The European Short Pitch (ESP) development workshop has announced the 12 projects chosen for ESP 2023|24. The workshop, led by Julie Marnay, head of programme, and Olga Lamontanara, head of Coproduction Forum, has a strong track record of nurturing emerging European talent through its mentorship programme. So far, over 130 films have emerged from this initiative, showcasing the potential of Europe's creative talent pool.

Recent ESP alumni include notable successes like Leila Basma's Sea Salt, which earned a spot in Venice’s Orizzonti in 2023, and Manolis Mavris' Midnight Skin, featured in the 2023 Cannes Critics’ Week.

The projects selected for ESP 2023|24 represent a rich tapestry of Europe's emerging film scene, with contributions from a diverse range of countries. These projects encompass a broad spectrum of storytelling techniques, thematic explorations and cinematic styles, including animation, live action, experimental and documentary. Notably, over half of the selected projects feature female directors or co-writers, underscoring ESP's commitment to promoting diversity within the industry.

The 12 selected projects hail from 11 European countries and encompass a variety of genres. From experimental to live-action fictions, documentaries and animations, the diversity of these projects promises an exciting array of cinematic experiences.

Below is a list of the selected projects:

Bitch - Nadia Parfan
Producer: Phalanstery Films (Ukraine)

Bus Station - Vlad Petri
Producer: Manifest Film (Romania)

Chained - Sara Klimoska
Producer: Unita Film (North Macedonia)

Dancing Pigeons - Christofer Nilsson
Producer: Råttunge Produktion (Sweden)

The Figures' Fall - Mathilde Supe
Producer: La Cellule (France, Focus Brittany)

Hole - Danilo Stanimirović
Producer: Rezon (Serbia)

Joy - Agata Wieczorek
Producer: Futur Anterieur Production (Poland/France)

Night Shift - Ívar Yeoman
Co-writer: Stella Carneiro
Producer: Skýlið Studio (Iceland/Portugal)

Push - Sven Spur
Co-writer: Fran Demeulemeester
Producer: Animal Tank (Belgium)

Tears of Stardust - Vilma Razmutė,
Producer: Artshot (Lithuania)

They Made You Into a Weapon and Told You to Find Peace - Roxana Stroe (Romania/UK)

Tropic of the Morning Gecko - Stavros Markoulakis
Producer: Atalante Productions (Greece)

The selected participants will embark on the development of their projects under the guidance of a team of script consultants. The 2023 ESP tutors bring diverse experiences and international perspectives to the programme, ensuring a well-rounded learning experience for the participants.