Transilvania Talent Lab

Regulament TTL

Young filmmakers (directors, screenwriters, and producers) from Romania or the Republic of Moldova are invited to apply for the Transilvania Talent Lab program at the Transilvania International Film Festival.

Applications are open until April 30th, 2026.

TTL was founded 13 years ago with the aim of helping young filmmakers improve their skills, discover new talents, and develop projects in various stages of production. Among the now-established directors who have participated in the TTL program are Ruxandra Ghițescu, Monica Stan, Marius Olteanu, Andreea Borțun, and Cristina Groșan.

1. WHO CAN PARTICIPATE IN TRANSILVANIA TALENT LAB?

The 14th edition is open to young filmmakers up to the age of 35 – directors, screenwriters, or producers – with a minimum level of experience in the film industry. A degree in a related field is not mandatory; however, applicants must have been active in the film industry in the last two years.

Applications must be submitted online through the Eventival platform: A total of 10 participants will be selected by the organizers in collaboration with industry experts.

TTL aims to encourage and support young people’s initiatives in film by promoting continuous professional development for early-career creators.

The program will take place over five days (June 16–20, 2026), in Cluj-Napoca, during TIFF. Selected participants will attend screenings, seminars, and masterclasses focused on directing, screenwriting, production, funding, marketing, streaming platforms, and festival strategies.

Participants will also develop their projects through direct interaction with Romanian and international film professionals in a collaborative environment.

These workshops are designed to prepare young filmmakers for the evolving production and distribution landscape.

TTL is structured in three working modules:

  • Development (developing a film project)

  • Production (producing a film project)

  • Marketing / Distribution & Festivals

2. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES

  • Collaborate effectively with creative professionals and work in teams

  • Understand film project management from both artistic and practical perspectives

  • Explore the Central and Eastern European film market

  • Learn promotion, distribution, sales, and festival strategies

  • Analyze real case studies of local and European co-productions

  • Strengthen professional skills and industry knowledge

  • Participate in creative sessions with experienced professionals

  • Build a network of film industry professionals

  • Connect with experts and expand opportunities for your projects

3. ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS

  • Romanian or Moldovan citizens

  • Maximum age: 35

  • No feature film as director, screenwriter, or lead producer

  • Fluent in English

  • Available for the full five-day in-person program

4. APPLICATION

The application process is free and exclusively online. Materials must be submitted in Romanian, plus a one-page project presentation in English.

Required materials:

  • Project in development (PDF):

    • Logline (max. 250 characters)

    • Synopsis (max. 1 page)

    • Treatment / Script (optional)

    • Visual references / Moodboard (optional)

    • Team collaborators (optional)

  • Motivation letter (max. 1 page)

  • CV and filmography

Note for producers: You may also apply with a previously produced short film (as lead producer) selected in at least one festival in the past two years.

5. SELECTION AND PARTICIPATION

Participants will be selected by a panel of industry professionals. Physical presence is mandatory.

  • Participation is free of charge

  • Accreditation and accommodation are covered by TIFF

  • Tutors and experts will be announced before the festival

  • Participants will be featured in an industry brochure

If a project developed within TTL is produced, the credits must include: "Project presented within the Transilvania Talent Lab 2026 program"

COPYRIGHT PROTECTION

The organizer assumes no responsibility for copyright protection of submitted materials.

  • Applicants are the original authors

  • The material is original

  • Applicants hold all intellectual property rights

Registering your script before submission is recommended.

For more information: [email protected]