For the first time, The Dream Makers, an initiative of CUPRA founded by the SEAT CUPRA Foundation, brings together its full international network (Berlin International Film Festival, ESCAC, Sitges Film Festival, and Studio Babelsberg) alongside CUPRA ambassadors J.A. Bayona (filmmaker) and Daniel Brühl (actor), under one unified global framework

• The Dream Makers supports emerging filmmakers at two key stages: starting their career through a fully funded film studies scholarship (Film Studies Contest), and accelerating their trajectory through the production of a short film (Short Film Contest)
• During ESCAC’s 2026 graduation ceremony, CUPRA announced the winner of the second edition of its Film Studies Contest, Clara Martinez
• The third edition of The Dream Makers: Short Film Contest opens in July. All requirements and documentation are available on both the Berlinale Talents and ESCAC websites

CUPRA continues to empower the next generation of filmmakers with the third edition of The Dream Makers: Short Film Contest, its most ambitious and international programme to date, founded by the SEAT CUPRA Foundation.

For the first time, the Short Film Contest brings together all its collaborators under a single global framework, connecting education, festivals and industry. Supported by the Berlin International Film Festival, ESCAC, Sitges Film Festival,  and Studio Babelsberg, together with CUPRA ambassadors J.A. Bayona (filmmaker) and Daniel Brühl (actor), The Dream Makers strengthens its role as a platform to discover and develop new cinematic voices.

This third edition was officially announced during ESCAC’s 2026 graduation ceremony, where CUPRA also revealed the winner of the second edition of its Film Studies Contest.

Clara Martínez, winner of the Film Studies Contest, was selected following a rigorous evaluation process that recognises emerging talent with strong creative vision and ambition. She will receive a full scholarship to study at ESCAC, taking the first step in her professional career in cinema.

“At CUPRA, we want to keep opening paths for those who dare to imagine new stories and bring them to life. The Dream Makers reflects our commitment to cinema and emerging talent, transforming that ambition into real opportunities for filmmakers who dream about taking their ideas to the screen. This third edition is our most ambitious to date, strengthening the project and its connection with the industry.”

Ignasi Prieto, Chief Brand Officer of CUPRA

“At the SEAT CUPRA Foundation, we are committed to empowering talent as a driver of positive impact. The Dream Makers is about creating opportunities for a new generation to grow, express their vision and contribute to shaping a better future through creativity. In this edition, we place a special emphasis on projects that reflect a social perspective and connect with today’s challenges.”

Patricia Such, Director of the SEAT CUPRA Foundation

The Dream Makers focuses on identifying and supporting emerging filmmakers, with the Short Film Contest serving as the main platform in this edition. Beyond recognition, the initiative provides promising talent with time, guidance and visibility throughout the creative and selection process.

The programme is supported by a jury that brings together leading voices from across the industry, including Ignasi Prieto, Chief Brand Officer of CUPRA; CUPRA ambassadors J.A. Bayona (filmmaker), and Daniel Brühl (actor); Aintza Serra, ESCAC Director of Content and Curriculum; Tricia Tuttle, Director of the Berlin International Film Festival; Ángel Sala, Director of the Sitges Film Festival and Marcus Loges, Producer and Managing Director of Studio Babelsberg Motion Pictures.

This collective expertise ensures a rigorous selection process, identifying the projects with the strongest creative vision and international potential.

“For emerging directors, seeing their vision become a real film can be a turning point. Cinema needs new voices and new ways of looking at the world, but those voices also need opportunities, support and trust. The Dream Makers acts as a bridge between a first idea and a real opportunity within the industry, and I am delighted that we have reached the third edition and are continuing to help open new paths for the next generation together with CUPRA.”

J. A. Bayona, film director and CUPRA ambassador

The Short Film Contest focuses on identifying and producing bold new cinematic voices.

Submissions can be made through two entry pathways, Berlinale Talents and ESCAC , each providing access to its own application platform, where the specific requirements and documentation can be found:

• BerlinaleTalents (https://www.berlinale-talents.de/bt/page/c/dreammakers)
• ESCAC (https://escac.com/en/the-dream-makers-contest)

Each pathway will shortlist ten candidates, from which three finalists will be selected by the jury.

The six finalists will present their projects during the 77^th Berlin International Film Festival in February, where the winning project will also be selected and announced, marking the beginning of its development within The Dream Makers programme.

“Supporting emerging talent in cinema is at the heart of the Berlinale’s mission, and The Dream Makers strengthens that vision. With all of The Dream Makers’ partners coming together for the first time, this Short Film Contest connects education, festivals and industry, and creates real opportunities for the next generation of filmmakers to develop their voice and take the next step in their careers.”

Tricia Tuttle, Director of the Berlin International Film Festival

“Sitges Film festival is a natural platform for discovering new cinematic voices and fresh ways of looking at the world. Through this programme and together with CUPRA, we are helping and supporting young projects with a distinctive identity and real creative ambition, ensuring that the boldest ideas being written today become the groundbreaking cinema of tomorrow.”

Ángel Sala, Director of the Sitges Film Festival

The Dream Maker: Short Film Contest is already delivering tangible results, supporting emerging filmmakers both academically and professionally.

Señuelo, directed by Martha G. Ayerbe, winner of the first edition of The Dream Makers, has achieved more than 30 nominations and 9 awards, including Best New Director at the Fugaz Awards, positioning her among the most promising new voices in Spanish cinema.

Homing, the other winning project of the first edition by Hansel Rodrigues and Lizzie Atherton, has earned 12 nominations and 2 awards, including Best Short Film at the 32^nd Festival Ibérico de Cinema, further demonstrating the impact of The Dream Makers in supporting emerging filmmaking talent.

In parallel, winners from the Berlinale Talents track, including Alfie Barker and Special Jury Mention Renis Hyka, are currently developing their projects with the support of The Dream Makers programme throughout the production process.

Production partners ESCAC and Studio Babelsberg bring the professional, educational and industry expertise needed to support the development of these projects, reinforcing the programme’s production dimension and connecting upcoming filmmakers with real industry processes.

“Education is the starting point for young talent to grow. This opportunity can be transformative, giving the winner the tools, confidence and environment to continue developing their creative voice. The Dream Makers creates a union point between academic training and professional development, and our collaboration with CUPRA reflects a shared commitment to supporting talent from its earliest stages.”

Aintza Serra, ESCAC Director of Content and Curriculum

“Professional production is essential to transform an idea into a film. At Studio Babelsberg, we bring decades of production expertise to every project and know how important guidance is throughout the filmmaking process. We are proud to contribute this experience to The Dream Makers and help make the contest truly distinctive.” 

Marcus Loges, Producer and Studio Babelsberg Motion Pictures Managing Director

With its third edition, CUPRA and the SEAT CUPRA Foundation continue to support emerging talent in the film industry. Across its first two editions, The Dream Makers has supported the production of four short films and awarded scholarships to innovative filmmakers.

“Film is a universal language, capable of connecting cultures, generations and perspectives. What makes The Dream Makers powerful is not only the opportunity to discover young, bold and distinctive voices, but also the way it accompanies them throughout the process, and it is exciting to be part of it for another year.”

Daniel Brühl, actor and CUPRA ambassador