Denmark's new April festival, CPH:PIX, will have a competition devoted to first-time feature directors. The directors of 10-12 debut films will compete for a cash prize of $72,090 (Euros 50,000).

'A substantial cash prize can make all the difference to a first-time filmmaker, and it is our hope that the money is used to kickstart their next project,' said Jacob Neiiendam, Festival Director at CPH:PIX.

The first CPH:PIX (April 16-26) sees the merger of the long-running NatFilm Festival and Copenhagen International Film Festival. The festival aims to show 170 features in all genres - the entry deadline is Jan 16.

The festival also has an audience prize worth $21,628 (Euros 15,000) for a film without Danish distribution in place.

Neiiendam is attending Toronto with head of programme Niels Lind Larsen and CEO of Copenhagen Film Festivals Mikkel Harder.