The Open Doors Projects, Producers and Directors programs will run over three months: online between June and July 2025 and on site from the 7th to the 12th of August 2025 (traveling dates not included).
For selected participants, participation to both online and onsite programs in their full extension is mandatory.
Each program has a specific offer that addresses either to teams of director-producer with a feature project, producers with a project, or directors with or without a project. Please read the programs description to see what corresponds to your situation and goals.
For more details on the programs, join the Open Doors webinar on December 12th 2025 at 4:30 PM CET. To take part to the Webinar and to receive the Zoom link to access the session, please register HERE (free registration).
No, being selected to one program precludes participation in the other programs.
No, if a participant is selected to one of the three programs, they must fully commit to participate both to the online and onsite program. If a participant is not taking part to the online program, they won’t be granted access to the onsite program in Locarno.
The deadline to apply to Open Doors Projects, Producers and Directors is January 16th, 2025 at 11:59PM CET.
You can apply using the three different online entry forms:
Yes, you can apply with one same film project to both the Projects and Producers program. However, the two initiatives have very different goals. Make sure you provide the full documentation including two different motivation notes clearly explaining why each program is relevant for you and your project at this stage.
Please note, that you are required to fill in one separate entry form for each program you apply to.
You can also simultaneously apply for the Directors program. Up to two feature films can be submitted by the applicant, making sure to fill out one entry form for each film.
For the Projects program, the condition is that the director of the project must be citizen of one of the eligible countries (see list). The producer can be of another nationality. If the producer and director is the same person, proof of registration of the production company in the eligible country is mandatory.
For the Producers program, the applying producer must be citizen of one of the eligible countries (see list) and have a registered production company in the original country.
For the Directors program, the applying director must be a citizen of one of the eligible countries (see list).
The full list of requested documentation for the Projects, Producers and Directors programs is available in the Open Doors regulations.
For Projects and Producers you need to prepare a dossier in advance: please include the documents in one single PDF and according to the indicated order. Incomplete dossiers will not be taken into consideration.
Read the publication “How to Create a Good Film Project Dossier” available for free on the Open Doors ToolBoy platform (registration is needed to access the content). Please note that the publication can be used to understand what is requested in each document, but the layout of the submitted dossier must be personalized.
The financing plan is a table showing from which sources you intend to raise the budget to make your film (from development to final delivery and distribution). It should show how much percentage you can raise from your country, international coproducers and/or funds.
The financing strategy is a written explanation on which sources you plan to reach out to, complementing the financing plan.
For more details, please see the dossier template on the ToolBox (please refer to it only in terms of content; the layout must be personalized).
If the applying producer and director is the same person, please provide a proof of registration stating the production company is registered in one of the eligible countries.
If the producer is not the same person of the director, the production company can be also based outside of the eligible countries.
However, we understand that depending on specific situations, it might not be possible to register a production company in a certain country. We are open to discuss case by case. Please provide a written explanation if this is your case.
Yes, both feature and short films are accepted as previous works. Links must remain accessible at least until the end of the upcoming Locarno Film Festival (16 August 2025).
See the template available on the ToolBox. Please note, that the ToolBox template only shows what is requested in terms of content, while the layout should be personalized.
No, we are open to all genres, topics and format.
All applicants will be notified via e-mail by mid-May 2025.
Yes, if you are eligible you are welcome to apply again. Please make sure to write in your intention notes what changes and updates have been made to the project during this year.
We don’t require the budget to be within any specific range, but we expect you to consider the impact of an international coproduction in your estimated budget.
No initial funding is required to apply and participate.
If the director and producer is the same person, applying is possible; however, proof of registration of the production company in the eligible country is mandatory.
If the director and the producer are two different people, the director must be a citizen of one of the eligible countries while the producer doesn’t have to.
Projects must be at an advanced development stage, ready to meet potential new partners and discuss possible collaborations on a concrete basis.
The applying producer should select a project which can be used as a working basis during the Open Doors Producers program. Check the regulations to see which documents are required.
Film directors can apply to the Directors program with a feature film they have directed. If selected, the director will take part in the Directors workshop and the film will be screened to the audience as part of the Open Doors Screenings program.
In order for the director and the film to be considered, the director must be a citizen of one of the of 42 countries that are part of Open Doors’ focus region. See full list here.
Directors can apply using the dedicated entry form (HERE) only with feature films.
The Open Doors Screenings section also works as a curated program, therefore programmers might select also short films by scouting and directly reaching out to directors and rights-holders.
Please complete the entry form by January 16th, 2025.
No, we are open to all genres, topics and format.
No, we don’t require any type of premiere.
The response will be communicated via e-email to the applicants during May 2025. In case of selection, this information must remain strictly confidential until the official Festival’s announcement, currently foreseen on July 9th, 2025.
As the Open Doors Screenings is an official program of the Locarno Film Festival, the rights-holder(s) must agree - by signing a screening agreement - that a DCP of the film with English subtitles is available or can be created on time.
No, full participation online and onsite to the Open Doors Directors is mandatory in order to have the film screened. If the directors doesn’t take part to the online phase of the program, they won’t be able to participate to the onsite program and won’t have their film screened.
Yes, for the director and main producer participating to Open Doors Projects (max two persons per selected project), producers selected in Open Doors Producers and directors selected in Open Doors Directors, travelling and accommodation costs are fully covered, as well as the cost for an Industry accreditation. Most of the meals during the onsite programs are also covered.
You did not find your answer? E-mail us at opendoors@locarnofestival.ch.
