Before You Begin 

Thank you for your interest in Film Independent's Documentary Story Lab. 

The 2026 Documentary Story Lab is a full-time, one week program that will take place in May 2026. Please note that the Lab will take place in person at Film Independent offices in Los Angeles.  

The program is designed to provide individualized story and career development for documentary directors with a project in post-production. 

Applicants must submit a work sample which should include a minimum of a polished trailer and scene selects, all the way up to a rough cut. 

Filmmakers that have yet to complete the majority of principal photography and those that do not yet have any footage assembled are not eligible to apply.

Please complete and submit the following electronic application form. You will be able to save your application and add documents or information until the application deadline. 

Once you click "submit," the application will be considered final and no additional information will be accepted. If you do not click "submit," the application will not be considered. At the end of the submission form, you will be asked for your payment information.     

Please be advised: the application may time out if you keep it open for a long time. It is recommended that you keep a backup of your answers in a separate document. Save early and often. You can verify that your application has saved by logging out and logging back in. 

Film Independent Membership is not required when applying to Artist Development programs. However, all participants accepted into the programs are required to join Film Independent at the standard annual General Membership rate of $105.

All applicants will be notified 3-4 weeks before the program start date.  If you don't receive a notification, please check your spam folder.

Applications Open: October 6, 2025

Regular Deadline: December 15, 2025

Extended Member Deadline: January 5, 2026

Accessibility Film Independent is committed to hosting events that are accessible. For inquiries regarding accessibility, or to request an accommodation, please contact us at accessibility@filmindependent.org or 323 556 9305.

Program Questions?  Please contact the Artist Development team at artistdevelopment@filmindependent.org.

Technical Questions?  Check out the Submitter Resource Center or contact Submittable Customer Support.

Before You Begin 

Thank you for your interest in Film Independent's Nonfiction Works-in-Progress Series

The Film Independent Works-in-Progress Series gives members of the film community and the public advance access to new documentaries, including the opportunity to participate in in-depth conversations with filmmakers.

The series offers nonfiction filmmakers a place to share stories that are still being developed in a safe and supportive environment, and receive constructive feedback that will get their projects ready for festivals and distribution.

Taking place in the Film Independent theatre, general public audiences and invited guests can watch films as they enter the final stages of editing, offering feedback via in-depth surveys and a moderated discussion 

Though the program is open to filmmakers located anywhere, the director and/or key members of the creative team must be able to attend the screening in person.

We accept nonfiction projects with a minimum run time of 40 minutes and no longer than 120 minutes. 

Projects should have completed production and be in post-production, with a full edit available at the time of submission.

Please note that we are only accepting submissions for the screening on Monday, December 8, 2025.

Please complete and submit the following electronic application form. You will be able to save your application and add documents or information until the application deadline. 

Once you click "submit," the application will be considered final and no additional information will be accepted. If you do not click "submit," the application will not be considered. At the end of the submission form, you will be asked for your payment information.     

Please be advised: the application may time out if you keep it open for a long time. It is recommended that you keep a backup of your answers in a separate document. Save early and often. You can verify that your application has saved by logging out and logging back in. 

All applicants will be notified minimum 4 weeks before the screening date.  If you don't receive a notification, please check your spam folder.

Applications for the program are rolling.  Dates will be updated for the coming year in November.

Accessibility Film Independent is committed to hosting events that are accessible. For inquiries regarding accessibility, or to request an accommodation, please contact us at accessibility@filmindependent.org or 323 556 9305.

Program Questions?  Please contact the Artist Development team at artistdevelopment@filmindependent.org.

Technical Questions?  Check out the Submitter Resource Center or contact Submittable Customer Support.

Thank you for your interest in Film Independent's Fiscal Sponsorship.

Please complete and submit the following electronic application form.  Applications can take approximately 6 - 8 weeks to be assessed.  

You must be a current Film Independent Member to apply for fiscal sponsorship.

Once you click "submit," the application will be considered final and no additional information will be accepted. If you do not click "submit," the application will not be considered.

It is recommended that you keep a backup of your answers in a separate document. 

Information and guidelines to answering each question is provided under the questions.  Please read them and follow the outlines provided.

   A $45 fee will be charged to submit this application unless you provide a valid waiver code.

   For more information please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent.org.

    ** We advise all applicants to make sure they have selected "Yes, I want to receive email notifications" in their Submitter Profile here: https://manager.submittable.com/user/settings **