Rotterdam Lab

The Rotterdam Lab is organised by CineMart in close cooperation with various partner organisations involved with the training of young producers as well as funding bodies. In order to take part in the Rotterdam Lab, it is necessary to be affiliated with one of these partnering organisations. Instead of having an open selection, participants are nominated through these partners. Please contact the CineMart staff for more information.

Download here the full list of Rotterdam Lab Participants 2008 (pdf)


Rotterdam Lab General Info
CineMart has always had a focus on producers who are in the beginning of their careers. Several years ago, the CineMart staff realized that many new producers lack the knowledge on how to operate in an international film festival or market setting. Therefore, in 2001, based on the belief that these skills are vital for any producer, and to provide young professionals the means to develop an international network, CineMart organised the first CineMart International Trainee Project, later renamed the Rotterdam Lab.

The participants of the Rotterdam Lab are starting producers, who are ‘nominated’ by several international training bodies, festivals and funding agencies with which the CineMart has partnerships. Traditionally, panel discussions are organised on different topics such as production, sales, financing, distribution, press & promotion and television. These panels take place in an informal setting and are organised to illustrate the process by which a project in need of financing is completed and brought to its audience. In these panels, experts from the industry give the producers tools on how to present their project and how to build up an international network.

Complimentary to the panels, participants take part in three afternoons sessions of “speed-dating”, during which they have time to meet personally with industry delegates and receive advice on their own projects.

In addition to the organised programme, it is important that the producers take the chance to participate in all other CineMart events, such as networking lunches, cocktails and other panels. They are encouraged to take advantage of their time in Rotterdam as much as possible by strengthening their network. Above all, consultants are available during the entire CineMart schedule in order to advise the Rotterdam Lab participants on the financing structures and approaches of their projects.

Over the past few years, the Rotterdam Lab has expanded steadily, with more producers from more regions participating every year. The Lab has already resulted in many producers returning to CineMart, and films by producers who have attended the Lab have been screened in the official Festival programme. By bringing together a mix of producers from around Europe and the rest of the world, the Rotterdam Lab has also generated many alluring international co-productions.

The Rotterdam Lab 2008 was organised in cooperation with 18 national and international partner organisations, and welcomed 55 producers to participate.