The International Film Festival Rotterdam's Hubert Bals Fund has announced its 2026 HBF+Europe selections, backing eight feature film projects through minority co-production and post-production support.
The fund — one of the most important funding sources for filmmakers from the Global South — selected five projects for minority co-production support and three for post-production support.
HBF+Europe: Minority Co-Production Support
- Bleach — dir. Kaltrina Krasniqi (Kosovo-Bulgaria-Albania-Montenegro)
- Don't Let The Sun Go Up On Me — dir. Asmae El Moudir (Morocco-France-Norway-Denmark-Chile). Condemned to a life away from the sun, Fatimazahra lived at night with the "Children of the Moon". After her passing, her sister Meriem carries forward her dreams.
- Hum — dir. Don Josephus Raphael Eblahan (Philippines-US-Poland-Germany)
- The Last Tears Of The Deceased — dir. Beza Hailu Lemma (Ethiopia-Canada-Germany-France). A newly ordained priest sets off on a dreamlike journey across Ethiopia to uncover the truth about his childhood.
- Nightsong — dir. Maya Da-Rin (Brazil-France-Portugal)
HBF+Europe: Post-Production Support
- Dear Ajayi — dir. Damilola Orimogunje (Nigeria-Germany). In 1990s Nigeria, two estranged sisters forced to live under the same roof while caring for their paralysed mother navigate grief, ambition, love and the fragile bonds of family.
- Four Seasons In Java — dir. Kamila Andini (Indonesia-France-Netherlands-Norway)
- Zemfo — dirs. Vahagn Khachatryan, Aren Malakyan (Armenia-Italy-Switzerland)
The HBF has been a launchpad for major African and Global South filmmakers for decades. FRA lists the Hubert Bals Fund Development Support in its opportunities directory — the next deadline is 2 April 2026.
Source: screendaily.com