Luz and Kultur Ensemble Palermo associate again to launch the third edition of Luz Lab and to offer four residency grants for film writing and film development. Luz Lab is open to film scriptwriters and directors based in Italy (Sicily) and Germany aged under 36 with projects in early development phase. Will be selected two projects from Italy and two projects from Germany.

Luz Lab is a european film lab dedicated to film projects in the early stages of development. Its format is hybrid, combining a writing residency in France at Villa Salis, a mentorship programme, and participation in the Cinemed Meetings, the industry meetings of CINEMED Film Festival in Montpellier. The City of Sète (Villa Salis) the Festival CINEMED are partners of the Lab.

Throughout the year, Luz organises European residencies to support young filmmakers and the emergence of new talent in the film industry in the Occitanie region. Bringing together European film professionals, Luz coordinates the residencies and provides tailored support to filmmakers during their stay.

Luz Lab is part of Kultur Ensemble Palermo’s programme. It is supported by the Franco-German Youth Office (OFAJ-DFJW) and the Institut français Italy within the framework of Kultur Ensemble Palermo, a strengthened cultural co-operation between the Institut français and the Goethe-Institut in Sicily. In Palermo, Kultur Ensemble runs a cultural programme also encompassing a multidisciplinary residency programme. On a European level, Kultur Ensemble Palermo promotes the mobility of artists between France, Germany and Italy.

The detailed programme will be shared with the selected residents.

TIME FRAME

The four-week residencies will take place in Sète, France,

from 12 October to 8 November 2026.

CRITERI DI CANDIDATURA

• Field: film (director, scriptwriter).

• Film project in development phase (fiction or documentary, featurelength film), with or without producer.

• Be aged under 36 at the moment of the residency.

• Be based in Italy/Sicily or Germany.

• To be free from other professional commitments during the residency period.

• Good command of French and/or English language.

It is essential that candidates be already involved in a professional process that allows them to fully appreciate the commitment required to develop their project.

THE RESIDENCY INCLUDES

• A return journey between the place of residence (Italy or Germany) and Sète, max. 400 euros.

• A stipend of 1000 euros for 4 weeks of residency.

• Private room in the Villa Salis with access to a shared kitchen.

• Shared workspace at Villa Salis.

• Two online preparatory sessions prior to the residency.

• Accreditation for the CINEMED festival in Montpellier (16–24 October 2026).

• Preparation, participiation and special support during the Cinemed Meetings, professional industry meetings for the development and production of film projects in the Mediterranean region.

• Individual and group mentoring provided by a professional in the field.

• Participation in networking events with local professional and artists.

• A conclusive event for the residency, open to the public.

The lab is designed to alternate between mentoring sessions, group work and individual writing sessions, working on one’s own project. The residents may be asked to take part in professional, school and/or public meetings (not exceeding 30⁠ ⁠% of the residency time).

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR THE APPLICATION

All documents must be submitted in a single document in PDF format. In German or French or Italian with English translation. Applications without an English version will not be considered.

• CV (max. 2 pages) with contact information and date of birth

• Motivational letter (max. 1 page)

• Project’s logline (a few lines)

• Project synopsis (max. 3 pages), first treatment if available

• Note of intent (max. 1 page)

• Moodboard (optional)

• Artistic portfolio (max. 5 pages) with with links to previous works

• Copy of a valid identity document

• Letter of recommendation (optional)

Applications can be sent until Sunday 28 June 2026 midnight by email to the following email address: kulturensemblepalermo@gmail.com

The jury will deliberate during the week of 6 July 2026.

For any inquiries please contact: Judith Testault—judith.testault@institutfrancais.it

Clicke here for more info: Kultur Ensemble – Palermo – Goethe-Institut Italia