Category: General News

PRODUCERS SELECTED FOR ACE MENTORING PROGRAMME EU 2025

For the fourth consecutive year, ACE Producers has selected 10 talented up-and-coming producers for the ACE Mentoring Programme EU 2025 from Europe and beyond.

The aim of the programme is to support emerging producers in reaching the next level of their careers and extending their international network by offering them the opportunity to learn from established mentors from within ACE Producers Network actively working within the international film industry.

Each selected producer has been carefully matched to a mentor according to their specific needs. The programme includes (online) meetings throughout the year, with the intent to share the collective knowledge of the ACE Network with a new generation of producers.

The ACE Mentoring Programme is supported by the Creative Europe MEDIA Programme and the Netherlands Film Fund.

SELECTED PRODUCERS FOR ACE MENTORING PROGRAMME EU 2024:

Tapiwa Chipfupa, Amidextrous Pictures – Zimbabwe
Mentor: Ellen Havenith, PRPL – The Netherlands

Patricia D’Intino, Good Kids – Hungary
Mentor: Maria Blicharska, Blick Productions International – Poland/France

Enea Gramo, Art Film – Albania
Mentor: Miia Haavisto, Tekele Productions – Finland

Andrea Italia, Nieminen Film – Italy
Mentor: Anamaria Antoci, Tangaj Production – Romania

Ragna Midtgard, Den siste skilling – Norway
Mentor: Julie Billy, June Films – France

Anna Moragriega Farrés, Pausa Dramàtica Films – Spain
Mentor: Alessandro Amato, dispàrte – Italy

Rūta Petronytė, Smart Casual – Lithuania
Mentor: Sinisa Juričić, Nukleus Film – Croatia

Sergei Serpuhov, Baltic Pine Films – Latvia
Mentor: Maria Drandaki, Homemade Films – Greece

Tero Tamminen, East Film – Finland
Mentor: Judy Tossell, EgoliTossell – Germany

Christelle Younes, Btrswt Pictures – Lebanon
Mentor: Paul Miller, Escape Pictures – Spain

Together with ACE Training Days, the ACE Mentoring Programme is part of ACE Springboard, a combination of programmes focusing on emerging independent producers to strengthen 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.

SELECTION ANNOUNCED FOR ACE MENTORING PROGRAMME NL 2025

Gearing up for the fifth edition, ACE Producers has selected three upcoming producers based in the Netherlands and Overseas Territories to participate in the ACE Mentoring Programme NL 2025.

The programme aims to support emerging producers in reaching the next level of their careers and developing their international network. The selected participants have been matched to a mentor of the ACE Producers Network according to their specific personal needs. The mentorship includes meetings throughout the year at international festivals and events, and online.

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

SELECTED PRODUCERS FOR ACE MENTORING PROGRAMME NL 2025:

Laura Bouwmeester, Labyrint Film – The Netherlands
Mentor: Martin Persson, Anagram Produktion – Sweden

Michel Drenthe, Caribbean Filmcom – Curaçao
Mentor: Lisa-Marie Russo, Fly Film Company – United Kingdom

Nicky Onstenk, IJswater Films – The Netherlands
Mentor: Marica Stocchi, Rosamont – Italy

Together with ACE Training Days, the ACE Mentoring Programme is part of ACE Springboard, a combination of programmes focusing on emerging independent producers to strengthen 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.

Please find more information on the ACE Springboard Programmes here, for more information please contact us: ace@ace-producers.com

Call for Applications – ACE Training Days Italy 2025

ACE Producers and IDM Film Commission Südtirol are pleased to announce the Call for Applications for the Training Days Italy 2025.

The ACE Training Days Italy is a tailor-made 1-day workshop for producers from the Triveneto region, themed around How to build a sustainable economic foundation for your business.

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 in 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.

Details:
Dates: 1 April, 2025 from 9:30 to 16:00
Location: Bolzano, Italy
Language: English
Application deadline: 5 March, 2025
Maximum number of participants: 12
Target group of the workshop: The workshop is aimed at producers residing in Triveneto (Trentino-South Tyrol, Veneto, Friuli Venezia Giulia).

Application:
Interested producers can apply by sending the following documents

CV with filmography
Brief letter of motivation
Profile of the production company
Proof of residence in one of the regions of Triveneto
The application documents must be submitted to Typeform by March 5, 2025 at the latest.

