The Storyline Development Workshop is a virtual lab focused on the creative development of early-stage fiction feature film projects, from the initial idea to narrative treatment. The application period for the 2026 edition is open until November 1, 2025. The workshop runs from February 1 to April 5, 2026, with an additional follow-up session in April/May 2026. The program is organized from Mexico and accepts international applications from filmmakers around the world. It focuses solely on narrative fiction and belongs to the laboratory / creative development category. The accepted format is fiction feature films, with virtual group and individual sessions designed to develop each project’s treatment, character profiles, and synopsis.
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Storylines Lab (Spanish) - Cine Qua Non Lab
Cine Qua Non Residency is a writing retreat specifically designed for alumni of Cine Qua Non Lab. The program aims to connect alumni from different generations of Cine Qua Non Lab and offer them the opportunity to work intensively on the development of their narrative feature screenplays in Mexico, in a structured environment that fosters professional collaboration.
Cine Qua Non Residency is a supported writing retreat that gives Cine Qua Non Lab alumni the opportunity to experience — or return to — the Cine Qua Non Lab facilities in Mexico and develop their scripts in a protected writing environment, with the support of international peers from various Lab generations and the guidance of an on-site mentor to help generate ideas. The retreat lasts 10 days.
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Cine Qua Non Retreat (Spanish)
The XXIII National Cinematographic Script Contest GIFF 2025 is open to Mexican screenwriters and foreigners with at least three years of residency in Mexico. Participants can submit scripts in two categories: fiction feature films (minimum 80 pages) and fiction short films (maximum 15 pages). Scripts must be original, written in Spanish, accompanied by a synopsis, and registered for copyright.
Up to five finalists per category will be awarded cash prizes, equipment, and services, along with script consultations and opportunities to pitch their projects to producers and investors during the Guanajuato International Film Festival (GIFF), held from July 25 to 31, 2025. The submission period was from March 26 to April 29, 2025. More information at giff.mx.
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XXIII NATIONAL SCRIPT CONTEST - GIFF
LINKEAD@S 2025 is a call launched by FIDBA (Buenos Aires International Documentary Film Festival) for early-stage documentary feature projects from Latin America. The initiative supports emerging ideas through mentoring, labs, masterclasses, and professional networking. Activities will take place in person in Buenos Aires from October 6–11, 2025.
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Link - LINKEAD@S
The 9th Mercosur Co-Production Meeting – ECM+LAB Special Ibero-America 2025 is part of the Florianópolis Audiovisual Mercosur Festival (FAM). It takes place from September 4 to 9, 2025, in Florianópolis, Brazil, with a hybrid LAB phase from June 3 to July 31, 2025. The event promotes co-productions and development of feature films and series in fiction and documentary genres.
Projects from Mercosur countries (Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela) and selected Latin American countries, Spain, and Portugal are eligible. Participation modes include Negocial+LAB for selected projects, Players (industry professionals), and Audience members.
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ECM + LAB (Industry)