SeriesLab Italia 2020

Formerly known as FictionLab - TV Series, SeriesLab Italia is organized by TorinoFilmLab and Film Commission Torino Piemonte; supported by SIAE; in partnership with SKY Italia, 100autori and Writers Guild Italia. The programme is aimed at scouting and developing first concept of innovative and high-profile Italian TV series projects.

This lab stands out for connecting all the main players involved in TV fiction production: scriptwriters, producers and Italian TV broadcasters. A lab for creative ideas, where everyone can access and develop their own project, with the support of highly qualified tutors and story editors.

SeriesLab Italia is open to 3 projects, which will work together under the guidance of a high-profiled team of expert scriptwriters. SeriesLab Italia is first of all an opportunity to strengthen the creative process, by supporting the exchange and discussion between authors and professionals.

The lab follows the entire process of creation of a TV series concept during two 4-day residential workshops and one on-line session.

The goal is to draft the treatment of the pilot and the concept presentation (mini-bible) of the project.

SeriesLab Italia is addressed to scriptwriters of all nationality living in Italy, or with Italian nationality living abroad (scriptwriters with foreign nationalities living abroad can also apply in team with an Italian author).

Each participant can submit only one project, individually or as a team (each team can have a maximum of 2 members). Projects that have already been candidate for the past editions of FictionLab or SeriesLab Italia, cannot be presented again.

The programme is open to both original concepts and adaptations; in this second case the team must have secured the rights or an option for the book or other work on which the series is based.

Candidates have to send a concept for a long, multi-season fiction TV series (at least 6 episodes between 26’ and 59’ each), without any genre, tone or content restriction. Concepts for mini-series (2 to 4 episodes) will not be accepted.

Among the 3 projects selected, at least 1 will be selected for considering to be shot totally or mainly in Piedmont. Even if the story does not clearly refer to Piedmont, these projects need to own all the requirements to be shot in this territory (for example, a project totally set in a maritime location will not be considered eligible for the abovementioned criterion). This parameter will be considered relevant but not decisive in the selection of the other 2 projects.

Course participation fee: 500 Euro (+ VAT, if due) per team (1 or 2 participants)*.

^{* This amount covers workshop training, on-line sessions, accommodation and subsistence during the workshops. Participants must pay travel costs. In many countries, scholarships are available for this training.}

The requested materials - to be submitted all together in one PDF - are:
- logline (2 lines maximum)
- an updated CV for each participant (2 pages maximum)
- concept presentation (7.500 character spaces included)
- pilot outline structured in bullet points:
a) for 26’ to 50’ format 16-25 points and 7.500 characters (spaces included)
b) for 51’ to 59’ format 35-45 points and 10.000 characters (spaces included)
- audiovisual approach documents - e.g. moodboard, etc. (10MB maximum) - if available 

The material must be redacted using font Courier, 12 points.
All submitted materials should be in English.

Please click on the "Apply Now!" button in the right-side column of this page to access the on-line application form and submit your project. Before starting the application process, you will need to create an account on the TFL Visitor Page.

Extended deadline for applications: July 16^th, 2019, 12:00 p.m. CET (noon)

A selection committee made of professional scriptwriters will evaluate the applications and define a shortlist of projects. Shortlisted applicants will be interviewed via Skype meetings in October 2019.

After this interview, the selection committee will choose the 3 projects that will join the training programme. Selected authors will be contacted by e-mail and have to confirm in writing their participation to SeriesLab Italia.

For more information please contact:
angelica.cantisani@torinofilmlab.it
 

^{The selected projects of SeriesLab Italia must indicate TorinoFilmLab and Film Commission Torino Piemonte support both in the opening and closing credits, by displaying the TorinoFilmLab and Film Commission Torino Piemonte logos and the caption “The project has been developed at SeriesLab Italia”.}

In the light of the global crisis related to COVID-19, TorinoFilmLab has been adapting the original structure of its programmes to the new circumstances, in an open discussion with our tutors, partners & participants.
An updated calendar will be available as soon as possible.

Original dates

1^st residential workshop: 12-17 December 2019 (Dublin, Ireland)
2^nd residential workshop: 6-11 February 2020 (Turin, Italy)
Final presentation: 25-27 March 2020 (Series Mania Forum - Lille, France).