OpenCall:LookingForDocumentaryProductionPartner

WE HAVE THE VISION. WE’RE LOOKING FOR THE PARTNER TO BRING IT TO THE WORLD.

Global Neighbours invites film production companies, documentary filmmakers and creative production studios to submit expressions of interest for the development and production of a documentary film on one of its flagship initiatives: Tracks to the Future.

Global Neighbours was founded by investor and entrepreneur Jovanka Porsche, with Christian Kern, former Federal Chancellor of Austria, and Dr. Philipp Rösler, former Vice-Chancellor of Germany, as Co-Founders. Global Neighbours brings together senior political figures, business leaders, diplomats, experts, cultural voices, and international decision-makers across Europe, Asia, and beyond. Under the leadership of CEO Siddharth Chatterjee, former United Nations Resident Coordinator in China and Kenya, the organisation operates as a high-level platform for strategic dialogue, geopolitical exchange, and future-oriented cooperation.

In October 2026, Global Neighbours will launch a unique travelling platform connecting Europe, Central Asia, and China by train. Under the guiding idea “A Think Train, Not a Think Tank,” Tracks to the Future introduces a new format for international dialogue — one that transforms a traditional forum into a moving platform for exchange, collaboration, and shared perspectives.

Tracks to the Future is not a conventional conference. It is a moving forum, a diplomatic corridor, a media stage, and a symbolic journey across regions that are increasingly shaping the future of global connectivity, infrastructure, technology, sustainability, and geopolitical dialogue.

Over approximately 18–21 days, the train will travel from Europe through Central Asia to China, bringing together a carefully selected community of senior decision-makers, political leaders, business representatives, experts, innovators, cultural voices, and international media. The journey will combine onboard discussions, high-level encounters, interviews, curated events, regional stops, public moments, and exclusive exchanges — creating a continuous platform where ideas move alongside people.

Global Neighbours is seeking a creative and experienced film production partner capable of translating this pioneering initiative into a powerful documentary narrative. The selected partner will help capture the atmosphere, people, conversations, landscapes, and symbolic meaning of Tracks to the Future — creating a film that tells the story of a new generation of international cooperation, moving beyond borders and connecting regions through dialogue, discovery, and action.

The Assignment

The selected partner will be expected to provide comprehensive film production support before, during, and after the journey. This may include, but is not limited to:

1. Film Concept and Narrative Development
   Development of a clear creative concept for the documentary film, including narrative structure, visual language, key themes, storyline and interview approach. The film should capture Tracks to the Future not merely as an event, but as a symbolic journey across regions, cultures, economies, and ideas.
2. Documentary Film Production
   Professional filming of the train journey, onboard discussions, side events, regional stops, receptions, gala formats, informal encounters, landscapes, and behind-the-scenes moments. The production should create visually strong and emotionally engaging material suitable for an international audience.
3. Interviews with Participants
   Planning, filming, and editing interviews with selected participants, including political leaders, business representatives, experts, cultural figures, and younger voices. The aim is to create intelligent, human, and memorable conversations that explain why this journey matters and what kind of future it seeks to imagine.
4. Post-Production and Final Deliverables
   Editing and post-production of the final documentary film, including sound design, colour grading, subtitles where needed, music, graphics, and final export formats. Additional deliverables may include a trailer, selected interview clips, short excerpts for institutional use, and an organised film archive for Global Neighbours.

Why join this project

Tracks to the Future offers a unique opportunity for a film production partner to become part of a highly visible, distinctive, and memorable international initiative.

This is not a traditional conference to be documented — it is a dynamic, moving platform where dialogue, diplomacy, innovation, and storytelling unfold along a symbolic journey. The project brings together distinguished guests, international perspectives, iconic locations, and a route that carries strong cultural, geopolitical, and historical significance.

As a recurring new format for international exchange, Tracks to the Future is designed to establish a new milestone in the landscape of global forums — creating a lasting platform where meaningful conversations move beyond traditional venues and connect people, ideas, and regions in a powerful new way.

The selected partner will play a central role in shaping the public identity and global narrative of this pioneering initiative, capturing not only the moments, but the movement, energy, and vision that define Tracks to the Future.

Submission of Applications

Interested companies, agencies and production teams are invited to submit a short expression of interest including:

1. company profile and relevant experience;
2. proposed creative and production approach for the Tracks to the Future documentary film;
3. examples of previous work, especially in documentary film, international event filming, interviews, travel-based storytelling, political/business communication, or high-level institutional productions;
4. overview of available team and technical capacities;
5. contact details of the responsible project lead.
   

Submissions should be sent to:
Email: executiveoffice@globalneighbours.org

Deadline: 16th July 2026, 23:59 CET

For more information visit the official website: Tracks to the Future | Moving the World Forward