Paestum, Italy
HerArts Film Lab
Empowering Women's Voices in Cinema
NEW CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS OPENS JULY 4!
Event Starts In
Sat, 5 November - Sat, 13 November, 2022

About the Lab
Believing in the importance of women’s presence in cinema, their stories and their active participation in the creation of the film industry, we have designed a workshop to support and empower their voices. HerArts Lab is meant to serve as a platform for exchanging thoughts, stories and ideas, nurturing female talent and giving it exposure to the international film community.
Event Address
Time
- What is HerArts Film Lab?
- Who is it for?
- What do we offer?
- What do you gain?
- When and where does it take place?
- How much does it cost?

The workshop is addressed to female writer-directors from all over the world interested in developing their feature film and TV series projects in a friendly and supportive environment under the guidance of experienced mentors.
The working language of the workshop in English.

- writer-directors or
- teams of screenwriter and director or
- teams of writer-director and producer (max 2 individuals per project),
working on a fiction feature film or TV series, currently at the stage of treatment, first or advanced draft. There are no restrictions on genre or subject matter.
For our second edition we will invite 10-12 filmmakers (or teams) from around the world. We especially welcome women filmmakers from countries where gender inequality in the film industry is most pronounced.
As English is the working language of the lab, good knowledge of written and spoken English is required.
We take the pandemic situation seriously and will do our best to ensure a COVID-free environment during the Lab. As a safety measure we will accept only participants who have been fully vaccinated. Thank you for your understanding.
Each Lab consists in a week-long residency divided between group sessions, consultations with the mentors and time for individual work.
The aim is to provide you with the ideal creative space and the necessary tools to move forward with the development of your story.
- An intensive, immersive, communal experience with other female writers and directors where projects can be discussed in a friendly, creative environment;
- Feedback from our mentors and fellow Lab participants on your project and guidance on how to develop it;
- Advice on how to pitch your project to producers, investors, funds and other labs;
- Dedicated writing time;
- Participation in additional activities: film screenings, case studies, discussions on cinema, etc.;
- Exposure to the international film community;
- Pleasures of Southern Italy, including delicious food, beautiful scenery and history.

The Lab is set in the 18th century estate of Azienda Seliano in Paestum, in the beautiful Italian region of Campania, around 80 km south of Naples. The nearest airport is Naples International Airport (Aeroporto di Napoli Capodichino).
The fee for the Lab is 2290 euro and includes:
• 7 days of training & consultations with our mentors;
• Accommodation for 8 nights in a comfortable room with ensuite bathroom;
• Delicious breakfast, lunch AND dinner throughout your stay;
• Transportation between the Naples airport and Paestum;
• Visit to Paestum Archeological Park.
In case of a team of two (e.g. writer and producer) a double-room is available. The fee is 1650 euro per team member.
Please note we do not cover travel expenses.
As we do not offer scholarships at this time, we encourage participants to apply for financial support with their national or regional funding bodies.
Our Mentors
Susanna Styron
Writer, Director and Film Lecturer.
Susanna Styron is a screenwriter, director and documentary filmmaker. Her debut feature, Columbia Pictures’ SHADRACH starring Harvey Keitel and Andie MacDowell, which she wrote and directed, premiered at the Venice Film Festival.
Eliza Subotowicz
Eliza is a Polish-American writer and director. She earned her MFA degree in Film Directing from Columbia University in New York. Her thesis short BEN was awarded by Directors Guild of America in 2009. Eliza has also worked as a film festival programmer, industry expert and reader of projects for international film funds.
Teresa Cavina
Teresa Cavina is a festival programmer, curator, script and project analyst. She started her activity at the Venice film festival (1989-1997). In 1998 she moved to the Locarno Film Festival, which she co-directed from 2001 to 2005. In 2006 she launched the Rome Film Festival, working as a Co-Artistic Director until 2008.
Gabriele Brunnenmeyer
Script mentor and pitching coach
Gabriele is a script mentor, project consultant and pitching coach, after starting off as a journalist and film critic, Gabriele began to work in various fields within the film industry.
Susanna Styron
Writer, Director and Film Lecturer.
Susanna Styron is a screenwriter, director and documentary filmmaker. Her debut feature, Columbia Pictures’ SHADRACH starring Harvey Keitel and Andie MacDowell, which she wrote and directed, premiered at the Venice Film Festival.
Teresa Cavina
Teresa Cavina is a festival programmer, curator, script and project analyst. She started her activity at the Venice film festival (1989-1997). In 1998 she moved to the Locarno Film Festival, which she co-directed from 2001 to 2005. In 2006 she launched the Rome Film Festival, working as a Co-Artistic Director until 2008.
Eliza Subotowicz
Eliza is a Polish-American writer and director. She earned her MFA degree in Film Directing from Columbia University in New York. Her thesis short BEN was awarded by Directors Guild of America in 2009. Eliza has also worked as a film festival programmer, industry expert and reader of projects for international film funds.
Gabriele Brunnenmeyer
Script mentor and pitching coach
Gabriele is a script mentor, project consultant and pitching coach, after starting off as a journalist and film critic, Gabriele began to work in various fields within the film industry.
Pricing
Full-board
- • 7 days of training & consultations with our mentors;
- • Accommodation for 8 nights in a comfortable room with ensuite bathroom;
- • Delicious breakfast, lunch AND dinner throughout your stay;
- • Transportation between the Naples airport and Paestum;
- • Visit to Paestum Archeological Park.
Photo Gallery
TESTIMONIALS FROM 2022 HERARTS FILM LAB PARTICIPANTS:
Application Form
THE CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS FOR THE FALL EDITION OF HERARTS FILM LAB WILL OPEN ON JULY 4 AND CLOSE ON JULY 31.
How to participate?
Fill in the APPLICATION FORM below and attach the following materials:
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Synopsis of the project (1 page maximum);
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Treatment (8-10 pages long)
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Motivation letter explaining why you want to attend the Lab and what you hope to get out of it (1 page max);
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Your CV (1-2 pages max);
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Links to previous work (up to 2);
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Short video presentation (3-4 mins maximum) in which you introduce us to your story and explain why you need to tell it. The quality doesn’t matter, shoot with your phone and charm us with you story!
Please note: once accepted to the Lab you will be asked to send us the updated treatment or draft you are working on.
Fill in the APPLICATION FORM below, and send the required documents as pdf attachments to: herartslab@gmail.com, no later than July 31, 2022.