Masterschool

How to apply

Applications for Masterschool 2026 are now closed.

The Masterschool is focused on European media professionals (directors, producers, authors) who are:

• experienced in their domestic markets (generally at least two years' experience in the industry)
• ambitious to work on an international level
• with a strong, reasonably advanced documentary/factual project for an international audience (can be single or series, long form, short-form series, multiplatform, format etc.)
• open to learn and adapt their project to the needs of their target market
• open to new business strategies/models
• with sufficient English language skills to be able to follow the lectures/workshops well

We are looking for...

• All types of factual-based content incl. TV series & one-offs, creative docs, multiplatform, Digital First, shorts series, animation, VR/XR productions
• All genres incl. history, science, arts/culture, human interest, environmental, wildlife/natural history
• Great documentary story ideas, especially ones suitable for multiplatform exploitation and striving to make an impact
• Stories and characters that will appeal to global audiences
• Projects experimenting with newer formats (eg digital first short-form series)
• Projects seeking a European co-production partner
• Experiments in alternative methods of exploitation and financing (e.g. crowdfunding)

Documentary Campus encourages applications from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds.

To apply, please prepare:

• Treatment: Maximum 2-page story outline proposal, a logline, and a short (approximately ten lines) synopsis;
• Access: Evidence of access to key characters or institutions. This can be presented as a written statement in your treatment and/or as part of the visual material in your teaser (NOTE: releases of main protagonists MUST be signed by the second Masterschool session);
• Budget: First draft of a budget and financing plan;
• Trailer: Teaser or character reel (maximum 3 minutes) of key protagonists (NOTE: If you have no recorded material, please send us a Mood Board to visually depict the direction of style or overall feel which you are pursuing);
• Profile: Information on production team: director/producer profile picture, CVs, and if applicable, company profile;
• Self-Presentation Video: Short video (maximum 4 minutes) explaining your motivation to take part in the Masterschool;
• Showreel: A brief showreel of your previous work (maximum 3 minutes);
• Recommendation: A letter of recommendation from a commissioner, funder, experienced production house or experienced distributor.

NOTE: All documents submitted must be in PDF format. All materials must be submitted in English. Incomplete applications will not be taken into consideration.

Please apply via FilmFreeway. The deadline for submissions has now passed.

Find here a Step-by-step Guide on how to apply via FilmFreeway

 

NOTE: Projects that have already been pitched at an international pitch event are NOT eligible. The pitch at the DC Industry Training Days must be a PREMIERE/the 1st public pitch.