian Metev’s new film PLATEAU, a German–Bulgarian–French co-production.

Together with Gilles from Les Films Fauves again, we are currently financing another project by a Japanese director based in Paris—an adaptation of a French comic book set in Japan, co-written by Yuki Kawamura and Raphaëlle Desplechin, and to be directed by Yuki Kawamura.

Alongside Akihiro Hata, writer-director of GRAND CIEL, we are also developing the TV series THE TREE (ACE Series Special 6), as well as a new feature film project.

18 ESTABLISHED PRODUCERS SELECTED FOR ACE SERIES SPECIAL 7

Eighteen international producers will join ACE for the seventh edition of the ACE Series Special, taking place in Rome, Italy this coming November.

The week-long workshop offers producers the opportunity to expand their understanding of the series production landscape and internationalise their network within the industry. Professionals from companies such as Fremantle, and Banijay regularly attend as consultants, along with producers and showrunners offering no-holds-barred case studies and discussions.

The ACE Series Special will take place in Rome thanks to support from Creative Europe MEDIA and the Roma Lazio Film Commission. The selected 18 participants represent 15 countries and include a number of highly experienced producers venturing into series production for the first time. Each producer will attend the workshop with a series project in the early stages of development which will serve as a vehicle for their learning.

The workshop will take place from the 3^rd till the 8^th of November 2025 and will in include an afternoon open to local Italian producers.

ACE SERIES SPECIAL 7 PRODUCERS

Serena Alfieri — Italy — Volos films Italia
“Hallyu”
Writers: Michele Furfari, Gaia Marianna Musacchio, Giulio Nocerino

Aija Berzina — Latvia — Tasse Film
“The Last Divorce of Communism”
Writers: Teodora Markova, Stanislavs Tokalovs
Directors: Stanislavs Tokalovs, Teodora Markova, Linda Olte

Maria Blicharska-Lacroix — France & Poland — Blick Productions
“Bloodletting”
Writer: Anita Doron
Directors: Anita Doron and Kasia Adamik

Inese Boka-Grübe — Latvia — Mistrus Media
“Aurora. Newsroom”
Writers: Juris Kursietis, Katri Manninen, Osvalds Zebris, Martin Algus
Director: Juris Kursietis

Stefan Eichenberger — Switzerland — Contrast Film
“Gold”
Writers: Christian Wehrlin, Pascal Glatz, Mariama Djité

Verena Gräfe-Höft — Germany — Junafilm
“Madame de Sade”
Writers: Katrin Gebbe, Sorcha Kurien-Walsh
Director: Katrin Gebbe

Vanessa Henneman — The Netherlands — Henneman Projects
“Lucky Lucie”
Writer: Cecilia Verheyden & Esther Gerritsen
Director: Cecilia Verheyden

Torfinnur Jákupsson — Faroe Islands — GRÓ Studios
“Reyna”
Writer: Torfinnur Jákupsson

Siniša Juričić — Croatia— Nukleus Film
“Stringers”
Writer: Nikola Kuprešanin
Director: Danis Tanović

Vesela Kazakova — Bulgaria — Activist38
“A Wild Horse in the Rotten West”
Writers: Mina Mileva, Vesela Kazakova
Directors: Mina Mileva, Vesela Kazakova

Laurent Medea — France, Reunion — Tiktak Production
“Without Mercy”
Writers: Amine G. Mahamat, Nicolas Soum
Director: Paul Mignot

Emily Morgan — Untied Kingdom — Quiddity Films
“Animal Spirits”
Writer: Shyam Popat

Evelin Penttilä — Estonia — Stellar Film
“Business as Usual”
Writers: Hendrik Toompere Jr., Mehis Pihla
Director: Ove Musting

Geraldine Sprimont — Belgium — Need Productions
“The Invisible Ink”
Writers: César Diaz, Fernando Epstein, Janine Zaruski
Director: César Diaz

Viktor Tauš — Czech Republic — Heaven’s Gate
“Confluentia”
Writer: David Jařab
Director: Viktor Tauš

Sophie Toth — Switzerland — Shining Nice
Project under embargo

Konstantinos Vassilaros — Greece — StudioBauhaus
“Dark Water”
Writer: Orfeas Peretzis

Olena Yershova — Turkey — Tato Film
“Escape from Harem”
Writer: Emine Yıldırım

PREVIOUS EDITIONS

Since 2019, when the workshop was devised, over 100 producers have attended the Series Special programme from companies such as The Match Factory Productions, Lemming Film, Heretic and Komplizen Film. Attending consultants have included Christian Vesper (Fremantle), Ed Guiney (Element Pictures), Piv Bernth (Apple Tree Productions), Davide Nardini (Amazon Italy), Alexandre Piel (ARTE), Frank Spotnitz (Big Light Productions), Philipp Kreuzer (maze productions), Olivia Sleiter (Fremantle), Reno Antoniades (Lee & Thompson), Mario Gianani (Wildside) and Caroline Benjo (Haut et Court).

ACE PRODUCERS

ACE Producers (ACE) is Europe’s premier community of independent producers, dedicated to equipping them with the entrepreneurial, collaborative, and adaptive skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving industry. Through high-end executive training, ACE empowers producers to anticipate trends, be forward thinking, embrace new partnerships, integrate emerging technologies, and implement modern environmental practices. This approach not only builds sustainable networks and businesses but also enhances producers’ ability to navigate an increasingly dynamic global landscape. By fostering collaboration and facilitating the transfer of high-level industry knowledge, ACE strengthens producers’ capacity to innovate and adapt to creative and market shifts.

