Glavnu nagradu za najbolji projekt, u iznosu od 3.000 eura, te nagradu Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Marketa osvojio je film Reverse Cowgirl scenaristice i redateljice Timne Tomiše (Hrvatska), koji je ujedno dobio i podršku SFC | Rendez-vous Industryja (Cinema de Demain / Cannes FF). Nagrada Sayonara Filma pripala je filmu Bloody Honour Jurija Drevenšeka (Slovenija), nagrada European Short Pitcha filmu Lost Boys Christosa Artemioua (Cipar), nagrada Baltic Pitching Foruma filmu The Killing of An Angry Student Vangelisa Dikopoulosa (Grčka), a nagrada International Screen Instituta filmu A Storm in a Teacup Teele Dunkley (Estonija). Svi su sudionici nagrađeni i podrškom T-Porta.
Radionica se održala na Sveučilištu VERN' od 15. do 17. lipnja, a vrhunac događanja bio je pitching forum održan 18. lipnja 2026. u Kaptol Cinema Boutique u Zagrebu. Ovo je izdanje okupilo nove filmske glasove iz cijele Europe i šire. Tijekom radionice sudionici su intenzivno radili pod stručnim vodstvom Roshanak Behesht Nedjad, usavršavajući svoje priče i pripremajući se za predstavljanje ispred profesionalne publike i međunarodnog žirija.
Pobjednici 11. izdanja Let's Pitch Some Shorts! proglašeni su u Zagrebu, čime su nagrađeni iznimni projekti koji su osvojili žiri svojom originalnošću, emocionalnom dubinom i prepoznatljivim autorskim glasovima. Ovo je izdanje još jednom pokazalo snagu kratkog filma koji nadilazi granice, daje prostor neispričanim pričama i potiče razmjenu dijaloga.
Osvrćući se na ovogodišnju ediciju, Martina Petrović, voditeljica DKE – Ureda MEDIA Hrvatske istaknula je:
Postoji jedan trenutak koji čekamo svake godine: onaj kad u kino uđe autor ili autorica koji možda još nikome nije naglas izgovorio svoju priču, a izađe znajući da netko vjeruje u nju. Zbog tog trenutka i postoji „Let's Pitch Some Shorts!". Ovogodišnjih 78 prijava iz 10 zemalja - najviše dosad - za mene nije tek brojka, nego potvrda da je potreba za ovakvim događanjima sve veća. Svaka velika filmska karijera negdje mora početi, a najčešće počinje upravo u sigurnim i inkluzivnim prostorima poput ovoga - ondje gdje autor prvi put naglas izgovori svoju ideju, gdje ga netko sasluša do kraja i gdje dobije podršku. Ono što me iz godine u godinu vraća ovom poslu nije program sam po sebi, nego ljudi - autori koji prelaze granice da bi se susreli, mentorica Roshanak Behesht Nedjad koja nesebično dijeli znanje, partneri koji prepoznaju da ulaganje u nove glasove znači ulaganje u budućnost europskog filma.
Nakon završetka radionice, na samom pitchingu, žiri u sastavu Rimante Daugelaite (Baltic Pitching Forum), Florian Fernandez (SFC | Rendez-vous Industry, Cinema de Demain, Festival de Cannes), Esther Krausz (International Screen Institute), Adam Selo (Sayonara Film) i Kruno Trninić (scenarist i redatelj) proglasio je dobitnike:
Nagrada T-Porta dodijeljena je svim sudionicima - T-Port Online Market svim sudionicima nudi hosting njihovih filmova na svojoj online platformi koja kratke filmove povezuje s međunarodnom filmskom industrijom, kao i 50 % popusta na sljedeću online radionicu u srpnju.
Nagrada European Short Pitcha - konzultantske usluge za daljnji razvoj scenarija i projekta - dodijeljena je projektu Lost Boys scenarista i redatelja Christosa Artemioua (Cipar), uz obrazloženje:
Jasan redateljski rukopis i precizno definirana estetika tek su neke od kvaliteta projekta Lost Boys Christosa Artemioua, čiji živopisan i strastven pristup Peter Pan sindromu jamči kratki film koji će svojoj publici prići s empatijom i plesom nabijenom euforijom. Riječ je o projektu koji je više nego dostojan nagrade European Short Pitcha za konzultantske usluge.
