Euregion Film Forum is the film event in the heart of our vibrant border region. From March 19–21, join us in Maastricht for three days of film, creativity and cross-border collaboration at Lumière Cinema.
Euregion Film Forum 2026
The 2026 edition of Euregion Film Forum will focus on low-budget filmmaking. From funding to teamwork to distribution: discover how to make your next film a success with limited resources. Whether you're a student, emerging filmmaker or seasoned creative, there’s something for everyone!
Not a filmmaker but you do love (watching) films? Join us to get inspired by the newest short and feature films from the Euregion!
Check out the program below!
Where: Lumière Cinema Maastricht
When: 19-21 March 2026
Tickets: buy your tickets here!
Please be aware that the full program of the Euregion Film Forum is in English.
Program
Expect inspiring masterclasses, a vibrant Makers Day, fresh films from the region, and talent showcases through the Euregion Shorts Competition and Talent Film Pitch! Click on the dates and events below to learn more!
More will be announced in the following weeks. Keep an eye on this page and the CineSud Instagram for updates!
Makers Day
Join us for a fun and inspiring day all about low-budget filmmaking! Presenter Theo Ploeg will take you through a day full of short films, talks, pitches and more!
12:30-13:00 Walk-in
Start your day with a fresh cup of coffee or tea and get ready for the day ahead!
13:00-13:45 Funding Low-Budget Films 101
How do you get a film off the ground when your budget is tight? Stefan Slok (Voor de Kunst), Sofie Delrue (Vlaams Audiovisueel Fonds) and Lore Loyens (director) discuss how filmmakers can finance their low-budget projects without losing creativity (or their sanity). Learn how crowdfunding, grants, community support and smart planning can turn a small budget into a big project.
13:45-14:15 Low Budget, High Impact: a Case Study
Director and producer Karel Konings walks us through the making process of his short film Vogelkooi. This case study offers a behind-the-scenes look into the challenges and triumphs of a low-budget production.
14:15-15:00 Talent Film Pitch
The CineSud Talent Film Pitch is back during Euregion Film Forum 2026! Talents from the Euregion will take the stage to pitch their short film idea in front of the audience. A professional jury will choose who will win the Best Pitch award and a €2.000 production grant.
The selected participants will be announced in February!
15:00-15:15 Dutch Film Talents to Cannes 2026 announcement
Find out who will participate in Dutch Film Talents to Cannes 2026 and will travel to the Cannes Film Festival in May.
15:15-15:45 Coffee & Vlaai Break
This is your chance to meet new people and enjoy a piece of Limburgse vlaai.
15:45-16:30 Euregion Student Competition
Come witness a selection of short films created by local students and find out about the stories behind the films during the Q&A. Made specifically for Euregion Film Forum, these films will compete for a €500 prize.
16:30-17:30 Round Tables & Awards
It’s time to meet and mingle! Join our Round Tables to meet the speakers, jury, participants of the competitions and other guests of the day. Afterwards, we will toast to the day and find out who the winners are of the Talent Film Pitch and the Student Competition!
Closed cast and crew screening of the films made within ShortsLab 2025, followed by a Q&A with the directors and drinks to celebrate their achievements!
Riffel - Yentl Vlachos
De Magistraten - Jop Emonts
Squeak! - Danae Grannetia
A great film is only half the battle; a great strategy is the rest. This masterclass offers a deep dive into the business of (short) film distribution and is designed specifically for (emerging) creators thinking, ‘what now?’. Coach Zahra Benasri (Hors du Bocal) will break down the festival circuit, digital platforms, and the strategic tools you need to build a distribution plan that gets your short film the attention it deserves.
Editing is the last writing part of any film: this is where rhythm, emotion and meaning take shape. In this masterclass, coach Axel Skovdal Roelofs will provide insights on how to strengthen storytelling through intentional and creative editing choices. Participants will leave with practical tools and a stronger understanding of rhythm, structure and storytelling.
