A professional script- and project-development program for creative teams and aspiring script consultants who believe in the importance of teamwork.
MIDPOINT Feature Launch 2025
Benefits
An exquisite experience
The program targets creative teams with feature films in development & aspiring script consultants coming primarily from Central and Eastern Europe.
As the first film & series development platform in Europe, MIDPOINT Institute introduces within the Feature Launch program a multi-stage project selection process in order to be able to support more emerging talents.
From the applications, we will select approx. 20 projects, of which their creative teams will receive a detailed online assessment from two experienced professionals (script consultant and producer).
Based on this assessment, 9 projects will be selected for the Feature Launch 2025 program.
For teams of writers, 1st or 2nd time directors and producers
- move your feature film project to the next level
- create a financing, marketing, sales, distribution or pitching strategy for your project
- work with some of the most established European and international creators and professionals who are willing to lay the cards out on the table (good or bad)
- get unique professional international feedback from our tutors and your peers
- explore the current film industry landscape and trends
- pitch it & network at Karlovy Vary IFF
For script-consultant trainees
- get unique experience, possibility to work on real projects
- take advantage of safe environment & thorough guidance of an experienced mentor
- enhance your script editing and communication skills
- learn to give constructive feedback
- master your analytic craft of writing script reports for film funds, cultural & other funding organizations
- learn how to present yourself as a script consultant
- pitch yourself & network at Karlovy Vary IFF
Fees & how to apply
EXTENDED DEADLINE
ONLINE FEEDBACK SESSION
FEE
WORKSHOP 1 + 2 + 3
FEE
COMPANY TIME
FEE
Who can apply
- Teams of writers, directors and producers (2-3 members in one team)
- Aspiring script consultants
- The program accepts projects coming mainly from Central and Eastern Europe or with the co-production intention with this region
Application requirements
To apply for the program, please create an account on the MIDPOINT Visitor Page and follow the instructions within the submission form, where you can also find detailed information about application materials.
The application materials consist of:
- Basic information about the project
- One Page Synopsis
- Script or Treatment
- Motivation video
- Author´s statement
- Preliminary financing plan
- Producer´s statement
- Production company profile
- Previous work of the director
- Photos and professional biographies of all team members
- Moodboard (optional)
Please note that a detailed description of the requested materials can be found on the submission form!
Tutors
Inspirational professionals with a passion for sharing their experience
To ensure the most comprehensive approach to training, Feature Launch works with established and respected names from all over the European industry.
Producer Mentor
The Producer Mentor oversees the development of all projects, advises them during the process regarding production and budgetary issues, and guides them through the European industry landscape.
Danijel Hocevar
Group Leaders
The Group Leaders oversee the development of projects in their group from the very beginning of the program through graduation. They also coach the script-consultant trainee assigned to their group.
Anne Gensior
Pavel Jech
Ivo Trajkov
Script-consultant Trainee Mentor
The Script-consultant Trainee Mentor co-creates the training for the script-consultant trainees, ensuring that this training is implemented organically into the group work and that the collaborative set-up simulates a real-life industry environment. He meets regularly with the trainees, providing feedback and support.
Gyula Gazdag
Pitching Tutor
The Pitching Tutor prepares participants to present themselves and their projects, in general and for the final pitching session of the program.
Producer Tutor
Katarina Tomkova ensures each team develops effective promotional materials and positions their project in an international context.
Program Awards
Eurimages Co-production Development Award
For the first time, Karlovy Vary IFF will host the Eurimages Co-production Development Award of 20,000 EUR for one of the projects in development presented within their Eastern Promises Industry Days.
Feature Launch 2024 projects are also eligible to compete for this award, which will be granted based on the project´s artistic quality and its prospects of remaining a European co-production.
connecting cottbus Award
A selected project from MIDPOINT Feature Launch will be given the opportunity to present itself during the pitching event within the connecting cottbus co-production market. Participation will include individual consultations from international film professionals and one-on-one meetings with potential partners.
Rotterdam Lab Award
One producer will be handpicked to participate in the professional training program for producers, Rotterdam Lab, which takes place during the International Film Festival Rotterdam.
