SHORT FILM LAB

Location: BAM (Brooklyn Academy of Music)

The UFO Short Film Lab supports early-career directors over 18 months as they produce two short film projects from development through distribution. Filmmakers receive financial support, mentorship, access to professional development opportunities, and industry connections as part of a collaborative community.

Open to filmmakers working across the medium, including scripted, nonfiction/documentary, animation, and hybrid approaches.

Each UFO fellow receives:

  • Mentorship from program staff, guest filmmakers, and industry experts at all project stages

  • Participation in weekly in-person workshops with a cohort of filmmakers at BAM’s campus in Brooklyn

  • Project funds of $10K for each short film production

  • Access to in-kind production and post-production resources

  • Festival & impact strategy and submission support

The application window for Cycle III of the UFO Short Film Lab closed on February 10, 2025.

All applicants can expect to be notified of the status of their application by early April 2025.

For prospective applicants interested in future program cycles, we encourage you to follow us on Instagram and/or subscribe to our newsletter.

  • Eligible filmmakers:

    • Have previously directed at least one short film (at least 5 minutes)

    • Are at least 21 years of age

    • Self-identify as an early-career or emerging filmmaker interested in artistic growth

    • Will not be enrolled in any undergraduate degree program or a graduate program for filmmaking/production during the Short Film Lab

    Selected filmmakers commit to participating in regular mentorship and lab activities in Brooklyn, NY including:

    • One-on-one mentorship meetings with UFO staff

    • Weekly group workshop sessions with other UFO filmmakers and staff

    • Works-in-progress sessions with invited industry professionals

    • Occasional community engagement events/screenings

  • Applications will be received via an Airtable form, including the following materials:

    1) Two Essay Prompts:

    • Please tell us what motivates you to tell the stories you tell through film by discussing your previous film projects, your creative influences, and your connection to themes/topics/communities relevant to your work. (up to 300 words)

    • Please tell us about your future goals and how the Short Film Lab could support your growth as a director. (up to 300 words)

    2) Project Proposal:

    A written proposal for one short film project the applicant would develop and direct in the UFO Short Film Lab. (up to 750 words)

    Suggested details include:

    • Project summary or plot outline

    • Aesthetic/artistic approach

    • Discussion of relevant topics/themes

    • Filmmaker’s relationship with topics/communities engaged

    • Style or tonal references/comps

    • Any known collaborators (prospective or secured)

    • Potential impact and audience for project

    • Any project progress to date

    3) Links to 1-3 directorial work samples

    4) Resumé/CV

    5) Supplemental materials (optional), that may help us better understand your proposed project, such as:

    • Script drafts

    • Pitch decks/look books

    • Artistic excellence & capacity: The filmmaker’s work samples demonstrate their distinct artistic voice, vision, and style as a director. The filmmaker demonstrates a strong command of their craft as well as their capacity for further growth.

    • Independent approach: The filmmaker is primarily interested in developing original works that reflect their personal artistic vision.

    • Diversity of perspective: The filmmaker’s work engages unique or underexplored topics/themes/communities and/or the filmmaker identifies as a member of a historically excluded community/communities.

    • Impact of lab participation: The filmmaker would clearly benefit from participation in all aspects of the program. The filmmaker is neither too advanced nor premature to meaningfully benefit from the lab experience.

    • Collaborative ethic & spirit: The filmmaker is eager to contribute to a supportive, diverse, and inclusive community of artists, and in turn are receptive to input and feedback on their projects from their peers, UFO staff, and visiting guests.

    • Promise of proposed project: The scale and scope of the proposed project is feasible. The potential impact or significance of the proposed project is evident.

  • Cycle III Application Timeline

    January 27, 2025: Application window opens

    February 10, 2025: Application window closes

    Late March 2025: All applicants notified

    May 2025: Short Film Lab cycle & weekly meetings begin

    Cycle III Program Timeline

    May to July 2025: Development + Pre-Production Phase

    Example weekly workshop topics:

    • Script writing & story development

    • Fundraising & budgeting

    • Shotlisting & storyboarding

    July to September 2025: Production Phase

    Example weekly workshop topics:

    • Casting

    • Production planning

    • Review dailies

    • Early editing

    October to December 2025: Post-Production Phase

    Example weekly workshop topics:

    • Rough cut workshops

    • Industry feedback screening

    • Impact & distribution strategy

    January to March 2026: Program Hiatus

    • No weekly sessions

    • UFO mentors available for ad-hoc meetings

    March 2026: Community Preview Screening of Lab Projects @ BAM

    Cycle IV Program Timeline

    April 2026: Next Short Film Lab cycle begins

    New filmmakers join cohort; Spring 2025 participants continue through next cycle

    April to June 2026: Development + Pre-Production Phase

    Example weekly workshop topics:

    • Script writing & story development

    • Fundraising & budgeting

    • Shotlisting & storyboarding

    June to August 2026: Production Phase

    Example weekly workshop topics:

    • Casting

    • Production planning

    • Review dailies

    • Early editing

    August to October 2026: Post-Production Phase

    Example weekly workshop topics:

    • Rough cut workshops

    • Industry feedback screening

    • Impact & distribution strategy

    November to December 2026: Program Hiatus

    • No weekly sessions

    • UFO mentors available for ad-hoc meetings

    January 2027: Community Preview Screening of Lab Projects @ BAM

    *Sample schedule - specific programming and dates may change

Current Fellows

Tahiel Jimenez Medina
Cycle I & II

Brydie O’Connor
Cycle I & II

Emily May Jampel
Cycle II & III

Bren Wyona
Cycle I & II

Arielle Knight
Cycle II & III

Kevin Xian Ming Yu
Cycle I & II

Samuel Wright Smith
Cycle II & III

Testimonials

“The UFO Lab is a once in a lifetime opportunity to be caringly seen, held, and supported through the stormy vulnerable process of self expression. ... Everyone is in this lab is so sweet, friendly, savvy, and intuitive— I love to know you from now until then, hopefully far into the future, and rejoice in our mutual language of film.”

Tahiel Jimenez Medina

Fellow // Cycle I & II

“I was thrilled to be accepted into this program. I knew that the funding and resources UFO offers would make it possible for me to develop, shoot, and edit two new short films. I was excited to gain more experience as a documentary director, and hone my craft alongside a cohort of incredibly talented and thoughtful filmmakers. My experience in the UFO Short Film Lab far exceeded my expectations;  I feel more confident and capable as a filmmaker than ever before.

Brydie O’Connor

Fellow // Cycle I & II