Berlinale Talents Lab
The Berlinale Talents Lab is where we welcome back Berlinale Talents alumni, those who have already taken part in our Summit, with projects in development. It is the creative hub where selected screenwriters, directors, producers, creators and showrunners come together to further develop their latest film and series projects—whether they be feature-length fiction scripts, series bibles, documentaries, or innovative short-form works.
Participants take part in a tailored combination of targeted group and one-on-one mentoring sessions where each project is dissected, discussed and developed in a needs-specific and collaborative environment. The aim is to help participants hone their concepts and story structures or find co-production partners and financiers to move their projects forward. The Berlinale Talents Lab culminates in a public presentation under the keen eyes of their fellow Talents, our audiences and industry players.
Whether your story is told in one voice or many, for the big screen or digital platforms, the Berlinale Talents Lab is your space to grow, question, and collaborate, setting the stage for the next phase of your creative process.
Who can apply?
Filmmakers who have previously taken part in the Berlinale Talents Summit in Berlin, and who have developed and directed/written/produced at least:
- One feature-length documentary, fiction film or series (>60 min), OR
- Two short documentaries, fiction films (<30 min), mini-series or other short narrative content
The work must have been officially invited to international festivals, or widely released (TV, online, or theatrically)
What kind of project can I submit?
From intimate character dramas to bold documentary explorations or episodic, experimental formats, the lab embraces a diversity of voices and formats. The focus is on projects in advanced development, with a strong narrative vision and clear concept.
If you are applying with a screenplay for fiction feature / drama series, you can apply with a treatment and additional material for a feature-length fiction film (60 minutes and more) or a high-quality drama series that is in an advanced scriptwriting status.
For documentary projects, you can apply with written and visual materials for a feature-length documentary, feature length docu series or hybrid docu-fiction that comes with an advanced synopsis, topic summary, director's statement and audiovisual concept, and a well-written treatment is highly recommended.
For short form projects, you can apply with a script for a short film, a high-quality mini-series, web series, XR project or other form of narrative content that is in an advanced state of conceptual development (short films and XR projects: up to 30 min; serial content: up to 50 min in total). Eligible formats include fiction, documentary, animation and everything in between.
Being part of the Lab was an incredible experience. I truly love my cohort — it was so inspiring to be surrounded by such a diverse group, not just in cultural backgrounds but also in artistic practices. The exchange of ideas and perspectives has been transformative, and this experience will forever shape me and my work.Participant feedback 2025.
What's the structure?
The Berlinale Talents Lab takes place onsite during the Berlinale, with additional preparation sessions online from mid-January. Each participant receives in-depth one-on-one sessions with esteemed mentors—experienced filmmakers, producers or story editors—who offer detailed feedback and guidance. In addition to these personalised meetings, there are also peer-to-peer exchange sessions, various networking opportunities to discuss the projects with fellow filmmakers and industry professionals.
What can I expect?
This is an opportunity to sharpen your project based on advice from industry professionals, the tutorship of dedicated mentors and feedback from fellow Talents alike. In comparison to other labs in the industry, our Berlinale Talents Lab is a rather compact and therefore very intensive experience, aimed at making you discover key insights on where and how to move your project forward, and to find new collaborators for the upcoming parts of that journey rather than technical, budget, or financing aspects.
How do I apply?
First and foremost, you must be a Berlinale Talents alumni, meaning you have already taken part in our Summit. Those filmmakers with documentary, fiction film or drama series projects, including short form and VR, XR and cross-media projects, at script level may apply to the Berlinale Talents Lab. In order to apply, log in to your existing Talents profile, update your filmography and career information, complete the application questionnaire, and proceed to the Lab application including sample of work.
The in-depth script feedback sessions and the personalized one-on-one meetings with industry experts were so impactful. The constructive critiques, combined with insights into character development and narrative structure, helped me identify the key strengths and weaknesses of my project. These discussions pushed me to refine my approach, making my story more compelling and focused, while also helping me better understand its potential.Participant feedback 2025.