Frequently Asked Questions
An in-person, process-driven lab for emerging nonfiction storytellers
8 weeks | 3 hours per week | Limited seats
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This lab is designed for:
Emerging and mid-career filmmakers
Anyone ready to shape an idea into a cinematic story
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You may arrive with:
A fully formed concept
A story you want to explore
A script you want to rewrite
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By the end of the lab, you will have:
A refined logline
First twenty-five pages of a feature length script or a short film script
Clarity on voice and point of view
Constructive feedback from peers and mentor
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This is a story-first development lab.
We focus on:
Concept development
Narrative structure
Character and transformation
Stakes and tension
Voice and authorship
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Each two-hour in-person session includes:
Focused teaching segments
Close reading of films
Guided writing exercises
Peer dialogue and critique
Dedicated development time
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Sharing your project is highly recommended, though optional.
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The clarity developed in this lab directly supports:
Grant applications
Writing labs and fellowships
Pitch forums
Producer conversations
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At this time we are limiting the cohort size to 12 participants.
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Yes.
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Absolutely. You’ll receive mentor feedback as well as guided peer responses in a respectful, accountable space.
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$700
Your investment includes:
24 hours of in-person instruction
Guided writing exercises
Structured peer feedback
Mentor critique
A final development sharing
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Yes. Participants should expect:
Weekly writing assignment and progressive development of your story
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Burqa Boxers (Feature Documentary)
Winner, Best Project, Grant Open Doors, Locarno Film Festival
Winner “Author of the Year” International. Documentary Festival, Hangzhou, China, 2017.
EBS International documentary Festival, Korea
New Orleans Film Festival, October
Vail Film Festival, USA
Jio MAMI International Film Festival Mumbai
Traces De Vie International Film Festival, Claremond Ferrand, France,
Artemis, Women in Action Film Festival, USA
For Films Sake Film Festival, Australia, USA
Invitation, Film Bazaar Co-Production Market, Goa, India
The Conqueror (Script)
Berlinale Talent Project Market.
L’oreal Woman of Worth Vision Award at Tribeca All Access
The Ant and The Monkey (Short Fiction)
Nomination, Princess Grace Awards
Giffoni Film Festival, Italy
Mendocino Film Festival
San Francisco South Asian International Film Festival
San Diego International Children’s Film Festival
Mahindra IAAC International Film Festival
Panchali
14th Madrid International Experimental Cinema Week
Regional finalist in the Student Academy Awards
John Gutmann Award for Innovation in Cinema
Nominated for the Eastman Kodak Scholarship for Excellence in Cinema (2004).
Casa De Espana, Lima, Peru
San Francisco International South Asian Film Festival
Women of Color Film Festival
Tired Of Dancing
Cinequest International Film Festival
Women of Color Film Festival
San Francisco South Asian Film Festival
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The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/may/02/gender-fight-night-boxing-film-makers-go-three-rounds-for-industry-equality
The Hindu: https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-features/tp-metroplus/of-grit-and-grace/article7893312.ece
The Indian Express: https://indianexpress.com/article/entertainment/entertainment-others/the-right-hook-2/
Global Indian: https://www.globalindian.com/story/art-culture/indian-filmmaker-alka-raghuram/
Indian Independent Films: https://indiaindependentfilms.com/2016/10/23/mami-2016-alka-raghurams-burqa-boxers/
Variety: https://variety.com/2022/film/news/mithila-palkar-jaaved-jaaferi-siam-ahmed-in-the-ring-1235271543/
Screendaily: https://www.screendaily.com/-locarnos-open-doors-top-award-shared-by-two-indian-projects/5030715.article
Hollywood Reporter: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/locarno-open-doors-unveils-indian-184490/
F.I.G.H.T.C.L.U.B: https://moifightclub.com/tag/alka-raghuram/
KALW: https://www.kalw.org/podcast/sandip-roys-dispatches-from-kolkata/2024-02-21/kathaks-return-journey
India Currents: https://indiacurrents.com/chitresh-das-dance-takes-invoking-the-river-on-3-city-tour-of-india/Chitresh Das Institute: https://www.chitreshdasinstitute.org/blog/2022/10/16/alka-raghuram-interview-w-artists-of-invoking-the-river
Sinema: https://www.sinema.sg/2011/08/11/locarno-open-doors-alka-raghurams-burqa-boxers/
India Currents: https://indiacurrents.com/bay-area-based-filmmaker-alka-raghuram-documents-muslim-women-boxers-fight-for-liberation/
Pandolin: http://pandolin.com/i-wanted-to-investigate-how-learning-to-box-transforms-one-as-a-person/
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Burqa Boxers (Feature Documentary)
Winner, Best Project, Grant Open Doors, Locarno Film Festival
Winner “Author of the Year” International. Documentary Festival, Hangzhou, China, 2017.
EBS International documentary Festival, Korea
New Orleans Film Festival, October
Vail Film Festival, USA
Jio MAMI International Film Festival Mumbai
Traces De Vie International Film Festival, Claremond Ferrand, France,
Artemis, Women in Action Film Festival, USA
For Films Sake Film Festival, Australia, USA
Invitation, Film Bazaar Co-Production Market, Goa, India
The Conqueror (Script)
Berlinale Talent Project Market.
L’oreal Woman of Worth Vision Award at Tribeca All Access
The Ant and The Monkey (Short Fiction)
Nomination, Princess Grace Awards
Giffoni Film Festival, Italy
Mendocino Film Festival
San Francisco South Asian International Film Festival
San Diego International Children’s Film Festival
Mahindra IAAC International Film Festival
Panchali
14th Madrid International Experimental Cinema Week
Regional finalist in the Student Academy Awards
John Gutmann Award for Innovation in Cinema
Nominated for the Eastman Kodak Scholarship for Excellence in Cinema (2004).
Casa De Espana, Lima, Peru
San Francisco International South Asian Film Festival
Women of Color Film Festival
Tired Of Dancing
Cinequest International Film Festival
Women of Color Film Festival
San Francisco South Asian Film Festival