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Funding Amount

Varies

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Fiction Feature Lab

Status: Currently on hiatus. For fiction feature films in halted production or post-production, applicants should consider applying to Gotham Week Project Market as a U.S. Features submission.

Overview: Annually supports first-time feature filmmakers as they prepare to finish and premiere their debut fiction features. The Lab provides creative teams with key support through completion, marketing, and distribution of their work.

Program Structure: Three modules

  • Completion Module: Intensive five-day program focusing on finishing your film (editing, color correction, sound design, deliverables, etc.)

  • Gotham Week: Automatic participation in Project Market where Lab Fellows connect with sales agents, distributors, festival programmers, and funders

  • Distribution Module: Fellows present marketing and distribution plans with industry expert feedback

  • Ongoing Support: Year-round support from Gotham programming staff

    • Geographic Scope: United States (director must be American or foreign national based in U.S.)

    Eligibility Criteria:

  • First-time feature directors only (if you released a fiction feature before, you can apply to documentary lab)

  • Director must be American or foreign national based in the U.S.

  • Not necessary for film to be shot in U.S. or for filmmaker to primarily reside in U.S.

  • Projects must be feature length (one hour or longer)

  • Low-budget projects (under $1 million)

  • All or majority of principal photography must be complete with editing ongoing

  • Post-production (sound/color) should not be complete

  • Projects should not have already been submitted to festivals

  • Films can be in any language (if not English, must be subtitled)

  • Projects that sold all distribution rights are not eligible

    • Commitment to Diversity: Seeks to ensure at least 50% of participating projects have inclusive range of races, genders, sexual orientations, ethnicities, and abilities in key creative positions

    Contact: Zach Mandinach, Gotham Director of Narrative Programming, [email protected]

    How to Apply

    Application Process

    Requirements:
    1. Active Gotham Membership at any level (join The Gotham first)
    2. Online application form
    3. $50 entry fee (paid online by credit card)
    4. Password-protected link of rough cut or rough assembly

    Materials - Narrative Lab:

  • Current rough cut to fine assembly

  • Do not submit trailers

  • Minimum 40 minutes of footage required (exceptions reviewed case-by-case; contact Zach Mandinach at [email protected] if unable to submit more than 40 minutes)

  • If submitted footage and written materials do not fully represent entire story arc, may need to provide treatment and/or completed script

    • Selection Process:

  • Project selection based on quality of work and ability to benefit from Lab's curriculum and mentorship

  • Evaluated by Gotham senior programming team and screening committee

  • All submissions confidential, only viewed by selection committee

  • Final selection determined by Gotham senior programmers

  • Up to ten films selected

  • Acceptance notification approximately one month prior to first module

  • Projects not screened for buyers or sales agents during submission/acceptance

    • General Information:

  • Free of charge to those invited to participate (but all attendees must be Gotham members)

  • Selected projects must participate in all three sections (not individual sessions)

  • Filmmakers responsible for own travel and accommodations

  • Each project entitled to up to three team members (typically director, producer, plus editor or key creative)

  • Currently operating virtually

    • Contact: Zach Mandinach [email protected]

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    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    artscreative-writing

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    Ready to apply for Fiction Feature Lab?

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