FirstCut + 2026

What is First Cut+?

First Cut+ is a program that supports narrative and documentary feature projects towards their international positioning and promotion, with a series of consultations on distribution, sales, marketing, and festival strategy, and the showcase of work-in-progress at one of the biggest coproduction markets.

The next edition will take place in November 2025 – January 2026 both online and onsite during Trieste IFF at When East Meets West in Trieste, Italy.

It includes:

- 2 online sessions (two hours each) of consultations/brainstorming with an international film marketing expert,
- 2 (half an hour each) consultations with an editor regarding the film’s video extract/piece for marketing purposes,
- 1 (an hour) consultation with an international sales agent regarding particular needs/strategy for the film.

FirstCut + offers also online lectures and master classes (1,5 hour each) focusing on positioning, publicity, media, and marketing of a film.

What will your project gain after the online part of the First Cut + workshop?

- a structured marketing strategy,
- the latest version of the logline meeting the needs of your marketing strategy,
- a main still,
- a video piece for the marketing purposes of your film,
- a ready-to-go pitch, focusing on your film’s Unique Selling Point.

 

Timeline and schedule

Online sessions will be held from the middle of November till December 20 (2-4 hours a week).

The culmination of our workshop is the onsite showcase/presentation during When East Meets West days on January 18 — 21 January 2026 (from Sunday till Wednesday). The on-site part of When East Meets West will consist of the showcase of 8 selected projects, meetings and networking, and more lectures and public talks. The presentation will consist of a video you prepare with the editor-consultant and a pitch you highlight with a marketing expert.

What does FirstCut + include?

For participation in the workshop costs that will be covered for one producer are:

- you’ll receive free accommodation in Trieste for 3 nights; 
- you’ll have a shuttle from/to Venice/Trieste/Ljubljana airport;
- you’ll have a 300 euro reimbursement for your travel;
- you’ll be engaged in parties and receptions with meals and drinks during your stay there.


Team participation includes:

- online: producer/s/, director
- onsite: producer.

Who are the experts?

  • Marketing experts are Christina Pelekani, Boris Pugnet and Joanna Solecka.
  • Editing expert — Cătălin Cristuțiu.
  • Sales expert — Katarzyna Siniarska (New Europe Film Sales).
  • Publicity expert — Michael Arnon (Wolf Consultants).
  • Media expert — Wendy Mitchell.

How to apply?

Frist Cut+ is looking for the following characteristics:

- a feature of more than 60'

- a narrative or documentary

- author-driven / arthouse/ indie

- at the rough cut or fine cut stage (before the final cut and picture lock)

- a team open to share and listen to ideas of marketing and communication

- targeting major festivals for the world premiere.

To candidate your project in taking part at FirstCut +, please send an email by Sunday, 28th September 2025, at 11:59 pm (midnight) to fatima.elhajjaji@idm-suedtirol.com with the following information:

  • Project’s Title and a short description;
  • Project’s Title and a short description;
  • Director and producer bio;
  • Director and producer filmography;
  • Pitch deck of the project;
  • Motivation for taking part at FirstCut +.

Only one selected project from South Tyrol is eligible to take part in the project. Even though a first selection is done by IDM Film & Music Commission Südtirol, this does not ensure the final participation of the project to FirstCut +. The final selection is exclusively operated by the members of the FirstCut + board.