The Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) furthers its programs to encourage Filipino filmmakers to develop and elevate their films and stories by international standards by bringing the First Cut Lab to Manila this April.
First Cut is an international project development and editing lab dedicated to refining long feature fiction films in the editing phase that can transcend global borders. Now on its fifth year, it has helped develop film projects from countries such as Slovenia, Lithuania, Poland, Ukraine, and Russia—many of which have made their premiere in A-list film festivals, including Toronto, Berlinale, and Cannes.
Two (2) Filipino film projects in post-production stage will be screen tested and assessed regarding their progress and direction, while six (6) to eight (8) projects in development will undergo an intensive four-day project development workshop that focuses on script and production. Deadline for submission of entries is on March 11, 2019.
Selected participants will be personally mentored by international consultants that consist of award-winning producers, script consultants, screenwriters, and film editors.
There will be a three-day film conference during the Lab with an open call to the public to maximize their opportunity to learn valuable insights from the international mentors and inspire more filmmakers to develop their projects more intensively and carefully to ensure a quality output.
Workshop sessions include Script Development, PH Context: Armi and Carlo with Their Journey from Torino to Cinema du Monde, Creative Producing, and How to Put Together a Project Brief for International Submission.
A series of lectures will be conducted by world-class mentors, including Co-Producing with Europe with producer consultant and film distributor Giovanni Pompili from Italy, Distributing Non-European Films in Europe with producer and distributor consultant Izabela Igel from Poland, Developing Original Content Locally – South Africa Case with producer, broadcast and development executive, and script consultant Mmabatho Kau from South Africa, and Labs, Markets, and Festivals – A Panorama with former TorinoFilmLab artistic director Matthieu Darras from France.
For more information, read the official guidelines below.
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FIRST CUT LAB: A Project Development and Editing Lab
The First Cut Lab (“First Cut”) is an international program designed for long feature fiction films in editing phase. Launched in 2015 at When East Meets West, it is now approaching its 5th edition. So far, it has supported and helped develop projects from countries such as Lithuania, Poland, Slovenia, Ukraine and Russia, many of which have gone on to premiere in A-list international festivals such as Berlinale, Cannes and Toronto.
BRINGING FIRST CUT LAB TO THE PHILIPPINES
In 2019, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) brings First Cut to the country in order to support Filipino films in the development stage of their titles, focusing particularly on script and editing – two of the most important elements that bring a final film to its best output. First Cut intends to bring out the best stories and versions of films that are not only locally but internationally competitive.
WORLD-CLASS MENTORS
An excellent team of international consultants made up of award-winning producers, screenwriters, script consultants, and film editors from all over the world will be personally mentoring 6 to 8 teams of Filipino directors, producers, and editors during intensive lab sessions that would enhance the final output of their projects.
- Matthieu Darras (France)
Film Festival Programmer, Former Artistic Director of TorinoFilmLab
- Matthieu Taponier (USA/France)
Screenwriter, Script Consultant, Film Editor
- Mmabatho Kau (South Africa)
Producer, Script Consultant, Broadcast and Development Executive
- Izabela Igel (Poland)
Producer, Film School Trainer, Film Marketing and Distribution Expert
- Giovanni Pompili (Italy)
Producer, Distributor, Project Devt Consultant
EDITING LAB (April 11 to 13, 2019)
Two (2) Filipino film projects in post-production will be selected by FDCP to undergo the first 3 days of the Lab where the projects will be screen tested with mentors commenting on the execution and the film’s progress and direction.
FILM CONFERENCE (April 11 to 13, 2019)
A three-day film conference which is open to the public will be conducted by the international mentors to provide better opportunities to local filmmakers and guide them in developing and producing quality films.
DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP (April 14 to 17, 2019)
Six (6) to eight (8) projects will be selected by FDCP to undergo a four-day workshop that addresses both project development both in terms of script and production. It will combine project presentation, work in groups, and individual consultations with the mentors.
SELECTION OF PROJECTS
Two (2) projects in post-production and six (6) to eight (8) projects in development will be selected as Lab participants.
- The submission materials of all eligible applicants will be reviewed by a Selection Committee and will be shortlisted.
- The FDCP Selection Committee and First Cut mentors shall confer to select the final selection, ensuring the diversity of the lineup.
- FDCP announces the final selection of 8 to 10 projects by mid-March.
ELIGIBILITY AND SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
The First Cut Lab is open to all Filipino filmmakers with projects in development or projects in post-production stage.
For Projects in Post-Production Stage, the film’s producer, director, and editor must attend the whole duration of the Editing Lab. Applicants must submit the following:
- Secured online link of a minimum of twenty minute of scenes from the film. Scenes can be separate and can be in rough cut.
- Logline (50 words)
- Synopsis (1 page)
- Director’s statement (Up to 2 pages)
- Producer’s statement (1 page)
- Director’s film biography (1 page)
- Producer’s film biography (1 page)
For Projects in Development, the stage of development of each project may vary. Projects with or without producer(s) attached will equally be welcomed. There’s no need to have financing in place in order to apply. Participants will be the author(s) of the projects, and the directors and producers will also be attending if they are already attached to the projects. In any case, the workshop is open for feature film projects that have not yet entered preproduction stage. Applicants must submit the following:
- Logline (50 words)
- Synopsis (1 page)
- Solid Treatment or Script (Up to 10 pages)
- Director’s statement (Up to 2 pages)
- Producer’s statement (1 page)
- Director’s film biography (1 page)
- Screenwriter’s biography (1 page)
- Producer’s film biography (1 page)
- Production company profile (1/2 page)
- Rights to Adaptation. If the work is adapted, a document confirming the rights to the adaptation must be provided from the original creators.
There is no application fee of any kind to the film lab.
2019 TIMELINE
March 11, 2019
Deadline for Submission of Entries
March 25, 2019
Announcement of Selected Projects
April 11 to 13, 2019
Editing Lab
April 11 to 13, 2019
Film Conference
April 14 to 17, 2019
Project Development Workshop
SUBMISSION OF ENTRIES AND AGREEMENT
Submission to the First Cub Lab constitutes agreement to all rules, regulations and conditions contained in this document. Entries and all requirements can be sent to the
following:
Subject: First Cut Lab Submission – (Project Name)
To: info@fdcp.ph
