Documentary Lab Open Call 2026

The Documentary Lab is Firelight Media’s longest-running artist program. This 12-month fellowship is designed to nurture filmmakers of color working on their first or second non-fiction feature film. The Documentary Lab provides holistic support for fellows’ projects and careers through professional development, customized mentorship, and a $25,000 project grant. All types of long-form documentary projects – historical, investigative, personal, vérité, hybrid, and experimental - are eligible for the Documentary Lab program.

Firelight Media uses the Nonfiction Core Application. Along with your written application, you must submit a work sample/rough cut. Your work sample or rough cut must be no less than 20 minutes and no longer than 45 minutes in duration.  

The deadline for submissions is May 4, 2026 at 11:59PM ET. Under no circumstances will we accept late submissions. We strongly suggest writing your application in a Word document prior to applying. Please be sure to save your document then copy and paste your responses into the online application.  

Eligibility:

• Only the director of the film is eligible to apply and participate in the program. Co-directors may participate if they meet all eligibility requirements. If you’re applying with your co-director, please indicate that in your application. We cannot accept more than 2 directors per project.
• This program is intended for filmmakers of color based in the United States or U.S. territories (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, U.S. Samoa, Guam/Northern Mariana Islands).
• The project must be a long-form/feature-length documentary; the fellowship does not accept short documentaries, series, or fiction projects.
• Applicants must be emerging documentary filmmakers directing their first or second feature-length documentary.
• NEW FOR 2026: We are only accepting films that are in POST-PRODUCTION. The film must be a work in progress. Completed films, or films in development, production or pre-production, are not eligible. Be sure to review FAQs if you have further questions regarding your eligibility.

Filmmakers are not eligible to receive support through Firelight Media’s artist programs if:

• The filmmaker is applying with a project that is a student film or related to ongoing coursework.
• The filmmaker is re-applying to a program they previously received support from. 
• The filmmaker is contracted with another Firelight Media artist program and has not completed the final deliverables by the time they are selected for this program.
• The filmmaker is employed by Firelight Media, Firelight Films, or is a member of the board of directors.
• The filmmaker does not hold the majority of the intellectual property of the film.

If you have any questions or concerns please feel free to contact: doclab@firelightmedia.org. If you'd like to learn more about Firelight Media's Mission, Vision and Values, please visit our website.

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