Film Independent’s 9th Annual Directors Lab is an intensive eight-week incubator designed to help directors who are prepping their feature films, and is sponsored by Kodak.

Taking place in Los Angeles during the winter, the Lab assists directors with strong, original voices develop new narrative feature films, improve their craft, and advance their filmmaking careers in a nurturing, yet challenging creative environment.

To apply, please visit: http://filmindependent.org/fellowships/filmmaker_labs/directors_lab

Application fee is $55 for Film Independent Members and $75 for Non-Members.

More Details: Lab filmmakers are provided a cash stipend for their project and access to camera and sounds packages. Under the tutelage of Lab Mentors, filmmakers learn to work with actors, collaborate with cinematographers and crew, refine scripts and shoot scenes from their projects. Throughout the Lab, filmmakers are also introduced to established directors and film professionals who serve as one-on-one Advisors on both the art and business of filmmaking.

The Lab is provided FREE to accepted filmmakers, and upon completion, filmmakers become Film Independent Fellows, receiving year-round support, including access to Film Independent’s annual film education offerings, on-staff Filmmaker Advisor, and the Los Angeles Film Festival.

Recent projects developed through the Lab include Suzi Yoonessi’s Dear Lemon Lima, (2009 Los Angeles Film Festival); Cherien Dabis’ Amreeka, which will be released theatrically on September 4, 2009 (2009 Sundance Film Festival, FIPRESCI Award Winner at 2009 Cannes Film Festival); Tina Mabry’s Mississippi Damned (2009 Slamdance Film Festival, 2009 Outfest Grand Jury Award); and Scott Prendergast’s Kabluey, starring Lisa Kudrow and Teri Garr, which was released theatrically in 2008 (2007 Los Angeles Film Festival).

Last year’s Lab Mentors included writer/directors Kasi Lemmons (Talk to Me), Keith Gordon (The Singing Detective), Alfredo De Villa (Nothing Like the Holidays), and Andrew Wagner (Starting Out in the Evening).