Encounters LAB + BONUS WORKSHOP with SCANDAR COPTI

Simulating a lab, the seminar Encounters LAB invites three guests from the fields of directing, producing and world sales, whose work moves between the art market and the cinema industry.

Each guest will begin by introducing their professional practice and presenting a case study of a film that has been important to their work. In a second step, the guests will give feedback on selected student projects and share insights into possible strategies for their further development, positioning and realization. All participants will be present during the feedback sessions, so that the seminar also becomes a space for learning how to give, receive and reflect on feedback.

The seminar aims to create a creative and pragmatic understanding of film as an art form within different professional contexts. Drawing on the experience of the invited guests, we will discuss how projects can be developed, presented and navigated beyond the KHM.

The seminar is intended for students working with film — fiction, documentary, hybrid or experimental — who are in the process of realizing their diploma projects and wish to reflect on possible directions after the KHM.

Due to the format, only six projects can be discussed during the seminar, as each guest will engage with each selected project. Participation as an observer without a project is possible and desired.

For the Winter Semester, we are again inviting the Oscar Nominated filmmaker Scandar Copti to join us again, this time in person.

Furthermore, we are planning a bonus workshop with Scandar, focused on his specific method of working with non-professional actors. This Bonus workshop will be open to students beyond those whose projects are selected for the Seminar. We estimate that about 20 Students can participate in the Workshop.

The dates for the Bonus Workshop will be starting the 4th in the evening with a screening of his most recent film HAPPY HOLIDAYS (2024), Premiered at the 81st Venice International Film Festival, where it won the Orizzonti (Horizons) Award for Best Screenplay. Then the Workshop will take place :

Thursday the 5th of November from 10am to 5pm., Studio A

Friday the 6th of November from 10am to 5pm. , Studio A

Saturday the 7thof November from 10am to 5pm. , Studio A

Please submit your texts (in English, description max. 1 page and treatment/ script) by 21.09.2026: pia.marais@khm.de und m.polednova@khm.de.

For those who are only interested in participating in the Workshop, please write an email by the 21.09.2026 with clear with to ONLY do WORKSHOP.