Invite the Students, Filmmakers, or Industry Professionals in Your Network to Toronto for Our Next:
Give Your Creatives the Toronto Film School Experience
Whether you’re a film commission, educational institution, production company, creative organization, or industry partner, we can collaborate with you to bring your cohort to Toronto for our Global Filmmakers Lab. This week-long, immersive filmmaking experience is tailored around your organization’s goals and the exact skills you want your participants to develop.
We offer:
A Customized Curriculum: Align our lab with the specific technical, creative or business skills your participants need to master.
Flexible Scheduling: Choose a one-week intensive format that fits seamlessly into your organization’s calendar.
Targeted Industry Access: Connect your cohort with a faculty of industry-active filmmakers.
THE EXPERIENCE
A Hands-On Filmmaking Experience
Toronto Film School is a trusted and recognized global partner in filmmaking education and creative-skills development.
Over one intensive week, participants will explore advanced filmmaking techniques through our Above-the-Line Filmmaking Lab—combining expert instruction from industry-active professionals, hands-on learning, and real-world production experience.
Participants will train at our brand-new, state-of-the-art studio campus in Toronto, working with the latest industry-grade cameras, equipment, and production technology.
*Every participant who completes the lab will receive a certificate of completion.
THE BENEFITS
Built Around Your Goals
Working with you, we can shape a learning curriculum designed around your organization’s priorities and the outcomes you wish to see for participants. Our faculty of working professionals bring real-world expertise across a range of practical filmmaking disciplines, including:
- Advanced screenwriting strategies
- Writers’ Room protocols
- Conducting live auditions
- Specialized lighting techniques
- Advanced cinematography
- Advanced production design
- Proper set etiquette
- Directing talent and working with Intimacy Coordinators
- Professional video and audio editing, including colour correction
- Package and proposal development
- Distribution and marketing strategies and more
THe DELEGATES
This Year’s Global Filmmakers Lab Cohort from Japan
Recently, we held a Global Filmmakers Lab for a Japanese delegation of students, who—over the course of one week—moved through the various stages of production, from script to screen, culminating in a finished short film.
Along the way, they participated in a Writers’ Room, conducted live auditions, and completed principal photography before applying post-production techniques to bring their film to life. The lab concluded with a screening and Q&A session attended by TFS faculty and alumni, giving participants the opportunity to gain valuable creative feedback. They also had the opportunity to develop new contacts and gain deeper insights into first-time feature development.
Testimonials
I wanted to see how different it is (in Canada) because I already worked in the production department in Japanese commercial films. We learned how to design a pitch deck, how budgets work, and buying works.
Noboru Kawasaki
Student, University of Tsukuba
I wanted to learn more about the North American film industry. It’s been amazing. All the mentors, teachers—very helpful. We wrote a script within just a day. It was my first time directing a film, so it was very exciting for me.
Megu Maruyama
Student, Goldsmiths, University of London
I was really inspired…Going through this one-week program gave me a new perspective on how to approach filmmaking. It (made me) want to challenge myself more. It was definitely a great experience.
Keito Ono
Student, Columbia University Student of the Arts
What PARTICIPANTS need
Lab Eligibility Criteria
The Global Filmmakers Lab is designed for international, above-the-line creatives (writers, producers, and directors) with foundational film studies experience. Eligible participants must have:
- Minimum one year of relevant education (in a certificate, diploma or degree program). Work experience in film/TV can be substituted for this requirement
- A basic understanding of production and editing workflows
- An ability to read, write, and speak English at a post-secondary level of education
- A laptop that they can use each day at the lab
LET'S GET STARTED
Plan Your Global Filmmakers Lab
Whether you represent a group, organization, school, film commission, or professional network, we can work with you to tailor a Future Global Filmmakers Lab around your goals and needs.
To discuss how we can create a customized experience for your participants or members, reach out to us at:
the tfs difference
WHO WE ARE
Toronto Film School is an internationally recognized career college that prepares students for careers in the creative industries. Beyond the classroom, our faculty continue to write, direct and produce films, bringing current experience and industry best practices to their teachings.
Our Central Location
We’re steps away from hotels, restaurants, food courts, banks, shops, a movie theatre, and the TTC’s Bloor-Yonge subway interchange—where the city’s north-south and east-west subway lines meet.
Toronto Film School Studio Campus
120 Bloor Street East
Toronto, Ontario, Canada
M4W 1B7
*Participants must complete 80% of the lab and submit a final project in order to receive a certificate of completion from Toronto Film School. The Global Filmmakers Lab is a non-vocational program.