Founded by award-winning producers Joana Vicente and Jason Kliot, with decades of experience making independent films and leading some of the world's most influential film institutions, festivals, and labs, Open Cities is a filmmaker-led accelerator supporting independent directors and producers with completed feature-length scripts who want to explore working with emerging technologies.

The accelerator program supports up to ten projects, creating a focused, creative environment where artistic ambition and disciplined experimentation go hand in hand. We work with emerging and established filmmakers pursuing ambitious work driven by a clear, distinctive voice. Selected participants - a single filmmaker or a two-person team - take part in a three-month virtual program and conclude with a ten-day onsite residency in Portugal and a pitch day with invited industry professionals. There is no requirement that projects be set, shot, or produced in Portugal - we support filmmakers and stories from anywhere in the world.

Each team is paired with accomplished mentors across writing, directing, producing, creative technology, and industry leaders - receiving hands-on creative and strategic counsel tailored to their specific project. We help each team assess their film's creative and budgetary demands, connect them with the right technologists and tools, and build a production strategy around the film's actual needs. Participants work within a small cohort of peers equally committed to ambitious, uncompromising work.

The program is not designed for the production of full generative AI feature films. It is for filmmakers who want to use emerging technologies - including AI - as tools in service of their vision.

Participants graduate with a strengthened script, a production roadmap, the framework of a business plan, pre-visualizations of key elements of their project, and a prototype derived from their technological and artistic experimentation.

WHAT SELECTED PROJECTS RECEIVE:

The program comprises three key elements that aim to move through phases of Inspiration, Development, Experimentation, Market Positioning and culminate in a Pitch session:

• 6 Virtual Sessions between July and October 2026
• Ongoing Mentor Support throughout the program
• On-Site Residency in Portugal from November 1-10, 2026

Selected participants will receive:

• Accommodations and group meals provided for the residency program in Lisbon
• 1:1 Bespoke creative and technology mentorship guiding script development and technological experimentation
• Guest speakers and feedback from industry guests across visualization, production, sales, marketing, distribution, and creative technologies
• Workshops and masterclasses on AI and emerging technologies in filmmaking
• A cohort-based model encouraging peer-to-peer exchange
• Ethical and legal frameworks for responsible AI integration
• Industry exposure opportunities
• Pitch training and preparation
• A Tech Sprint - a structured period of hands-on experimentation with tools and technologists
• A live industry pitch event
• Off-site excursions connecting participants with Lisbon's cultural landscape and creative community

Participants graduate with a strengthened script, a production roadmap, the framework of a business plan, pre-visualizations of key elements of their project, and a prototype derived from their technological and artistic experimentation.
COST

A non-refundable application fee is required upon submission: $60 for applications completed by the Early Deadline (April 24), and $75 for applications submitted by the Extended Deadline.

SELECTED PROJECTS ONLY

Open Cities does not take ownership or creative control of your project. In exchange for mentorship, strategic support, and production resources, participants grant Open Cities a 2% production fee contribution from the total budget and a 2.5% deferred participation in net proceeds, in the event the film is produced. After the program Open Cities International Lda. will have a 90-day exclusive window to negotiate an option, production, or co-production agreement for your project

CREDIT REQUIREMENT

Projects that go into production agree to include the Open Cities Logo and the credit: "Developed with support from the Open Cities Accelerator."


WHO SHOULD APPLY & ELIGIBILITY

Applications are open to directors and producers.

Applicants must:

• be at least eighteen (18) years of age
• hold the rights necessary to submit the project
• submit a narrative feature film project
• have a draft of a completed screenplay
• have a director attached who has completed a short film or feature that has received festival selection or critical recognition
• be committed to maintaining artistic integrity and to the responsible use of emerging technologies, including thoughtful consideration of authorship, consent, and the human dimensions of the work
• be open to an environment where experimentation is actively encouraged

Applicants for selected projects must be available for all program dates. The program will be conducted in English.


OUR COMMITMENT TO DIVERSITY

Open Cities is committed to building a cohort that reflects the full breadth of global filmmaking. We actively encourage applications from filmmakers who are underrepresented in the industry - including but not limited to women, people of color, LGBTQ+ filmmakers, filmmakers with disabilities, and those working outside major film industry centers. We believe that a diversity of perspectives, backgrounds, and ways of working is essential to the kind of cinema we want to support. Selection is based on the strength of artistic vision and the fit of the project, not on access to resources, existing industry relationships, or prior experience with technology.


