JFI’s Filmmakers in Residence program is now the JFI DOC LAB— the only U.S.-based fellowship dedicated to the incubation of feature-length Jewish documentaries. The year-long, primarily virtual Lab is a cornerstone of JFI's artist development programs, which help build the community of filmmakers equipped with the practical and conceptual frameworks needed to share essential and untold stories about Jewish culture, life, and identity. The Lab has become increasingly recognized for the excellence, innovation, and diversity of films, offering accepted filmmakers mentorship, education, and practical support in the development of their projects.

The Lab is open to all feature documentaries that thoughtfully consider Jewish history, life, culture, and identity that have footage to show, be it a trailer, scene, or work sample. We welcome eligible applications from all communities.

Filmmakers can participate in the Residency from any country or state, as long as they can commit to attending virtual meetings and workshops programmed at Pacific Time in the U.S.

For more info, register for one of our Online Office Hours:

June 25, 2026 / 2 pm PT: https://jfi-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/Y_9ewwe7STOx0wGwEg1hwA

July 27, 2026 / 10 am PT: https://jfi-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/wXcCEMBlQbCQk70uyEjD2Q

August 17, 2026 / 11 am PT: https://jfi-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/FVxKGqIbSV6fpRR2_EMvGQ

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS:

Please note it is best to prepare your answers in advance and copy and paste them into FilmFreeway's Custom Form, since you cannot save an application once you've started the Film Freeway Custom Form.

Please make sure the bio and project description are filled out on your project's Film Freeway page, and you upload your sample material there. Your film page can be saved and edited. The Film Freeway application must be filled out and submitted in one go.

Selections are made by Jewish Film Institute's staff, in consultation with a panel of industry professionals, based on artistic merit, the strength of the filmmaking team, the potential for the Lab to make a meaningful impact on the project, the likelihood that it will be completed, and the project's alignment with JFI's mission, vision, and values.

MORE INFO:

Learn more about the program here: https://jfi.org/for-filmmakers/doc-lab.

Download the application questions in advance: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1DTiyfEI184mxiNGoIfjxzbZj3c0CIDoESTnUNNGLdKg/edit?tab=t.0

Explore the complete archive of JFI’s former Fellows here: https://jfi.org/for-filmmakers/doc-lab/supported-projects

Learn more about JFI's annual online Pitch + Kvell, pitch forum here: https://jfi.org/for-filmmakers/doc-lab/pitch-kvell

Read in-depth interviews with former Fellows on the JFI blog here: https://sfjewishfilm.medium.com/list/2025-jfi-filmmakers-in-residence-10ccd2deb551

Awards & Prizes

FELLOWS:

• Participate in monthly cohort meetings.

• Attend capacity-enhancing workshops with key industry professionals.

• Consult with JFI staff on industry best practices in marketing, fundraising, production, and exhibition.

• Participate in an in-person convening at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival in July
refine their project pitches through mentorship and a pitch forum.

LAB BENEFITS:

• Access to all JFI programs and events.

• A travel stipend toward the expense of attending the in-person convening in San Francisco in July.

• Visibility in JFI promotional materials throughout the project’s life.

• Access to the Ninth Street Independent Film Center's on-site screening room.

Rules & Terms

ELIGIBILITY:

• Independent FEATURE LENGTH DOCUMENTARY projects in any form (including animation, hybrid, etc.) are eligible.

• Projects can be in any stage from development through post-production but must have sample footage to share when applying. Filmmakers must be ready and willing to workshop their project during the program.

• Filmmakers must have copyright and creative control of their projects.

• Filmmakers must be able to commit up to 10 hours a month for cohort meetings and workshops and to attend online meetings scheduled at Pacific Time.

• Attendance is required at the Lab's convening during the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival at the end of July 2027.

• Fellows may not be a JFI employee or member of the JFI Board and must be at least 18 years old.

• Fellows must agree to give JFI the first right of refusal for a San Francisco Bay Area premiere at the San Francisco Jewish Film Festival and/or other JFI exhibition program. In the case of JFI not offering a supported film a slot, filmmakers are then able to apply to festivals such as Mill Valley, Doclands, San Francisco International, Cinequest, East Bay Jewish, Oakland International, CAAM, Frameline, SF Indie, SFDoc, Silicon Valley Jewish, film festivals, among others.

• Fellows must agree to follow the JFI crediting guidelines for support in onscreen, web, and printed materials.

•Fellows must abide by JFI's Community Standards (https://jfi.org/about-jfi/mission).

Please note that the JFI Doc Lab is open to filmmakers, nationally and internationally, who are able to fulfill the requirements set forth above. Filmmakers need not be Jewish, but their projects must have Jewish themes or content.

Projects created under an employment, commission, or contractual agreement in which a company, organization, or individual other than the filmmaker retains ownership, creative control, or exclusive rights are not eligible. Projects produced on behalf of an employer or client, or created primarily to fulfill a contractual obligation are not eligible.

If the application fee or the written application process creates a barrier to applying, please email us.

Learn more about the Jewish Film Institute at www.jfi.org.

Learn more about the Doc Lab at https://jfi.org/for-filmmakers/doc-lab.