Take your short-film idea and make it a reality.
MIDPOINT Shorts 2024-2025
Benefits
Get closer to realisation of your creative idea
A complex program dedicated to script and project development of the short films in Europe connected vitally to the film industry. The combination of in-depth script analysis and professional project development directs projects on their path in the cinema.
For teams of writers, directors and producers
- it will bring your project to the next level and prepare for entering the industry world (from one-pager to treatment, from treatment to script, from the first draft to final one, from scratch to pitch)
- chance to get a deeper understanding of the creative aspects involved in the work, as well as insights into financing, sales, festival, and distribution strategies
- showcase at When East Meets West
- networking & meeting new industry partners
- front gate to The Focus WiP section of Cannes Court Métrage
Program Structure
Comprehensive project-development program for short-film projects
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all ParticipantsOnline Feedback SessionAugust 27 - 29, 2024 | Online
From all applications, the reading committee will select approximately 20 projects, whose creative teams will receive a detailed online assessment from two experienced professionals (script consultant and producer) during the online feedback session.
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ALL ParticipantsWorkshop 1September 30 - October 6, 2024 | Brno, Czech Republic / in collaboration with the ISFF BRNO16
This workshop focuses primarily on creative development and dramaturgy. Participants also begin to work on promotional materials and production strategies with the Producer Tutor. They also meet Guest Tutors from the short-film industry through special lectures and inspiring masterclasses. The workshop is organized within the framework of ISFF BRNO16, offering short film screenings and networking opportunities.
LecturesThe Do’s and Dont’s of Co-ProductionDora Nedeczky
Wednesday, October 2, 2024, 17:00 - 18:30 CET | Brno, Czech RepublicThe puzzle pieces are finally coming together, you’re ready to spread out and look for partners for your film in development. Now what? Tallinn-based Hungarian producer Dora Nedeczky’s lecture on co-production from the filmmakers’ perspective will equip you with the essential toolkit you need for navigating the film industry and to choose the most fitting path for your film project. She’ll lend you her knowledge via practical info: finding and getting selected to the right co-production platform, positioning your film on the market and setting realistic expectations. Expect a deep dive into maintaining healthy producer-director relationships but also examining out-of-the-box, hands-on ideas and advice on how to streamline the process and benefit from it.
From Script to Screen: The Art of Safe Intimacy in Film and TVVirginija Vareikyte
Friday, October 4, 2024, 17:30-19:00 CET | Brno, Czech RepublicJoin Virginija Vareikyte, a certified Intimacy Coordinator from Baltic Intimacy Professionals (Lithuania), for an insightful session on crafting authentic intimacy scenes in film and TV. Learn how ICs ensure performers' boundaries are respected while staying true to the creative vision, from pre-production to post-production. Whether you're a director, actor, producer, or simply curious, discover how ICs contribute to a safe, seamless, and respectful filming experience.
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All ParticipantsOnline ConsultationsDecember 2024 | Online
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all ParticipantsWorkshop 2January 16 - 22, 2025 | Trieste, Italy / in collaboration with When East Meets West and Trieste Film Festival
This workshop serves as a platform to develop scripts further, while also incorporating distribution strategies and addressing presentation skills and promotional materials. The entire program concludes with a project showcase within the When East Meets West Co-Production Forum, plus one-on-one meetings with important decision-makers within the industry.
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Follow-up Online ConsultationsSpring 2025 | Online
Projects
Heart in your Throat
Kurkuma
Meridian
Pithead
Siren’s Cove
Slash
Time, Space and Everything in Between
Unwellness
Participants
Tutors
Inspirational professional with a passion for sharing
Build on the solid foundations of traditional script analysis, MIDPOINT Shorts brings experts from the short-film industry to the service of your stories.
Head of Studies & Group Leader
Pavel Marek is a globetrotter – born in India, early childhood in the USA, now a writer and director of Czech features, shorts and docs, and professor of directing at FAMU Prague.
As Head of Studies, Pavel oversees the methodology of the program, ensures participants' needs are met, and guarantees the practical value and industry impact of the training you receive.
As Group Leader, Pavel also oversees the development of all projects from the beginning of the program through graduation.
Pavel Marek
Group Leader
Gabriele Brunnenmeyer
Producer Tutor
The Producer Tutor makes sure each project develops effective promotional materials and realistic budgets and schedules.
Dora Nedeczky
Guest Tutors
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References
A motivational experience that elevates your project
FAQs
You may ask...
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Can I apply with a documentary short film project?
Sadly, this program does not work with documentary projects, its focus are live-action fiction.
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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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Are there any time requirements regarding the minimum or maximum length of the short film?
The recommended length is approximately 7-25 minutes.
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Do we have to have some financing in place while applying for the workshop?
Nope!
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My English no good. Me can 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.