Applications are now open for MASO's short film training programme to promote the voices and ideas of creative people and, in so doing, create a more open, colourful and diverse film and television landscape.

MASO #1, the first edition of the programmewill give eight creative teams, sixteen participants in all, the opportunity to create their short films under the supervision and guidance of international experts.

MASO is exclusively aimed at creative teams made up of a director/screenwriter and a producer supported by a production company (maximum 2 professionals participants per creative team), who have an idea for a low-budget short film that they want to develop from story to production. The short films films using different directing styles (fiction, animation, hybrids) are accepted.

Information on funding

• The costs of participating in MASO #1 are covered by a €5,000 grant from a specific institution sponsoring one of the projects.
• MASO #1's organising partners will provide accommodation and two meals a day for each creative team selected for the workshops and the on-site pitch. Travel expenses will not be covered.

Favourite projects

• The total number of projects selected for each edition of the programme is 8. For the 2024/2025 edition, hereafter MASO #1, projects will be selected according to the following provisions:
  • 1 project supported by a production company based in South Tyrol (Italy), which will be sponsored by the Autonomous Province of Bolzano/Bozen
  • South Tyrol through the IDM Südtirol Film Commission;
  • 2 projects backed by a production company based in any country in the world, to be sponsored by IDM Film Commission Südtirol;
  • 1 project supported by a production company based in Austria, which will be sponsored by the Federal Ministry for the Arts, Culture, the Civil Service and Sport (BMKOES) and the Austrian professional association Fachverband der Film- und Musikwirtschaft (FAMA);
  • 1 project supported by a production company based in the Land of Hesse (Germany), which will be sponsored by Hessen Film & Medien GmbH; - 1 project supported by a production company based in the autonomous region of Friuli Venezia Giulia (Italy), eligible for financial support from the Fondo per l'Audiovisivo del Friuli Venezia Giulia ;
  • 1 project submitted by a production company based in the Centre-Val de Loire region (France), sponsored by Ciclic Centre-Val de Loire ;
  • 1 project supported by a production company based in the counties of Nordland, Troms and Finnmark (Norway), which will be sponsored by Nordnorsk Filmsenter-North Norwegian Film Centre.

How is it structured?

• MASO is structured in five phases:
  • Selection process
  • Development of short films
  • Pre-production of short films
  • Short film production
  • Promoting short films

When is it scheduled?

• MASO #1 runs according to the following timetable:
  • The development takes place from 26 November to 3 December 2024.
  • The scenario writing phase runs from December 2024 to March 2025. Online meetings with tutors will be scheduled for each project individually during this period. Each meeting will be scheduled every three to four weeks. Each meeting will last a few hours, depending on the needs of each project.
  • The production development workshop will take place in April 2025. More precise dates will be announced by the end of 2024. The pre-production and production phases of the short films will take place according to the requirements of each project, starting at least in April 2025.
  • The expected completion date for the film projects is the end of 2025. The completion date will be discussed and agreed with the MASO team on an individual basis.
  • The distribution phase will begin on the completion date of each project.
  • The ASAM team will inform participants of any changes to the date and time as soon as new information becomes available.

Where is it located?

• MASO #1 takes place in several locations, on site and online.
• The story development workshop will take place in Norway, at FilmCamp Norway in the town of Øverbygd. The script-writing phase will take place online.
• The production development workshop takes place in Italy during the Bolzano Bozen Film Festival in the city of Bolzano at ZeLIG - School of Documentary, Television and New Media.
• The pre-production, production and distribution phases of the short films will take place according to the needs of each project. Online follow-up meetings with MASO staff will be scheduled for each project individually.
• The MASO team will inform participants of any change of venue as soon as new information becomes available.

Eligibility criteria

• Candidates with little experience are also encouraged to apply.
• Participants from all over the world can apply.
• Each project submitted must be supported by a production company at the time of application and throughout the production and completion of the film.

Translation

• All accompanying documents must be submitted in English.
• Workshops, meetings and project pitches will be conducted exclusively in English.
• The working documents for the short film projects will be written in English.
• The final script for the short film and the final project can be developed in any language.

For more information, please visit IDM Südtirol Film Commission website.