More information and the application form can be found in Italian and German on the website of IDM Film Commission Südtirol.

PRODUCERS SELECTED FOR ACE ANIMATION SPECIAL 2025

ACE Producers has selected 17 experienced independent producers for the 6^th 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 Creative Europe MEDIA, Screen Ireland, the Netherlands Film Fund and Animation Ireland, the ACE Animation Special will take place from the 18^th to the 23^rd March 2025 in Dingle, Ireland, in collaboration with the Animation Dingle festival.

Producers will attend with animated features and series projects in early development. Focusing primarily on the creative and financial aspects of feature and longform 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:

Anne-Flore Aussant – Studio Marguya – Ireland

Jure Bušić – Jaka Produkcija – Croatia

Daniel Dow – DPPLR – The Netherlands

Barney Goodland – Magic Light Pictures – United Kingdom

Kjersti Greger – Klipp og Lim – Norway

Anne-Laure Guégan – Need Productions – Belgium

Anika Homolová – Krutart – Czech Republic

Robert Jaszczurowski – GS Animation / Grupa Smacznego – Poland

Maria Motovska – Maurfilm s.r.o. – Czech Republic

Anna Mroczek – Likaon/WJTeam – Poland

Marianne Ostrat – Alexandra Film – Estonia

Svitlana Soloviova – SvitloforFilm – Ukraine

Alba Sotorra – Alba Sotorra S.L. – Spain

Marica Stocchi – Rosamont – Italy

Samantha Taylor – Film & Music Entertainment Ltd. – United Kingdom

Federico Turani – IBRIDO Studio – Italy

Dagne Vildziunaite – Just A Moment – Lithuania

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

ACE 35 CALL FOR APPLICATIONS

Every year, ACE Producers accepts 18 experienced film producers into the renowned ACE Network after completing ACE’s Annual Programme of executive education. Interested producers are asked to submit a feature film project in development that is suitable for co-production and aimed at the international market along with their application.

Application deadline: 30 April 2025

Four events make up the core of the training programme, held in four different locations.

OCTOBER – CONTENT DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP
Through pitching practice training and sessions on leadership and core values, the producers learn more about themselves and each other, their own businesses and the types of projects they produce. Group sessions and walk & talk discussions provide insight into early development problems such as preparing intention notes, working with talents and maintaining good relationships with writers and directors. During group sessions led by consultants, producers are encouraged to offer each other script advice and analyse financing plans and marketing materials. Participants also benefit from individual consultancy meetings analysing the concepts, dramaturgy, financing plan, and target audiences of their projects.
12 – 18 October 2025 in Leiden, The Netherlands

NOVEMBER – FINANCING STRATEGIES WORKSHOP
Interactive sessions exploring international financing opportunities and strategies through detailed analysis of producers’ finance plans, with input provided by high-grade professionals from across the industry. A uniquely open exchange of experience and ideas which sheds light on the evolution of co-production practices, public and private funding schemes, and the global marketplace in the digital age.
23 – 29 November 2025 (dates tbc) in Warsaw, Poland

APRIL – BUSINESS PROSPECTS WORKSHOP
Sessions on business growth, designed to provide producers 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.
12 – 16 April 2026 (dates tbc), location to be announced.

APRIL – ACE PRODUCERS ANNUAL REUNION
Held in a different country every year over a long springtime weekend, and open to all members of the ACE Network, this event is an occasion for experienced producers to share news, knowledge, opinions and practical advice in an informal but confidential environment. Warts-and-all case studies, production company showcases, insider-information sessions, and more.
17 – 19 April 2026 (dates tbc), location to be announced.

ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS

Be an owner, partner or associate of an independent production company;
Have been the delegate producer (i.e. the principal responsible producer) of at least one theatrically-released feature film;
Have a fiction feature film project in development which is designed to attract international finance and distribution – ideally in the form of a first draft screenplay or long treatment;
Be available and commit to attending a selection interview during the first week of September, the Content Development Workshop (October), the Financing Strategies Workshop (November), the Business Prospects Workshop and the Annual Reunion (both in April).

APPLY
If you are interested in applying, please contact ace@ace-producers.com or complete this pre-registration form to establish your eligibility and organise a meeting with the ACE team. For any questions, please contact us at ace@ace-producers.com.

