Cinelab
Cinelab is a two-weeklong 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 2024 program dates
Program 1: July 8–19
Program 2: July 22–August 2
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 West Hastings Street, Vancouver
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 2024 are due June 14, and applicants will be notified of the status of their application by June 21.
Accepted applicants will receive an email from cinelab@thecinematheque.ca with instructions for payment or (if applicable) bursary application.
Registration is now open.
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Schedule
Master class speakers
We are thrilled to announce our master class speakers for Cinelab 2024! Editor and VFX producer David Legault (Elysium, Altered Carbon) will lead a workshop on shooting for the edit, drawing on his 30 plus years of experience to talk about how to plan your film to give you more creative possibilities during post-production. Writer-director Kathleen Hepburn (Never Steady, Never Still, The Body Remembers When the World Broke Open) will lead a directing master class providing tips and best practice for first-time directors, sharing stories not only from her own work but also her experiences as a mentor for SFU film students.
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 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.