Dear Screen Institute Community,

We’re happy to share the latest news from the International Screen Institute as we start 2026.
From upcoming events and industry gatherings to new programmes and partner opportunities — here’s what’s coming up next:

• Launch of our new ISI website and opening of applications for all 2026 programmes

• Meet ISI at CIMIx 2026 in Vienna

• Networking moment at IFFR Rotterdam

• Save the Date – Panel at EFM

• WEMW Recap

• Highlights from Pixel, Bytes + Film

• Partner news and opportunities from our wider network

Applications Opening Soon

Mark your calendar for Monday, 26 January — we’ll be opening applications for all our new 2026 programmes.

Don’t miss our early bird deadline on 23 February, which offers a reduced participation fee across our programmes.

Sign up here to get a reminder when applications open
We’re looking forward to welcoming many new faces to this year’s programmes.

Meet ISI at CIMIx 2026

From 27–29 January 2026, CIMIx – The Transformation Edition takes place in Vienna, bringing together professionals from the creative industries, business, and innovation sectors to explore collaboration, new business models, and sustainable change.

The International Screen Institute will be present with a stand throughout the event. If you’re attending, feel free to stop by, say hello, and connect with us in person.

You’ll find us in the Zwischengeschoß, C1, opposite Hall 2 — we’re always happy to meet familiar faces and new ones alike. 

ISI @ CIMIx | Showcase: Future Ready and Hands-on AI Producer Lab

On Tuesday, 27 January 2026, the International Screen Institute will present a showcase at CIMIx 2026, introducing two new training programmes: Future Ready and the Hands-on AI Producers Lab.

In this session, Programme Director Eva Fischer shares insights into how ISI is responding to the rapid technological, legal, and creative transformations shaping the audiovisual industry.

Tuesday, 27 January 2026

14:00–14:30

Hall 6 | Track 2 – Business Transformation

Networking Drinks at IFFR Rotterdam

During the International Film Festival Rotterdam, the International Screen Institute invites festival guests to join us for an informal evening of networking and exchange.

Hosted in collaboration with ACE Producers, EAVE, Cinelink, and MIDPOINT, the gathering brings together friends, collaborators, and film professionals from across the international industry. It’s a moment to reconnect, meet new voices, and continue conversations beyond the festival programme.

The Networking Drinks will take place on Monday, 2 February, from 21:30 to 01:00, at Supermercado in Rotterdam.

Registration is required by 29 January.

Save the Date – ISI at Berlinale EFM

International Screen Institute presents: AI meets IP
What Creators and Producers Need to Know – Relevant Legal Perspectives

During the European Film Market, the International Screen Institute will host a panel taking a practical look at how AI is reshaping development, production, and exploitation, and what this means for creators and producers today.

The discussion will focus on key legal questions around copyright, authorship, chain of title, liability, and deal-making, highlighting both risks and opportunities in an AI-driven landscape.

Sunday, 15 February
Gropius Bau, Producers Hub

In addition, the International Screen Institute will be present with an information stand at the EFM. You’ll find us on the 2nd floor of the Gropius Bau, as well as at the Creative Europe MEDIA stand. Feel free to stop by, say hello, and connect with us.

More information will follow soon.

Inspirational Lab at When East Meets West

From 18–20 January in Trieste, we hosted the Sustainable Leadership for Women Inspirational Lab at When East Meets West.

Together with an inspiring group of participants, we explored sustainable leadership and what it means to lead with clarity, confidence, and care. We talked about strengthening professional roles, preventing burnout, and building careers that last. Honest conversations, shared experiences, and a really great time together 

A big thank you to our brilliant experts Katherine Dennis Gonzalez and Bettina Brokemper, and to When East Meets West for hosting us.

The Lab also offered a glimpse into ProPro – The Producers Programme for Women, one of ISI’s flagship programmes designed to empower women in film production to lead and thrive.

News from our Partners & Friends:

Job Opportunity: Executive Director (m/f/d) at D—Arts

D—Arts – Project Office for Diversity is seeking an Executive Director (m/f/d) to take on the financial and operational management of the association, starting 1 March (part-time, 30 hours/week).

D—Arts is an Austria-wide network of cultural institutions working towards greater diversity, discrimination-sensitive practices, and sustainable structural change in the arts and cultural sector.

Application deadline: 1 February 2026
Applications to: office@d-arts.at

Now Live: WebRTC Backrooms

We’re excited to share a new podcast by Me AndOther Me (Cenk Güzelis & Anna Pompermaier), artists who developed their project within Pixel, Bytes + Film.

WebRTC Backrooms dives into XR, AI, and the future of hanging out in the spatial internet, with conversations taking place in peer-to-peer virtual rooms beyond conventional platforms. The first episode, The Backroom of im/possible image resolutions, features Rosa Menkman and explores image standards, resolution, and the politics of seeing.

Since 2025, Pixel, Bytes + Film has been organised by the International Screen Institute and curated by Eva Fischer, supporting artistic exploration at the intersection of moving image, technology, and interaction.

Thank you for reading! Let’s stay connected to learn and train together in Vienna and around the world.

International Screen Institute is supported by Creative Europe MEDIA Sub-programme of the European Union, ÖFI, Terra Mater Studios, Satel Film, UNVERZAGT Rechtsanwälte.

Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or MEDIA sub-programme of Creative Europe. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.