Starting this year, Laguna Film Lab is evolving into a year-long residency culminating in the creation of a collective film. The residency is named after Giorgio Gosetti, founder of Laguna Sud and Giornate degli Autori, who passed away in March 2026.
The call is open to four young filmmakers and artists under the age of 35, of any nationality, with previous experience in filmmaking, writing, photography, or animation, and who have already completed at least one short film that has been screened at festivals or public events, or distributed through web platforms dedicated to cinema and audiovisual works.
One year of work to create a collective film
Starting at the end of August 2026, the four selected participants will take part in a creative process involving writing, research, shooting, editing, and post-production, leading to the realization of a collective film of approximately 50–70 minutes.
The residency will take place between Chioggia, the Venice Lagoon, and a series of online activities, with the support of tutors, industry professionals, and renowned national and international filmmakers and artists.
The programme includes:
- 29 August – 2 September 2026: location scouting and presentation of the participants during Laguna Sud and the 23rd edition of Giornate degli Autori;
- 17 – 24 October 2026: first shooting and field research session;
- December 2026 – January 2027: second shooting session and project development;
- February – April 2027: editing;
- May – June 2027: post-production.
Online coordination meetings and mentoring sessions will be organised between each phase of the residency.
A fully funded residency
Participation in the residency is free of charge and includes all travel, accommodation and meal expenses during the in-person sessions.
The artistic direction of the project is entrusted to Andrea Segre, in collaboration with Gaia Furrer, Artistic Director of Giornate degli Autori.
The programme will be supported by tutors from ZaLab and from the international documentary film scene. Previous editions have featured, among others, Alessandro Cassigoli, Agostino Ferrente, Matteo Tortone, Firouzeh Khosrovani, Daniele Gaglianone and Chiara Russo.
Dedicated support will also be provided for the post-production and distribution phases.
Film Premiere and Distribution
The film produced during the residency will premiere between August and September 2027 as part of the 24th edition of Giornate degli Autori and the 13th edition of Laguna Sud – Cinema Beyond the Palazzo.
Following the premiere, the film will be screened in at least six Italian cinemas in Padua, Palermo, Milan, Bologna, Rome and Naples.
How to Apply
To apply, candidates must complete the online application form available at this link and upload the required documentation in PDF format, following the guidelines below.
GUIDELINES FOR PREPARING THE PDF
Application deadline: 3 July 2026, 11:59 PM (CET).
Results announcement: by 31 July 2026.
For further information: lagunafilmlab@zalab.org
A project by ZaLab and Giornate Degli Autori. Made possible with the support of Otto per Mille dell’Istituto Buddista Italiano Soka Gakkai, in collaboration with Giornate degli Autori, Fondazione Clodiense ONLUS, Pro Loco Chioggia- Sottomarina, Comune di Chioggia.