DOCULAB: DOCUMENTARY LABORATORY

Call for entries for documentary projects in the editing stage

To support documentary filmmakers and their projects in the early stages of editing, requiring analytical and conceptual guidance with a view to completing post-production processes, the 18th edition of DocuLab: Documentary Laboratory will take place during the 41st edition of the Guadalajara International Film Festival (FICG), from 17th to 25th April 2026.

 

To submit a project to DocuLab: Documentary Laboratory, applicants must complete the online submission form, available at the following link: https://vp.eventival.com/ficg/2026 from Wednesday 17th September to Friday 5th December 2025, by 18:00 (Central Mexico Time – UTC-6).

 

Fluency in Spanish is mandatory, and a good command of English is recommended, as some of the activities will be conducted in English. 

 

Selected projects will receive:

 

  • The opportunity to present their film to national and international professionals attending DocuLab.
  • Shared accommodation in Guadalajara, Mexico for the duration of DocuLab.
  • Accreditation with access to industry activities, masterclasses, screenings, and the Guadalajara Film Market.

 

Important: Unfortunately, DocuLab is unable to cover transportation expenses for selected participants.

Requirements

  1. Applicants must be citizens of one of the 19 Ibero-American countries with a documentary film project currently in the editing stage. 

 

  1. Eligible countries include: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela, and from the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Spain, and Portugal. Although Puerto Rico is not officially part of the Ibero-American region, DocuLab extends its invitation to Puerto Rican filmmakers due to the shared language and cultural ties. 

 

  1. Applicants holding residency or dual citizenship from any of the aforementioned countries are also eligible, provided they submit the necessary documentation during the selection process. 

 

  1. Projects that have participated in, or been selected for, more than one Work in Progress laboratory prior to DocuLab will not be accepted.

 

  1. The following materials must be submitted: 

 

  • Create a profile on the Eventival platform (https://vp.eventival.com/ficg/2026), to access and fully complete the submission form.
  • A password-protected streaming link to the film (no WeTransfer), with English subtitles (mandatory for selection).

 

Important: The submitted version must be between 60 and 90 minutes in length, including credits. Submissions consisting of teasers, trailers, or incomplete cuts outside this time range will be automatically disqualified.

 

  1. Submissions containing false information regarding nationality or editing stage, or that are incomplete, will be disqualified. 

 

  1. Only films that present the first or second cut for this call will be considered. Documentaries at an advanced stage of editing or completed in their entirety will not be accepted. 

 

  1. Submissions must be made individually. In the case of a co-directed film, only the submitting director will be invited. If additional directors wish to attend, all related expenses must be covered by the project team. 

 

  1. It is the responsibility of each participant to ensure they have a valid passport, visa and/or any required documents to enter Mexico. 

 

  1. If selected, participants must send a digital file of the film with English subtitles (via Vimeo, WeTransfer, Google Drive, MyAirBridge, etc.) to trafico@ficg.mx a digital file of the cut of the film via online (Vimeo, Wetransfer, google drive, Myairbridge) and two (2) Blu-ray copies, also with English subtitles, to the FICG offices. A deadline for sending these materials will be communicated following the selection announcement.

 

  1. All shipping costs for exhibition materials must be covered by the participant and must be sent via private courier (Mexican postal services are not reliable for this purpose). 

 

  1. Submission to DocuLab is free of charge. 

 

  1. The selected projects agree to insert the DocuLab and FICG logo in the final copy and give the corresponding credits. 

 

  1. Selected projects may be eligible for various post-production and mobility awards offered through DocuLab.

How is the selection carried out?

The final selection will be made by a Selection Committee comprising professionals and specialists in the documentary field. 

Results

Results will be communicated via email to selected directors, who must then confirm their attendance and participation.

Conditions of participation

  1. By registering for this call for entries, the participant declares, under oath, that they are the legitimate owner of the rights to the information, documents, and content presented, and that they have the necessary authorizations to participate in the program. 

 

  1. It is hereby established that if, as a result of this activity, the participant violates any intellectual property right of a third party, it will be his/her responsibility, and he/she agrees to hold FICG harmless from any liability in the event of a possible claim regarding intellectual property and copyrights.

 

  1. Participants grant the FICG a non-exclusive, free, and revocable authorization to use the information, documents, materials, and content submitted, solely for purposes related to evaluation, promotion, and dissemination. This does not imply any transfer of economic rights or exploitation rights over them.

 

  1. Participants authorize the FICG to use their name, image, company name, materials, as well as any general information contained in the submitted documentation, exclusively for cultural, promotional, informational, or program dissemination purposes, without generating any obligation for remuneration, payment, or financial compensation. This authorization does not imply the transfer of intellectual property rights over works or projects.

 

  1. Registration and participation imply express acceptance of all provisions contained in the calls for entries, as well as guidelines, internal policies, and administrative decisions issued by the FICG, which will be applicable during all stages of the process. Failure to comply with one or more of its clauses may result in cancellation of participation in the FICG or disqualification from the competition.

 

  1. FICG has a zero-tolerance policy regarding disrespect, harassment, or situations that endanger the safety of guests, the organizing committee, the public, and volunteers.

 

  1. Both parties agree that the Guadalajara International Film Festival (FICG) will hold the rights to the logo for the call, project, competition, award, and/or event. The logo can be modified if necessary, but its use is reserved and requires written authorization from the FICG.

 

  1. Participants are strictly prohibited from creating, printing, reproducing, or using any type of material, including but not limited to images of the Guadalajara International Film Festival, without prior authorization.

 

  1. The evaluation and selection of participants will be carried out by a committee appointed by the FICG. The decisions of the committee are final and cannot be appealed. Individual feedback will not be provided on projects that are not selected.

 

  1. Any situation not foreseen in the calls for entries will be interpreted and resolved by the FICG, which reserves the right to make modifications, adjustments, or updates to this call for entries at any time, when it deems necessary for the proper development of the program. Likewise, any controversy arising from the interpretation, application, or execution of this call for entries will be resolved definitively and irrevocably by the FICG.

 

  1. Participation, awarding, selection, and/or exhibition of the project does not imply the existence of any labor, commercial, partnership, alliance, or joint venture relationship between the parties. Each party will maintain full independence and legal personality at all times, assuming the rights and obligations arising from independent legal acts before third parties. This shall not constitute a mandate, nor grant powers of representation of one party over the other, and participants may not present themselves as an agent, representative, proxy, or mandatary of the Guadalajara International Film Festival.

 

  1. It is the responsibility of the foreign participant to have a valid passport, entry permit, and/or the necessary visa to enter Mexico.

 

The PFICG, with its address at Av. Periférico Norte Manuel Gómez Morín 1695, Zapopan, Jalisco, will use your personal data for purposes related to your participation. Please consult the privacy notice at: https://ficg.mx/es/avisos

 

For more information, write to: doculab@ficg.mx

DocuLab: Documentary Laboratory

Re-Think

Re-Start 

Re-Imagine

REGISTER YOUR PROJECT HERE

PRIVACY NOTICE: The Guadalajara International Film Festival, domiciled at Avenida Periférico Norte 1695, Rinconada de Azalea, Zapopan, Mexico; will use your personal data collected for: all the points described in this call for entries and will also store the projects for documentation purposes. For more information about the treatment and the rights you can assert, you can access the comprehensive privacy notice through the following link https: https://ficg.mx/aviso-privacidad/