ACE Producers is pleased to announce the call for applications for the eighth ACE Animation Special. The workshop, which will be held in Dingle, Ireland, between 16 and 21 March 2027, is organised thanks to the Netherlands Film Fund, Screen Ireland and Animation Ireland, in close collaboration with 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
16 – 21 March 2027

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
18 November 2026
Up to 18 places available

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

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

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 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

Sixteen international producers will join ACE for the eighth edition of the ACE Series Special, taking place in Lübeck, Germany 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 selected 16 participants represent 13 countries and include a number of highly experienced producers venturing into series production for the first time. Producers are able to 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 in Lübeck, Germany, from the 2^nd till the 7^th of November 2026 and will in include an afternoon open to local German producers.

The ACE Series Special is supported by the Netherlands Film Fund, MOIN Filmförderung, Medienboard Berlin-Brandenburg and the Pilot Programme for Series Co-Productions of the Council of Europe, home of Eurimages. The workshop is organised in collaboration with Nordische Filmtage Lübeck.

ACE SERIES SPECIAL 8 PRODUCERS

Vasilis Chrysanthopoulos – Greece – Foss Productions

Ingvild Evjemo – Norway – INTHEMOOD FILM

Samm Haillay – United Kingdom – Kirlian Enterprises

Blerina Hankollari – Albania – Artalb Film Productions

Barbara Janišová Feglová – Slovakia – HITCHHIKER Cinema

Maciej Kubicki – Poland – Telemark

André Logie – Belgium – Panache Productions

Susanne Mann – Germany – zischlermann filmproduktion

Stelios Mavrondontis – Greece – Filmiki Productions

Adrià Monès Murlans – Spain – Fasten Films

Jennifer Mueller von der Haegen – Germany – Weydemann Bros.

Ngueyeli Noupueu Evodie – Cameroon – Les Films d‘Ebène

Marek Novák – Czech Republic – Xova Film

Jevgeni Supin – Estonia – Zolba Productions

Paula Taborda dos Guaranys – Spain – Ginga Stories

Gökçe Işıl Tuna – Türkiye – Motiva Films

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).

ABOUT 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, embrace new partnerships, integrate emerging technologies, and implement modern environmental practices. Each year, 18 experienced producers join ACE after completing the ACE Annual Programme, an intensive series of workshops focusing on leadership, co-production strategies, business strategy, international market readiness, and creative collaboration.

To respond to the industry’s evolving needs, ACE offers additional workshops in series production, animation, 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 supports emerging producers through mentorship and training, nurturing the next generation of creative leaders within a dynamic global landscape.

 

Over the past 6 years, 5 films (co-)produced by ACE members have won the Palme d’Or in Cannes: “Fjord” produced by Dyveke Bjørkly Graver (ACE Norway), Andrea Berentsen Ottmar (ACE Norway) and co-produced by Jussi Rantamäki (ACE Finland), “It Was Just an Accident” produced by Philippe Martin and David Thion (Les Films Pelleas), “Anatomy of a Fall” produced by David Thion (Les Films Pelleas), “Triangle of Sadness” produced by Erik Hemmendorff (Plattform Produktion), co-produced by Giorgos Karnavas (Heretic) and Per Damgaard Hansen (Paloma Productions), and “Titane” produced by Jean-Christophe Reymond (Kazak Productions) and co-produced by Jean-Yves Roubin (Versus Production).

In 2026, the Cannes Palme d’Or, Grand Prix and Jury prize all went to films (co-) produced by ACE members, and all five films nominated for the Best International Film Academy Award were (co-)produced by ACE members.

ACE Producers is pleased to announce the Call for Applications for the Training Days France 2026 which has been set up thanks to the support by the Contrat Triennal Strasbourg Capitale Européenne 2024-2026.

The ACE Training Days France is a tailor-made 3-day 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 hands-on workshop welcomes producers working in fiction, animation, and documentary, and strives to make the industry more inclusive, diverse, and collaborative.

For this workshop, a total of 12 producers will be selected to join the workshop taking place in Strasbourg, France.

The Training Days France will be themed around “The Fundamentals of European Co-production in Feature Fiction”. This interactive workshop will include plenary sessions, case studies, networking opportunities and group meetings provided with the help of ACE consultants and producers who have notably strong track-records in international financing, co-production, negotiation, sales, and distribution.

As part of the Training Days programme, the selected producers are also invited to attend one Financing Plan Session (on either 19 or 20 November) as an observer. These Finance Plan Sessions are part of the ACE 36 Financing Strategies Workshop (16 – 21 November, Strasbourg), which is a workshop within the ACE Annual Programme organised for the selected 18 experienced producers from Europe and beyond.

WORKSHOP DATES
17 – 19 November 2026
Please note that additionally the Finance Plan Sessions are taking place 19 & 20 November. Spots will be assigned in advance to avoid scheduling conflicts.

LOCATION
Strasbourg, France

ELIGIBILITY CONDITIONS

• Emerging producers from the Grand Est region, with an interest in the international market and co-production (line production is not the focus of this programme).
• Applicants should have at least one producer credit (short film, feature film, documentary, series, etc.) or be able to justify significant production experience in another production company.
• Producers are encouraged to bring a feature-length project currently in development to best benefit from the workshop.
• Producers would need to be committed to attend the entire workshop (including the Finance Plan Sessions).
• As the workshop will be in English, a good working level of English is required.

