Call for Mentors: FILMEU Film Festival & Summit 2026

Market Simulation Lab for Emerging Filmmakers

Brussels — June 2026

As part of the FILMEU Film Festival & Summit 2026, we are launching the first FILMEU Industry Lab, a hands-on training activity designed to give students practical insight into how film projects are presented, discussed, and developed within professional industry environments.

This activity will form the first component of the future training programme developed by the newly approved FILMEU Distribution Office (2026–2027), which aims to strengthen knowledge in film circulation, audience engagement, and independent distribution among emerging filmmakers across the FILMEU network.

To support this initiative, we are inviting mentors from the FILMEU community to participate in the simulation.

Those interested, please contact the following:

nanci.cruz@filmeu.eu / joana.ferreira@filmeu.eu / dagmar.mae@filmeu.eu 

The deadline is 6th April 2026.

FILMEU partner institutions are invited to nominate two mentors each from their faculty, staff, or professional networks who will attend the FILMEU Film Festival & Summit in Brussels.

Further details about scheduling and mentor preparation will follow. By participating as a mentor, you will:

• contribute to the professional development of emerging filmmakers within the FILMEU alliance
• help students better understand how the audiovisual industry operates
• support the development of the FILMEU Distribution Office training programme
• engage with students and colleagues across the FILMEU network

FILMEU Industry Lab and student training activities at the FILMEU Film Festival & Summit will serve as the foundation for a broader FILMEU training initiative focused on film circulation and audience development.

Future workshops and programmes may expand to include topics such as:

• festival strategy and festival positioning
• hybrid distribution models
• audience analytics and digital marketing
• impact campaigns for socially engaged cinema

These activities aim to equip students and emerging filmmakers with the skills needed to connect films with audiences across Europe and beyond.

• Mentor Participation

We are seeking two mentors from each of the eight FILMEU partner institutions who will be attending the FILMEU Film Festival and Summit in Brussels in June 2026.

Mentors will participate in a short series of one-to-one meetings with students, offering feedback on their projects and guidance based on their professional expertise.

Each mentor will be asked to offer:

• two 15-minute meeting slots
• during the Market Simulation session at the FILMEU Summit

These short meetings will simulate real industry interactions such as those that occur at film festivals and markets.

• Who Can Be a Mentor?

We welcome mentors from a variety of professional backgrounds within the audiovisual sector and academia, including:

• filmmakers
• producers
• academics and researchers in film and media
• professional screenwriters
• festival programmers
• marketing and distribution film and media specialists

The goal is to expose students to multiple perspectives from across the film ecosystem.

• Role of the Mentor

Mentors will:

• listen to a short student pitch (2–3 minutes)
• provide feedback on the project or film
• share insights related to development, positioning, audiences, or festival strategy
• answer targeted questions from the student

The aim is not to formally evaluate projects, but to offer constructive feedback and encourage students to reflect on how their work may circulate within the broader audiovisual landscape.

• Preparation

Students will prepare in advance through a pre-Summit online training session, where they will develop:

• a basic press kit / EPK
• a short project pitch
• questions they would like to ask mentors.

Mentors will also be invited to a short online briefing session before the Summit to explain the structure of the simulation and ensure a smooth experience for everyone involved.