Appel à projets - Rough Cut Pitch 2026
Période de soumission : du 1er au 19 juin 2026
Forum RIDM is launching its call for projects for Doc Lab Montréal 2026, an initiative dedicated to supporting Quebecois, Canadian, and international documentary projects led by emerging filmmakers and/or producers. The call for applications is open from June 1 to 19, 2026. For this new edition, the lab is opening its call to international projects for the first time.
Doc Lab Montréal is a professional incubator dedicated to auteur-driven documentary projects in the development stage. Designed as a space for intensive support, the lab provides participants with a structured environment fostering both artistic development and strategic positioning of their projects within both national and international markets.
Over the course of three days, selected project teams will take part in closed-group mentoring sessions led by recognized professionals from the local and international documentary industry. The lab will conclude with a pitch session presented during Forum RIDM. Additionally, selected teams will take part in Face-à-Face, a full day of one-on-one speed meetings or, in certain cases, an alternative networking activity tailored to their needs. Participating projects will be eligible for several cash and service awards.
Participants will also benefit from exclusive access to the professional activities of the 22nd edition of Forum RIDM, which will take place from November 20 to 25, 2026.
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ACTIVITIES OFFERED
• Three days of hands on group mentorship
• A pitch session in front of national and international industry professionals
• The Face-à-Face activity, a full day of one-on-one speed-meetings (Canadian projects seeking a production company will participate in an alternative matchmaking activity tailored to their needs)
• Full access to the professional programming of Forum RIDM, as well as festival screenings.
Activities will take place in French and/or English. Forum RIDM strives, whenever possible, to accommodate participants’ preferred working language. However, due to the international nature of the program, some activities - including pitch mentorships and sessions - are generally conducted in English.
Please note that Forum RIDM does not cover participants’ travel or accommodation expenses. However, our team works in collaboration with institutional partners, consulates, and embassies to identify possible support opportunities for certain participants. Preferred rates with partner hotels will also be offered to selected teams.
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SUBMISSION PROCESS
Projects must be submitted online no later than June 19, 2026.
Please note: for the international stream, the call may close before the official deadline if the maximum quota of 100 applications is reached.
Quebec and Canadian Short & Mid-Length Projects Stream
This stream is open to:
• filmmakers who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada;
• filmmakers with an auteur documentary project with a maximum running time of 59 minutes;
• filmmakers who have directed at least one short film and no more than three short films;
• projects that qualify as majority Canadian productions.
Application Form — Quebec and Canadian Short & Mid-Length Projects
Participation Fee (Applicable only if selected)
155 CAD + taxes per person.
In addition to the mentorship program, all participants will receive a RIDM + Forum accreditation granting access to festival screenings and all professional activities.
Quebec and Canadian Feature-Length Projects Stream
Feature-length projects from Quebec and Canada may be submitted with or without an attached production company.
This stream is open to:
• filmmakers and/or producers who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada;
• filmmakers and/or producers developing an auteur documentary project with a minimum running time of 60 minutes;
• filmmakers or producers who have directed or produced at least one short film
• projects corresponding to the filmmaker’s first or second feature-length film.
• projects that qualify as majority Canadian productions
Application Form — Quebec and Canadian Feature-Length Projects
Participation Fees (Applicable only if selected)
• Filmmaker submitting a feature-length project without a production company: 205 CAD + taxes per person
• Filmmaker and/or producer submitting a feature-length project represented by a production company: 320 CAD + taxes per person (this fee includes Face-à-Face accreditation)
In addition to the mentorship program, all participants will receive a RIDM + Forum accreditation granting access to festival screenings and all professional activities.
International Stream
For the first time, Doc Lab Montréal is opening its call for projects to international documentary projects.
Only projects represented by a production company based outside Canada are eligible, including self-produced projects.
This stream is open to:
• non-Canadian filmmakers and producers residing outside Canada;
• applicants who have directed or produced at least one short film
• filmmakers and producers with an auteur documentary project with a minimum running time of 60 minutes;
• projects corresponding to the filmmaker’s first or second feature-length film;
• projects must be represented by a production company based outside Canada.
The number of international applications is limited to 100 projects. Consequently, this stream may close before the June 19, 2026 deadline if the maximum number of submissions is reached.
Application Form — International Feature-Length Projects
Participation Fee (Applicable only if selected)
320 CAD + taxes per person (this fee includes Face-à-Face accreditation)
In certain cases, participation fees for international projects may be waived depending on the project’s country or region of origin. Requests will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. Applicants wishing to request a fee waiver are invited to explain their situation in the submission form.
For any questions or additional information:
forum@ridm.ca
FAQ — Doc Lab Montréal 2026
What types of documentary projects are eligible?
Doc Lab Montréal is intended for auteur-driven documentary projects (including hybrid works) in the development stage, including short, medium-length, and feature-length formats, depending on the submission stream. Projects must demonstrate a strong artistic vision and, ideally, have the potential to reach national and international markets.
Journalistic, promotional, institutional, advertising, or strictly television-oriented projects are not eligible.
At what stage of development should the project be?
Projects must be in the development stage. However, depending on the nature of the project, projects that have already begun shooting may also be eligible, provided that they can still benefit from creative, strategic, and professional support
Are self-produced projects eligible?
Yes. For Canadian feature-length projects, applications may be submitted with or without an attached production company. For the international stream, self-produced projects are eligible provided they are represented by a production company based outside Canada.
What does “emerging filmmaker” mean?
Doc Lab Montréal is intended for emerging filmmakers and producers. For the feature-length streams, submitted projects must correspond to the filmmaker’s first or second feature-length film.
Regarding producers, eligibility is more flexible, provided they are not already well-established in the international marketplace.
Can I submit a project if I have already participated in Doc Lab Montréal or Talent Lab?
Yes. Previous participants of Doc Lab Montréal (formerly Talent Lab) may submit a new project, provided it is a different project and in a different format from the one previously presented.
Does Forum RIDM cover travel and accommodation expenses?
No. However, the team works with various institutional partners to identify possible support opportunities for certain participants. Preferred rates with partner hotels are also offered to selected teams.
Is it mandatory to have a teaser or filmed material?
No. Projects may be submitted without a teaser or filmed material. However, if visual material already exists, applicants are strongly encouraged to include it in their application.
Are documentary series projects eligible?
No. Doc Lab Montréal is dedicated to single-format auteur documentary projects (short, medium-length, or feature-length).
Why is the number of international applications limited?
Due to the program’s capacity and the size of the selection team, the international stream is limited to 100 applications. Please note that the call may close before the official deadline if the maximum quota of 100 applications is reached.