Structure
Comprehensive program combining various formats
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Teams with projectOnline Feedback SessionJanuary 2025 | Online
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Script-consultant traineesOnline Preparatory Seminar for Script Consultant TraineesFebruary 24-25, 2025 | Online
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ALL PARTICIPANTSWorkshop 1March 3-9, 2025 | Prague, Czech Republic
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ALL PARTICIPANTSOnline ConsultationsApril-June, 2025 | Online
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ALL PARTICIPANTSWorkshop 2 + Works in Development – Feature LaunchJuly 2-9, 2025 | Prague and Karlovy Vary, Czech Republic, in collaboration with the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival
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ALL PARTICIPANTSWorkshop 3September 2025 | Pilsen, Czech Republic, in collaboration with the Finále Plzeň
Company Time
Follow-up workshop for producers
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ProducersFollow-up workshop for producersNovember 2025 | Thessaloniki, Greece / in collaboration with EAVE
This follow-up workshop offers participating producers support in the areas of company sustainability and strategic business planning. This training is designed and co-organized with our partner EAVE.
The workshop is led by Juliane Schulze, a strategic creative economy expert in business, finance, investment and sustainability, who advises European and international audiovisual companies as well as funding institutions and business agencies. Over four days, participants will sharpen their competitive advantage and enhance the viability of their businesses. Feedback rounds and individual mentoring sessions will offer direct support to tackle the challenges they are facing as film professionals in an ever-changing marketplace.
This workshop is run in collaboration with the Thessaloniki IFF and within its industry section Agora, which brings participants further networking opportunities via its industry program.
Successful films
Selection of our successful alumni
FAQs
You may ask...
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Can I apply with an animation or documentary film project?
Sadly, Feature Launch does not work with animation or documentary projects, as these require a different set of skills and addresses a different market.
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Can I apply without a writer OR director OR producer in the team?
You can't. All these creative roles have to be present in your team. One person could represent more than one role (writer/director OR director/producer, etc.), or there could be two people representing one role (2x writer OR 2x producer, etc.). In any case, the team must consist of 2-3 people.
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I'm not European, can I apply?
Feature Launch is specifically designed for European writers, as we'd like to address the demand for training coming particularly from this territory. The main focus is put on the region of Central and Eastern Europe. However, projects with a strong co-production potential or already attached partners/team members from this region can be accepted as well. In case you are still not sure about your eligibility, please contact the program coordinator Sona Morgenthalova.
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I'm not fluent in English, can I still apply?
Sadly, no. As the entire training runs in English, and during the working days you'll be asked to write directly in English, we require an intermediate level of these language skills. This simply means: your grammar doesn't have to be perfect, but you need to talk/write fluently and have the vocabulary to do so.
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Once selected, how much time should I allocate to the training?
Quite honestly – a lot. Feature Launch is an intensive training, and apart from the assignments and work done during residential workshops, it operates with a system of tasks and deadlines in between these modules. So clear that calendar up a bit.
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Do I need to attend all the workshops in the program?
Yes, to fully engage in the training, it is essential for all team members to be present at every module of the program. It is not possible to selectively choose which workshops to attend, nor can someone else be nominated to take your or your teammate's
If you are aware, at the time of application, that you will not be able to participate in all the modules as described in the program structure above, please reconsider your application or seek a dedicated teammate who can commit to completing the entire training.
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Does MIDPOINT Institute offer scholarships?
It does. However, these are only partial, cannot be allocated to all participants, and their granting therefore considers various criteria. We HIGHLY recommend applying to a local supporting organization (national or local funds, ministries of culture or education, professional associations, etc.) at the same time you're applying to MIDPOINT Feature Launch. You can always withdraw your application if not selected, but as the processing time of this support can be rather long, it might be quite late to do this once we confirm you're in.
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Can I send you the application materials via e-mail?
We only accept applications submitted through our Visitor Page. Firstly, that way you can be sure your e-mail doesn't end up in junk, and secondly, all submitted materials are distributed to the selection committee via the Visitor Page (please see the 'Application' section).