BDFF is an intensive workshop for teams of writer-directors and their producers aiming to make their first film or series. For the first time, BDFF is accepting submissions for animated features and series as well. The workshop helps participants create strong kick-off materials for their debut projects, including a treatment or step-outline and a project booklet to make it suitable for further development. At the end, teams will present their projects in a relaxed, non-traditional pitching session to decision-makers at the BDFF closing event. 

At BDFF’s past editions, our participants developed their projects with the help of established film industry professionals such as Ada Solomon, Klaudia Smieja-Rostworowska, Siniša Juričić, Kristoffer Rus, Zsuzsi Bánkuti, Paul Tyler, amongst others.

BDFF is waiting for debut film and series projects at an early stage of development. The selection committee will pick a maximum of 5 feature films and 5 series projects. The selected participants (project teams of producer and director/writer) will work in two groups, each group will be led by an acknowledged producer with international experience (one from the feature film and one from the series production field), and one script consultant will be assigned to each group (with series and feature film script writing experience respectively). The teams of tutors will be joined by financing, sales and distribution experts. 

The workshop will mainly focus on financing and distribution strategies amid the changing industry landscape, with special attention to emerging platforms. Its main goal is to provide teams with tailored ideas and suggestions to help them develop the best financing and distribution strategy from the early stages of their project.

The workshop will be accompanied by events, presentations, roundtables, and case studies with focus on the intersection of technology and marketing. These industry events will be open to industry professionals, students, journalists, and the public, with online access available.

BDFF is supported by the National Film Institute of Hungary.

Facts:

Date: December 3 – December 6, 2024
Place: Budapest
Participation fee: free of charge

Participants’ accommodation is covered by BDFF, travel costs are partially covered. 

Selection:

• up to 5 debut feature film projects
• up to 5 debut series projects

Awards:

• feature film award (1000 EUR)
• series project award (1000 EUR)

Who can apply:

• For the feature film group: a team of producer and director 
• For the series group: a team of producer and writer
• The participants have to work on their debut project (meaning the first feature film of the director in the feature film group, and the first series project of either the writer or producer in the series group)

Extended deadline for application: October 20, 2024

Application materials:

For the feature film projects:

• Logline (max 250 characters with spaces)
• Synopsis (max 4000 characters with spaces)
• Treatment (max 40.000 characters with spaces) or script if available
• Director’s concept (max 2000 characters with spaces)
• Producer’s notes (max 2000 characters with spaces)
• Director’s bio with filmography (max 2000 characters with spaces)
• Producer’s bio with previous works (max 2000 characters with spaces)
• Total estimated budget (in EUR)
• optional: preliminary distribution concept; moodboard or other visual material / weblinks to the director’s previous works

For the series projects (20 to 60 min per episode):

• Logline (max 250 characters with spaces)
• Series concept (max 4000 characters with spaces)
• Series synopsis (max 12000 characters with spaces)
• Characters’ description (max 8000 characters with spaces)
• Writer’s concept/notes(max 4000 characters with spaces)
• Pilot treatment or step-outline (max 20000 characters with spaces)
• Writer’s bio with filmography (max 2000 characters with spaces)
• Producer’s bio with filmography (max 2000 characters with spaces)
• Total estimated budget (in EUR)
• optional: preliminary distribution and/or marketing concept; moodboard or other visual material /web links to the writer’s previous works

For both animation feature and series projects, further visual materials are requested, as detailed in the application form.

The application form and the requested materials are to be submitted via a Google Application Form. You can find the link HERE.

Applicants must confirm their full availability for all the residential workshops. The language of all workshops, meetings and events is English; thus, a good knowledge of English is essential in order to participate. All written materials, all versions and drafts of the projects must be translated to English.

Shortlisted applicants will be notified at the beginning of November.

We look forward to receiving your projects!