Deadline: 20-Oct-2025
The Caleidoscoop invites new and experienced filmmakers to develop their own unique film projects within a year, using a low-budget concept.
The program focuses on films that stand out for their urgency, courage, and originality. These films also push the boundaries in both content and approach. Projects are assessed based on a clear, consistent cinematographic concept and the coherence between form, content, and approach, both creatively and commercially. Therefore, it is crucial that the plan is supported by the entire team. Teamwork is central to Caleidoscoop.
With its streamlined financing process and substantial contribution, Caleidoscoop encourages creativity, diversity, and fresh perspectives in the Dutch film sector. Applicants can request either a project development grant of up to €28,750 or a realization grant ranging from €300,000 to €550,000, depending on the type of project and its ambition. For realization grants, an additional contribution of up to €3,000 is available for sustainable production practices.
The program requires a strong collaborative setup from the outset, with a producer, director, and, in the case of fiction, a writer as the core team. During production, this team expands to include heads of department and key creative contributors. Importantly, the director or writer cannot also act as the producer. Eligible production companies must be established legal entities, operating for at least two years within the Netherlands, EU, EEA, or Switzerland, and have a proven track record in film production.
The assessment process involves both artistic and business evaluation. A committee reviews the creative quality, originality, and coherence of the proposal, while the Production Office and Subsidy Office check the business and production aspects. Applications are judged against cultural criteria and state aid rules, ensuring diversity, enrichment, and innovation in Dutch film.
Applicants must provide a comprehensive set of documents including a synopsis, script or equivalent structure, notes from key team members, CVs, budget and financing plan, work plan, positioning and release plan, agreements with key contributors, and viewing material. For realization applications, an extract from the Chamber of Commerce is also required. Only complete applications will be reviewed.
Applicants may also opt to present their projects to the committee in a live 20-minute session at the Netherlands Film Fund office on September 23, 2025. While optional, this presentation offers teams an opportunity to expand on both artistic and financial aspects of their proposals. The deadline for applications is October 20, 2025.
For more information, visit Dutch Film Fund.