I posted about this before, but now that the deadline is approaching for narratives it's worth another mention. Why? Because "it takes a village" to make an independent film, and New York-based IFP can bolster the support structure around your project. If you're a first time feature director and you've got a rough cut, think about applying to the Narrative Lab -- you have until April 9. And be sure to check out the below roster of some recent lab graduates, whose festival acceptance roster is a who's-who of film fests in this country.

The program is structured in three week-long components held in New York City over the year: the Finishing Lab in June, Marketing Lab and Independent Film Week Project Forum in September, and the Distribution Lab in December. The Labs offer personalized attention on post-production, audience building, festivals and distribution strategies in the digital age, followed by continued support from IFP and Labs mentors as the project premieres in the marketplace.

Recent Narrative Lab alumni include Pariah (Focus Features, Sundance ’11), Kinyarwanda (AFFRM, Sundance ’11), Una Noche (Tribeca, Berlin ’12), Yelling to the Sky (MPI, Berlin ’11), Habibi (Venice ’11), The Brooklyn Brothers Beat the Best (Oscilloscope, Toronto ’11), Welcome to Pine Hill (Slamdance Grand Jury Prize ’12), Extracted, Booster and Pavilion (all SXSW ’12), and Nancy, Please (Tribeca ’12) with more Lab alumni set for spring festivals and theatrical release.

The Labs provide a creative incubator for the selected filmmakers where, with a community of peers in a similar production stage, they can think critically about their project and their next steps, with the aid of top industry mentors.

Application fee is $50 and you have to be an IFP member to apply; memberships start at $35/year.

Link: IFP Labs

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