Project Spark 2026, the 4th Edition, by NANLITE and NANLUX – $15,000 Production Budget, Equipment Support, and Mentorship for Six Global Filmmaking Teams

Filmmaking Competition

by Nino LeitnerMarch 2^nd, 2026

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NANLITE and NANLUX have opened submissions for the Project Spark 2026, the 4th edition of their global short film incubator built around the theme “Focus.” Now in its fourth year, the program has expanded to support six finalist teams in the Global section, each receiving a USD 15,000 production budget, up to USD 5,000 in equipment rental support, and guidance from an advisory panel of industry experts throughout the entire production process.

Since its launch in 2023, Project Spark has evolved from a conventional filmmaking contest into a structured incubator that funds, mentors, and shepherds short film projects from pitch to premiere. The first edition invited creators to submit finished work across four categories. By the second and third editions, the format shifted to a pitch-based model where filmmakers submit concepts and, if selected, receive the resources to actually make their films. This fourth edition builds on that model and scales it up, selecting six teams instead of the previous four and running a timeline that stretches from late February through the end of 2026.

What has changed for the 4th edition

The most notable change is the increased number of finalists. Previous editions supported four teams in the Global section, while the 4th Project Spark expands this to six: four in the narrative shorts category and two in the experimental shorts category. The overall support package remains consistent at USD 15,000 in production funding and up to USD 5,000 for equipment rental per team, courtesy of Nanguang (the parent company behind both NANLITE and NANLUX).

The program continues to operate with both a Chinese section and a Global section. In the Chinese section, separate selections will produce two narrative shorts, one experimental short, and one documentary short. All completed films from both sections will ultimately be screened together.

This year’s theme and eligibility

The theme for this edition is “Focus,” and the organizers frame it as a creative prompt rather than a technical directive. The call asks filmmakers to consider what deserves attention when infinite possibilities compete for the eye, and what fragment of the world they would bring into clarity for an audience.

Eligibility requirements are straightforward. Submissions must be original projects that have not been previously entered into other competitions or received prior investment or lighting support. Filming must not have commenced on the submitted project. The expected duration of finished films is between 3 and 20 minutes, and there are no restrictions on age, country, or region.

How the submission and selection process works

Registration is open from February 28 to April 18, 2026, giving applicants a 50-day window. Submissions are made through the NANLITE website by filling out an online form and uploading the required materials.

The initial submission requires an inspiration statement for the work (within 200 words), a story description (within 100 words), a script outline (300 to 2,000 words), at least 10 video moodboard references, and samples of the applicant’s previous work. All documents should be in English and submitted in PDF format, with video files in MP4 or MOV at a minimum resolution of 1280 x 720.

Once an entry passes initial review, further documents are required: a complete script, storyboard, project proposal, production budget sheet, and a concept poster. If any files cannot be uploaded through the website, applicants can send materials to [email protected].

Selection stages and timeline

The selection process involves multiple rounds. First, the Nanguang Project Spark team and advisors evaluate all submissions, selecting 8 shortlists from the narrative shorts category and 4 from experimental shorts. Shortlisted teams are then interviewed online, with the Project Spark team notifying candidates by email two days in advance. From these interviews, the final six teams are chosen: four narrative and two experimental.

Finalist projects will be announced on May 19, with the creation phase officially beginning on May 23. Production and delivery runs through August 31, during which the advisory panel provides technical support, makes set visits where possible, and offers on-site guidance. All completed films must be delivered before the August 31 deadline.

Following delivery, the films enter a screening phase running from September 1, 2026, through April 1, 2027. This includes multiple offline screenings organized by the Nanguang team at worldwide events, with finalist team members and advisory panel invited to attend. Online screenings will follow after the film festival submission window closes.

Important terms for applicants

A few details in the rules and regulations are worth noting for potential applicants. Only original works are accepted, and selected filmmakers must commit to an exclusive online premiere on the Nanguang platform. Copyrights and related intellectual property are shared jointly between the applicants and Nanguang, with both parties retaining the right to secondary use of the work for promotion and dissemination.

Nanguang commits to keeping all submitted documents and information confidential, using materials exclusively for Project Spark selection, and maintaining confidentiality on undisclosed ideas and films for one year. If a shortlisted candidate cannot be contacted within 7 days of the announcement or fails to sign the cooperation agreement promptly, it is treated as an automatic withdrawal.

During filming, applicants must cooperate actively with the Nanguang team and cannot unreasonably withdraw or terminate production. In case of violation, all funds and equipment must be returned with compensation for related losses. Force majeure situations require 7 days advance communication.

A growing platform for emerging filmmakers

Project Spark has matured considerably since its debut. What began as an online contest with cash prizes and gear bundles has become a legitimate incubation program, offering not just money but structured mentorship across pre-production, production, and post. The expansion to six globally supported teams and the detailed advisory framework suggest that Nanguang is investing seriously in positioning NANLITE and NANLUX as brands that support the filmmaking community beyond simply selling lighting equipment.

For previous CineD coverage of the initiative, you can read about the original Project Spark launch in 2023 and the third edition from 2025.

Submissions for the 4th Project Spark are open now through April 18, 2026, via the NANLITE website. Have you participated in previous editions of Project Spark, or does the “Focus” theme spark an idea you have been waiting to develop? Would a program like this influence your approach to developing a short film from scratch? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments below!