The Film Lab is an exciting new 12-month program for journalists working in film. It comprises four weeks of online sessions, a week-long in-person workshop, and a year of online mentoring. 

During the first four weeks of online sessions, participants will receive practical instruction and mentorship in storytelling, visual language, production, and financing, developing the skills to bring their reports to life in compelling short form films. Each project is grounded in the core values of journalism as the art of verification, confronting the challenges of a world transformed by generative AI. 

Then, at the week-long in-person workshop at The VII Foundation’s Alexandra Boulat Campus in Arles, France, participants will continue to work with expert mentors to refine their projects and develop their pitches. Discussions and workshops on ethics, writing, legal strategy, sales, and distribution will support participants in strengthening their narratives, planning the next steps for production, and developing clear, compelling pitches essential for fundraising.

The workshop will conclude with final pitches of each participant’s project. A special jury will review the pitches and award grants to the most promising projects.

Following the in-person workshops, each participant will be paired with a mentor to continue project development for one year.