Cinekid presents the directing talents selected for the Directors LAB

Six directors with projects from six European countries are set to participate in the fourth edition of Cinekid’s Directors LAB. The week-long project-driven training programme returns to Amsterdam in April, preparing directors for the final steps before pre-production.

The upcoming edition of the Directors LAB will be equally divided between directors who previously participated in the Cinekid Script LAB, and those who are joining Cinekid’s professionals programme for the first time.

New projects
The Nordic region is represented by Paul Magnus Lundø, who will work on his scout adventure ‘The Badgers,’ whilst Dutch director Nova van den Brakel van Dijk will work on ‘A Kittens Christmas Carol’ a feature version of the popular ‘Kittens’ series. From Switzerland, director Sandra Moser will work on her circus drama ‘Rosanna, Jaris and the Otherworld.’

Script LAB projects
Also, in the selection are three former Script LAB projects: ‘Heart Beats,’ directed by Johanna Lietha (Script LAB 2022-23), ‘Rainbow in Hell City,’ directed by Tessa Moult Milewska (Script LAB 2022-23) and ‘Sorry,’ directed by Frederike Migom (Script LAB 2021-22). Additionally, Migom’s project was pitched in the 2021 edition of the Junior Co-Production Market. ‘Sorry’ will be the follow up feature after the success of her debut ‘Binti,’ which premiered at Sundance Film Festival 2020.

Important programme
During the LAB, the directors work under the guidance of a coach and follow a tailor-made trajectory of sessions designed to prepare them before entering the pre-production phase. It features a special focus on casting and working with child actors.

Festival Director Heleen Rouw comments: “Cinekid Directors LAB has proven to be an important programme for the development of independent children's film, as we received the largest number of applicants so far for the upcoming edition. We thank our expert coaches who make our tailor-made approach possible and look forward to work with these talents.”

About Cinekid Directors LAB
During Cinekid Directors LAB, an international group of acclaimed and upcoming filmmakers will focus on the final steps needed prior to pre-production, coupled with the specific skills required for working with children. Above all, the program offers hands-on tailor-made coaching. More information about Lab activities can be found here.

The workshop is co-funded by Creative Europe MEDIA Programme and is supported by the Netherlands Film Fund and Norwegian Film Institute.

The call for entries for the upcoming edition of Cinekid for Professionals will open on March 4 2024. Keep an eye on this page, subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook or Instagram.

Cinekid for Professionals will take place October 29 – November 1 in Amsterdam.

The Badgers (film/live-action)
Participating director: Paul M. Lundø
Produced by David L. Leader (73 Eyes Film Production, Norway)
Nominated by: Norwegian Film Institute

Heart Beats (film/live-action)
Participating director: Johanna Lietha
Produced by Karin Berghammer (berg hammer film, Austria)
Co-produced by Katrin Renz (tellfilm, Switzerland)

A Kittens Christmas Carol (film/live-action)
Participating director: Nova van den Brakel van Dijk
Produced by Brechtje Schaling (Kleine Storm, Netherlands)
Nominated by: Netherlands Film Fund

Rainbow in Hell City (film/live-action and animation)
Participating director: Tessa Moult Milewska
Produced by Kasia Panas and Grzegorz Wacławek (Animoon, Poland)

Rosanna, Jaris and the Otherworld (film/live-action)
Participating director: Sandra Moser
Produced by Stefan Jäger (tellfilm, Switzerland)

Sorry (film/live-action)
Participating director: Frederike Migom
Produced by Ivy Vanhaecke (De Mensen, Belgium)
Co-production companies: Juliet/Pupkin (Netherlands) and Cala Films (Germany)