Are you a queer creative with a documentary in development? This programme is for you! Our Queer Realities Director’s Lab is returning for two more editions, supported by the BFI National Lottery Creative Challenge Fund, awarding National Lottery Good Cause funding.
First launched in 2024, Queer Realities Director’s Lab is a development programme open to early-career LGBTQIA+ directors and creatives who are currently in the development stage of a feature length documentary project. The upcoming second edition will run from October 2026 until July 2027.
10 selected directors will have a space to learn, share and explore the form of documentary through curated masterclasses, workshops and sessions with international and UK filmmakers, artists and other industry professionals.
The cohort will also be individually matched with an industry professional for online mentoring hours and supported with a bursary to help develop their project.
The programme concludes with a presentation showcase and curated networking session during the next edition of Sheffield DocFest, which takes place 9-14 June 2027.
The third edition of Queer Realities Director’s Lab will open for applications in late 2027, where a new cohort of 10 filmmakers will be selected.
What’s in the programme?
- In-person and online workshops, masterclasses, and a residential weekend, between October 2026 - February 2027 exploring creative documentary making for linear and queer non-fiction storytelling
- Online mentoring hours with an industry professional
- A period of self-directed development time supported by a bursary
- Attendance at two film festivals
- Online pitch coaching and presentation to industry professionals
- Showcase and networking session at Sheffield DocFest 2027 (9-14 June)
- Industry accreditation for two editions of Sheffield DocFest (2027 & 2028)
Travel and accommodation will be covered for the selected directors for the workshops, residential, and three nights of the 2027 edition of Sheffield DocFest. Catering will also be provided on the days of the workshops and residential.
Access support including BSL, PA support or other assistance will be available for participants as required.
Important dates
- Wednesday 12 August at 17:00 BST: Ask Me Anything informative online session
- Tuesday 25 August at 13:00 BST: Application deadline
- Tuesday 6 October: Announcement of selected filmmakers
- Friday 16 October: Workshop (in person)
- October: Visit to a film festival. Confirmation and details will be provided at a later date
- Friday 27 November: Workshop (in person)
- Thursday 28 - Sunday 31 January: 4 day residential (in person)
- Wednesday 9 - Monday 14 June: Sheffield DocFest 2027
Specific dates of further sessions will be communicated with the cohort once selected. Participants should be free for the workshop dates above.
Who is eligible?
This programme is intended for early-career directors. To be eligible for the Queer Realities Director’s Lab, you must:
- Be 18 or over
- Be based in the UK
- Identify as LGBTQIA+
- Have a documentary project currently in development stage
- Have at least one previous credit as director on a short or feature film, television episode, XR artwork, or theatre piece performed to a public audience in the past three years
- Be available to participate in the programme on the specified dates listed above
Whilst Queer Realities Director’s Lab projects must be films, the programme is open to directors who have worked in other areas prior, including XR, theatre and television. If you were previously selected for the first edition of the programme, you cannot apply for the second edition.
How to apply
Please fill in this application form by 13:00 BST on Tuesday 25 August 2026. In the form, we ask for some information about your project you are working on and applying with, as well as information about yourself and your motivations.
If you have any questions about applying for the programme, eligibility requirements, or dates, please first check our FAQs below and if you need further info please email our team on industry@sheffdocfest.com.
If there are any reasonable adjustments we can make to assist you in your application, please contact Maria Stoneman, Head of People & Access on access@sheffdocfest.com.
You will hear back by the end of September at the latest regarding the outcome of your application.
Ask Me Anything
Are you considering applying to the Queer Realities Director’s Lab? Do you have a project idea in early development?
Join us online on Wednesday 12 August at 17:00 BST for an informative session with our Senior Industry Consultant, Patrizia Mancini, and Creative Director, Raul Niño Zambrano, who will tell you more about the lab, answer your questions and offer advice to support you in the application process.
We will provide a form link closer to the time to sign up and enter questions in advance.
There will also be time during the session to ask questions directly. The session will take place on Zoom. If you would like to receive a copy of the recording after the session, please contact our team at communications@sheffdocfest.com.
FAQs
What genres are you open to?
The project you are applying with must be a linear documentary or hybrid documentary. Within this, we are open to various topics and subgenres.
Can I meet with you to discuss my project?
We can't take meetings about specific projects, however if you are unsure about something or have any questions regarding whether you or your project are eligible, please email us on industry@sheffdocfest.com.
My project has some funding on board and/or is in development with another company. Can I apply with this project?
Yes, you can. Please explain in your application why this scheme will help with the development of the project.
Can I apply with a short film or TV series project?
No, the project you apply with must be intended to be a feature documentary, which we describe as being over 40 minutes in length. The project you apply with can however be based off a short film/other piece of work you have already made.
I have a clip that is longer than 3 minutes, can I still use this to apply?
Yes, but if this is the case you must provide time codes for a 3 minute section for the selection team to view. They will evaluate only the exact length as per the application requirements.
What are the dates of all of the workshops and events?
The dates of the first workshops are in the programme outline but further ones in 2027 will be communicated to the selected applicants in due course.
When will I receive the bursary?
Participants will receive a bursary to recognise the time and commitment required to take part in the programme. A day rate of £118.40 for a total of 18 days is allocated, with payment based on the number of days assigned to each programme element. The bursary will be paid in instalments as key milestones are completed.
