VIFF Labs empower the emerging creator by cultivating meaningful direct engagement extending beyond the boundaries of their craft.
Designed for intimate, invitation-only groups formed through targeted community partnerships, Labs facilitate interactive, hands-on knowledge sharing and nurture conversations between established global talent and local creators. The framework and programming of Labs is designed to be open and safe. Conversations take place in a non-hierarchical environment, allowing local emerging artists to connect with each other as well as with more established filmmakers.
Participant Reviews
“Was very insightful and an honour to be part of an intimate conversation with industry professionals. Always great to hear peoples stories and how they got to where they are. I left feeling inspired.”
“The format really worked, the moderator made sure that everyone had time to speak. I feel like I learned a lot about starting to produce or upleveling from shorts to feature lengths.”
“It was a good, intimate event and it was really great to have Ellen Kuras right there. I liked that the lab had a smaller number of people, it felt less intimidating to ask questions and also gave Ellen enough time to properly discuss and elaborate on points.”
Past Guests Have Included
Akiko Stehrenberger, Artist & Designer
Cody Lightning, Writer Hey Viktor!
Daniel Goldhaber, Director How to Blow Up a Pipeline
Emma Seligman, Director Shiva Baby
Jamila Pomeroy, Director Union Street
Karen Cho, Director In the Shadow of Gold Mountain
Kyle Edward Ball, Director Skinamarink
Sam Miller, Writer Hey Viktor!
Tarik Bradford, President, Dahomey Music
Karen Pearlman, Author Cutting Rhythms: Intuitive
Madonna Wade Reed, Music Supervisor Batwoman and Whoopsie Daisy
Jennifer Abbott, Director The New Corporation: The unfortunately Necessary
Chase Joynt, Director Framing Agnes
Aisling Chin Yee, Director The Rest Of Us
Theo Anthony, Director, All Light, Everywhere
Lindsey Dryden, Producer Trans In America
Kirsten Johnson, Director Dick Johnson Is Dead
Joseph Patel, Producer Summer of Soul
James LeBrecht, Co-Director Crip Camp
Tyler Hagan, Producer The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open and Never Steady, Never Still