OPEN CALL: NEW NEXT TALENTS 2026-2027

About the Next Talent Trajectory and the selection process 

🎯 Number of talents 

In the coming year 2026, Playgrounds will coach and guide 8 Brabant creative talents who work in animation, illustration, digital arts, film, documentary and fiction towards new opportunities. 

We define talent broadly: Next talents can also be filmmakers who have been working for 10 years but are now seeking a new direction in their career and/or a stronger 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 of image-makers: telling untold stories in new exciting visual ways, either artistically educated or autodidact. We can guide 8 talents for one year. 

This open call closes on Monday 2 February 2026 17.00h. The selection will be announced in March. We will pre-select a number of creators and have an online interview with them on Tuesday 10 March.

Please note: if you are invited for an online interview this is not a guarantee you will be selected.

Please block the following dates in your calendar if you want to apply, as attendance is mandatory in case of selection:
– Thursday 2 April 10.00-12.00 (Eindhoven)
– Wednesday 15 April evening (Eindhoven) 

🎯 What can you expect? 

Tailor-made trajectory – your needs are the core of your trajectory
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 covering the costs of your working one day a week for your development trajectory. This can, of course, also be bundled in a certain period.  

We strive to make it possible for you to follow this trajectory alongside your other activities. Together we like to create peace and space for research and personal development. Focusing on your artistic as well as creative business competences. Additionally, a personal coaching budget and a modest development budget are made available. We strive to realise a first concept for a film plan, project or product together. 

Duration & time investment
The Next talent program starts in April 2026 and lasts approximately one year. Please note that we also ask you to attend multiple obligatory feedback sessions, workshops and masterclasses. Expect to have to dedicate at least 1 day per month to these activities.  

During the trajectory your work and process will be presented on stages that best fit you and your project. The network of the Next partners is available for you.

Two assessments by Kunstloc
We expect you to be open to an assessment: this includes a baseline measurement (nulmeting) of your career by Kunstloc: what you have achieved so far, where you want to go and what is needed to get there. You then determine your personal trajectory in consultation with the coordinators of Next and the partners.  

We also expect you to participate in a final assessment (eindmeting) with Kunstloc approximately 6 months after completing the trajectory.

🎯Selection process  

The applications for this open call will be reviewed by representatives of the Next partners : 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 in March 2026. 

🎯Entry fee selected talents  

Selected talents pay an entry fee of €2.000 to take part in the Next program. This fee serves as guarantee of attendance, encourages ownership, and will be fully reimbursed within the participants production budget.   

🎯Development budget 

Selected talents will be granted a development budget of €12.000, a small fee for their time investment and a separate budget for coaching. All budgets will be managed by the coordinators of Playgrounds Next and will be granted to the selected talents after a clear plan has been established.  

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 completed 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 also open for autodidact creators 

🎯  Experience 

The program is designed for filmmakers and AV-creators that already have established an artistic vision and are working in a freelance practice. We advise you 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?  

You can apply via this form. Deadline: Monday 2 February 2026 17.00h 

🎯 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, hidden link) 

• A development plan (max 750 words) or a video (max 4 minutes, hidden link) 

🎯  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 is on (re)developing a sustainable career, making a career switch, or strengthen certain talents or 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:  we are not looking for a detailed project plan. In the development plan, please focus on your personal development needs and goals. You can address these needs in a project, but the project is a means to an end. We would like  insight into your business practice and the goals you want to tackle on the business side of your career. What should the Next trajectory address business wise? 

💬 Questions?
Please email one of the coordinators:  

Paulien Mandos – paulien@weareplaygrounds.nl  

Maureen Prins – maureen@weareplaygrounds.nl 

💬 Online Q&A
Monday 12 January 16.00h 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, Natlab, Noise Film & PR, Submarine, BredaPhoto, Kaboom Animation Festival and Studio Biarritz.
Next is initiated by Playgrounds.