On March 21st, join us at Lumière Cinema Maastricht to experience the newest short films made by emerging Euregional directors. Meet the directors, hear all about their ideas and processes and feel the energy in the room as we find out who will be crowned the winners of the competition!
Don’t miss this evening of (Eu)regional talent and discover the incredible stories being told right in your backyard.
The selected films will be announced in February!
Tickets
March 20 | Makers Day - Tickets
March 20 | Makers Day - Student Tickets
March 20 | ShortsLab Special - Tickets (code needed)
March 21 | Masterclass Distribution - Tickets
March 21 | Masterclass Editing - Tickets
March 21 | Euregion Shorts Competition - Tickets
Are you a Club CineSud member? Find your discount code in the Club CineSud portal.
Meet the Guests
Meet our panel of professionals who will be lending us their expertise during the Euregion Film Forum! Click on the pictures to read more about their experience and backgrounds.
Sofie Delrue
Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF)
Sofie Delrue is part of the team at the Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF), where she currently holds the position of Project Manager. In this role, she is responsible for minority co-productions of feature films and documentaries within the structural collaboration between Flanders and its partner funds in French-speaking Belgium and the Netherlands. She also oversees Filmlab — the VAF support line dedicated to experimental audiovisual work. She holds a Master’s degree in Theatre and Film Studies from the University of Antwerp.
Stefan Slok
Voor de Kunst
Stefan Slok is a project supervisor at voordekunst and creativefunding. Stefan studied Art & Economics in Utrecht and is a practicing visual artist. Using his experience in the cultural sector, he guides creators and creative institutions in setting up successful crowdfunding campaigns.
Lore Loyens
Director
Lore Loyens is a film director based in Antwerp, Belgium. She graduated from KASK School of Arts in 2024 with a master’s degree in film direction. Her graduation film 'Where the Black Sand Burns' won the Award for Best Short Film at Filmfestival Oostende 2025. In 2023, she directed 'Subterranean', which premiered at Film Fest Gent and drew media attention for its innovative approach. With a background in casting, Lore’s work is defined by her focus on actor direction.
Lore has been actively involved in various film festivals, serving as a juror for the Giornate degli Autori award at the Venice Film Festival in 2022 as the Belgian ambassador for 27 Times Cinema. She was part of the +18 jury at the Giffoni Film Festival in 2019, participated in the Kinoguarimba film residency in Italy in 2021, and was part of the Odense Talent Camp at the Odense Film Festival in 2024.
Karel Konings
Director & Producer
Karel Konings, born in Belgium, earned a Master’s degree in Engineering Science at KU Leuven. Because he didn’t feel fully fulfilled by this career path, he decided to study at the Amsterdam Academy for Theatre and Dance. During his studies, he discovered his passion for storytelling and filmmaking. His most recent short film, Vogelkooi (Birdcage), won the BeTV Award at BIFFF 2024 and screened at genre festivals such as Fantasia and Imagine. Later that year, he worked as a production coordinator on the documentary Blue Notes & Higher Grounds by IJswater Films. His newest short film, How to Use the Ghost of a Dead Tour Guide to Launch an Energy Drink, is currently in post-production. All of the crew members listed below also worked on that project.
Axel Skovdal Roelofs
Editor
Axel Skovdal Roelofs (1976, Sittard, The Netherlands) has been active as an editor and editing coach for Dutch and international drama and documentaries for 20 years. He studied film- and television at the University of Utrecht and in 2006 he graduated from the Netherlands Film Academy. He has regularly returned to the Film Academy as guest teacher and coach.
Zahra Benasri
Sales agent
Zahra Benasri was born in Liège, Belgium. After studying European studies in the Netherlands, she decided to pursue her lifelong passion: cinema. Her experience in various areas of the film industry, including marketing, festivals, film sales, and production, led her to found Hors du bocal. Hors du bocal is a Belgian international film sales company dedicated to promoting high-quality, original independent arthouse films, with the ambition of discovering the emerging filmmakers of today and the talents of tomorrow.
Contact us.
Do you have any questions regarding this event? Contact us by using the contact form below.
