Cinelab
Cinelab is a two-week long summer filmmaking program for aspiring artists aged 14–19 presented by The Cinematheque in partnership with the SFU School for the Contemporary Arts.
Young artists are empowered to create unique short films from start to finish with the support of experienced professionals. In small crews, participants are guided through the complete filmmaking process from scripting to directing, from lighting and editing, to bring their creative visions to life. Completed works debut at a special red carpet film premiere at The Cinematheque.
Watch Cinelab films created in past programs on our Vimeo channel.
We provide an inclusive, welcoming, and creative space with professional equipment, facilitated by experienced artists. Established professionals from the Vancouver creative scene deliver master classes throughout the program.
Summer 2023 program dates
Program 1: July 10–21
Program 2: July 24–August 4
Note: Registration is capped at 24 students per program (48 total).
Daily schedule: Monday to Friday, 9:00 am–4:00 pm
Location: SFU School for the Contemporary Arts 149 W Hastings Vancouver, BC, V6B 1H4
Cost: $650
The Cinematheque is a not-for-profit organization and the program fee is subsidized by support from our sponsors. Our sponsors generously donate limited bursaries for participants who meet their requirements and/or are in need of financial assistance. If you would like to apply for a bursary, please email us at cinelab@thecinematheque.ca. Bursary applications for Cinelab 2023 are due June 16, and applicants will be notified of the status of their application by June 23.
Accepted applicants will receive an email from cinelab@thecinematheque.ca with instructions for payment or (if applicable) bursary application.
Registration will open April 6
Sign up for our mailing list to be first in line to receive the registration announcement.
Schedule
2023 schedule (to come)
2022 schedule
Master class speakers
2023 master class speakers will be announced soon!
Past master class speakers include:
- Suzanne Friesen (cinematographer, Be Still; tu)
- Kathleen Hepburn (writer/director, Never Steady, Never Still; The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open, with Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers)
- Andrew Huculiak (director/writer/editor, Violent; Ash)
- Jason Karman (writer/director/producer, Lionhood; Golden Delicious)
- Rami Katz (documentary filmmaker, The Issue of Mr. O’Dell)
- Caroline So Jung Lee (filmmaker/interdisciplinary artist, At the Bottom of the Sea; Ghosts of Cambie)
- David Legault (editor/visual effects producer, Elysium; The Twilight Saga: New Moon; Elf)
- Doralynn Mui (actor, Riverdale; Kung Fu)
- Mila Zuo (film scholar/writer/director, Carnal Orient; Kin)
Supported by:
The City of North Vancouver
Creative BC
SFU School for the Contemporary Arts
The Hamber Foundation
The Cinematheque is a film institute and media education centre devoted to understanding the art and history of Canadian and international cinema and the impact of moving images and screen-based media in our lives. With over 20 years of outreach experience, The Cinematheque engages with people of all ages through interactive film and visual media programs.
SFU School for the Contemporary Arts, situated in one of downtown Vancouver’s most dynamic and diverse neighbourhoods, offers a unique curriculum in which studio classes in dance, film, music/sound, theatre performance and production, and visual art are integrated with the historical and theoretical study of the arts.