SUBMISSION AND MATERIALS CHECKLIST

Before starting your application on Film Freeway, please review the checklist below to make sure you meet all criteria.

Projects must be:
• narrative feature film projects
• written in English, or submitted with an English version of the script

You will be asked to submit three PDFs, as follows:

DOCUMENT 1:
• Biography of Writer, Director and Producer (200 words max each)
• Long Synopsis (1-3 pages)
• Director and Producer's Statement
• Links to previous work (with relevant passwords if any)
• Short essay (300-word cap): Open Cities combines script development with hands-on experimentation with emerging technologies to help filmmakers realize ambitious projects on their own terms. Describe the creative or production challenges facing your project, how you hope the blend of creative development and technological experimentation will impact your work, and your current familiarity with these tools. What are the goals you wish to achieve from the program?

DOCUMENT 2:
• Screenplay draft

DOCUMENT 3:
• Pitch deck / Look book

On Film Freeway, you will also be asked to enter the following:
• One paragraph project description
• Email address
• Phone number
• Website / LinkedIn
• Genre (if applicable)
• Social handles (if applicable)
• Link to short or feature film


KEY DATES

Call for Entries Open: March 16, 2026
Early Deadline: April 24, 2026 (midnight EST)
Extended Deadline: May 8th (midnight EST)
Selection of Projects Commences: June 29, 2026
Virtual Sessions: July - October 2026
In-Person Residency in Portugal: November 1-10, 2026


CONTACT

For questions: submissions@open-cities.com


FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

WHAT TOOLS WILL I NEED ACCESS TO, AND WHO PAYS FOR THEM?
Open Cities will provide participants with guidance and relevant tools as part of the program.

WHAT PROGRAM COSTS ARE COVERED?
Selected participants receive accommodation and group meals for the residency program in Lisbon.

WHAT IS YOUR AI POLICY?
Open Cities takes an ethical, human-led approach to AI and emerging technologies. We do not require or endorse the use of any specific tool. We believe AI should serve the filmmaker's vision - not replace it - and that the creative, authorial, and ethical dimensions of that choice belong to the filmmaker. Questions of consent, representation, and the provenance of the work matter to us. We support participants in thinking through these questions rigorously, so that the choices they make are considered, and their own.

WHO FROM MY TEAM CAN JOIN THE PROGRAM?
Up to two core collaborators (a director and producer) may participate in all elements of the program, including the in-person residency in Portugal. We strongly encourage the writer(s) to participate in the appropriate virtual stage of the program. If a producer is not yet attached to the project, Open Cities will work to match the director with a Producer Mentor for the length of the program.

WHO WILL BE THE MENTORS?
Each project will be paired with mentors drawn from the network of our founders and team - an international roster of accomplished directors, producers, writers, and other practitioners selected for the specific needs of that project. Every cohort will also have a dedicated Creative Technologist who partners with each project through the full twelve weeks, working with the Open Cities team to identify the right tools, technologies, and partners for that production and integrating them directly with the team. Mentors will be matched to each project based on its narrative, creative, and technological requirements.

DO I NEED FINANCING ALREADY ATTACHED?
No. Projects at a range of financing stages are welcome to apply.

HOW MANY PROJECTS WILL BE SELECTED?
Up to 10 projects will be selected for the cohort.

IS THERE A SHORTLIST STAGE OR INTERVIEW PROCESS?
Yes. Shortlisted applicants may be invited to a virtual interview before final selections are made.

WHAT MATERIALS ARE REQUIRED AT THE INITIAL APPLICATION STAGE?
See the Submission and Materials Checklist above.

WHAT DO YOU MEAN BY "AI" OR "EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES"?
We use these terms broadly to include cinematic AI tools, virtual production technologies, machine learning-assisted workflows, and other emerging digital tools that are reshaping how films are developed, produced, and distributed. You do not need to be a technical expert to apply.

IS THERE AN APPLICATION FEE?
$60 - Early Deadline (April 24th)
$75 - Extended Deadline (May 8th)

WHAT HAPPENS AT THE END OF THE PROGRAM?
The residency concludes with a pitch day for invited industry guests. Participants leave with a strengthened script, a production roadmap, a business plan framework, pre-visualizations of key project elements, and a working prototype — along with relationships with mentors, technologists, and industry professionals built over the course of the program.

