Firelight Media has opened the call for submissions for its 2024 Documentary Lab program, an 18-month fellowship designed to support underrepresented non-fiction storytellers working on their first or second feature-film project.

Now in its 14th year, the program provides the selected participants with a US$25,000 grant towards their project, along with professional development retreats and customized mentorship. Beyond support for particular projects, the Doc Lab aims to help filmmakers build a network of industry relationships within the documentary field, connecting to other fellows, alumni and mentors.

Past participants in the program include such acclaimed filmmakers as Dawn Porter (The Lady Bird Diaries, Luther: Never Too Much), Ivan McDonald (Murder in Big Horn) and Bao Nguyen (Be Water, The Greatest Night in Pop).

Firelight Media will consider all types on non-fiction projects for the Doc Lab, including historical, investigative, personal, verité and experimental. The deadline for all submissions is May 13, 2024.

Further information about the application process and eligibility requirements can be found at the Firelight Media website.