Calling all aspiring film writers, writer/directors and filmmaking teams: are you developing ideas for short film?

Don’t miss out on the opportunity to take part in New Zealand’s third Short Film Lab.

Show Me Shorts and Script to Screen are now calling for applications for the 2012 Short Film Lab. Successful applicants will be offered a place in a one-day workshop and an individual follow-up session. Participants in the 2012 Short Film Lab will be mentored by experienced industry practitioners who have excelled in short filmmaking, including Zia Mandviwalla (Night Shift, Clean Linen, Eating Sausage), Tui Ruwhiu (Executive Producer at Tauihu Shorts) and Shuchi Kothari (Firaaq, Apron Strings, Coffee and Allah). A fourth mentor will be announced soon.

Six writers (or writer/directors) will be selected to workshop their short film ideas during the full-day lab hosted by the University of Auckland’s Department of Film, Television and Media Studies on Saturday 3rd November. Those selected can come on their own or bring up to two key creative collaborators with them. Thanks to the support of the New Zealand Film Commission, participation in the Short Film Lab is free for all selected applicants (including lunch)! For the first time in 2012, a travel grant will be offered to successful applicants who reside out of Auckland.

Established by Script to Screen and Show Me Shorts in 2010, the Short Film Lab has been a resounding success. Individual comments from previous participants include: "Overall I found the feedback to be absolutely fantastic. It made me think how I can get deeper into these characters and this story. It’s been really helpful for me." "I’m stoked, I got a huge amount out of it. I feel very inspired to write and to make these films."

Several participants in the 2010 and 2011 Lab have been shortlisted by Fresh Shorts and two have already secured NZFC funding to make their shorts. Interested? Put together a written outline of two to three ideas for short films (that you have not yet developed as a script), send them to us along with a CV/bio and a paragraph on what you want to get out of the Short Film Lab, and pay the $15 application fee. Applications open: 27th August 2012. Applicants from previous years are encouraged to re-apply. Application deadline: 20th September 2012.

Successful applicants will be announced at Show Me Shorts’ programme launch on 4th October.