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Sprouts Eco Shorts Pitch 2026

Part of the 5th edition of Sprouts Film Festival

WHEN
Application deadline: 6 May 2026
Pitch date: 4 June 2026
Location: MidWest, Cabralstraat 1, 1057 CD, Amsterdam

In times of a glitching world, with weather extremes and inhumane conflicts intensifying, it can be tempting to avert your gaze. Instead, Sprouts wants to make the cinema a site for peaceful protest by showcasing newly released ecocinema and socially critical debut films. All selected features and shorts are fiction, because it is our belief that through the power of imagination we can change our behaviour for the better and rethink our relationship with the more-than-human world. We are here to make you wonder, to inform, to spark resistance, and to nurture fresh talent.

For its fifth edition, Sprouts Film Festival will experiment with a new way of promoting fictional ecocinema. As a continuation of the Eco Shorts Competition, which has been part of the festival since its second edition, the festival is launching its first industry-oriented event. Six candidates will have the opportunity to pitch their ecological short film in the early stages of development/production. In this way, Sprouts aims to play an active role in promoting green storytelling in the Benelux by supporting filmmakers who are passionate about ecological themes.

CRITERIA
This open call is for filmmakers currently working on a project in the early stages of development/production. The following eligibility criteria apply:

  • The project must be fiction, hybrid, animation, or experimental. Documentaries are not eligible.
  • Ecological themes must form a core part of the narrative. At Sprouts, we work with a broad definition of ecology.
  • The duration of the short film must not exceed 30 minutes.
  • Applications must be submitted by the directors(s), who must be able to attend in person in Amsterdam on the day of the pitch. Where applicable, one producer may join the presentation.

Selection and participation
Selected candidates will pitch their project to a panel of six industry professionals. Each candidate will have seven minutes to present, followed by five minutes of questions. After this first round, candidates will take part in eight-minute one-to-one sessions with panel members to explore their projects in greater depth.

Selected candidates will receive free access to the Sprouts Film Festival 2026 programme, as well as lunch and dinner on the day of the pitch. On that day, the panel will award one project the Sprouts Eco Shorts Pitch Award, which includes a cash prize of €1,500 and further consultation on the project.

Interested?

If you would like to pitch your project at Sprouts Film Festival 2026, please submit your application as a single PDF-file (maximum size: 10 MB), including the following:

  • Logline (max. 30 words)
  • Synopsis (max. 200 words)
  • Director’s statement (max. 200 words)
  • Key visual
  • Samples of visual style
  • Information about the format (target audience, length)
  • Information about the budget (estimated budget and secured funding)
  • Thoughts on your project and sustainability
  • Director’s photo, biography, and portfolio

Send your application to [email protected] by 6 May 2026. Applicants will be

notified of the selection on 12 May 2026. Pitches will take place on 4 June 2026,approximately between 12:00 and 19:00.

For any questions, please contact us at the same email address, addressing your message to Thomas Streekstra (Artistic Director).