Rough Cut Lab Africa – RCLA supports documentary films in the late offline stage by pairing up directors and editors on their projects with African story consultants from all fields in the filmmaking world, including editors, directors, producers, programmers, academics, curators and critics. In partnership with the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), the South African Guild of Editors, Encounters South African International Documentary Festival and the Refinery, we invite nine African documentary film projects to spend three days over two weeks working on their films, with successful candidates receiving targeted finishing support from the Refinery when they eventually lock story.

RCLA is an virtual programme held annually. This Call is only open to African documentary projects with a working rough cut. Up to 70% of the rough cut must be completed prior to the lab. If a project has been chosen the previous year, they are unfortunately not eligible to enter RCLA with a new project in the following year.

The deadline for submissions is on or before 4pm (SAT), Friday 7th April 2023. Please add RCLA 2022 in the subject line for: Submissions - https://encounters.co.za/rough-cut-lab-africa-2023-call-for-submissions/ Queries - pr@encounters.co.za