2026
GAIFF PRO INDUSTRY —
GAIFF Pro Industry is a financing, co-production, and educational platform dedicated to Western Asian documentary, fiction, hybrid, animation, and expanded cinema projects with universal reach (to check the eligible countries, please follow the link here).
The Industry platform runs parallel to the Golden Apricot International Film Festival each year in July in Yerevan, Armenia.
GAIFF Pro offers pitching sessions, year-round master classes with award-winning professionals, workshops targeting all aspects of film making from scriptwriting to pitching, from fundraising to post-production and distribution strategies, and tailored one-on-one meetings with the decision-makers. The event includes Co-production Market, Short Film Market, GAIFF Pro Showcase, and Actors’ Track.
The platform was established in 2019 as the successor to the successful 10-year run of the Directors Across Borders Program.
Accreditation applications opening soon.
GAIFF Pro Co-production Market
Co-production Market includes three main elements:
GAIFF Pro Co-production Market is an international platform designed for emerging filmmakers from the Western Asia region, including its diaspora (please refer to the Regulations and Eligibility section for details). It aims to help filmmakers develop their first or second feature film projects, and to pitch them to accredited international film industry professionals, boosting and establishing co-productions between Western Asia, Europe and beyond.
1
Project Market
2
WIP: Work-in-Progress Market
3
Film Showcase
GAIFF Pro Co-production Market is now open for applications. Read the sections below on how to apply.
The deadline to submit is April 19, 2026, 23:59 AMT.
The upcoming edition of the GAIFF Pro Industry Platform takes place July 13-17, 2026.
The deadline to submit is April 19, 2026, 23:59 AMT.
The upcoming edition of the GAIFF Pro Industry Platform takes place July 13-17, 2026.
2026
SHORT CUTS NEST
The objective of Short Cuts Nest is to boost the development of the short film sector in Armenia. Its aim is to enhance the influence of short films on the wider film industry and to foster the emergence of fresh cinema authors and artists
The deadline to submit is April 19, 2026, 23:59 AMT. The upcoming edition of the GAIFF Pro Industry takes place July 13-17, 2026.
The objective of Short Cuts Nest is to boost the development of the short film sector in Armenia. Its aim is to enhance the influence of short films on the wider film industry and to foster the emergence of fresh cinema authors and artists
The deadline to submit is April 19, 2026, 23:59 AMT. The upcoming edition of the GAIFF Pro Industry takes place July 13-17, 2026.
2026
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2026
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2026
↳ anna-helton.com
Archive
In Focus
While maintaining the fundamental objectives of GAIFF - encouragement of networking and cultural exchange across borders, and preservation of the cultural diversity of the region - the festival added a new section to its activities for the year of 2019. In Focus brought a specific topic/region/idea/concept to the spotlight, opening a new discourse on its cinematic establishment and further prospects of development.
In Focus 2019 covered Poland. In cooperation with Adam Mickiewicz Institute, the program organised various events to bring Polish culture closer. In addition to panel discussions, talks and training, the program included screenings of contemporary and classic films.
While maintaining the fundamental objectives of GAIFF - encouragement of networking and cultural exchange across borders, and preservation of the cultural diversity of the region - the festival added a new section to its activities for the year of 2019. In Focus brought a specific topic/region/idea/concept to the spotlight, opening a new discourse on its cinematic establishment and further prospects of development.
In Focus 2019 covered Poland. In cooperation with Adam Mickiewicz Institute, the program organised various events to bring Polish culture closer. In addition to panel discussions, talks and training, the program included screenings of contemporary and classic films.
CineThink
CineThink Trainings was a year-round program developed by the Golden Apricot International Film Festival (GAIFF) and the “Think” training initiative to support the Armenian film industry. It included workshops, trainings, and pitching sessions for emerging filmmakers.
The core program was a ten-session workshop for ten first- or second-time directors and screenwriters working on feature-length projects, helping them improve their presentation and pitching skills. Participants later presented their projects to local and international investors, distributors, and festival programmers.
The project also organized professional trainings on project development and film packaging, and promoted contemporary Armenian cinema through regional screenings, master classes, and discussions across the country.
The core program was a ten-session workshop for ten first- or second-time directors and screenwriters working on feature-length projects, helping them improve their presentation and pitching skills. Participants later presented their projects to local and international investors, distributors, and festival programmers.
The project also organized professional trainings on project development and film packaging, and promoted contemporary Armenian cinema through regional screenings, master classes, and discussions across the country.
Youth Cinewave
Youth CineWave was a public platform, launched by young filmmakers of Armenia, designed for emerging talents who work on short films. The main purpose of the program was to arrange master classes, idea, and project development workshops, and provide an opportunity for young Armenian filmmakers to cultivate a professional network. Through these workshops, young filmmakers gained essential skills for pitching and presenting ideas, as well as attaining the necessary funding to share their stories.
Armenia-Turkey Cinema Platform
Established in 2009 by Golden Apricot Fund for Cinema Development (GAFCD) and Anadolu Kultur (Turkey), the Armenia-Turkey Cinema Platform (ATCP) was intended to facilitate co-production between Armenia and Turkey. It served as a working platform for film professionals from both countries. ATCP was dedicated to transnational and multilateral cultural cooperation, professional training, and knowledge exchange.
From the inception of ATCP till 2019, the platform had a full-fledged network with more than 250 participants from both countries, and it brought to life over 20 documentary and short film projects, facilitated more than 200 inter-state exchange visits, and produced and distributed the first Armenian-Turkish cinema Almanac. Films from ATCP have been screened in different international film festivals and cultural centres, attracting broad audiences from around the world.
From the inception of ATCP till 2019, the platform had a full-fledged network with more than 250 participants from both countries, and it brought to life over 20 documentary and short film projects, facilitated more than 200 inter-state exchange visits, and produced and distributed the first Armenian-Turkish cinema Almanac. Films from ATCP have been screened in different international film festivals and cultural centres, attracting broad audiences from around the world.