Applications will primarily be evaluated on the producers’ track record and motivation, followed by the strength of the project and its co-production and collaborative potential.

Visit the workshop section of the ACE Producers website for more information on the Annual Programme and application process.

PARTNERS
The ACE 35 Annual Programme is supported by Creative Europe MEDIA, Netherlands Film Fund, Polish Film Institute, Procirep, German Films, Téléfilm Canada, Screen Ireland, Roma Lazio Film Commission, Focal and APA – Audiovisual Producers Association.

Call for Applications – ACE Leadership Special 2025

ACE Producers is very pleased to announce that the call for applications for the ACE Leadership Special 2025 is now open.

The ACE Leadership Special is aimed at experienced producers looking to develop their personal leadership and entrepreneurial skills and to establish sound business foundations for their companies. The workshop is made possible thanks to support from Creative Europe MEDIA, the Netherlands Film Fund, FOCAL and the Film Commission Lucerne and Central Switzerland.

Offering them a safe space, the ACE Leadership Special helps producers recognise and harness their capabilities and innate skills, raising their confidence to allow them to provide effective leadership for their production companies and teams.

Open to members of the ACE Network and other experienced, established producers of a similar level, the ACE Leadership Special takes place over two 3/4-day residential workshops with additional online sessions complementing them.

12 producers will be selected, each with their own experience of running a company and their own unique entrepreneurial capabilities, allowing the small group to benefit not only from the knowledge of the workshop consultants, but from each other’s lived experiences.

APPLICATION DEADLINE
4 March 2025

WORKSHOP DATES
17 – 20 June 2025
15 – 19 September 2025
Regular meetings with mentor group over summer, between the two workshops.

LOCATIONS
June: Vitznau, Switzerland
September: TBC

FOR FURTHER DETAILS
More information on eligibility, participation fees and how to apply can be found on the ACE Leadership Special page.

Call for Applications – ACE Mentoring Programme NL 2025

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 2025, 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 was 10 December 2024, we no longer accept new applications.

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 coinditions carefully.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
For questions contact Springboard Manager Maegene Fabias:
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.

Call for Applications – ACE Mentoring Programme EU 2025

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 2025 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 was 10 December 2024, we no longer accept new applications.

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.

FOR MORE INFORMATION
For questions contact Springboard Manager Maegene Fabias:
maegenefabias@ace-producers.com.

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 2024

ACE Producers and the Independent Film Foundation are proud to announce the 14 emerging producers selected for the fourth edition of ACE Training Days Poland, a workshop aimed at strengthening upcoming producers from Central Eastern European countries. Focusing on “The Essentials of Co-Producing: What’s the Deal with Negotiating”, 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 th Polish Film Institute.

The 2-day interactive workshop, taking place on 20 and 21 November, will include 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 negotiation, 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 34 Financing Strategies Workshop (18 – 23 November 2024, 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:

Brigita Beniušytė – M-Films – Lithuania

Gunda Bergmane – Nafta Films – Latvia

Patricia D’Intino – Good Kids – Hungary

Aneta Dobies – House Media Company – Poland

Antra Gaile – Air Productions – Latvia

Anna Gawlita – Kijora Film – Poland

Alžběta Janáčková – Silk Films – Czech Republic

Maria Leźnicka – Haja Films – Poland

Zala Opara – Vertigo Ljubljana – Slovenia

Tomáš Pertold – Perfilm – Czech Republic

Dagmara Piasecka – Green Rat Production – Poland

Adriana Racasan – Point Film – Romania

Dorota Schleiss – ASF Studio – Poland

Łukasz Szklarz – Under Ski Tower – 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 Animation Special 2025

The ACE Animation Special, held in Dingle, Ireland, between the 18th and 23rd of March 2025, is supported by Creative Europe MEDIA, the Netherlands Film Fund, Screen Ireland and Animation Ireland, and is organised in close collaboration with Animation Dingle.

The workshop is aimed at experienced producers who want to diversify their activities to include, and/or deepen their knowledge of, developing and producing long form/feature film animation production for an international audience (cinema, broadcast or streaming).

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 longform 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.

APPLICATION DEADLINE
29 November 2024
Up to 18 spaces available

WORKSHOP DATES
18 March – 23 March 2025

LOCATION
Dingle, Ireland

FOR FURTHER DETAILS
More information on eligibility, participation fees and how to apply can be found on the ACE Animation Special page.