Nagrada International Screen Instituta - sudjelovanje u Market Ready programu (Beč, 19.–23. listopada o.g.) - dodijeljena je projektu A Storm in a Teacup scenaristice i redateljice Teele Dunkley (Estonija), uz obrazloženje:
Teele Dunkley predstavila je projekt A Storm in a Teacup, projekt snažne kreativne vizije, kroz iznimno živ i uvjerljiv pitch. Film je dočarala tako slikovito da se publika odmah povezala s njegovim likovima, humorom i emocionalnom srži. Teele se pokazala izvrsnom pripovjedačicom koja svoje ideje prenosi jasno i samouvjereno. Kao novi talent izvanredne energije, strasti i profesionalnosti, vjerujem da Teele savršeno pripada Market Ready programu. Svojim će entuzijazmom i perspektivom obogatiti grupu, a istovremeno profitirati od programskog fokusa na međunarodno pozicioniranje, umrežavanje i tržišni nastup.
Nagrada Baltic Pitching Foruma - online konzultacije za scenarij i akreditacija za Baltic Pitching Forum 2026. - dodijeljena je projektu The Killing of An Angry Student scenarista i redatelja Vangelisa Dikopoulosa (Grčka), uz obrazloženje:
Ovaj projekt zaslužuje priznanje za originalan narativ ispričan kroz različite medije i vizualni jezik te za relevantne teme kojima se bavi. Nadam se da će projektu koristiti ne samo konzultacije za scenarij, već i profesionalni kontakti ostvareni na događanju „Baltic Pitching Forum". Nagrada pripada projektu The Killing of An Angry Student Vangelisa Dikopoulosa.
Nagrada Sayonara Filma - stručno savjetovanje za izradu festivalske i distribucijske strategije - dodijeljena je projektu Bloody Honour scenarista i redatelja Jurija Drevenšeka (Slovenija), uz obrazloženje:
Za promišljanje nekih od najgorućih pitanja našeg vremena iz osjetljive perspektive te za snažan potencijal za rast. Za hrabrost kojom istražuje ranjivost adolescencije, žudnju za priznanjem i dinamike koje mogu voditi prema ekstremističkim putevima, nagrada Sayonara Filma pripada projektu Bloody Honour Jurija Drevenšeka.
Podršku SFC | Rendez-vous Industry (Cinéma de Demain / Festival de Cannes) - dvije akreditacije te poziv na sudjelovanje u izdanju u svibnju 2027. - dobio je projekt Reverse Cowgirl scenaristice i redateljice Timne Tomiše (Hrvatska):
Izravan, autentičan i mističan, projekt koji spaja različite atmosfere i društvene teme s osobnim umjetničkim potpisom - Reverse Cowgirl Timne Tomiše projekt je koji podržava SFC | Rendez-vous Industry te ga poziva na sudjelovanje u svojem sljedećem izdanju u svibnju 2027. Osigurane su akreditacije namijenjene redateljici i producentici projekta.
Kao dodatna podrška SFC | Rendez-vous Industry (Cinéma de Demain / Festival de Cannes), mentorska sesija za scenarij dodijeljena je projektu Two Peach Juices scenaristice i redateljice Lore Džolić (Srbija), uz obrazloženje:
Kako bii se potaknuo razvoj projekta nadahnutog stvarnim životnim iskustvom u odlučujućem trenutku procesa, odlučeno je pružiti dodatnu podršku u obliku mentorske sesije za scenarij. Za to je odabran projekt koji je krhak, no koji vodi redateljica debitantica s iskrenom i čistom vizijom. Ova mentorska podrška za scenarij pripada srpskom kratkometražnom projektu Two Peach Juices scenaristice i redateljice Lore Džolić.
Glavna nagrada - novčana nagrada u iznosu od 3.000 eura - te nagrada Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Marketa (besplatna akreditacija) dodijeljene su projektu Reverse Cowgirl scenaristice i redateljice Timne Tomiše (Hrvatska), uz obrazloženje:
Reverse Cowgirl Timne Tomiše osvojio nas je originalnim konceptom koji iznova izmišlja kotač i poigrava se s ustaljenim kodovima filma, pretvarajući tradiciju u hrabru i samouvjerenu viziju kojom pripovijeda snažnu, osobnu i iznenađujuću priču. Naelektriziran odlučnim, vizualnim i aktualnim konceptom, rezultat je projekt koji se gorućim temama bavi sa slobodom, ironijom i osjetljivošću. Uvjereni da će ovaj spoj redateljice i producentica iznjedriti neustrašiv i jedinstven film koji jedva čekamo pogledati, s ponosom mu dodjeljujemo nagradu Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Marketa i Glavnu nagradu.
Veliko hvala svim sudionicima na njihovoj predanosti, kreativnosti i inspirativnim pričama. Posebna zahvala ide Roshanak Behesht Nedjad, čije stručno vodstvo, toplina i nesebično dijeljenje znanja svakom su sudioniku omogućili da sebe i svoj projekt predstavi u najboljem svjetlu.
