The FOFS Director Development Incubator, co-presented by POV, is a six-week mentorship program designed for emerging filmmakers, offering hands-on training in essential disciplines such as cinematography, production design, directing actors, budget creation, production financing, and applying an anti-oppression lens to storytelling.
The program culminates in a live pitch competition, where participants present their projects for a chance to win a cash prize and in-kind services.
All incubator participants receive all-access passes to the 2026 Future of Film Showcase.
May 2nd: Mentorship Session #1
May 9th: Mentorship Session #2
May 16th: Mentorship Session #3
May 23rd: Mentorship Session #4
May 30th: Mentorship Session #5
June 6th: Mentorship Session #6
Application Guidelines:
Before submitting, create a project under the “My Projects” section of your profile titled:
“FIRST AND LAST NAME – FOFS PITCH COMPETITION – 2026” (Film / Video project type).
All materials must be submitted as a single PDF. If submitting all materials in one file is not possible, please submit all documents as one file and your pitch deck as another. You may re-upload/update your submissions until the deadline. Submissions are evaluated on Concept (what you’re creating and for whom), Budget (the feasibility of your project), and Key Creatives (the team behind it). Upload your pitch video as the media for your submission’s project directly in FilmFreeway. No submissions will be reviewed until the deadline has passed.
All selected projects will play at our festival, but are not limited to where they premiere and we encourage filmmakers to submit to other festivals before playing at FOFS. While films will play at FOFS, where they will play is up to the discretion of FOFS and its programmers.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a virtual interview, and our finalists will be selected after the interview stage.
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
1. Concept
• Project Description: Include story synopsis, logline, target audience, and creative comparables (1-2 pages max).
• Full Outline or Screenplay: For a short film (15 minutes max).
• Pitch Deck: Include festival strategy.
2. Letter of Intent (500 words)
Outline your creative strategy, inspiration, and goals as a director. Discuss how the program will further your career, what you aim to gain from mentorship, and topics you’d like covered.
3. Video Introduction (1-2 minutes)
Introduce yourself: Who are you? What drives your passion for filmmaking? Why is this story important to you?
4. Production Timeline
Detail pre-production, production, and post-production milestones. The project must be completed by March 2027.
5. Budget
• Provide a working budget. Include any confirmed funding and in-kind support.
• Tell us about any pending funding (you are welcome to include this in your working budget, but please explain how you would create the project if this funding does not come through).
Recommendation: Demonstrate your ‘dream’ budget (all funding: confirmed, pending, FOFS), a feasible budget (all confirmed funding), and a contingency budget (just FOFS prize + confirmed funding/in-kind support).
6. Contingency Statement
Explain how you would complete the project with only the FOFS grant ($5,000) and any confirmed funding/in-kind support. Tell us how you would make your film with only our prize (in budget form and/or written). If your statement involves reducing the scope of your project, please be specific about what will be changed.
7. Key Creatives
For all confirmed Key Creatives (Director, Producer, DOP, Writer, Editor) provide:
• Full names
• Contact info
• Bios
• Portfolio links (e.g., IMDb, YouTube, Vimeo)
• CVs
8. Reference Letters
Provide two (2) reference letters from individuals familiar with your work and skills.
The pitch competition winner will receive:
• $5,000 cash prize to be used for production of the selected project ($2,500 on the 1st day of production, and $2,500 upon delivery of the completed project).
• A package of in-kind prizes, ranging from gear to services. Prizes TBD.
