Applications are now open for the Aotearoa Short Film Lab, a prestigious hothouse mentoring scheme for screenwriters and aspiring screenwriters to workshop new ideas for short film.
Established in 2010 as a partnership between Show Me Shorts and Script to Screen, the Lab offers six local, and for the first time this year two international, short film makers the opportunity to develop their short film concepts and scripts with the guidance and advice of experienced industry mentors.
The Lab includes a full-day workshop hosted by the University of Auckland’s Screen Production Department in March 2017. The mentors in previous years have included Jackie van Beek (The Inland Road, Uphill, Go the Dogs), Jake Mahaffy (Free in Deed, Wellness,A.D. 1363, The End of Chivalry) and Shuchi Kothari (Firaaq, Apron Strings, Coffee and Allah).
Previous Short Film Lab participants have described the interactive workshop as “inspiring” and “invaluable”, and many have gone on to make the shortlist for NZFC Fresh Shorts funding. In 2013, the first film developed with the assistance of the Short Film Lab – Lauren Jackson’s I’m Going to Mum’s – premiered at the Berlin International Film Festival and won Best Short Film Script at the SWANZ Awards.
The Lab is free to attend for all selected applicants, but there is a NZ$20 application fee. Those selected can come on their own or bring up to two key creative collaborators with them.
To apply to the 2016 Aotearoa Short Film Lab complete the online application form. This will ask you to provide:
- A brief biography or CV
- Two or three short film concepts (350-500 words)
- An explanation of why you want to attend the lab (150 words)
- If any of your short film concepts are at script stage, then please submit the draft/s to support your application.
- If none of your short film concepts are at script stage, then we will need another writing sample, this can be 5 pages of a screenplay or 2 pages of an alternative form of creative writing.
- A $20 Application Fee.
APPLY NOW
If you have any queries please contact Sjionel Timu on sjionel@script-to-screen.co.nz.
Applications close on Wednesday 14 December 2016, 5pm.
Image: I’m Going to Mums, Dir. Lauren Jackson, Photo: Tania Jackson
