WEMW 2026 OPENS ALL CALLS FOR FIVE PROGRAMMES
The next edition of When East Meets West (WEMW) will take place in Trieste on January 18-20, 2026. Organizers have announced the call for entries for five different programs, ranging from the well-established Co-Production Forum and Works in Progress sections to initiatives exploring new directions – Inspirational Labs, EAVE Slate, and the brand-new Films X Games Connection Hub. All programs aim to foster international collaboration, inspire creativity, and support the development of the audiovisual industry.
Co-Production Forum
Early-bird deadline: October 10, 2025
Final deadline: October 20, 2025
WEMW 2026 will select 20 projects in development (fiction features, creative documentaries, and short animated works) from across Europe and beyond, with special attention to the 2026 East & West Spotlight countries: Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Selected projects will be pitched to more than 500 decision-makers and industry professionals from over 60 countries. Participants will compete for two main cash prizes: the Film Center Serbia Development Award and the CICLIC WEMW Award (granted by the French Centre-Val de Loire Region). Thanks to WEMW’s partner network, additional awards will also be presented, including the EAVE Producers Workshop Scholarship, Pop Up Film Residency Award, Marché du Film Producers Network Badges, DAE Talent Development Prize, GoGo2025 Residency Award, and the CEE Animation Award.
All necessary information and the application form can be found here.
Works in Progress
Deadline: November 5, 2025
The Last Stop Trieste section will select documentary projects at the fine-cut stage that have previously been developed within partner platforms such as Ex-Oriente Film Workshop, BDC Discoveries, Docu Rough Cut Boutique, Baltic Sea Docs, ZagrebDox PRO, and the WEMW Co-Production Forum. Selected films will compete for the HBO Europe Award and the Film Center Montenegro Award.
The This Is IT section, organized in partnership with L’Atelier – Milano Film Network, will focus on feature films and hybrid works with strong artistic and visual ambition, produced or co-produced in Italy or in the 2026 East & West Spotlight countries. All selected titles will compete for the Laser Film Award.
All necessary information and the application form can be found here.
EAVE Slate
Deadline: November 5, 2025
This program will select eight European companies developing a slate of audiovisual projects. Combining the EAVE group work method with plenary sessions and one-to-one consultations, it will focus on strategic company planning, risk assessment, and diversification.
All necessary information and the application form can be found here.
Inspirational Labs
Deadline: November 5, 2025
Inspirational Labs are aimed at producers from Europe, Latin America, and Canada. Participants will be encouraged to develop new content and explore innovative business models through a series of dedicated labs: Amazing Intelligence, Anima Spirit, Cold Open, Docs Meet Series, Genre Rules, Impact Zone, Sustainable Leadership, and Unlocking Capital.
All necessary information and the application form can be found here.
Films X Games Connection Hub
Deadline: November 5, 2025
Following two successful editions of the Video Games Production Inspirational Lab, WEMW and SpielFabrique are joining forces again to launch the brand-new Films X Games Connection Hub. The initiative is designed to strengthen ties between the film and gaming sectors. Up to 10 audiovisual producers with a game project in development will be selected. The program will include group work, individual consultations with international experts, and a matchmaking session with European game developers and studios, creating new opportunities for collaboration at the project development stage.
All necessary information and the application form can be found here.
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