Paestum, Italy
HerArts Film Lab
Empowering Women's Voices in Cinema
Submissions for the Fall 2023 edition of the Labare now closed.
Event Starts In
Sun, 29 October - Sat, 4 November, 2023
Sun, 29 October - Sat, 4 November, 2023
Event Starts In

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?
- How is the week structured?
- 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.
Each edition we invite 8-10 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.
• An intensive, immersive, communal experience of working in a supportive circle of like-minded female creatives;
• Advice on how to pitch your project to producers, investors, funds and other labs;
• Dedicated writing time;
• Online follow-up session 2-3 months after the end of the residential Lab;
• Participation in additional activities: film screenings, case studies and discussions on cinema and others;
• Exposure to the international film community;
• Pleasures of Southern Italy, including delicious food, beautiful scenery and history.
Sample schedule:
DAY 1: Project presentations
DAY 2: Project discussion in two groups facilitated by mentors
DAY 3 & 4: One-to-ones with the mentors
DAY 5 & 6: Individual work
DAY 7: Final presentations
Each day is structured around meals which we always have all together. These are a great opportunity to continue conversations that started earlier in the day, and to enjoy the fantastic food & drink of Casa Seliano. In the evening we organize activities such as screenings and meetings with guest speakers. At the end of the day, we all chill with some limoncello in the “lemon-chill room” :)
Optional activities such as a visit to Paestum Archeological Park or the beach are also possible. Otherwise, participants have bikes at their disposal and can visit the town on their own.
2-3 months after the residential lab we hold an online follow-up for which participants are asked to submit updated drafts.

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 2350 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
• Online follow-up session 2-3 months after the Lab..
In case of a team of two (e.g. writer and producer) a double-room is available. The fee is 1750 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.
SPRING 2023 MENTORS
Rachel O’Flanagan
Rachel O’Flanagan is a story consultant and development executive who wants to help amplify lesser heard voices in storytelling.
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.
Mary Kate O’Flanagan
Screenwriter and script consultant
Mary Kate O’Flanagan is an award-winning writer, journalist and an expert in Storytelling On The Screen. Her work in film and television has made her one of the most in-demand teachers of screeenwriting and script development in Europe.
Rachel O’Flanagan
Rachel O’Flanagan is a story consultant and development executive who wants to help amplify lesser heard voices in storytelling.
Mary Kate O’Flanagan
Screenwriter and script consultant
Mary Kate O’Flanagan is an award-winning writer, journalist and an expert in Storytelling On The Screen. Her work in film and television has made her one of the most in-demand teachers of screeenwriting and script development in Europe.
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.
Pricing
Participation Fee
- • 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;
- • Online follow-up session 2/3 months after the Lab.
- Please note that travel expenses are not included.
- Although, we do not offer scholarships at this time, we encourage participants to apply for financial support with their national or regional funding bodies..