Each year, 18 experienced independent producers join ACE after completing the ACE Annual Programme, an intensive series of workshops designed to enhance their expertise in all stages of film production. These workshops focus on the critical responsibilities of producers, including leadership, co-production strategies, business strategy, international market readiness, and creative collaboration across disciplines.

To respond to the industry’s evolving needs, ACE offers additional workshops allowing producers to hone their skills in series production, animation production, and leadership development. These ACE Specials give producers a widened perspective on the audiovisual industry and how to diversify their role within it. The ACE Springboard provides emerging producers with essential mentorship and training, nurturing the next generation of creative leaders.

Since its founding in 1993, ACE Producers has cultivated a thriving community of hundreds of producers, with over 280 active members from more than 52 countries. Members collaborate year-round to share knowledge, discuss industry changes, and initiate partnerships at the ACE Annual reunion and industry events at major festivals and markets.

ACE Producers is committed in its mission to support independent producers by developing every part of the production ecosystem. Their creative vision can be nurtured by harnessing digital tools that foster innovative storytelling, and enhancing skills that empower producers to lead in a competitive global industry. ACE Producers is firmly committed to this as it believes in the power of high-quality content creation, and recognises the importance of understanding modern distribution and marketing strategies to achieve these objectives.

Call for Applications – ACE Animation Special 2026

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 Ireland, Animation Ireland, in close collaboration Animation Dingle.

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.

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

Films by ACE producers on the TIFF line-up

DISCOVERY

AMBOEBA by Siyou Tan
Produced by Fran Borgia (ACE Singapore)
Co-produced by Luisa Romeo (ACE Spain), Antoine Simkine (ACE France) and Denis Vaslin (ACE The Netherlands)

FORASTERA by Lucía Aleñar Iglesias
Co-produced by Olivier Guerpillon (ACE Sweden) and Giovanni Pompili (ACE Italy)

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

JULIAN by Cato Kusters
Co-produced by Laurette Schillings (ACE The Netherlands) and Frans van Gestel (ACE The Netherlands)

OUR FATHER by Goran Stankovic
Produced by Snezana van Houwelingen (ACE Serbia)

PLATFORM

AT THE PLACE OF GHOSTS by Bretten Hannam
Produced by Marc Tetreault (ACE Canada) and Diana Elbaum (ACE Belgium)
Developed during the ACE 33 Annual Programme

HEN by György Pálfi
Produced by Thanassis Karathanos (ACE Germany)

TO THE VICTORY! by Valentyn Vasyanovych
Produced by Volodymyr Yatsenko (ACE Ukraine)
Co-produced by Marija Razgute (ACE Lithuania)

GALA PRESENTATIONS

GLENROTHAN by Brian Cox
Executive produced by Sheryl Crown (ACE United Kingdom)

PEAK EVERYTHING by Anne Émond
Produced by Sylvain Corbeil (ACE Canada)

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

A PALE VIEW OF HILLS by Kei Ishikawa
Co-produced by Mariusz Włodarski (ACE Poland)

BAD APPLES by Jonatan Etzler
Executive Produced by Judy Counihan (ACE United Kingdom)

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

LOVELY DAY by Philippe Falardeau
Produced by Luc Déry (ACE Canada)

SACRIFICE by Romain Gavras
Produced by Giorgos Karnavas (ACE Greece)

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

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

STEAL AWAY by Clement Virgo
Produced by Damon D’Oliveira (ACE Canada)

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

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

CENTREPIECE

EAGLES OF THE REPUBLIC by Tarik Saleh
Co-produced by Monica Hellström (ACE Denmark)

FOLLIES by Eric K. Boulianne
Produced Hany Ouichou (ACE Canada)

LA PETITE DERNIÈRE by Hafsia Herzi
Produced by Julie Billy (ACE France)

MILK TEETH by Mihai Mincan
Produced by Radu Stancu (ACE Romania)
Co-produced by Monica Hellström (ACE Denmark) and Cyrial Auriol (ACE France)

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

ORPHAN by Lazlo Nemes
Produced by Ildikó Kemény (ACE Hungary)
Co-produced by Thanassis Karathanos (ACE Germany)

RENOIR by Chie Hayakawa
Produced by Fran Borgia (ACE Singapore)

THE BLUE TRAIL by Gabriel Mascaro
Co-produced by Marleen Slot (ACE The Netherlands)

THE LOVE THAT REMAINS by Hlynur Pálmason
Produced by Anton Máni Svansson (ACE Iceland)
Co-produced by Eva Jakobsen (ACE Denmark)
Developed during the ACE 33 Annual Programme

THE MYSTERIOUS GAZE OF THE FLAMINGO by Diego Céspedes
Co-produced by Jakob D. Weydemann (ACE Germany)

TWO PROSECUTORS by Sergei Loznitsa
Co-produced by Viola Fügen (ACE Germany) and Alise Gelze (ACE Latvia)

WHITETAIL by Nanouk Leopold
Produced by Stienette Bosklopper (ACE The Netherlands)
Co-produced by Bart Van Langendonck (ACE Belgium)

TIFF DOCS

MODERN WHORE by Nicole Bazuin
Produced by Lauren Grant (ACE Canada)

NUESTRA TIERRA by Lucrecia Martel
Co-produced by Claire Gadéa (ACE France), Leontine Petit (ACE The Netherlands) and Erik Glijnis (ACE The Netherlands)

TIFF PRIMETIME

PORTOBELLO by Marco Bellocchio
Produced by Mario Gianani (ACE Italy) and Simone Gattoni (ACE Italy)