DOCvillage 2026

Discover our 5-day residency for the documentary makers of the future!

Geplaatst op 20 maart 2026

Are you searching for an opportunity to work on your idea and plan for a short documentary, further develop your cinematic signature, and expand your network? Then join the third edition of DOCvillage residency, during DOCDAYS in Sittard!

DOCvillage is organised by CineSud in collaboration with Screen Talent Europe & Screen Talent NL partners. 

DOCvillage 2026

DOCvillage is an intensive 5-day residency designed to stimulate documentary filmmakers by enhancing their skills, refining their project ideas, and fostering a sense of community. This residency is ideal for documentary filmmakers at various stages of development, from budding concept to the first step of pre-productions. Through interactive (group) sessions, practical exercises, and individual coaching, participants receive the tools and confidence to bring their documentary ideas and visions to life.

“It’s rare to find such an environment where artistic risk-taking is encouraged, and where filmmakers feel supported to experiment. The mentoring sessions, peer feedback, and hands-on tasks push you to rethink and elevate your storytelling approach.” Viktoria Ivanova | House of Europe (Ukraine) | DOCvillage 2025

Practical information 

The residency takes place from October 5 to 9 in Sittard, and includes accommodation including catering, coaching sessions, workshops, masterclasses, and entrance to the DOCDAYS 2026. The DOCvillage residency is conducted in English.

Coaches for this edition of DOCvillage include John Appel, Martijn Blekendaal and Astrid Bussink. They will guide the participants through the 5-day on-site training program.

Program

Read more about the program of DOCvillage via the Program schedule-button below. Networking lunches & dinners, film screenings & other events during the DOCDAYS 2026 are also included in the participation.

Program schedule

How to apply

Participation in the DOCvillage is limited to twelve selected filmmakers. Some of the spots are assigned to participants who join via partners in the program, read more under 'Sponsored submissions'. Other interested filmmakers can apply via the 'Independent submission'.

Sponsored submissions

Several spots are sponsored by Screen Talent Europe and Screen Talent NL partners listed below. You may be eligible for sponsorship if you live in the region of a listed partner and/or have an active connection to that partner (e.g. previous participation or collaboration).

  • Filmmakers from the Netherlands are eligible to submit if the film organisation in their region is one of Screen Talent NL partners: CineNord, Oostpact, CineZee and CineSud.
  • Filmmakers from Norway, Denmark and Germany are eligible to submit if the film workshop in their region is one of the Screen Talent Europe partners: Aarhus Film Workshop,  Mediefabrikken, Tvibit Film and MOIN Film Fund Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein
  • The participation fee is covered by the partner mentioned above (the program covers workshop, accommodation and selected catering costs for the selected participants. Travelling may be fully/partially covered by the respective partners up to a limit. For more information about travel costs, please contact your local partner).
  • Want to apply via CineSud? In case you are Club CineSud-member, you can apply with CineSud as your local partner. In case you are not a Club CineSud-member, please contact us first via [email protected] to confirm if you are eligible to apply.

Independent submissions

In case you are not connected with one of the Screen Talent Europe/NL partners listed above, you can also apply independently.

  • Limited open spots are available for filmmakers from all over the world, who are not eligible to apply via a partner mentioned above.
  • The participation fee (after selection) is €1000 excl. VAT (21%).

Submission deadline: Tuesday, 15 July, 11:59 AM (CEST).
Selection announcement: Tuesday 28 July.

Who and what are we looking for?
Submission documents
I want to apply for DOCvillage 2026!

Meet the coaches!

Would you like to learn the art of documentary making? Receive the expertise advise of our coaches during coaching sessions, workshops, and masterclasses. 

Oganisations

DOCvillage is a unique training program organised by CineSud. The program is organised in collaboration with our dear partners of Screen Talent NL (CineNord, Oostpact and Cinezee) and Screen Talent Europe  (Aarhus Film Workshop, Mediefabrikken, MOIN Filmförderung Hamburg Schleswig-Holstein and Tvibit Film).

Screen Talent NL is a network organisation that strengthens and connects talent and production hubs in the field of film and AV throughout the Netherlands. Its goal is to create a nationwide ecosystem and a strong infrastructure for talent development, skills training, financing and networking for Dutch makers and to promote mutual interaction and exchange within all Dutch provinces and outside the country.

Screen Talent Europe is a network of film workshops and media centres in Europe. The purpose of the network is to promote and foster co-operation between partners, help filmmakers exchange knowledge, experiences and methods through talent camps, network meetings and co-productions. The network collaborates to produce international talent development projects such as pitching forums, film production camps, networking and social events. Furthermore, Screen Talent Europe works to strengthen the workshop model for support-based talent development and also assists countries in Europe currently without film workshops in developing similar resources and models.

Contact us.

Do you have any questions or just want to get in touch with us? Contact us by using the contact form below.
 

Contact us!