08/12/2023 - Over the past 12 years, the workshop has supported the development of 13 films that made it into the Sundance competitions and six nominees for the European Film Awards

The industry initiative specialising in the development of feature-length documentaries, dok.incubator, has opened its call for applications for its 2024 workshop, following the recently wrapped 2023 edition (see the report). The workshop is seeking ambitious documentary projects that are currently at the rough-cut stage.

The programme is designed to cater to editors, directors and producers, offering an eight-month development process under the guidance of established industry professionals. This includes renowned producers, internationally recognised editors and leading European marketers. The workshop aims to impart practical experience to participants, enabling them to apply learned skills directly to their film projects.

dok.incubator will select eight teams, each consisting of a producer, a director and an editor. The focus will be on refining the film's unique perspective and storytelling, contextualising it for international audiences, and finding effective tools for audience engagement. Participants will engage in intensive work on editing, distribution and audience-building strategies, with the goal of elevating their rough cuts to high-quality films that can attract worldwide interest.

Andrea Prenghyová, the founder and director of dok.incubator, emphasises the workshop's all-encompassing approach. It encourages participants to look beyond the film cut and consider the broader journey of the movie, including audience engagement, marketing and distribution. This holistic perspective aims to prepare the film for successful navigation through the industry.

The accomplishments of dok.incubator alumni are evident from the programme’s track record. Over the past 12 years, the workshop has supported the development of 13 films that made it into the Sundance competitions (most recently Agent of Happiness [+see also:
film review
film profile] by Arun Bhattarai and Dorottya Zurboof, from the 2023 cohort – see the news), over 35 titles screened at International Documentary Film Festival Amsterdam (IDFA), and six nominees for the European Film Awards, including Motherland [+see also:
film review
trailer
film profile] by Alexander Mihalkovich and Hanna Badziaka.

Participants in the 2024 workshop can expect an intensive, eight-month period of editing and project development, targeting a picture lock in early autumn 2024. They will receive mentoring from more than 30 internationally active filmmakers throughout the post-production period. The workshop also provides personal feedback on rough cuts from key festival representatives, sales agents and other decision makers. Additionally, participants will develop a tailor-made marketing and distribution strategy to reach a broader audience.

The workshop involves three residential sessions at different stages of project development, with the exact dates and locations to be confirmed later. The first session, focusing on the rough cut, is scheduled for April 2024. The second, centred on the fine cut, will take place in June 2024, while the final session, aimed at achieving near picture lock, is planned for September-October 2024. During these sessions, editing tutors will work continuously with participants to develop the film's storyline and maximise its international potential. Production mentors will provide guidance on financing, team management and distribution. Marketing experts will assist teams in positioning their films in the market and crafting sophisticated strategies to target the appropriate audience. The nearly finished films will then be presented to key decision makers in the industry.

The deadline for submissions is set for 25 January 2024, and applications can be submitted here.