Doc Station
The Doc Station invites ten participants to share their non-fictional scripts or concepts with a line-up of internationally acclaimed film consultants. In a tailored combination of group work and one-on-one sessions, each project is dissected, discussed and developed, culminating in a public presentation under the keen eyes of industry players.
Who can apply?
Directors who have written at least two short or one feature documentary or a series that have been officially invited to international festivals or released widely on TV, online or theatrically. The focus of the lab is on developing your story and finding collaborators, rather than on budget, funding and co-production advice. The lab is also open to Berlinale Talents alumni who have not yet taken part in the Doc Station.
What kind of project can I submit?
You can apply with an exposé for a feature-length documentary or hybrid docu-fiction that comes with an advanced treatment and audiovisual concept. Unfortunately, projects already in rough-cut status cannot be considered.
I showed up with the skeleton of an idea... with only my story to reference. I had no idea how I would translate my life experiences into a narrative, filmic form. By the time I left Doc Station I knew exactly what kind of film I wanted to make, down to imagining certain scenes. It was a tremendous incubator at such a vital early stage in conceptualizing the project.Angelo Madsen Minax, whose Doc Station 2016 project "North By Current" premiered in Panorama at the 2021 Berlinale.
Mentors
What's the structure?
The Doc Station is composed of two parts. Firstly, two individual mentorship sessions of up to 90 minutes each as well as a number of group meetings take place online prior to the festival period, in late January. The second stage takes place during the Berlinale, when the Doc Station participants attend the six-day onsite Berlinale Talents Summit, and prepare themselves with a trainer to present their projects to industry professionals at the European Film Market.
What will I take away?
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. The ultimate aim of the Lab is to allow you to take your project to the next step, whatever that might be.
How do I apply?
Access to the additional application for the Doc Station is available once you apply for Berlinale Talents as a screenwriter or director. Be sure to allow enough time to complete both applications. Alumni should apply through their existing online profiles. Any questions? Consult our How to Apply page, or you can also contact us at talents@berlinale.de or +49 30 25920 515.
Partners
Doc Station is supported by the German Federal Film Board.