The Galway Film Fair is now accepting applications for short film projects from Ireland for Euro Connection. Deadline for applications: 20 October 2026.

The National Talent Academy for Film & TV, an initiative of Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland and managed by Ardán, will support projects selected for Euro Connection with a production grant of up to €3000.

What is Euro Connection?

Euro Connection is the main platform for the coproduction of short films. This pitching and networking event aims at fostering partnerships between production companies within Europe around quality short film projects. The 19^th edition of Euro Connection will take place on Tuesday 2 and Wednesday 3 February 2027 during the Short Film Market in Clermont-Ferrand, with support from Creative Europe and the PROCIREP.

The annual call for projects is launched across Europe in early September (see details below). Producers and writers of selected projects are offered online script sessions and pitch training prior to pitching their project and meeting potential co-producers in Clermont-Ferrand.

Euro Connection includes:

• Script consulting session (online, Dec. 2026)
• Pitch training workshop (Clermont-Ferrand, Monday 1 Feb. 2027).
• Pitching sessions (Clermont-Ferrand, Tuesday 2 Feb. 2027).
• Facilitated networking for producers and attending participants.
• One-on-one business meetings (Clermont-Ferrand, Wednesday 3 Feb. 2027).

Euro Connection brings together:

• 12 European short film projects selected for pitching and a showcase of immersive projects.
• 8 producers invited as Producers in Focus
• Some 150 industry participants each year

Past editions have resulted in the completion of 147 films, including 78 international co-productions.

How to apply with a project?

Eligibility

Producers with a company based in one of the countries associated to Euro Connection 2027 may apply by email no later than October 20, 2026, to the national correspondent in their country (see list). Producers in Ireland may apply through the Galway Film Fair, the industry market of the Galway Film Fleadh.

Projects must match the following basic criteria to be eligible:

• The project is a short film (animation, fiction, creative documentary).

• Application is made by a producer whose company is based in the associated country where project applies.
• The duration does not exceed 30 minutes.
• The project must have partial funding* secured from an external source. (Good news for Galway selected projects!**).
• Project is intended as an international coproduction.
• Shooting or production shall start no earlier than June 2027.

READ CAREFULLY: *partial funding here means actual development or production funding secured. Support must come from a third-party organisation (i.e.: script development grant, production fund, state or local government support, co-financing from a broadcaster, prize money from a foundation or script contest, etc.).

**Projects selected by the Galway Film Fair will automatically qualify for a production grant of up to €3000 from The National Talent Academy for Film & TV so they can meet this eligibility criterion.

The following conditions apply for applications to be valid:

• Commitment to attend: any producer applying with a project formally commits to attend Euro Connection in person in Clermont-Ferrand in case of selection.
• One project per company: 1 same company may apply with no more than 1 project in its respective country.

• No re-entry: projects received in previous years cannot re-apply unless they were invited to do so (previous application was then deemed qualitative but too early). Exceptions may be granted at the discretion of the correspondent and organisational team (provided significant changes intervened at script development and /or funding levels).
• Funding recipient: to make project eligible, secured funding must be clearly attributed to one of the active production partners or to the author/project. Cases where funding was granted to a partner no longer involved in the project are to be excluded.
• Funding date: the producer’s note shall include a specific comment in cases when funding dates back from over 2 years at time of application.
• Coproduction partners: existing coproduction partners must be clearly mentioned in the producer’s note when project already has a coproduction partner on board, with details of the motivation towards looking for a third international partner.
• Prevention of conflicts of interest: projects whose author(s) or producer(s) are in any way connected to, or involved with, the correspondent organisation’s activities in their country may not be submitted in that country. However, they remain eligible for application in another country through the project’s international partners where applicable.
• Conformity: correspondents and the organisation of Euro Connection reserve the right to refuse any application whose script or supporting documentation would not align with accepted industry standards and practices ensuring a good legibility of the artistic qualities of the project.

National correspondents in each country (see below) may answer queries from producers wishing to apply. Applications must be received by the national correspondent in your country no later than October 20, 2026. Incomplete applications or ineligible projects will not be considered.

Please note: all information and supporting documentation provided in the application are read carefully by expert committees and the European jury. Information and material received will be used for online publication in the Euro Connection guide in case of selection.

Invitation for selected projects

The producers of each selected project will be invited to Euro Connection to pitch their project. Invitation is limited to one person per production company, and covers:

• A 160 € travel grant (paid on arrival on site or by bank transfer)
• 4 hotel nights and meals (arrival Sunday 31 January – departure Thursday 4 Feb. 2027)
• Full accreditation to the Short Film Market / Short Film Festival in Clermont-Ferrand.

The authors/directors of the projects are very welcome, and their presence is strongly advised. Authors/directors are invited in shared hotel room with their producer and will also be granted free accreditation, meal vouchers, and access to all networking facilities.

To Apply, you will be required to submit the following documents as a single PDF:
❑ Complete script.
❑ Director’s note (artistic choices – 1 page max.).
❑ Producer’s note (including coproduction strategy – 1 page max.).
❑ Proof of funding granted by third party organisation (confirmation letter, etc.).
❑ CV and photo of director.
❑ CV and photo of producer.
❑ Video link to previous film (or clips) by same director (if available).
❑ Filmography and logo of production company.

Important notice: Coproduction and reciprocity

Coproduction requires time and reciprocity for the sharing of artistic and financial responsibilities. For any producer applying with a project, a successful coproduction necessarily implies:

• a good relationship with the author/director to jointly welcome and fully trust a foreign artistic and financial partner on board the project.
• leaving enough time for a co-producer to apply for funds abroad, before going into production.
• being able and ready to oneself take up the position and role of co-producer.