WILL OPEN CITIES TAKE EQUITY OR OWNERSHIP OF MY PROJECT?
Open Cities does not take ownership or creative control of your project. In return for the mentorship, strategic support, and production resources provided, participants agree to a program participation fee of 2% of total production budget and 2.5% of net profits. After the program, Open Cities International Lda. will have a 90-day exclusive window to negotiate an option, production, or co-production agreement for your project

WHAT IS THE SELECTION PROCESS?
Applications will be reviewed by the Open Cities team and selected industry advisors. A shortlist stage will include virtual interviews. Selection will be based on:
• Strength of artistic vision
• Clarity of project development
• Thoughtful approach to emerging technologies
• Alignment with Open Cities' creative and ethical values

INELIGIBLE MATERIAL

The following are not eligible: projects that infringe copyright or break international regulations concerning the ownership of intellectual property.

Awards & Prizes

10 Open Cities Fellowships to participate in the Open Cities Accelerator

Rules & Terms

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Applicable to all applicants and selected participants. These Terms apply to anyone who submits an application or participates in the Open Cities Accelerator Program. By applying, you confirm that you have read and agree to these Terms.

1. ELIGIBILITY AND APPLICATION

By applying, you confirm that all information in your application is accurate and complete. Incomplete or inaccurate applications may be disqualified at any stage. You must own or control the rights to everything you submit, and be able to show a clear chain of title (including any option or assignment agreements, if applicable) on request.

To be eligible, you must:
• be at least 18 years old
• hold the rights necessary to submit the project
• submit a narrative feature film project
• have completed at least a first draft of the screenplay
• have completed at least one short film or feature that has received festival selection or critical recognition

2. APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants will be required to submit:

PDF 1:
• Biography of Writer, Director and Producer (200 words max each)
• Long Synopsis (1-3 pages)
• Director and Producer's Statement
• Links to previous work (with relevant passwords if any)
• Short essay (300-word cap): Open Cities combines script development with hands-on experimentation with emerging technologies to help filmmakers realize ambitious projects on their own terms. Describe the creative or production challenges facing your project, how you hope the blend of creative development and technological experimentation will impact your work, and your current familiarity with these tools. What are the goals you wish to achieve from the program?

PDF 2:
• Screenplay

PDF 3:
• Look-book / Pitch deck

You will also be asked to enter the following on Film Freeway:
• One paragraph project description
• Email address
• Phone number
• Website / LinkedIn
• Genre (if applicable)
• Social handles (if applicable)
• Link to short or feature film

Applications that are incomplete or do not comply with submission guidelines may not be considered.

3. APPLICATION FEE

A non-refundable application fee of $60 applies for the Early Deadline (April 24th) and $75 for the Extended Deadline (May 8th). Please make sure you meet the eligibility requirements before applying.

4. OWNERSHIP OF SUBMITTED MATERIALS

You keep full ownership of everything you submit. Your intellectual property remains yours. Submitting your materials does not transfer any ownership or copyright to Open Cities.

5. USE OF SUBMITTED MATERIALS

By applying, you give Open Cities permission to use certain submitted materials - such as your logline, synopsis, biography, and headshot - for:
• evaluation and selection
• program communication
• promotional materials relating to the Program

This may include use on the Open Cities website, in program materials, and in press communications. Open Cities will not share your full scripts or other confidential materials with anyone outside the selection and mentorship process without your permission.

6. SIMILAR PROJECTS

You acknowledge that Open Cities may receive or develop projects with similar themes or concepts. Similarity alone does not give rise to any claim.

7. CONFIDENTIALITY

Open Cities treats all submitted materials as confidential during the selection process. If you are selected, you may be exposed to the work of other participants. You are expected to keep all peer materials confidential and not share or reproduce them outside the program.

8. WARRANTIES AND INDEMNIFICATION

By applying, you confirm that:
• your submitted materials are original or properly licensed
• you have the rights needed to submit the project
• your materials do not infringe anyone else's rights

You agree to take responsibility for any claims that arise if these statements turn out not to be true.

