TalentX is an intensive residential workshop for professional ‘film talent developers’ – people who work to support and nurture writers, producers and directors. It aims to build, share and strengthen best practice in talent development, explore and compare approaches, and enable an improved dialogue around talent progression routes across EU countries. Participants will consider the core staples of talent development, whilst recognising and addressing challenges that the European industry faces – issues such as: improving diversity and representation; changing technologies; evolving business models and co-production opportunities; and encouraging international market and audience awareness among new and emerging talent. Taking place in Amsterdam in late March 2015, the 3-day programme will be structured around five key themes:• Shorts to Features: Key Steps• Talent ‘Ladder’ or ‘Climbing Wall’?• Labs, Programmes, Models: How Do They Compare?• What is the Role of Producers in Developing Talent?• Bringing in the Market – Audience vs. Tastemakers Within this framework, participants are encouraged to explore critical issues for the effective and sustainable development of European talent in a global marketplace. They will: consider the effects of linking development funding and production funding; examine models of developing talent in the EU and internationally; compare ‘conversion rates’ to identify good practice; look at how public sector agencies develop talent, and ask whether such models are working for markets and audiences; and question whether it is possible – and advantageous - to develop talent across and between countries, not just on home ground. Along with a host of expert contributors, participants themselves will also be seen as key contributors, sharing the collective expertise in the room and building trusted international peer-support relationships.