Part of the Oscar-qualifying 14th Friss Hús Budapest International Short Film Festival, the market provides the opportunity to refine project strategies with fresh perspectives from industry experts, influencing the final outcome and future international career of the films.
The success of our program is proven by our alumni: last year’s Fresh Meet WiP winner, ‘Something Wild’, directed by Zsuzsanna Konrád, produced by Eszter Knopp (GOODKIDS), continued its journey to claim the main prize at the prestigious Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.
What Selected Projects Receive:
- Pitching & Presentation: Showcase your project at the Fresh Meet WiP session in Budapest.
- Expert Mentorship: One-on-one professional editing and distribution strategy consultations.
- B2B Networking: Personalized meetings with attending international decision-makers.
- Travel Support: Invited project teams (director, producer) receive a €200 travel and accommodation contribution.
- The Grand Prize: Professional In-kind Post-production Award
The winning project will receive a comprehensive post-production package with a total value of €5,000, provided by the industry's leading studio:
- Audio Post-production (Gaston Studio): A professional sound services package valued at €5,000. This includes high-end sound design and a final theatrical mix to ensure the project meets international delivery standards.
- Color-grading (Focus Fox): An all-around professional color-grading package provided as an in-kind service valued at €3,000."
What’s New in 2026?
This year, we have expanded our professional support system. The 6 selected projects will not only receive pitch training but will also benefit from intensive, personalized mentorship:
- Editing Consultancy: One-on-one sessions with professional editors to refine the film's structure.
- Distribution Strategy: Tailored consultations on international sales, VOD, and festival circuits.
- Pitch Mentoring: Professional preparation for the public presentation.
Regulations & Eligibility:
- Eligible Countries: Open to projects from any European country.
- Project Stage: The project must be in principal photography or post-production.
- Format: Short films (live-action fiction or animation).
- Duration: Maximum final duration of 40 minutes.
- Language: All video materials must have English subtitles.
- Submission Fee: Entry is free.
Important Dates:
- Submission Deadline: April 16, 2026, 12:00 PM (CET)
- Announcement of Selected Projects: May, 2026
- Fresh Meet Market (Budapest): May 31 – June 2, 2026
Required Submission Materials:
(Please have these ready before filling out the form)
- Work-in-progress footage: A max. 3-minute excerpt.
- Project Details: Synopsis, genre, expected duration, and expected completion date.
- Creative Vision: Director’s statement and short bios of the Director(s) and Producer(s).
- Visuals: One high-resolution production still/horizontal image.