FEES

• Participation is free of charge, but we do ask full commitment.
• ACE Producers covers the lunches and dinner mentioned in the programme.
• All travel & accommodation expenses that arise will NOT be covered by the organisation.

APPLICATION DEADLINE
1 September 2026 at 23:59 CEST

HOW TO APPLY
Please submit your application here
In the application, you need to provide the following documents in English:

• Motivation letter (max 3.000 characters);
• Company profile;
• Producer’s biography & filmography (max 1.500 characters);
• List of current projects in development (max 1.500 characters).

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

ACE Producers has selected 12 acclaimed film and television producers from 9 different territories for this year’s ACE Leadership Special.

Gearing up for its fifth edition, the ACE Leadership Special allows producers to take time out to examine themselves, their companies and their teams. The programme gives them the tools to recognise and harness their capabilities and innate skills, raising their confidence to be able to provide effective leadership for their production companies and to create work environments which are effective, productive and harmonious. The workshop format allows the small group to benefit not only from the knowledge of the workshop consultants, but from each other’s lived experiences.

The programme is supported by the Netherlands Film Fund, FilmCamp Norway and CFAP. It will take place in Vinkeveen (The Netherlands) in June 2026 and at FilmCamp in Øverbygd (Norway) in September 2026 along with online elements over the summer.

The consultants for the programme are Jeroen Achterberg, Jo Bishop (The Coaching Cabin) and Mark van der Grift (For REAL).

SELECTED PRODUCERS:

Nicolás Celis – Pimienta Films – Mexico

Marie Dubas – Deuxième Ligne Films – France

Harry Flöter – 2Pilots Filmproduction – Germany

Alexander Glehr – Film AG Produktions GmbH – Austria

Erik Glijnis – Lemming Film – The Netherlands

Miia Haavisto – Tekele Productions – Finland

Marc Irmer – Dolce Vita Films – France

Milena Klemke – Weydemann Bros. GmbH – Germany

Kuba Kosma – Serce – Poland

Mark Lwoff – Bufo – Finland

Adrià Monés Murlans – Fasten Films – Spain

Giovanni Pompili – Kino Produzioni – Italy

Gearing up for its fifth edition, ACE Producers has selected ten emerging producers for the ACE Mentoring Programme EU 2026 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. This tailor-made programme includes (online) meetings throughout the year, with the intent to share collective knowledge with a new generation of producers.

SELECTED PRODUCERS FOR ACE MENTORING PROGRAMME EU 2026: 

Anne-Flore Aussant – Studio Marguya – Ireland
Mentor: Amanda Livanou – Neda Film – Greece

Flavia Biurrun – Saga Film – Belgium
Mentor: Snezana van Houwelingen – This and That Productions – Serbia

Maximiliano Bolados Jara – Bússola Film – France
Mentor: Titus Kreyenberg – unafilm – Germany

Melissa Byrne – Nordpolaris – Germany
Mentor: Laurence Lascary – De l’autre côté du périph (DACP) – France

Fahriye Ismayilova – Parda Film Production – Türkiye
Mentor: Carla Fotea – microfilm – Romania

Sarah Kang – Seesaw Pictures – South Korea
Mentor: Denis Vaslin – Volya Films – The Netherlands

Matěj Paclík – Breathless Films – Czech Republic
Mentor: Bernard Michaux – Samsa Film– Luxembourg

Bahnam Roshan – Prespective – Iran
Mentor: Kurban Kassam – Raucous Pictures – United Kingdom

Betty Sulty-Johnson – Habebo Studios – France
Mentor: Joram Willink – Bind Film – The Netherlands

Marta Szarzyńska – Watchout Studio – Poland
Mentor: Filipa Reis – Uma Pedra No Sapato – Portugal

 

Together with the ACE Training Days, the ACE Mentoring Programmes are 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 Producers is excited to announce the 6 emerging producers from Slovakia, selected to participate in the upcoming ACE Training Days SK. Taking place on 14 and 15 April 2026 in Modra, the workshop will focus on “How to Build a Sustainable Economic Foundation for Your Business”.

The ACE Training Days SK is a tailor-made programme designed for producers from Slovakia who are looking to expand their networks and learn more about how to build a sustainable economic foundation for their businesses. The workshop welcomes producers working in fiction, animation and documentary.

This interactive workshop will include different sessions by trusted ACE consultants, and networking opportunities with the producers of the ACE 35 Annual Programme, who will be in Modra for the third session of their programme Business Prospects Workshop (BPW) and in Bratislava for the ACE Annual Reunion.

The ACE Training Days SK, ACE 35 Business Prospects Workshop and the Annual Reunion are supported by the Slovak Audiovisual Fund, SAPA and Košice Region Film Office

PRODUCERS SELECTED FOR THE ACE TRAINING DAYS SK 2026:

Nataša Findrová – Murmur Films

Michaela Kaliská – NINJA film

Andrej Kolencik – Admiral Films

Radka Machalová – Bright Sight Pictures

Roman Pivovarník – HITCHHIKER Cinema

Marianna Vadovičová – Silverart

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.