Film London micro Labs: The Documentary Sessions
Welcome to our first Film London *micro* Lab: The Documentary Sessions!
Documentaries have long captured the curiosity of audiences, connecting us to real stories, people and experiences. Whether uncovering untold histories, exploring urgent contemporary issues or capturing intimate human journeys, documentary filmmaking offers a unique way of understanding the world around us.
In this micro lab format, we'll take an introductory look at the craft and industry of long-form documentary filmmaking. Exploring how compelling stories are shaped and brought to audiences today, while examining the practical realities of working in the field—from production to financing and the business aspects of documentaries.
Featuring guest speakers working in the documentary sector, including a filmmaker, producers and industry professionals, this two-day programme will offer participants insights into the creative and professional aspects of the documentary practice. This is geared towards documentary creatives, as well as narrative filmmakers exploring or expanding their craft in documentaries.
Our guest speakers include:
Nevine Mabro, Head of Storyville, the BBC’s acclaimed feature documentary strand. She is an award-winning documentary commissioner, executive producer and journalist with over 25 years’ experience in world news and film. She produced For Sama, the Oscar nominated feature documentary directed by Waad al-Kateab and Edward Watts. She joined BBC Storyville from Channel 4 where she was a commissioning editor from 2021-2025 specialising in international documentaries and current affairs. She commissioned films from Gaza, Afghanistan, Israel, Russia, Ukraine and the US, and they won a host of prestigious awards including BAFTAs, an Emmy, a Peabody, a Grierson, the Rory Peck Impact Award, and the Prix D’Italia amongst others. She also commissioned the critically acclaimed long running foreign affairs series Unreported World.
Jonny Tull, founder of Tull Stories, is a cinema consultant specialising in the areas of audience strategy, film distribution, film programming, fundraising, audience development and marketing, whoses slate spans independent and award-winning documentaries. His clients and collaborators include Doc Society, BFI and MetFilm Distribution. Tull Stories film releases are a diverse mix of documentary, world cinema, outdoor/adventure documentaries and independent film, with the distribution of feature films and documentaries into UK cinemas. Acclaimed features include BIFA-winning documentary Grand Theft Hamlet and BIFA-nominated documentary Motherboard.
FORMAT
Across two days, this will comprise of approx. 3 sessions, 1 hour each. Session times will vary to accommodate our guest speakers but are likely to be in the early afternoon. We aim to publish the full timetable at least a week before the event starts.
Accessibility requirements - all Zoom sessions and recordings will have closed captions enabled. If there are any requirements you would like to discuss, please get in touch to see how best we can assist you. Please note that certain provisions or requests, such as BSL interpretation, will need to be arranged in advance.
HOW TO TAKE PART
Please note that no scripts or proposals are to be submitted.
We will record each session and make the videos available to attendees for six months after the end of the Lab so all can catch up on any missed sessions, or re-watch (only with the purchase of a ticket).
Fee: £45 +VAT
NOTE: We recognise that this is a challenging time for many in our industry, and we have ventured to keep costs as low as possible.
We’re keen to make this series accessible so if the cost is a barrier for you, do get in touch at production@filmlondon.org.uk (there will be a very limited amount of requests we can take).
Refund policy: Refunds can only be issued BEFORE the lab starts, any additional booking fees are non-refundable.