The Your Ciné idea competition, now being held for the fifth time, invites emerging creators to refine their film and series ideas together with mentors! The competition consists of a two-day workshop held on 20–21 May and a pitching competition on 21 August. Apply by 23 March 2026!
WHAT: Open call for the idea competition organized by Espoo Ciné
WHO IS IT FOR: Early-career creators from minority backgrounds (e.g. individuals belonging to gender and sexual minorities, people with disabilities, BIPOC individuals, and members of linguistic minorities).
WHY: Develop your story idea into a finished pitch together with mentors
WHEN: Workshop on 20–21 May and pitching competition on 21 August 2026
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Until 23 March 2026 – Apply here
Launched in 2022, the competition is an initiative of Espoo Ciné to promote a more diverse film industry. It is aimed especially at minorities underrepresented in the Finnish media landscape, whose stories are too rarely seen on the big screen. These include, for example, gender and sexual minorities, people with disabilities and reduced mobility, BIPOC individuals, and members of linguistic minorities. Students, early-career creators, and completely new voices are all eligible to apply.
The competition consists of a workshop held on May 20–21 and a pitching competition on August 21.
An expert jury assembled by Käsikirjoittajien Kilta and Suomen Näytelmäkirjailijat ja Käsikirjoittajat ry (Sunklo) will select approximately ten finalists from the submitted ideas. The selected writers will be invited to participate in the competition workshop. During the workshop days, finalists will meet the competition mentors, receive training in presenting their stories, and further develop their ideas with an assigned mentor. With the mentors’ support, the finalists will craft short pitches of their ideas, which will be presented to the other workshop participants on the second day. Depending on the participants, the workshop language will be Finnish and/or English.
The program culminates in a pitching competition, where a professional jury will select the final winner. The winner will receive a €2,500 prize at the opening screening of Espoo Ciné on August 21.
In previous years, the winners of the Sinun Ciné competition have been Lumo Kumpulainen (2025), Yasmin Najjar (2024), Maaret Louhelainen (2023), and Pinja Eskola (2022).
The application period is open until Monday, March 23, 2026, at 11:59 PM. Applicants selected for the workshop will be notified by April 20, 2026. We warmly encourage creators, students, and enthusiasts from all backgrounds to apply. Espoo Ciné wants to hear your idea and support its journey to the big screen.