January 29, 2026
DokuFest, in partnership with the film centres of Kosovo, North Macedonia, Albania, Montenegro, and Bulgaria, is launching the call for projects for the second edition of the Short Film Forum, a regional platform dedicated to supporting short film projects from the Balkans.
The ShFF is a DokuFest initiative created to address a gap in the regional short film ecosystem: limited funding, co-production, and industry access for short films. The Forum supports filmmakers through workshops, one-on-one mentoring, pitching sessions, networking opportunities, monetary and industry awards, within the wider context of DokuFest.
Who Can Apply
For its second edition, the Short Film Forum will accept applications only from filmmaking teams (filmmaker+producer) based in:
· Kosovo
· North Macedonia
· Albania
· Montenegro
· Bulgaria
Eligible Projects
The call is open to short films under 30 minutes in the following formats:
· Fiction
· Documentary
· Animation
· Experimental
Projects may be in development, production, or post-production.
Awards & Industry Opportunities
Selected filmmakers will compete for monetary awards and industry support, to be officially announced in May 2026 during the Cannes Film Festival.
Forum Dates & Structure
Online Preparation
Two online sessions will take place in the last week of July 2026
In-Person Forum in Prizren, Kosovo
9–12 August 2026, during the 25th edition of DokuFest
The Forum program includes:
· Pitch training and rehearsal
· Public pitching session
· One-on-one meetings with industry professionals
· Networking within DokuFest’s broader industry and cultural program
The 2026 edition is extended by one additional day compared to the first edition, allowing for lighter pacing and stronger integration with the festival.
Background
Launched in 2025, the Short Film Forum was the first co-production and pitching platform in the Balkans dedicated exclusively to short films. The inaugural edition presented eight projects from Kosovo, Albania, and North Macedonia to an international audience of producers, distributors, festival programmers, and broadcasters.
The Forum was widely recognized as a much-needed space for regional collaboration. Feedback from participants and industry professionals highlighted the value of its structure, mentorship, and festival context, while also informing improvements for this second edition.
How to Apply
Application deadline: 31 May 2026
Application form: CLICK HERE
Inquiries & questions: [email protected]
Partners & Support
The Short Film Forum is organized by DokuFest, in collaboration with Kosovo Cinematography Center, North Macedonia Film Agency, Albanian National Center of Cinematography, Film Centre of Montenegro and Bulgarian National Film Center and in partnership and support of Italian Short Film Center, ShorTO Film Market, Documentary Association of Europe, Square Eyes, Finnish Broadcaster YLE, ARTE/ZDF and Ikonë Studio.
Through its partnership with the Italian Short Film Center and ShorTO Film Market, the 2026 Short Film Forum welcomes Italy as Guest Country.
The Short Film Forum is supported through the Creative Force Program, financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida) and the Swedish Embassy in Prishtina, and with annual support from the Ministry of Culture, Youth, and Sports of the Republic of Kosovo.
