applications for the 2026 edition are now open

Pustnik Residency expands to both debut and sophomore feature films.

There are no application or participation fees and the organisers cover the costs of accommodation and meals, as well as transport within Romania.  Visas and international transport are the responsibility of each participant.

Residents are selected by the co-founders of Pustnik, Andreea Bortun (writer/director, Romania) and Bryn Chainey (writer/director, UK/Australia).

The 2026 September residency selection will be announced at the beginning of July. 

Eligibility criteria:

•   You must be available during the entirety of the residency (15-22 September 2026).

•   You must have a previous screenwriting credit on a short fiction film that has screened at a festival in this list. This is an eligibility criterion which applies to both debut and sophomore features.

•  Application projects must be fiction. That means no hybrid documentary, animation, TV series, web series, or video art. However we accept and encourage projects with alternative narrative structures.

•   Please only apply with one project. If you are a writing duo, please apply together.

•   All materials must be submitted in English. An advanced level of English is required for all activities.

Files to be added to the application form (as one single pdf): 

•   Filmography and short bio (maximum 200 words)

•   Headshot

•   Synopsis of your project (maximum three pages)

•   Mood board

•   Writer's intention note: Why is this project important to you? What’s burning? How far along is the development process? What are the obstacles you have faced so far? What specifically will you work on during Pustnik? Do you already have a producer attached? Who is the intended audience? What are some reference films?

•   Previous work: if you are applying with your debut feature, please provide a link to your short film. For sophomore features, please provide a link to your short film and a 15 minute excerpt of your debut feature. 

Deadline: 14 April 2026, 23:59 CET

As a non-profit project, Pustnik charges no application or participation fees. 

Click here to download the application form, where you will also find the full details on what to expect and what we expect from you. 

Please send your application as a single pdf to apply@pustnik.com. 

You can also contact our project manager Oana Furdea (oana@pustnik.com) if you have any questions.