9. SELECTION PROCESS

Applications are reviewed by the Open Cities team and a panel of industry advisors. A limited number of projects will be selected to participate in the Program. All selection decisions are final. Open Cities is unable to provide individual feedback to applicants who are not selected. If you are shortlisted, you may be invited to a virtual interview as part of the selection process. Being shortlisted does not guarantee selection.

10. PARTICIPATION COMMITMENT

If selected, you must be fully available for all program activities, including virtual sessions and the full in-person residency in Portugal. If you cannot guarantee your availability at the time of selection, your project may be considered withdrawn.

You agree to actively participate in all program activities, including:
• workshops
• mentorship sessions
• assignments
• Pitch Day presentations

Open Cities may withdraw a project from the program if a participant cannot meet these commitments.

11. DEVELOPMENT SUPPORT

Selected projects receive development support through participation in the Program, including mentorship, project strategy, and industry guidance provided by Open Cities and its partners. This support is intended to help projects strengthen their creative approach, refine their production strategy, and prepare for potential financing and production. Open Cities also encourages the thoughtful use of emerging technologies, including AI-enabled tools, where they may support creative development and help independent productions operate more efficiently. In the event that a selected project proceeds to production, the parties acknowledge that Open Cities may be entitled to development reimbursement as described below.

12. DEVELOPMENT RECOUPMENT

If a selected project proceeds to production following participation in the Program, Open Cities will be entitled to receive a development reimbursement equal to two percent (2%) of the final production budget of the film. This reimbursement reflects the development support and strategic guidance provided through the Open Cities Accelerator, including mentorship, production planning, industry introductions, and innovation strategies developed during the Program. Open Cities expects that its involvement during the accelerator process may contribute to substantive production efficiencies and cost savings, including through creative development, production strategy, and the integration of emerging technologies and AI-enabled tools where appropriate.

13. BACKEND PARTICIPATION

If a selected project proceeds to production, Open Cities will be entitled to receive two and one-half percent (2.5%) of Net Profits derived from the completed film. The definition of Net Profits will follow the definition contained in the film's financing or collection agreement.

14. EXCLUSIVE NEGOTIATION PERIOD

After the Program's final presentation event (Pitch Day), Open Cities International Lda. will have a 90-day exclusive window to negotiate an option, production, or co-production agreement for your project. During this 90-day period, you agree not to enter into binding agreements with other parties regarding your project.

15. PRODUCTION AGREEMENTS

Any option, production, financing, or co-production deal between Open Cities and you will be set out in a separate written agreement. Being part of the Program does not mean Open Cities International, Lda. is obligated to option, finance, or produce your project.

16. CREDIT

If your project goes into production, you agree to include the following credit and to clearly display the Open Cities logo in the end titles of your film: "Developed with support from the Open Cities Accelerator."

17. PUBLICITY

Open Cities may use the following for promotional purposes relating to the Program:
• participant names
• project titles
• loglines
• still images or agreed upon materials provided by participants

18. WITHDRAWAL OR DISQUALIFICATION

Open Cities reserves the right to withdraw or disqualify any project if:
• submission information is inaccurate
• participation requirements are not met
• the applicant or any core collaborator engages in unlawful conduct or makes materially false representations in connection with the application
• the applicant or any core collaborator engages in conduct that Open Cities reasonably determines to be harmful to the reputation, integrity, or values of the program
• these Terms are violated

19. PROGRAM MODIFICATIONS

Open Cities may adjust the program's structure, schedule, mentors, or format if needed.

20. FORCE MAJEURE

Open Cities is not responsible for cancellation or changes to the Program caused by events beyond its control, such as natural disasters, public health emergencies, travel restrictions, or government actions.

21. DATA PROTECTION

Personal information you provide will be used by Open Cities for selection, program administration, and communication. Your data will not be sold or shared with third parties outside the program without your consent. Your data will be handled in line with applicable data protection laws, including the GDPR where it applies.

Open Cities will not use your submitted scripts or story materials to train, fine-tune, or otherwise develop any artificial intelligence model. This applies to all AI tools used within the program and to any third-party platforms or vendors engaged by Open Cities.

22. GOVERNING LAW

These Terms are governed by the laws of the United States. Any disputes arising in connection with the Program shall be subject to the jurisdiction of the courts of New York, unless otherwise required by applicable law.