Every year I make sure to post about this, as New York-based IFP's Labs are designed for first-time feature directors at the rough cut stage -- a stage at which filmmakers can often use help, but especially first-time feature directors (as you can imagine, if the timing is right I'm definitely going to apply once MANCHILD is in the can). It takes a village to make an independent feature, and IFP can bolster the support structure around your project, as well as give you valuable feedback and mentorship. If you're a first time feature director and you've got a rough cut, think about applying to the Documentary Lab or Narrative Lab -- you have until March 8 and April 5, respectively.

Supporting filmmakers when they need it most – through the completion, marketing & distribution of their first feature films - IFP’s Independent Filmmaker Labs is the only FREE program in the U.S. for first-time feature directors navigating how to build audience and stand out in a crowded marketplace. In the last three years, we’ve shepherded projects that have gone on to distribution deals at Focus Features, Radius / The Weinstein Company, Oscilloscope, BBC, PBS, and HBO, as well as prestigious premieres at Venice, Toronto, IDFA, Sundance, Rotterdam, Berlin, and SXSW. 

Recent notable alumni include Concussion (Radius/TWC), Pariah (Focus Features), Una Noche (Sundance Selects), and documentaries Give Up Tomorrow, The Light In Her Eyes (both PBS’ “P.O.V.”) and War Don Don (HBO).

Program date are, for the Finishing Labs: Documentary:  May 13-17, 2013; Narrative: June 10-14, 2013. The Independent Film Week & Marketing Lab takes place in September, and the Distribution Lab in December. The labs themselves are free to participate in if you are accepted, but the application fee is $50, and you also have to be an IFP member to apply; memberships start at $35/year.

Link: IFP Labs

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