Montreal, Monday, June 1, 2026 - Forum RIDM is launching its calls for projects for Doc Lab Montréal and Rough Cut Pitch, two flagship initiatives dedicated to supporting Quebec, Canadian, and international documentary projects led by emerging filmmakers and/or producers. These two calls for applications are open from June 1 to 19, 2026.
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. New this year, Doc Lab Montréal is opening its call for international projects for the first time. For more detailed information, visit the call for projects page.
Rough Cut Pitch, on the other hand, is aimed at auteur-driven documentaries that demonstrate a strong artistic vision and intend to seek distribution within national and international markets. Projects still in production during the submission period are eligible. However, applicants must be able to provide a 10-minute excerpt offering an overview of the work, and the project must be in the editing or advanced post-production stage by November 2026.
Selected teams (filmmakers and/or producers) will take part in a pitch session followed by the screening of a film excerpt before an audience of influential documentary industry professionals, including festival representatives, distributors, sales agents, broadcasters, and digital distribution platforms.
For its next edition, taking place from November 23 to 25, Rough Cut Pitch is also opening its call for international projects, in addition to Quebec and Canadian productions. For more detailed information, visit the call for projects page.
AN EXCLUSIVE ACCESS
Doc Lab Montréal and Rough Cut Pitch’s participants will 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. Additionally, selected teams will take part in Face-à-Face, a key activity of the professional market consisting of 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.
About Forum RIDM
Forum RIDM aims to stimulate the production and distribution of independent documentaries, both nationally and internationally, by promoting the exchange of information and meetings between the various professionals in the documentary industry. Roundtables, conferences and workshops on major current issues will bring together over 500 filmmakers and representatives of various production, broadcasting and distribution companies over five days.
Forum RIDM’s 22nd edition will take place from November 20 to 25, 2026.
Information: ridm.ca/fr/forum-ridm / info@ridm.ca
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