A two-semester filmmaking journey across eight European universities. Tell a story that matters — alongside students, educators, and a local NGO whose mission reflects what freedom means today.
Apply by 30 May 2026
Download the Full Student Brief (PDF)
About the Challenge
The FilmEU Challenge is an annual flagship initiative of the FilmEU Alliance, bringing together students from across Europe to address real-world issues through the language of cinema. Each edition invites participants to collaborate beyond borders, disciplines, and institutions — building skills, networks, and stories that travel.
This year, we ask a single, urgent question: What does freedom look like, sound like, feel like — through your lens?
This Year's Brief
You will create a short campaign film centred on the theme of Freedom, in partnership with a local NGO whose mission reflects this value. Your task is to translate their work, voice, and impact into a piece of cinema that reaches audiences far beyond the institutional walls.
It is filmmaking with purpose — and an opportunity to put your craft in the service of a story the world needs to hear.
Why Take Part
- Work internationally. Collaborate with peers and educators from eight partner schools across Europe.
- Build your craft. Apply your skills to a real production, with a real partner, and a real audience.
- Grow your network. Forge relationships that will travel with you long after the festival lights go down.
- Reach an audience. Compete for a place at the FilmEU Film Festival and gain real-world reach for your work.
How It Works
The Challenge unfolds across two semesters:
- Ideation Week — Meet your team in person at VŠMU in Bratislava.
- Virtual Kick-Off & Development — Build your project through structured online sessions.
- Production Week — Travel to one of seven partner schools to shoot your film.
- Post-Production — Finish your film through virtual collaboration.
- Screening & Festival — Compete for a spot at the FilmEU Film Festival.
Key Dates
- Application Deadline — 30 May 2026
- Virtual Kick-Off — September 2026
- Ideation Week (Bratislava) — 12 – 16 October 2026
- Production Week — 22 – 27 February 2027
- Screening — 22 April 2027
- FilmEU Summit — June 2027
Who Can Apply
Students who will be enrolled in the second or third year of a BA programme at any FilmEU Alliance university for the academic year 2026-2027.
When applying, you will choose a primary role:
Director · Screenwriter · Director of Photography · Sound Designer · Producer · Editor
How to Apply
Submit a short motivational letter addressing:
- A brief introduction of yourself and your educational goals.
- What motivates you to take part in the FilmEU Challenge.
- How you personally relate to this year's theme — Freedom.
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
Applications close 30 May 2026 (midnight).
Funding
Admitted students apply for an Erasmus+ grant through their home institution, which covers:
- Travel expenses (calculated by distance)
- Accommodation, meals, local transport, and minor expenses (approx. €79 per day)
The Alliance
The FilmEU Challenge is delivered by the eight partner institutions of the FilmEU Alliance:
- Lusófona University (Portugal)
- LUCA School of Arts (Belgium)
- IADT — Institute of Art, Design and Technology (Ireland)
- TLU — Tallinn University Baltic Film, Media and Arts School (Estonia)
- VIA University College (Denmark)
- LMTA — Lithuanian Academy of Music and Theatre (Lithuania)
- VŠMU — Academy of Performing Arts in Bratislava (Slovakia)
- NATFA — National Academy for Theatre and Film Arts (Bulgaria)
Local Project Managers
Got questions? Reach out to your home institution's project manager:
- Lusófona — Érica Faleiro Rodrigues · erica.rodrigues@filmeu.eu
- LUCA — Marieke Baele · marieke.baele@filmeu.eu
- IADT — Maurice O'Brien · maurice.obrien@filmeu.eu
- TLU — Katrin Sigijane · katrin.sigijane@filmeu.eu
- VIA — Rikke Korgaard · rikke.korgaard@filmeu.eu
- LMTA — Darius Miniotas · darius.miniotas@filmeu.eu
- VŠMU — Zuza Ferenczova · zuzana.ferenczova@filmeu.eu
- NATFA — Jessica Slavova · jessica.slavova@filmeu.eu
Ready to make your film?
Applications close 30 May 2026.
APPLY NOW
