Theme: The Audience Experience
The FilmEU+ Imagination Challenge invites students from across the FilmEU Alliance to explore the future of film experience.
This year’s challenge focuses on a key question facing film festivals, cinemas and cultural organisations:
How can film events better engage a specific or underserved audience?
Working in interdisciplinary and international teams, participants will respond to a real-world industry brief developed in collaboration with an international film festival partner.
The challenge is an opportunity to combine creative, audience insight and entrepreneurial thinking to imagine new ways of connecting audiences with film.
The Challenge:
Film festivals are increasingly seeking new ways to attract and engage audiences. Your task will be to design an original film-based event that responds to the needs of a clearly defined audience.
Examples might include:
- Young audiences
- Older audiences (55+)
- First-time cinema-goers
- Local communities
- Families
- International audiences
- Any other underserved audience group
Teams will be encouraged to think beyond traditional screenings and explore innovative approaches to:
- Audience experience
- Event design
- Programming
- Promotion
- Venue and format
As part of the challenge, teams must curate a programme featuring at least two films connected through theme, style, filmmaker, audience relevance or another clear rationale.
How to Apply
To apply, submit an application here: FilmEU+ Imagination Challenge 2026 – Fill in form
In your submission, tell us:
- Why you would like to participate
- What interests you about the challenge
- Any initial thoughts or ideas you have about engaging new audiences through film
*No fully developed proposal is required at application stage
Who Can Apply?
Applications are welcome from individual students across the FilmEU Community.
Students from all disciplines are encouraged to apply, including:
- Film and Media
- Design
- Art
- Psychology
- Creative Technologies
- Business and Entrepreneurship
- Communication and Marketing
- Arts and Humanities
- Any other discipline
We are particularly interested in applicants who enjoy collaboration, creativity and problem-solving.
What to Expect
Successful applicants will participate in the Imagination Challenge during the FilmEU Industry Summit in Dublin in October 2026.
Online Welcome Session - 21 October 2026
Meet follow participants and receive an introduction to the challenge and industry partner.
In-person Industry Summit Challenge - 28&29 October 2026, Dublin
Participants will:
- Work in international teams
- Develop an audience-focused film event concept
- Receive mentoring from academics and industry professionals
- Pitch their ideas to an expert jury
Final Pitch
Each team will present:
- A clearly defined target audience
- A curated film programme
- A creative audience experience
- An engagement and promotion strategy
Teams will deliver a short visual presentation and a live pitch to a jury. The jury will award teams on their response to the brief.
What the Jury Will Be Looking For
- Creativity and originality
- Understanding of audience needs
- Quality of the film programme concept
- Innovation in audience experience
- Strength of engagement strategy
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Entrepreneurial and strategic thinking
Key Dates
- Applications Open: June 30th 2026
- Application Deadline: 23rd September 2026
- Successful Applicants Notified: 30th September 2026
- Online Welcome Session: 21st October 2026 (Time TBC)
- In-person at FilmEU+ Industry Summit: 28 & 29th October 2026
Travel and accommodation support will be provided for selected participants.
Best pitches will be awarded at the Industry Summit!
Any questions can be directed to: christina.reynolds@filmeu.eu
