The Friss Hús Budapest International Short Film Festival has announced its Fresh Meet Work in Progress (WiP) program for 2026. The initiative is designed to support promising European short films currently in the production or post-production phase, helping them navigate the path toward completion and international distribution.
The WiP program is an integral part of the Fresh Meet Market, now in its second year. This professional platform has rapidly become a unique and essential meeting point for the Central and Eastern European short film community. Its primary goal is to foster direct connections between creators, decision-makers, and the professional press, offering journalists a first-hand look at the defining short film projects of the present and future.
Support and Mentorship
Now in its 14th edition—and recently elevated to Oscar-qualifying status—the festival’s professional platform offers intensive, personalized support for six selected projects. The program includes:
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Editing consultations and professional mentorship.
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Distribution and festival strategy advising.
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Pitch training and preparation.
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A public presentation where teams can connect directly with international festival programmers, distributors, and industry decision-makers.
Professional Prizes
The program features significant industry awards to assist in the completion of the films:
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Post Office Films is offering a digital grading package worth €3,000, to be executed by colorist Máté Ternyik (The Brutalist, Ann Lee's Testament, Quiet Friend).
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Gaston Studio will provide a sound post-production package worth €5,000 to the winning project.
The effectiveness of the program is well-demonstrated by last year’s winner, "Something Wild" (directed by Zsuzsanna Konrád), which went on to win the Grand Prix at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival.
Required Application Materials:
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A film excerpt or clip (maximum 3 minutes long).
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Synopsis, genre, and planned duration, along with a budget and completion schedule.
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Director’s statement and short professional biographies of the creative team.
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One high-resolution still photo from the film.
Application Details
The program is open to live-action or animated short films under 40 minutes from any European country. Application is free of charge.
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Application Deadline: April 16, 2026 (12:00 CET)
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Fresh Meet Market (Budapest): May 31 – June 2, 2026
The Fresh Meet Work in Progress 2026 offers an exceptional opportunity for the next generation of defining short films to gain international attention even before their completion. For more information, please visit the official WiP website.
