2026 Show Me Shorts Short Film Lab

The Short Film Lab is presented with financial support from Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga, New Zealand Film Commission.

Applications close at 12 noon, Monday 2 February, 2026.

The lab day is Saturday 28 March, 2026.

Please read our eligibility criteria before submitting.

Please watch our webinar that answers many different questions regarding the application process.

If you are having technical problems or have any questions, contact Show Me Shorts Festival Manager Mark Prebble on mark@showmeshorts.co.nz.

Full Name*

First NameLast Name

E-mail*

Phone Number*

Area CodePhone Number

Please write a short Bio/CV*

0/250

List any professional development, labs, workshops or mentoring programs for screenwriters or directors that you have participated in before.*

0/250

List any filmmaking funding grants you have been granted previously.*

0/250

You must be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident to qualify. Funding is available to help with travel costs for participants based outside of Auckland.

Residency status*

What is your city or town of residence.*

We have some funding available to help with accessibility needs such as NZSL interpreters or a note taker for someone with processing issues or physical disability.

Do you have any access needs that we should be aware of?*

If 'yes', please specify your access needs.

If 'other', please describe.

The following questions are to ensure that the Show Me Shorts Short Film Lab is developing stories from a diverse range of writers. The questions are not compulsory.

With which gender(s) do you identify?

With which ethnicity(s) do you identify?

Please provide the title, logline, genre and outline for three short film projects.

Each outline should be a maximum of 400 words long and should explain the plot and tone of the film - not just a few sentences.

The script should be no longer than 20 pages, written in standard screenplay format, as we are looking for short films that are under 20 mins in duration. Some leniancy will be shown for scripts that are slightly over 20 pages but we encourage writers to try and cut their scripts down pre-submission as it will increase your chances of selection.

Indicate the current status of each concept, e.g. new idea, first draft, multiple drafts written. You will need to upload a script for one of the projects below.

Concept 1 title*

Concept 1 genre*

Concept 1 logline*

Concept 1 status*

Concept 1 outline*

0/400

Concept 2 title*

Concept 2 logline*

Concept 2 genre*

Concept 2 status*

Concept 2 outline*

0/400

Concept 3 title*

Concept 3 logline*

Concept 3 genre*

Concept 3 status*

Concept 3 outline*

0/400

Have any of these projects received previous development support, e.g. other labs?*

If 'yes', please describe.

0/50

Which of your three concepts do you most want to develop in this lab, and why?*

0/100

We are looking for writer-led projects and you are welcome to participate in the lab with no director or producer attached. However, it is useful for us to know what your intentions are, e.g. are you planning to direct yourself, do you have an outside director attached or will you need to find them later?

Please describe any key team attachments*

0/50

Describe what you hope to gain from participating in the Short Film Lab. *

0/100

How did you hear about this opportunity?

Upload script - Please submit a full draft of the screenplay for one of your ideas. (PDF only, 1Mb max)*

Upload a File

I have read and understand the eligibility criteria:*

Yes

2026 Show Me Shorts Short Film Lab

Short Film Concepts: