Asghar Farhadi Lab. 2026
Call for applications open until September 6, 2026
About Playlab
We are a production company that seeks to foster imagination through cinema.
We have created an alternative model for film production, showcasing emerging international talents alongside master filmmakers such as Abbas Kiarostami, Werner Herzog, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, and Pedro Costa. Through our annual workshops, new directors emerge, and Playlab produces and supports their first projects. Our films have been recognized and awarded at the Venice Biennale, the Berlin International Film Festival, the Locarno Film Festival, and the Kassel Documentary Film Festival, among others.
Playlab: Creation in 3 acts
Production Lab
We produce films from emerging international talent, giving them a space to create and play. We act as a bridge connecting training, production, financing, and distribution, creating a sustainable and dynamic filmmaking model.
Creators Lab
We guide emerging filmmakers through overcoming their fear of the blank page, encouraging them to explore innovative storytelling with the guidance of cinematic masters such as Abbas Kiarostami, Werner Herzog, and Apichatpong Weerasethakul.
Creators Shorts Lab
Each workshop participant creates a short film from concept to editing, using minimal equipment. After the workshop, the top 10 short films are presented exclusively at festivals and exhibitions, highlighting the next generation of filmmakers.
Festivals
Our effort is reflected in the recognition received by the productions we accompany.
