Pro Encounters 2026
The Pro Encounters are casual networking round tables designed to help filmmakers in the IFFR selection connect with industry experts and key festival programmers. These constructive sessions offer a great chance to expand your network, share ideas, and discuss any questions or challenges with experienced professionals in a relaxed and supportive setting.
All the Encounters take place in the Pro Hub, 4th floor, ‘de Doelen’. Please sign up via the form below.
Pro Encounter with the Hubert Bals Fund
These special sessions will be hosted by the Hubert Bals Fund (HBF), the industry fund of IFFR dedicated to supporting groundbreaking filmmakers from regions where film infrastructure is lacking or restrictive. Come and meet the HBF representatives in person to ask and exchange on the current opportunities to be supported. Open to all industry guests.
Pro Encounter with Festival Programmers
During informal sessions, attending filmmakers will receive priceless insights from programmers from a broad range of film festivals, sharing their expertise on the selection process, the do’s and don’ts of festival relations and more much sought-after information. It’s also a great chance to get to know the programmers in person, and gain invaluable connections.
Short film programmers: Saturday 31 Jan, 10.00 – 11.30
Moderated by Loes van Keulen (IFFR – shorts selection committee) and Hayet Benkara
Edith van der Heijde, EYE Filmmuseum
Carlos Ramos, IndieLisboa
Silvia Carobbio, Pordenone Docs Fest/Cinemazero,
Nuno Rodrigues, Curtas Vila do Conde – Festival Internacional de Cinema,
Kay Wee Thong, Singapore International Film Festival
Émilie Poirier, Festival du Nouveau Cinéma Montreal
Jessica Macor, Festival du Cinéma de Brive
Feature film programmers: Sunday 1 Feb, 10.00 – 11.30
Moderated by Hayet Benkara and Wouter Jansen (sales agent, Square Eyes)
Daniela Persico, Locarno Film Festival
Paolo Bertolin Venice International Film Festival – La Biennale di Venezia
Pony Ma, TaipeiFilm Festival
Kate Taylor, independent film programmer, and programme advisor for Berlinale.
Sarah Hoch Guanajuato Film Festival
Zoé Protat Festival du Nouveau Cinéma Montréal
Renata Santoro, Giornate degli Autori
Sam Flancher, Chicago Film Festival
Mark Adams, Mediterranean Film Festival
Pro Encounter with ACE Producers
An informative session with a representative from ACE Producers.
- Monday 2 February 2, 12.00 – 13.00
Strengthening independent producers, ACE Producers uses the power of the ACE Network’s collective knowledge to tackle the challenges and seize the opportunities in an ever-changing industry. ACE Producers enables profound collaborations through honest dialogue in the safe trusted space of the ACE Network and fosters valuable exchange of high-level knowledge about the independent audio-visual industry in Europe and beyond. It provides a top-quality executive education in European creative producing and entrepreneurialism.