Every year we guide 8 selected talents from all disciplines in a tailor made program. Talents for this program are forwarded by the national and regional industry and we search for hidden filmtalent gems via this open call. Want to apply? Please read all requirements below ⬇️
About the Next Talent Trajectory and the selection process
🎯 Number of talents
In the coming year 2025, Playgrounds will coach and guide 8 Brabant creative talents that work in animation, illustration, digital arts, film, documentary and fiction towards new opportunities.
We define talent broadly: for Next talents can also be filmmakers that are already working for 10 years, but that are now seeking a new turn in their career and/or a connection to the international industry. We strongly believe in lifelong learning and creating a program that also supports the needs of artists that have been around for a while.
We are looking for talent that will represent the next generation image makers: telling untold stories in new visual ways, either artistically educated or autodidact. We can guide 8 talents for one year.
The open call closes on Sunday 26 January 23.59h. The selection will be announced at the beginning of March. Please block the following dates date in your calendar if you want to apply because it is mandatory to be there:
– Monday 17 March evening (Eindhoven)
– Tuesday 25 March 14.00h-16.00h (Eindhoven)
🎯 What can you expect?
Next is a tailor-made talent development program in an international context. It opens doors and possibilities. To be able to invest optimally, we offer you a modest allowance to be able to allow you one day a week for your personal development trajectory. This can of course also be bundled in a certain period. We strive that you can do this process alongside your other activities, and we like to create peace and space with you for research and personal development. Focusing on your artistic as well as creative business competences. A personal coaching and modest production budget is available. We strive to realize a film plan, project or product together.
The trajectory takes a year to a maximum of 18 months. Please note that we also ask you to attend multiple obligatory feedback sessions, workshops and masterclasses. Expect to at least spend 1 day per month to those activities.
We expect you to be open to an assessment: a baseline measurement (nulmeting) of your career by Kunstloc: what have you achieved so far, where do you want to go and what is needed for that? You then determine your personal trajectory in consultation with the coordinators of Next and the partners. Where do you want to go, what coaching will you need, who do you want to learn from?
With your dedication and motivation, all conditions are present to make it an inspiring and fascinating process.
The Next talent program starts in March 2025 and lasts circa a year. During the trajectory your work and process will be presented on stages that fit you and your project best. The network of the Next partners is available for you.
🎯 Selection process
The applications of this open call will be reviewed by representatives of the partners in Next: Submarine, independent producer Inge Zoete, BredaPhoto, St. Joost for Art & Design, Noise Film & TV, Natlab, BROET, Kaboom animation festival, Studio Biarritz, Playgrounds and former Next talents.
🎯 The selected talents will be announced at the beginning of March 2025.
Requirements
🎯 Link with Noord-Brabant
If you want to apply you will have to have a link with the Province of Noord-Brabant. This can either be:
- You live and work in Noord-Brabant;
- You followed your higher education in Noord-Brabant and you’ve graduated no more than 5 years ago;
- You have an extensive pool of Brabant-based clients.
Please note: the trajectory is open for autodidact creators
🎯 Experience
The program is designed for filmmakers and AV-creators that already have established an artistic vision and freelance practice. We advise not to apply if you just graduated. We are looking for talent that is already active in the artistic field and creative industry for a number of years.
If you already applied 2 times in the past for this program, you cannot apply again.
🎯 How to apply?
Please fill out this form. Deadline Sunday 26 January 23.59h.
All answers should be in English.
🎯 What to prepare?
You will have to prepare:
- a resume with a link to a showreel
- an answer to the following question: Please state your link with the Province of Noord-Brabant
- an answer to the following question: You’re a professional (freelance) creative maker. What does your professional practice look like in terms of clients and free work?
- A motivation letter (max 400 words) or a video (max 4 minutes)
- A development plan (max 750 words) or a video (max 4 minutes)
🎯 About your motivation
Why do you want to participate in Next and what do you want to tackle in the trajectory?
Please note the trajectory focusses on personal development: of course, you will also work on a project, but the main focus will lie on (re)developing a sustainable career / switch in your career or strengthen certain talents/skills. Convince us why this trajectory is needed at this moment in your career.
🎯 About what you want to do / develop during the trajectory
On which project or research do you want to work on? But also, which skills do you want to tackle? Business wise, artistic skills, expanding your network in a new field, communication with a team or crew, your online presence. Anything goes. But let us know what you think is needed at this moment in your career. Please note: this is not a project plan we are looking for. Please focus in the development plan on your personal development needs and goals. You can address these needs in a project, but the project is a means to an end. And please also note that we would like to have an insight into your business practice as well and the goals you want to tackle in the business side of your career. What do you want the Next trajectory to address business wise?
💬 Questions?
Please send a mail to one of the coordinators: Paulien Mandos – paulien@weareplaygrounds.nl or Maureen Prins – maureen@weareplaygrounds.nl
💬 Online Q&A
Wednesday 8 January 9.00h at www.whereby.com/plgr
More info about the Next program and the talents we already supported can be found here.
Playgrounds Next is made possible by the Netherlands Filmfund, Province of Noord-Brabant, Kunstloc.
Partners in Next are: St. Joost School for Art & Design, independent producer Inge Zoete, BROET, Noise Film & PR, Submarine, BredaPhoto, Kaboom Animation Festival and Studio Biarritz.