The call for applications for the 16. edition of the Warsaw Next workshop is now open until July 31st. The event will take place October 12-14, 2026, as part of the 42. Warsaw International Film Festival.
Warsaw Next is addressed to emerging directors, screenwriters and creative producers who are currently developing their first narrative feature film (live action or narrative animation). This year, the organizers chose Germany as the country in focus, opening the call to emerging German directors, screenwriters and creative producers. Warsaw Next is a talent development workshop for young filmmakers working on their first feature film. Participants receive feedback on their projects from script consultants and industry experts through workshops and discussions, while also taking part in networking activities with filmmakers, producers and industry professionals.The workshop encourages collaboration between writers, directors and creative producers and provides opportunities to build international professional networks at an early stage of their careers.
Each year Warsaw Next hosts guests from Poland and abroad: representatives of local and international film industry, as well as filmmakers with a significant track record. In previous years, the participants had the opportunity to learn about the film industry from, among others, producer Ewa Puszczyńska of Extreme Emotions, Peter Rommel from Shotgun Pictures; film festival representatives: Piers Handling, the former director of the Toronto Film Festival, Alice Kharoubi, the longtime programmer at Cannes Court Métrage and Marché du Film, and Jule Rozite, a programmer at the Tribeca Film Festival; film directors, such as Ali Asgari, Maryna Er Gorbach and Bogdan George Apetri; script consultants Franz Rodenkirchen and Mary Kate O'Flanagan; sales agents Keiko Funato of Alpha Violet and Magdalena Banasik of m-appeal; and a pitching expert Gabriele Brunnenmeyer. A list of this year's guests will be available at the beginning of October.
The language of the event is English.
This year, apart from Polish, Ukrainian and Belarusian filmmakers, the organizers welcome applications from young German talent.
To participate, please fill out the application form available HERE. The deadline for submitting applications is July 31, 2026, 23:59 CET. The cost of the workshop is PLN 300 (approx. 70 EUR) and includes accreditation entitling participants to attend events at Warsaw Industry Days as well as Warsaw IFF film screenings, valid for the entire period of the Festival. German Films will cover travel costs and workshop fee for German writers, directors and producers. Costs of accommodation are not covered.
Contact: warsaw.next@wiff.pl