Najiskrenije zahvaljujemo i svim partnerima na njihovoj kontinuiranoj podršci i suradnji: DKE – Uredima MEDIA iz Hrvatske, Cipra, Crne Gore, Češke, Estonije, Grčke, Mađarske, Slovenije i Srbije, zajedno s Hrvatskom audiovizulanom centrom, Filmskim centrom Crne Gore, Umjetničkim vijećem Malte i Organizacijom za europske programe i kulturne odnose na Cipru, kao i kinu Kaptol Cinema Boutique i Sveučilištu VERN' koji su otvorili svoja vrata za održavanje radionice i pitchinga. Posebno zahvaljujemo i partnerima koji su omogućili nagrade i industrijske prilike: International Screen Institutu, Baltic Pitching Forumu, SFC | Rendez-vous Industryju, Sayonara Filmu, European Short Pitchu, Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Marketu i T-Portu.
Osvrćući se na dane ispunjene kreativnošću i važnom razmjenom, još jednom se podsjećamo koliko je bitno stvarati uključiva mjesta u kojima novi talenti i raznolike priče mogu istinski rasti.
Hvala svima što ste bili dio ovog putovanja - nastavimo zajedno predstavljati svoje filmove, povezivati se i osnaživati nove narative!
© 2026. autorica fotografija – Nina Đurđević
The main prize for the best project, in the amount of 3,000 EUR, together with the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Market Prize, was awarded to Reverse Cowgirl by writer and director Timna Tomiša (Croatia), which also received the support of the SFC | Rendez-vous Industry. The Sayonara Film Award went to Bloody Honour by Jurij Drevenšek (Slovenia), the European Short Pitch prize to Lost Boys by Christos Artemiou (Cyprus), the Baltic Pitching Forum Award to The Killing of An Angry Student by Vangelis Dikopoulos (Greece), and the International Screen Institute Award to A Storm in a Teacup by Teele Dunkley (Estonia). All participants were also recognised with the T-Port award.
Held at VERN' University from 15 to 17 June, with the event culminating in the pitching forum on 18 June 2026 at Kaptol Cinema Boutique in Zagreb, this year's edition brought together emerging filmmakers from across Europe and beyond. Over the course of the workshop, participants worked intensively under the expert guidance of Roshanak Behesht Nedjad, refining their stories and preparing to present them to an international audience and jury.
The winners of the 11th edition of Let's Pitch Some Shorts! have been revealed, celebrating exceptional projects that captivated the jury with their originality, emotional depth, and distinctive artistic voices. This edition once again highlighted the power of short films to transcend borders, shed light on underrepresented stories, and spark meaningful conversations.
Reflecting on this year's edition, Martina Petrović, Head of the Creative Europe MEDIA Desk Croatia, shared:
There is one moment we look forward to every year: the moment a filmmaker walks into the cinema having perhaps never said their story out loud to anyone - and walks out knowing that someone believes in it. That moment is the very reason "Let's Pitch Some Shorts!" exists. This year's 78 applications from 10 countries - the most we have ever received - are, to me, far more than a number; they are proof that the need for events like this is only growing. Every great filmmaking career has to begin somewhere, and more often than not it begins in safe and inclusive spaces like this one - where a filmmaker says their idea out loud for the first time, where someone truly listens, and where they are met with support. What brings me back to this work, year after year, is not the programme itself but the people - the filmmakers who cross borders to meet one another, our mentor Roshanak Behesht Nedjad, who shares her knowledge so generously, and the partners who recognise that investing in new voices means investing in the future of European film.
After the conclusion of the workshop, with the pitching forum serving as the culmination of the event, the jury - composed of Rimante Daugelaite (Baltic Pitching Forum), Florian Fernandez (SFC | Rendez-vous Industry, Cinema de Demain, Festival de Cannes), Esther Krausz (International Screen Institute), Adam Selo (Sayonara Film), and Kruno Trninić (scriptwriter & director) — announced the winners:
The T-Port award was given to all participants - the T-Port Online Market offers all participating filmmakers the hosting of their films on its online platform connecting short films with the international film industry, as well as a 50% discount for its next online training session in July.
The European Short Pitch prize - consultancy services for the further development of the script and project - was awarded to Lost Boys by writer and director Christos Artemiou (Cyprus), with the following explanation:
A clear directorial point of view and a well-defined aesthetic are just some of the qualities present in Christos Artemiou's Lost Boys, whose colorful and passionate take on the Peter Pan syndrome guarantees a short film which will reach its audience with empathy and dance-fueled euphoria. It is a project more than worthy of the European Short Pitch Consultancy Prize.
