Are you enthusiastic about shaping the future of film education for children through creative and innovative workshops? Do you have a distinctive, hands-on project that can inspire educators, filmmakers, and cultural professionals alike? If so, we invite you to become part of Workshop Warehouse 2027, organized by the European Children’s Film Association (ECFA) in collaboration with Cineteca di Bologna and the European Children’s Film Festival Network “Screen the Future” (supported by Creative Europe MEDIA).
About Workshop Warehouse
Workshop Warehouse is a dynamic exchange platform bringing together educators, filmmakers, artists, and creatives to share ideas, collaborate, and explore innovative approaches to children’s film education. Hosted biannually alongside Il Cinema Ritrovato in Bologna, the event creates a unique environment for discussion, experimentation, and professional exchange around film literacy and creative educational practices.
Workshop Warehouse focuses on practical, participatory, and hands-on workshops that can inspire participants through direct experience and active engagement. The event is designed not as a conference or presentation forum, but as a collaborative environment where participants can explore methodologies together.
Call for Workshop Organisers
We are seeking passionate individuals, organizations, collectives, and institutions to organize workshops related to film education for children and young audiences. We welcome proposals connected to film exhibition, filmmaking, animation, storytelling, media literacy, archival practices, interactive media, interdisciplinary arts, and other related areas.
Submission Guidelines
Workshop proposals should reflect the following principles:
- Targeted Age Groups: Applicants should clearly define the intended age group(s) for their workshop and explain how the activities are adapted to the developmental needs and interests of the participants.
- Cross-Disciplinary Approaches: We encourage proposals that combine film education with other fields such as visual arts, music, science, literature, technology, games, cultural heritage, or social engagement.
- Art, Technology, and Creativity: Workshops may explore the relationship between artistic expression and technology, including animation tools, interactive media, digital storytelling, sound, AI-related creative approaches, or other experimental methods.
- Hands-On and Participatory Methodologies: Workshop Warehouse strongly prioritises workshops that are practical, interactive, and participatory. Participants should actively create, experiment, collaborate, reflect, and explore through direct engagement rather than passive listening.
- Proven Experience and Creative Evolution: We highly value proposals that are built upon established foundations and practical experience. Applicants should submit methodologies that have been implemented, tested, or developed in practice, including information about previous contexts or audiences. While we strongly encourage creative evolution and innovative approaches, we ask that concepts are well-developed to ensure the dedicated time of the Workshop Warehouse weekend is utilised effectively, avoiding entirely new, untested ideas.
- Educational Objectives: Applications should clearly explain the educational goals, pedagogical methods, and expected learning outcomes of the workshop.
- Inclusion and Accessibility: Workshop content should be inclusive and accessible to participants from diverse backgrounds, abilities, and learning contexts. We encourage proposals that actively consider representation, accessibility, and different learning styles.
- Interactive and Engaging Workshops: Workshops should encourage meaningful interaction, collaboration, dialogue, and exchange between participants. The event values collective exploration and shared learning experiences.
- Respect, Trust, and Ethical Collaboration: Workshop Warehouse aims to create a respectful and trustworthy environment where participants can exchange ideas openly and safely. Applicants should understand the event as a space for inspiration, dialogue, and collaboration, while respecting the authorship, labour, and creative work of workshop creators.
- Dissemination and Sharing of Knowledge: Applicants are encouraged to reflect on how their workshop experience, methodology, or outcomes could later be shared with wider educational communities, networks, or organizations that may not be able to attend the event directly.
Selection and Communication Process
The Workshop Warehouse Steering Group will review all applications during the summer of 2026. As part of the process, selected applicants may be invited to a short online discussion before final decisions are made. These conversations will help clarify workshop directions, expectations, educational goals, and practical needs.
Applicants should also be prepared to communicate any substantial changes to their workshop proposal during the preparation period.
Mentoring and Collaboration
Selected workshops may be accompanied by members of the Workshop Warehouse Steering Group acting as mentors and moderators during the preparation and presentation process. The mentoring structure is intended to support dialogue, trust, collaboration, and exchange between organisers and participants.
Documentation and Dissemination
Workshop Warehouse may document parts of the event through photographs, written summaries, or other formats for communication and dissemination purposes. Documentation practices will respect the work, authorship, and rights of workshop creators.
Participation Conditions
Workshop Warehouse operates as a collaborative exchange platform within the ECFA network. Participation conditions, practical arrangements, and financial coverage details will be communicated clearly during the selection process.
How to Submit
Please submit your workshop proposal through the official submission form by June 20, 2026. Additional information regarding deadlines, timeline, mentoring meetings, and practical coordination will be communicated after the publication of the call.
For questions or further information, please contact pantelis@ecfaweb.org.
Join Us in Shaping the Future of Film Education
By participating in Workshop Warehouse 2027, you will contribute to a growing European network of educators, artists, filmmakers, and cultural professionals committed to innovative approaches to film education for children and young audiences.
We look forward to receiving your proposals and continuing to build a collaborative and inspiring Workshop Warehouse community in Bologna.