Delivered in partnership with the Hat Factory Arts Centre, this day-long lab supports eight emerging directors looking to develop their skills and confidence when directing actors.
The lab is led by David Anderson, a director whose films (including his BFI NETWORK short Reflection) have screened at festivals and won awards around the world. It will predominantly be a practical session in which every participant directs and will get hands-on experience of working with actors on the day. Using simple scenes, with limited dialogue, the exercises are designed to provide participants with tools and approaches they can use in practical exercises and for the rest of their careers.
Key information
The Directing Actors Lab is in person and will take place over the course of a day at the Hat Factory Arts Centre in Luton on Thursday 23 May 2024. Please ensure that you’re able to attend on this day.
Participation in the programme is free. However, participants are expected to cover the cost of travel to/from Luton. If you are accepted onto the Lab then Film Hub South East may be able to support travel costs where this presents a barrier to participation. If this is the case, please contact us after your application has been accepted.
Who is it for?
We are anticipating a high volume of applications for this programme. Therefore the Lab is designed for early career filmmakers who already have some creative experience of directing through self-initiated narrative film, commercial work, or education and are looking to professionalise their craft and build on their experience to date. The ideal candidate will be actively working towards a career as a film director and will be able to identify how the lab fits into their career development. If you are unsuccessful in your application to this programme, we will be hosting an online series of Directors Labs later in the year which will be open to all. These will be publicised in our newsletter, please sign up if you’re not already subscribed.
We are not looking to support directors who have directed a fiction feature film that has received UK distribution.
If you have self-financed and directed a feature or made a feature that did not achieve commercial distribution (theatrically or via a major online platform) in the UK, you may apply.
Participants must be over 18, not in full-time education and based in the South East of England (as defined by the BFI – see map). We will ask for proof of address as part of your participation in this lab.
Programme leader
David Anderson
Director (Reflection, The Gambler)
The lab is led by David Anderson whose films have screened at festivals and won awards around the world. His recent work includes Reflection, funded by BFI NETWORK, staring Ariyon Bakare (The Mosquito Coast, His Dark Materials) and The Gambler, his first film in Los Angeles, staring Mark Rolston (The Shawshank Redemption, The Departed). David was awarded a skillset bursary to study at the London Film School. During this time, he was very fortunate that Ken Loach agreed to be his mentor and David spent time in the casting process and was with Ken on set for The Angel’s Share where he worked on the film’s ‘making of’. In addition to his fiction work David has directed documentaries, charity films, promotional videos and theatre productions.
David is an experienced tutor, in both filmmaking and acting. He created the outreach department at the London Film School, providing free film education for young people. He regularly teaches at Pinewood Studios and RADA. He has taught and guest lectured at a host of film schools in the UK and internationally.
How to apply
Please complete the application form below. The deadline for applications is Sunday 21 April (11:59pm).
If you have any questions about the Lab or if you need any support in completing your application, please contact us at: please contact our team at: bfinetwork@independentcinemaoffice.org.uk
As part of your application, please also complete a Diversity Monitoring Form. We’re collecting this information to help us evaluate our work to increase diversity and inclusivity in the sector. The information you provide here will be anonymous and won’t be connected to or identifiable with your application.
Before applying, please ensure you have read through the ‘Who is it for?’ section above and that you fulfil the criteria.
Please note: you will not receive a confirmation email on completion of the application form. After submitting the form, please scroll back down to the bottom of this page where you’ll find a message confirming your application.
Applications are now closed for this programme.