“The philosophy of Euro CineLab focuses on the importance of real-world practice”
– The training programme aims to give talented young Latin Americans their first professional experience in the European film industry
(© Óscar Fernández Orengo)
Promoted by Cineuropa, Euro CineLab is a training programme designed to offer young Latin American talents their first professional experience in the European film industry. Developed in collaboration with the European Union Delegations in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras and Panama, the laboratory combines hands-on learning, cultural exchange, and mentoring from European professionals, with the aim of discovering new voices and nurturing an author‑driven perspective in an international context. Citizens of the countries mentioned above who are currently residing in them can submit their applications here until 2 March. Its director and head of studies, Xavier Solano, shares the details of the programme.
Cineuropa: What is the vision behind EuroCine Lab and what kind of projects and talent is this call seeking to support?
Xavier Solano: Euro CineLab is a programme organised by Cineuropa and designed in collaboration with the European Union Delegations in Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras and Panama. Its aim is to offer young talents their first experience in the world of cinema, giving them with the opportunity to train and develop their creativity in a professional environment.
Through an open call, applicants from these four countries can submit their candidacy to be selected for a ten-day intensive training programme. During this period, participants work alongside European professionals who share their knowledge, experience and practical tools.
The training covers all stages of filmmaking, from the initial idea to the production of a short film. The philosophy of Euro CineLab focuses on the importance of real-world practice. Many talented young people, even those with academic training, do not always have the chance to experience the creative and technical process of a film project first-hand.
The programme allows them to demonstrate their potential in a short but intensive period, facing real challenges that stimulate both artistic and professional growth. At the end of the training, participants create a documentary of between three and ten minutes, applying everything they have learned.
These works compete internally, and participants have the chance to win a €1,000 prize, an incentive that recognises their creativity and effort. With this initiative, Euro CineLab not only provides training but also acts as a platform for discovering and supporting future filmmakers, encouraging creativity, collaboration and hands-on learning in an international and professional environment.
What makes EuroCine Lab a particularly important opportunity for emerging filmmakers and professionals who want to work in a European and international context?
Euro CineLab positions itself as a horizontal platform that aims to move away from traditional models of formal education. Part of the programme invites each young filmmaker to create a self-portrait, based on the idea that early works often take an intimate approach to the author’s own reality.
This exercise becomes the starting point for project development, allowing participants to connect their personal experiences with audiovisual storytelling. There are numerous examples of self-referential cinema in Europe, and Euro CineLab shares these experiences with participants, who respond to this methodology with great enthusiasm.
Many of these approaches and techniques are later applied directly in the making of the short films, enriching the projects and giving them an authentic, personal voice.
What would you say to those who are hesitating about whether to submit their project, and why is now the right time to apply to Euro CineLab?
If you are hesitating to submit your project, this is the perfect moment to take the leap. Euro CineLab offers an ideal platform to showcase your talent and passion for film, giving you the opportunity to learn, experiment and connect with industry professionals.
Latin America is a region rich in stories, and programmes like this become strategic allies in transforming those stories into debut short films with international reach. The effectiveness of the programme is already proven: many of the projects created during the laboratory have not only competed within Euro CineLab but have also been selected for other international film festivals — and some have even won awards. This confirms the value and impact of the initiative.
