dok.incubator INT
a six-month workshop for international documentaries in the rough cut stage, focusing on editing, distribution and marketing strategy
For six months, the workshop inspires teams (producer, director, editor) of eight selected projects from all over the world. They work intensively in the editing room and build a clever, tailor-made distribution plan and marketing strategy.
next deadline: January 26, 2023
Timeline
1ST session / rough cut / April
During the first session the participants and their tutors are looking for the "DNA" of each film. In editing rooms they focus on storytelling and start asking basic marketing questions.
Everything starts with screenings of the rough cuts, followed by discussions and in-depth analysis of the narrative structure and dramaturgy. The participants are assigned a supervising tutor and a ‘fresh eye’ consultant to work with on the editing to enhance their project's potential for international audiences.
The producers start thinking about the best distribution and festival strategy, searching for opportunities for their films within different territories, platforms or institutions.
The first session will take place in Banská Štiavnica, Slovakia between April 25-30.
2ND session / fine cut / June
The second session is about finding the right direction of the film. Participants have a chance to test their current rough cuts on important decision makers and discuss their distribution possibilities with them.
The almost finished films are “test screened” for an international audience: festival programmers, distributors and sales agents who provide the participants with feedback on the content and structure of the film, the release strategy and distribution. Editing sessions and individual meetings follow.
Marketing specialists teach how the documentaries can be promoted effectively using different strategies. The end of the workshop is dedicated to legal issues of distribution, providing the participants with a detailed overview of the European sales landscape.
The second session will take place in Olomouc, Czech Republic between June 19-25.
3RD session & preview / picture lock / October
During the third session the editing of the films is finalised and the rest of the session is dedicated to marketing and preparations of the official presentation of participating projects within the industry at the dok.incubator preview.
Individual editing meetings help finalise the trailers, speech structuring and five-minutes scene selection. Pitching tutors individually train participants‘ presentation skills and introduction of the project.
The preview is composed as an exclusive event organised either on stage for invited decision makers or online. The preview is followed by a networking gathering and one-on-one meetings with invited industry guests.
All workshop projects are widely promoted throughout the following year.
The third session will take place in Dlouhá Lhota, Czech Republic between October 1-7. The "dok.incubator preview" presentation will be organised at IDFA, Amsterdam on Saturday, November 12.
How we work
More than 25 experienced tutors: producers, editors of award-winning films and creative PR and marketing experts will provide you with individual mentoring. Internationally recognised tutors aim to inspire the participants to find their own way of telling their stories – and how to get them to the audiences.
We believe in an individual approach and providing a tailor-made development plan for each project we work with. Our tutors work with the whole teams to help the participants with their projects. In our opinion each project is different and requires unique approach, knowledge and support.
The group of dedicated tutors and participants work very hard to step across the films’ and individual’s limits. It's an intensive period of hard work and creative energy.
How to apply
dok.incubator invites editors, directors and producers to a six–month workshop, focused on filmmakers’ professional development and giving you access to top internationally-experienced tutors. If you are thinking of applying, decide early enough so you can adjust the schedule of making your film to the schedule of the workshop. See the timeline section above for more details.
Audiovisual materials:
Information about the project:
Be aware that all three team members – director, editor and producer – must be available to participate in three one-week online/hybrid/residential sessions in April, June and September. You cannot apply without an editor. Please book your editor in advance: for an editing period between the 1st and 2nd workshop, and for another between the 2nd and 3rd workshops. Please note that all the participants must be able to work in English.
Use one of the many chances to meet us during the year! We usually attend industry events at DOK Leipzig, IDFA and other festivals where you can arrange a meeting with us and learn more about the program. Before the submission deadline (December and January) we also organise online meetings during which we answer all your questions about workshop applications.
Fees & scholarship
The full fee is € 17,500 for the whole team for three workshops. However, we consider each project and its financial situation individually. To include projects with a limited budget, we offer discounts leading to individual rates in the range € 5,700 – € 17,500. The fee consists of tuition fee and accomodation and rental costs to be able to react flexibly to changes between residential and online sessions.
We aim to make our workshop accessible to great films regardless of the size of their budget, we realistically assess the production possibilities and the majority of our participating projects do not pay the full participation fee. In every year of its existence dok.incubator supported films in difficult financial situations, therefore we encourage applicants to apply for a scholarship. The selection committee decides about discounted fees and scholarships, all participants are informed about the exact amount of their fee before confirming their participation.
Around 30% of participants obtain a scholarship. When deciding, we consider the whole financial situation of the project, the likelihood of it receiving financing during the workshop, and the cost of workshop participation (including travel).