International Short Film Festival of Cyprus (ISFFC)
Limassol
11–12.10.2026
ABOUT THE WORKSHOP
TalentBridge Cyprus is a focused two-day career development workshop embedded in the International Short Film Festival of Cyprus (ISFFC). It positions short film not only as a stepping stone to features, but as a legitimate career arena with its own ecosystem, markets, and strategic logic.
Over two days, participants move from self-assessment to concrete action planning, guided by the TalentBridge facilitation team, a Cypriot industry expert, and structured peer exchange. The festival setting is fully integrated: screenings and networking events are woven into the programme rather than offered as optional extras.
WHAT YOU WILL WORK ON
- Career positioning: understanding where you are, where you want to go, and how to articulate it.
- Market navigation: festivals, public funds, broadcaster strands, co-production structures, and online platforms.
- Industry relationships: structured, goal-oriented networking methodology throughout the workshop.
- Artistic vision vs. industry demands: maintaining a distinctive voice while engaging with market realities.
- Personal roadmap: a concrete, strategic document covering relevant labs, festivals, and funds for the next 12–18 months.
WHO SHOULD APPLY
This workshop is designed for emerging filmmakers who are ready to take a strategic next step. We are looking for:
• Directors with 1-3 completed short films, not yet established in the international market.
• Producers and screenwriters with a strong connection to short film practice may also be considered.
• Priority is given to filmmakers from Cyprus and the Eastern Mediterranean region; applications from other territories are welcome.
• Active attention will be given to gender balance and diversity in the selection process.
The workshop does not cover scriptwriting or story development. Those areas are addressed by a parallel workshop. The focus here is entirely on career progression, industry positioning, and market navigation.
WHAT TO EXPECT
DAY 1
Career Trajectory & Industry Positioning
Career self-mapping, expert case study, and a structured networking reception
with festival industry guests.
DAY 2
Market Navigation & Personal Action Plan
Short film ecosystem masterclass, personal action plan, and one-on-one
consultations with expert feedback.
KEY INFORMATION
| Dates | 11–12 October 2026 (arrival 10 Oct, departure 13 Oct) |
| Location | ISFFC, Limassol, Cyprus |
| Participants | 10 places available |
| Notification | Early August 2026 |
| Cost | €100 (€40 for participants living in Cyprus)
Accommodation is covered, travel to and from Cyprus has to be covered by the participant – details confirmed on acceptance. |
| Applications open | 15 June 2026 (via this LINK) |
| Application deadline | 12 July 2026 |
HOW TO APPLY
Submit your application using the application form and provide following information as asked in the form:
• Brief bio (max. 150 words)
• Links to 1– 3 completed short films
• Motivation statement: why this workshop, why now, what you hope to take away (max. 300 words)
• Basic information: country of residence, career stage, current or upcoming project
APPLY HERE
INSTRUCTORS
Stelana Kliris
In cooperation with The International Short Film Festival of Cyprus (ISFFC), Stelana Kliris is the regional expert joining the TalentBridge training in Limassol. A South African Cypriot writer-director-producer specialising in character-driven stories rooted in her multicultural background. She is best known for her feature FIND ME FALLING, a Cyprus-USA co-production starring Emmy and Grammy Award-winning actor and singer Harry Connick Jr., which sold world rights to Netflix – becoming the first Cypriot film ever to screen on the platform and topping its global charts for English-language features for two weeks.
Her first feature, COMMITTED, was distributed internationally and optioned for Hollywood and German remakes. She is currently developing several new projects under her production company Meraki Films, including her next feature APART FROM HER, Yianna Americanou’s MY NAME IS LILY, and the series UNEXPECTED.
She is the President of the Directors Guild of Cyprus, a member of the European Women’s Audiovisual Network (EWA) and an alumna of the 2018 EAVE Producers Workshop and EFP’s Producers on the Move 2023.
Fatih Abay
Fatih Abay is a film industry professional specialising in talent development, diversity & inclusion, and skills training for emerging filmmakers. He is the Senior Studies Manager at TalentBridge. With a background in academia and teaching in cultural anthropology, previously the Diversity & Inclusion Officer at the European Film Academy, where
he introduced key initiatives to advance equity and representation in European film. He continues to work as an industry consultant, facilitator, and coach, supporting strategically undervalued voices and new emerging talent
in the film industry. Fatih is committed to creating accessible pathways and meaningful opportunities for the next generation of filmmakers.
Co-funded by:
Filmmaker? Upload your short film to T-Port or sign up for our newsletter to get regular updates on the current trends and exciting innovations in the short film universe.
Back to T-Port Blog