The International Screen Institute Award - participation in the Market Ready Programme (Vienna, 19–23 October) - was awarded to A Storm in a Teacup by writer and director Teele Dunkley (Estonia), with the following explanation:
Teele Dunkley presented A Storm in a Tea Cup, a project with a strong creative vision, through an exceptionally engaging and compelling pitch. She brought the film vividly to life, allowing the audience to immediately connect with its characters, humour and emotional core. Teele proved to be a great storyteller, communicating her ideas with clarity and confidence. As an emerging talent with remarkable energy, passion and professionalism, I believe Teele is an excellent fit for the Market Ready Programme. She will enrich the group with her enthusiasm and perspective, while benefiting from the programme's focus on international positioning, networking and market engagement.
The Baltic Pitching Forum Award - online script consultancy and an accreditation to the 2026 Baltic Pitching Forum - was awarded to The Killing of An Angry Student by writer and director Vangelis Dikopoulos (Greece), with the following explanation:
This project deserves recognition for its original narrative told through different media and visual language, and relevant themes. I hope that this project will benefit not only from the script consultation, but also from the professional contacts at the "Baltic Pitching Forum" event. The award goes to the project The Killing of An Angry Student by Vangelis Dikopoulos.
The Sayonara Film Award - expert guidance on building a festival and distribution strategy - was awarded to Bloody Honour by writer and director Jurij Drevenšek (Slovenia), with the following explanation:
For engaging with some of the most pressing questions of our time through a sensitive perspective, and for its strong potential for growth. For the courage with which it explores adolescent vulnerability, the desire for recognition, and the dynamics that can lead to extremist paths, the Sayonara Film Award goes to Bloody Honour by writer and director Jurij Drevenšek, Slovenia.
The support of the SFC | Rendez-vous Industry (Cinema de Demain) - two accreditations and an invitation to take part in its next edition in May 2027 - went to Reverse Cowgirl by writer and director Timna Tomiša (Croatia):
Direct, authentic and mystic, blending different atmospheres and societal topics with a personal artistic signature, Reverse Cowgirl by Timna Tomiša is the project supported by the SFC | Rendez-vous Industry and invited to participate, in its next edition in May 2027. Two accreditations, dedicated to the director and the producer of the project, will be provided.
As additional support from the SFC | Rendez-vous Industry, a script-mentoring session was awarded to Two Peach Juices by writer and director Lora Džolić (Serbia), with the following explanation:
In order to boost the development of a project motivated by a real life experience at a decisive moment of the process, it was decided to provide an additional support consisting in a script-mentoring session. For this, it was decided to pick a project that is fragile yet carried by a first time filmmaker with an honest & sincere vision. This script-mentoring support goes to Serbian short film project Two Peach Juices by Lora Džolić.
The Grand Prize - a financial award of 3,000 EUR - together with the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Market Prize (a free accreditation), was awarded to Reverse Cowgirl by writer and director Timna Tomiša (Croatia), with the following explanation:
Timna Tomiša's Reverse Cowgirl engrossed us with its original concept that reinvents the wheel and plays with established codes of cinema, transforming tradition into a bold, confident vision to tell a powerful, personal, surprising story. Electrified by a determined, visual and topical concept, the result is a project that addresses urgent themes with freedom, irony, and sensitivity. Confident that this director-producers match will produce a fearless, unique film that we can't wait to watch, we are proud to award it the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Market Prize and the Grand Prize.
A heartfelt thank you goes to all the participants for their dedication, creativity, and inspiring stories. A very special thank you also to Roshanak Behesht Nedjad, whose expert guidance, warmth, and generous sharing of knowledge gave every participant the opportunity to present themselves and their projects in the best possible light.
We extend our deepest gratitude to all our partners for their steadfast support and collaboration: the Creative Europe MEDIA Desks from Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Greece, Hungary, Montenegro, Serbia and Slovenia, together with the Croatian Audiovisual Centre, Film Center of Montenegro, Arts Council Malta, and the Organisation for European Programmes and Cultural Relations in Cyprus, as well as Kaptol Cinema Boutique and VERN' University for hosting our pitching forum and providing a welcoming space for our workshop sessions. We also warmly thank the partners who made the awards and industry opportunities possible: the International Screen Institute, the Baltic Pitching Forum, the SFC | Rendez-vous Industry, Sayonara Film, European Short Pitch, the Clermont-Ferrand Short Film Market, and T-Port.
As we look back on these days filled with creativity and meaningful exchange, we are reminded once again of the importance of fostering inclusive spaces where new talent and diverse narratives can truly flourish and grow.
Thank you all for being part of this journey - let's continue to pitch, connect, and tell new stories together!
© 2026. photographer – Nina Đurđević
