CIRCLE Training Initiative

a first of its kind training initiative & network
for women and gender-expansive filmmakers

Slideshow of different impression from film training initiative CIRCLE - Doc Accelerator, Fiction Orbit, Cannes Showcase

co-funded by Creative Europe MEDIA

under the patronage of Eurimages

CIRCLE Expanded Orbit
is now open for registrations!

The new CIRCLE programme is open to filmmakers, artists, and co-creative teams who creatively and critically explore emergent media forms (XR, MR, VR, AR, AI, games) to address gender in interactive, immersive, and synthetic realms.

Apply by 2nd of July

Find all the info HERE

Open Call for CIRCLE Expanded Orbit 2026, a new programme supporting women and gender-expansive filmmakers in the field of emergent media forms (XR, MR, VR, AR, AI, games).

Open call for CIRCLE Fiction Orbit 2026, a tailor-made programme for women and gender-expansive filmmakers in the fiction film industry.

CIRCLE Fiction Orbit
is open for registrations!

CIRCLE's one-off retreat for mid-career teams developing second to fourth narrative features, concentrating on development, production strategies, and collaboration within existing film power structures.

Apply by 10 July 2026, 4pm CEST

Find all the info HERE

A woman filmmaker in front of a house with big windows during a CIRCLE film training programme

ABOUT CIRCLE

CIRCLE is a unique international training initiative and safer space for women and gender-expansive filmmakers working both in documentary and fiction. Our flagship programme is Doc Accelerator, a year-round training initiative, open to projects and professionals in all stages. In 2023 we launched Fiction Orbit, an intensive one-off residential workshop dedicated to mid-career filmmakers developing scripted projects. In 2026, Expanded Orbit was launched, a NEW workshop open to filmmakers, artists and co-creative teams who creatively and critically explore emergent media forms (XR, MR, VR, AR, AI, games).

Discover more >>

OUR PROGRAMMES

Clouds as decoration for the CIRCLE website background

A group of women and gender-expansive documentary filmmakers during the CIRCLE Doc Accelerator training programme

10 PARTICIPANTS

per year

3 WORK SESSIONS

with leading experts

2 SCHOLARSHIPS

allocated

Module 01
June 2026 / Greece

The first module is focused on analysis and development of the creative potentials of ten previously selected projects. The main idea is to gain a new perception of the projects, to improve the contents and the overall potential of the projects.

Module 02
October 2026 / Portorož, Slovenia

The second module is focused on production strategies with experts, and preparing the projects for the pitching in order to reach international financiers. The big part of the second module requires work on strategic planning, marketing and distribution strategies.

Module 03
January 2027, WEMW / Trieste Film Festival

The third module aims towards networking and presentation of the projects to potential partners and financiers during When East Meets West The goal is to introduce them to the current tendencies, tools and finally positioning at the WEMW Co-Pro Forum.