Directors' Lab
Applications are now closed. Selected participants will be notified in July.
TIFF Directors’ Lab is a five-day competitive talent development programme that takes place during the Toronto International Film Festival in September.
Formerly TIFF Filmmaker Lab, TIFF Directors’ Lab returns with a greater focus on directorial debuts. The Lab selects 16 Canadian and international directors from hundreds of applications to receive an impactful career-launching mentorship from renowned directors, producers, agents, distributors, and top industry experts from around the world. TIFF Directors’ Lab is designed to be a catalyst for emerging directors to refine their creative projects and prepare their projects for the marketplace. Select participants of the Lab will be eligible for fellowships generously supported by our donors.
This year, select participants will be awarded the Micki Moore Fellowship, the Share Her Journey Giving Circle Fellowship, the Share Her Journey Directors’ Lab Fellowship in honour of Viola Desmond, and the Jennifer A. Tory Legacy Fellowship.
Select Lab participants will receive financial support to be in Toronto for the duration of the programme, with specifics in their official invitation.
What’s included
- Five-day feature film development and market readiness programme, taking place in-person September 3–7
- Mentorship from TIFF’s programming team and top industry experts
- Access to the 50th Toronto International Film Festival, TIFF’s Industry Conference, Industry Hub, and Delegate Resources
- Complimentary one-year TIFF Membership, including discounts on film tickets at TIFF Lightbox
