10 · 05 · 08

Andrea Stavenhagen_ says Morelia Lab “creates professional networks”

Doris Morales/Translated by Caroline MacKinnon

[imagen]Today at the sixth edition of the Morelia International Film Festival the, the production workshop Morelia Lab Doc 2008 begins. The objective of this workshop is to let Mexican and Latin American documentary filmmakers meet and discuss their perspectives on documentaries in Mexico, as well as exchange experiences with international filmmakers.

Andrea Stavenhagen, who coordinated the project with Carlos Taibo, shared their expectations for this year’s edition. Morelia Lab alternates from year to year, one year covering fiction film, the next documentary.

How many projects did you receive this year?
The workshop received 150 projects from 13 Latin American countries, including Mexico.

How was the selection process?
The call for participation was launched at the beginning of June, for those Latin American producers and directors with projects being developed to make feature length documentaries. We directly invited people with the goal of increasing the participation of students and young people from various parts of Mexico. This includes representatives from the following organizations: the University Center of Cinematographic studies (CUEC), Jalisco Cinematography Academy, the IMAGINA Michoacán Filmmakers Association, CINCO Filmmakers from Coahuila and the Nuevo León Filmmakers Union.

Through the Executive Secretary of Ibero-American Cinematography from the Audiovisual and Cinematographic Authorities Conference (CAACI), 13 Latin American participants were selected from within their own countries.
Additionally, an open call for work circulated in Mexico. From the projects received, the selection committee (made up of Víctor Ugalde, Hugo Villa, Carlos Taibo and Andrea Stavenhagen) chose 10 films, the same ones that ended up on the list of finalists for Morelia Lab Doc 2008.

What is the evaluation of the past three years of Morelia Lab?
With the success of the three first editions, the Morelia Lab workshop has proven to be an important stage for new generations of Latin American filmmakers looking to make it professionally. It is a workshop of undisputed quality for the training of young filmmakers, and is able to offer – through dialogues, reflections, specialized conferences, round table discussions and seminars – tools for producing film projects. At the same time, the workshop has carried out its goal of creating professional networks, solid ties and good contacts, all of which are important for the development of film in our region.

What are the hopes for the 2008 edition?
This year, the workshop is dedicated to documentary film. It will bring together outstanding professionals to participate in conferences, dialogues and panels of analysts to talk about subjects specific to documentary making: Narrative, selecting a subject, research, new technology, finding international backing, etc. Additionally, it will have a training portion to present the projects that are currently being worked on.

Based on the quality of the 30 projects received, one can envisage a workshop full of hard work and a productive exchange of experiences, with which we can hope to contribute to the progress of the young people who have chosen film not just as a means of expression but also as a career.