Fiction Feature Lab

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

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]