NOT Work-in-Progress (WIP) Lab
A program by Cinematography for Actors Institute in partnership with NOT Film Festival
The NOT Work-in-Progress (WIP) Lab is dedicated to helping filmmakers refine their short films through structured feedback and industry insights.
Our goal is to replicate the professional test screening process, allowing filmmakers to gain audience-driven insights that go beyond their immediate network.
Program Goals
Set a precedent for short film refinement by mirroring the test screening and feedback processes used in the feature film, television, and studio spaces, ensuring that emerging filmmakers experience the same industry best practices.
Educate filmmakers on how structured feedback can improve storytelling, pacing, technical execution, and audience engagement, preparing them for larger-scale productions.
Provide a safe and constructive environment for open dialogue, ensuring feedback remains actionable, supportive, and geared toward improving the filmmaker’s vision.
Offer structured mentorship opportunities through intensive short masterclasses led by industry professionals, providing expert insights into the post-production workflow.
Create a dual feedback approach, where filmmakers receive insights from mentors and audience members, bridging the gap between industry-level critique and real-world audience engagement.
Bridge the gap between U.S. and European filmmaking communities by strengthening collaborations between CFA, NOT Film Fest, and post-production industry partners across both regions.
Connect filmmakers with post-production industry partners to provide additional resources like VFX, sound design, editing support, and finishing grants.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
Open to short films and webs series below 25 minutes total run time.
Films must be near picture lock, meaning that the film should have a fully assembled narrative structure with no major missing components.
Temp VFX, sound, and color are acceptable, but films should be in a state where feedback can be effectively applied to final refinements before locking the picture.
No music videos, experimental films, or adult content (films promoting unsafe acts, pornography, etc., are not accepted).
Filmmakers must be actively preparing for a thorough festival and/or distribution strategy.
Submissions must be in English or have English subtitles.
Filmmakers must be willing to participate in the structured feedback process, including both live and written feedback sessions.
Preference may be given to projects that align with CFA and NOT Film Fest’s mission of fostering diverse, innovative, and impactful storytelling.
Application Process
Application Fee: $85
For those accepted into the program, the $85 application fee directly funds:
Mentor stipends for masterclasses and expert feedback.
Screening fees to host in-person and live-streamed sessions.
Attendance at a professionally curated screening with 30-45 attendees including filmmakers, industry professionals, and mentors.
Tailored industry mentorship through a 30-minute masterclass selected based on filmmaker needs.
Structured feedback from both mentors and audience attendees, providing actionable insights to refine the film before festival submission.
Networking opportunities with industry professionals, potential collaborators, and fellow filmmakers.
Submissions will be processed through CFA, although the program is in partnership with NOT Film Fest. Filmmakers must complete an application form, including:
Logline
Rough Cut Link
Producer & Director Short Biographies
Filmmaker Statement
Goals for Feedback
Intended Festival & Distribution Strategy & Timeline
Simple Budget Breakdown
Need for Post-Production Collaboration Assistance
For Those Not Accepted
Even if a filmmaker is not selected for a screening session, they will still be invited to attend the masterclass and networking session, ensuring access to valuable educational and networking opportunities.
Selection and Review Process
3-5 films per session will be selected per quarter
Selection will be conducted quarterly by a committee of CFA & NOT Film Fest representatives and guest mentors.
Key criteria include:
Originality & storytelling strength
Production quality
Festival & distribution strategy clarity
Alignment with CFA & NOT’s mission
Filmmaker’s clarity in requesting feedback & collaboration needs
Program Structure
2025-2026 NOT WIP Lab Dates:
Final week of May 2025
Final week of August 2025 (during Not Film Fest in Italy)
First week of December 2025
Last week of February 2026
Each session runs approximately 3 hours:
Screening segment (~1.5 hours)
Feedback discussions (immediate live feedback after each film)
30-minute masterclass tailored to the needs of the selected filmmakers, featuring an industry mentor chosen specifically based on the type of feedback requested. This ensures that the session remains relevant to the filmmakers’ needs while also being accessible and valuable for all attendees.
Networking session (free-form, opportunity to meet audience & mentors)
Feedback Process
Feedback will be gathered via structured surveys & short questionnaires developed by CFA & NOT Film Fest.
At least 1 industry mentor per session will provide expert guidance based on filmmakers’ specific concerns (e.g., sound design mentor for films needing audio feedback).
Remote attendees will submit feedback via a virtual form, with structured responses sent to filmmakers within 48 hours.
Post-Production Support & Partnerships
As the program grows, CFA & NOT Film Fest will partner with post-production houses, distributors, and festival industry leaders to offer:
Consulting sessions & industry insights
Potential post-production finishing grants
Connections to European post-production grants
In-kind support and incentives may be provided to select filmmakers as opportunities expand.
Mini Masterclasses & Networking
Mini masterclasses will be included as needed, focusing on post-production topics such as:
Sound Design
Color
Editorial
Visual Effects
Festival & Distribution Strategy
Program Director: Giovanni Labadessa
Giovanni Labadessa is an award winning writer/producer and the founder of Lumiere Lab, an indie production company and collective of filmmakers based in Venice, California.
Giovanni starts his career in 2009 with Los Angeles based production company Mechaniks, playing a critical role in the development of “Road To Capri” , “Seeds in the Wind” and “Vivaldi”. In 2015 he produces the comedy “The Lonely Italian”, the film is featured for the first time at the first edition of Ferrara Film Festival where it wins the Golden Dragon for Best Feature USA, in 2017 the film has its US premiere at the San Diego International Film Festival winning Best Comedy. The film is later acquired by Random Media and The Orchard and has been sold in japan, Italy and US with Hulu and Amazon Prime.
The same year he starts his collaboration with director Luca Severi producing the drama “Calypso” and the upcoming documentary “That Click” about legendary photographer Douglas Kirkland featuring Michelle Williams, Andy Garcia, Sharon Stone, Baz Lurman, Virginia Madsen, Nicole Kidman, Elle Fanning e Luca Guadagnino. The film has been selected by 3 Oscar qualifying film festivals and has been acquired by UK based Kaleidoscope for international distribution.