A flagship initiative of Forum RIDM, Doc Lab Montréal supports the development of distinctive documentary projects led by emerging filmmakers and their producers. Projects are selected through an international call for applications launched each year between May and June.

Over three days, participants receive guidance from mentors with diverse professional backgrounds in an environment grounded in collective listening and mutual support. This experience allows them to refine their artistic approach, clarify their production and marketing strategies, and better prepare for the presentation of their projects.

The lab concludes with a pitch session in front of recognized industry professionals, giving teams the opportunity to showcase their projects, receive constructive feedback, and connect with potential partners. Participating projects may also compete for several cash and service awards offered by Forum partners, who help support the development of selected projects.

We would like to thank Rogers, Grandé Studios, National Film Board of Canada, CineGround, Lightdox, Eurodoc, Orizon 9, SLA Location, Bam Music, Royal Photo, Main Film, DOK Leipizg, Lussier & Khouzam, Vidéographe, Canadian Filmmakers Distribution Centre and T&S Coop or their contribution in the form of prizes awarded to Doc Lab Montréal 2026 participants.

This activity take place in a closed sessions.

Here are the projects of the 2026 cohort:

FEATURE FILMS
A Dinosaur's Film, directed by Samy Benammar
Alien Nation, directed by Khaula Haider Malik and produced by David Felix Sutcliffe
Augustus, directed by Anamê Gnanguenon and produced by Éric Idriss-Kanago
Bocaina, directed by Pedro Gonçalves Ribeiro and produced by Thiago Macêdo Correia
dear fitz, directed by Mustafa Uzuner
I Birthed my Father, directed by Layla Tosifi
Le rap de la forêt, directed by Ralff Therance Lhyliann and produced by Erickey Bahati
Marcilla, directed by Martin Edralin
Notes on Blindness, directed by Felipe Gomez Lopez
Our Language, directed by Barbara Kneževic and produced by Jelena Angelovski and Nathan O'Donnell
Senza Fine, directed by Iván Castiñeiras Gallego and produced by Tahar Kessi and Tamara Binet
Untitled documentary film on Ghassan Kanafani, directed by Maya Serhan and produced by Lama Al Arian

SHORT AND MEDIUM-LENGHT FILMS
Am I Crying Loud Enough?, directed by Kim Ninkuru
Differences Between U and I, directed by Roxana Baloiu
Land of the Midnight Sun, directed by Félix Cayer
Nomades urbains, directed by Manuel Kak'wa Kurtness
Récits latents, directed by Mélina Costa
Rooted, directed by Laurence Vollant-Vachon
Shawafa, directed by Lina Sarhani
The Snail and the Giant Sunflower, directed by Mehdi Balamissa
Still Life, directed by Romane Garant Chartrand and produced by Laurie Pominville
Une virée, directed by Rosalie Pelletier


Supported by the CMF