V60 – Vertical film competition

Instagram:@v60challenge
Facebook:@v60challenge

Email: v60@cinenord.nl

Participation fee: Early Bird: 25 Euro (till the 8th of june), Regular 60 Euro per team.

Introduction
Screen Talent Europe is launching V60: Vertical film Challenge, a Europe-wide creative challenge

inviting emerging filmmakers to explore storytelling through vertical film. Inspired by the Action Manifesto.

 

Concept
Within 60 hours, participants create a vertical short-form film (9:16) inspired by their surroundings
and guided by a shared theme. This theme is announced on the 12th of June 2026 at 10:00 CET at the official start of the challenge.

Participants are encouraged to work within a 10 km radius, collaborate with local communities and creatives, use available resources and locations, and embrace limitations as creative drivers.

 

The Challenge
Duration: 60 hours
From: Friday 12 June 2026 at 10:00 CET until Sunday 14th of June 2026 at 22:00 CET

During this time, participants must write, film and edit their project and produce a vertical short film in 9:16 format.

Formats welcome include animation, documentary, fiction and hybrid or experimental work.

 

Prize
  • Each winning filmmaker or team will be linked to a Screen Talent Europe partner organisation.
  • Each winner receives a 500 euro cheque intended for professional development and can be used for participation in talentcamps, workshops, pitching forums or similar activities.

 

Who can join
The challenge is open to filmmakers, animators, artists and visual storytellers across the

Screen Talent Europe and Screen Talent NL network. Participants can join individually or in small teams.

 

Core Rules
  • The film must be vertical in 9:16 format.
  • The entire production must take place within the 60-hour timeframe.
  • Filming must occur within a 10 km radius of the team’s set location.
  • Participants are encouraged to collaborate locally with talent, artists, or communities.
  • Projects should reflect the principles of the Action Manifesto.

The Action Manifesto
  • The challenge is guided by sustainable filmmaking principles.
  • Participants are encouraged to work locally by collaborating within their immediate
  • environment.
  • Production should remain light with small crews and simple setups to reduce environmental
  • impact.
  • Filmmakers should use what is around them for locations, stories and inspiration.
  • The process should build meaningful connections between people, places and cultures.
  • These principles transform limitations into creative opportunities.

 

Timeline
  • Submission deadline: Sunday 14 June 2026 at 22:00 CET
  • Films must be submitted via email to the address that will be provided.
    Films must be submitted before the deadline to qualify. Films submitted after 22:00 CET are not eligible for the competition but may still be featured on V60 social channels.
After the challenge
  • Selected films will be shared through Screen Talent Europe channels and V60’s Instagram, Tiktok and YouTube platforms. In September 2026, an international jury will announce three winning films.

V60 is organised and facilitated by CineNord, a member organisation of Screen Talent Europe. 

REGISTER HERE