JIIFF LAB 2025
Rules and Regulations
For producers and directors of fiction films from Ibero-America
JIIFF LAB is an industry program designed to strengthen fiction feature film projects in the development stage. It is aimed at duos of emerging directors and experienced producers from the film industry throughout Ibero-America and Italy. Over four days, participants work to strengthen their projects through consultations, mentorships with highly recognized professionals, and participate in networking spaces to consolidate the realization of their films.
JIIFF LAB will take place in person in José Ignacio, Uruguay, from January 22nd to 26th, 2025
The organization of JIIFF LAB will select eight (8) projects from Ibero-America and Italy, represented by a total of sixteen (16) participants (8 duos of directors and producers). Among these selected projects, at least two (2) will be Uruguayan.
The duos will participate in a final pitching session where a specially convened jury will recognize the projects with various awards to continue strengthening them. One of these awards will be the Pfeffer del Sur Fund.
JIIFF Lab is part of the Working JIIFF Industry program of the José Ignacio International Film Festival. Working JIIFF promotes the connection between the regional and international film industry through training and networking spaces.
Who is it for
To highlight and support new perspectives, the call is aimed at a duo of director and producer who are developing a fiction feature film project. Producers must have experience in the film industry, and the project presented must be the first or second film of the director.
Elegibility
The applying producer must consider the following requirements:
Project requirements:
- Fiction feature film projects in development.
- Budget up to USD 1,500,000 (one million five hundred thousand US dollars).
- Have at least 25% of financing secured (including confirmed funding sources).
Director requirements:
- Must be native in or be a resident (for a minimum of 3 years) of any Ibero-American and Italian countries.
- Must have directed a minimum of one (1) short film and up to one (1) feature film, one of which must have participated in an international film festival.
Producer requirements:
- Must be native in or be a resident (for a minimum of 3 years) of the country of the presenting production company, which must be based in any Ibero-American country or Italy.
- Must have produced at least one (1) feature film that has participated in an international festival.
- Can apply with more than one project but will only participate with one of them.
- Must have an advanced level of English and Spanish.
The application deadline is November 16th, 2024, at 6:00 PM.
ABOUT JIIFF LAB
The lab will take place from January 22nd to 26th, 2025, in person in José Ignacio, Uruguay. There will be a prior online session.
It is a development lab for fiction feature film projects. It is designed for producers and directors to analyze and strengthen their projects through consultations, mentorships with international film industry professionals, and networking spaces.
- Directors will access individual consultations and group mentorships with international experts focusing mainly on direction, script, editing, sound design, photography, and audience design.
- Producers will participate in programs to boost projects with other colleagues, seek financing with decision-makers, practice co-production, and plan internationalization through consultations in the form of co-production meetings and networking.
By applying, the duo (director + producer) accepts and commits to attending all activities proposed by the JIIFF Lab organization in person.
The closing event will be a pitching session where each duo will present their project to a specially convened jury that will recognize the projects with various awards.
This edition, and for the first time, JIIFF grants a new Film Fund to stimulate the development of Ibero-American and Italian projects called the Pfeffer del Sur Fund.
Other industry members attending Working JIIFF will also be present at the Pitching to learn about the projects and potentially become allies.
In parallel to this activity, Working JIIFF fosters various networking opportunities among JIIFF Lab attendees, Generación J, U30 Latam, Uruguay HUB Audiovisual, and other spaces of the José Ignacio International Film Festival.
CONSIDERATIONS
The information provided in the registration form will be included in official Working JIIFF communications and catalogs.
The registration fee is:
- USD 20 (twenty US dollars) until September 30, 2024.
- USD 30 (thirty US dollars) from October 1 until the call deadline.
The only way to register is by completing the form, and only projects that have applied within the deadline will be considered.
The project selection will be the responsibility of the JIIFF Lab organization. If selected and deemed necessary, the organization may request additional documentation.
The organization reserves the right to change the number of selected projects if deemed necessary.
Participants will have their accreditation, access to exclusive Working JIIFF and JIIFF events, accommodation, and meals covered. Transportation will be arranged through partnerships with Ibero-American countries.
By applying, the applicant accepts these rules and commits to participating in JIIFF Lab in person if selected. They must confirm their attendance within one week after receiving the notification by email; otherwise, another project will be selected.
Selected participants, when submitting their projects in development to other calls or upon completion of the film, must include the JIIFF and Working JIIFF / JIIFF Lab logos and the text "JIIFF Lab | Working JIIFF 2025 Selection".
For more information or inquiries, write to the following email: wjiiff@joseignaciofilmfestival.com
