TalentScope: A New Talent Development Program for Film Directors

With this scheme, the Film Fund wants to give film talent an extra boost through an intensive coaching process, with which the director, together with the (co)writer and producer, lays a solid foundation for the further development of the project.

What is it?

• TalentScope offers an intensive coaching program, working with international partners TorinoFilmLab, ACE Producers and FilmForward on the development of a feature film project and collaboration within the creative team.
• Three selected teams will attend 3 workshops of 4-5 days each over 12 months under the guidance of international experts from TorinoFilmLab and ACE Producers. Artistic freedom, collaboration and inspiration are central.
• The workshops cover the various aspects of the development process and leading filmmakers and film professionals participate during inspiration sessions. As a team, you also focus on mutual cooperation in order to lay a solid foundation for the further development of the project.
• Through individual and group sessions, guided by an international coach from TorinoFilmLab, you will work on a solid screenplay and develop the creative vision for the film plan. You will work towards a complete application for project development with the Fund.
• FilmForward is responsible for organizing the workshops.
• TalentScope will conclude with a private presentation during IFFR’s CineMart 2025 in the presence of international industry professionals.

Funding Information

The following contributions can be requested for TalentScope:

• Writing contribution screenwriter: max. € 35,000
• Writing contribution for (co-writing) director: € 10,500
• A contribution of €5,000 for directing activities
• A contribution of €7,500 for screenwriter for participation in the TalentScope process
• A contribution of €7,500 for director for participation in the TalentScope process
• A contribution of € 12,000 for producer (including fee and overhead) for participation in the Talentscope process
• A contribution of up to €2,500 for translation and other costs

Who is this scheme for?

• TalentScope is a scheme for feature film projects by directors. Previous short or long work by the director was selected for a leading (inter)national film festival no more than 3 years ago or has had demonstrable public success in cinemas and arthouses.
• The main director of a drama series that has been nominated for a Golden Calf in the Best Drama Series category in the past three years can also be eligible to participate in TalentScope.
• Collaboration within the creative team, which consists of a director, producer and (co-)screenwriter (or writing director), is central to this arrangement.
• The scheme focuses on feature film plans with a strong individual signature, courage and international ambition. TalentScope is open to all segments within the feature film category (> 60 minutes). Whether you have a passion for groundbreaking arthouse cinema, crossover, youth films, animation or genre films – they welcome all driven teams that want to conquer both a national and international audience.

Who can apply?

• TalentScope is an incentive scheme for up-and-coming directing talent. It is therefore not possible to submit an application for TalentScope without a director.
• The application is submitted by a production company (a legal entity, so not a sole proprietorship or partnership) that has been established in the Kingdom of the Netherlands, a member state of the EU, EEA or Switzerland for at least two years and produces films and other audiovisual productions on a continuous basis and exploits.
• The production company is represented by a producer with demonstrable experience in professional film/television practice and has demonstrable experience in producing and releasing major feature film(s) and/or full-length animated film(s). The producer representing the production company is not the same person as the director of the film.

Conditions

• TalentScope focuses on major feature film plans by proven Dutch directing talent.
• The team consists of a director, producer and screenwriter (or writing director).
• The feature film plans show a strong individual signature, courage and international ambition.
• For TalentScope, it is essential that the creative team is fully committed to and committed to this process. In their application, teams must therefore be able to clearly demonstrate the benefits of participating in the process.
• Due to the international committee, the application will be submitted in English.

For more information, visit Netherlands Film Fund.