The Gotham Labs are on hiatus in 2023.
We plan to utilize this time to reimagine the program and determine how we can continue to share our considerable resources in an equitable and inclusive way with our growing ecosystem of filmmakers and partner organizations.
About
Since 2006, The Gotham’s Documentary Feature Lab selects 10 nonfiction feature films annually—all in post-production and directed by first-time feature filmmakers. Fellows participating in the Documentary Feature Lab convene three times a year, with each module designed to provide the creative teams behind selected films with key support through the completion, marketing, and distribution of their work.
Module 1: Completion Lab
1-week, in-person or virtual, lab in the spring, which includes industry-led workshops for Fellows surrounding completing their projects.
Gotham Week Project Market
During the Gotham Week Project Market, which takes place in New York City or virtually in September, Documentary Feature Lab Fellows are invited to participate (no additional application is necessary) and connect with key industry members—sales agents, distributors, festival programmers, and more—to help move their projects forward.
Module 2: Distribution Lab
1-week, in person or virtual, lab in December where Fellows have the opportunity to present and receive feedback on their project’s marketing and distribution plans.
2022 Key Dates
Application opens: February 10, 2022
Virtual Info Session: February 16, 2022
Submission Deadline: March 15, 2022
All submissions will be notified of their status in early May.
Completion Module: June 13-17
Gotham Week Project Market: September 18 – 23
Distribution Module: December 5 – 9
Eligibility
Applicant
— The Documentary Feature Lab is open to first-time feature directors only
— If you previously released a fiction feature, you are still eligible to apply to the Documentary Feature Lab
— Filmmakers must be U.S.-based, meaning U.S. citizens or living and working in the U.S. Please note, it is not necessary that the film be shot in the U.S. or that the filmmaker primarily reside in the U.S.
Project
— Projects should be intended for feature length (one hour or longer)
— Short films are not eligible for submission
— Projects should be low-budget (under $1 million)
— Majority of distribution rights for submitted projects should be available
— Projects produced in a language other than English are eligible, however, submitted projects must include English subtitles
Stage of Production
— All, or majority, of principal photography must be complete, though editing may be ongoing. Post (sound and color) should not be complete
— The project should be targeted to premiere in 2023, or after September 2022.
— Projects that have not already been submitted to festivals will be prioritized as the goal of the Documentary Feature Lab is to aid in improving the project before exposure at festivals.
The Gotham’s Commitment to Diversity
As part of The Gotham’s ongoing commitment to diversity, the Documentary Feature Lab seeks to ensure that at least 50% of the participating projects have an inclusive range of races, genders, sexual orientations, ethnicities, and physical abilities in key creative positions.