OPEN CALL IS CLOSED.  Application until September 6.

CALL CLOSED

Playlab Films presents the 2026 edition of the Creators Lab:

ASGHAR FARHADI LAB: Filming in Mexico

Two Academy Awards, the Golden Bear in Berlin, and the Grand Prix at Cannes endorse the career of Asghar Farhadi, one of the most influential and rigorous auteurs of our time. Experience the unique opportunity to join 50 filmmakers from around the world and immerse yourself for 10 days in San Miguel de Allende to write, direct, and connect with the truth of your characters alongside a global film icon.

To mark a decade of international film creation labs led by founder Estephania Bonnett, Playlab Films presents this November 2026 a 10-day filmmaking residency in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, guided by Asghar Farhadi. For the first time in Creators Lab history, the Iranian filmmaker, two-time Oscar winner for A Separation and The Salesman, will lead a practical directing workshop working side-by-side with 50 selected filmmakers from across the globe.

This edition represents a meaningful milestone in a pedagogical journey that began a decade ago with Abbas Kiarostami himself, who conceived this immersive creation methodology and passed it on to Estephania Bonnett to expand internationally. This journey began in residencies alongside Kiarostami and Werner Herzog, and later consolidated under Playlab Films as Creators Lab with masters like Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Pedro Costa, and Paolo Sorrentino, in a project Apichatpong defined as "an initiative that makes cinema evolve."

Reaching its tenth residency, this directing workshop symbolically returns to its roots alongside Farhadi, who continued the path paved by Kiarostami for Iranian cinema worldwide. Farhadi conceives this lab as a space to transform filmmaking into an unceasing question about the human condition. Through the evocative atmosphere of San Miguel de Allende, participants will dive into his rigorous storytelling approach, actor direction, and ability to reveal universal truths within daily complexity.

"Modern cinema is no longer about giving answers; it’s about posing questions. The greatest drama of human existence is not the simplistic battle between good and evil, but the tragic struggle between good and good: situations where two people are both right from their own points of view."

— Asghar Farhadi

The Master

Asghar Farhadi

Asghar Farhadi (Isfahan, Iran, 1972) has built one of the most breathtaking, rigorous, and admired filmographies in contemporary world cinema. As a writer and director, he has explored themes of truth, guilt, family dynamics, and moral dilemmas with a unique sensibility that balances daily realism with masterful dramatic tension. His work, unanimously acclaimed by both critics and audiences, has received the highest honors in the industry, including the Golden Bear in Berlin, the Grand Prix at Cannes, and two Academy Awards (Oscars) for Best Foreign Language Film.

From About Elly and A seperation toThe Salesman, Everybody knows and A hero, Farhadi has crafted a cinematic universe where meticulous observation and empathy coexist with flawless narrative structures, turning everyday conflicts into genuine human thrillers. His style stands out for his masterful direction of actors, organic dialogue, and profound aesthetic elegance that eschews gimmicks to focus on genuine relationships. With a lens aimed at understanding human complexity without passing moral judgment, Farhadi is the ideal mentor to guide this new edition of Creators Lab.

"Cinematic realism does not consist of placing a camera and filming reality as it appears before us, but in constructing an illusion so honest and rigorous that the viewer never doubts its truth."​

— Asghar Farhadi

The Lab

Playlab Films' Creators Lab presents in 2026 the Asghar Farhadi Lab: Filming in Mexico. An immersive and transformative experience where 50 audiovisual creators from around the world will develop a short film guided by the narrative rigor, actor-direction mastery, and ethical sensitivity of Farhadi, in what will be a true film development lab and auteur cinema residency.

Methodology and Creative Immersion

During a 10-day filmmaking residency in San Miguel de Allende, participants will immerse themselves in a creative process spanning from environmental observation and dramatic conflict construction to post-production. Following the original methodology of Abbas Kiarostami, reinterpreted by authors like Werner Herzog, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Pedro Costa, and Paolo Sorrentino, this new edition adapts to the singular vision and experience of Asghar Farhadi, who will accompany every stage through individual and collective mentorship sessions.

The lab's purpose is to create outside familiar spaces and draw inspiration from Farhadi's mastery, as well as the stories, dilemmas, and atmospheres emanating from this Mexican territory rich in history and social nuances—turning attentive daily observation into creative fuel and collaborative creation.

Hands-on Creative Process

During this practical film workshop, filmmakers will explore all phases of audiovisual development. As a deeply personal process, each director must bring their own equipment (camera, sound gear, computer, etc.) to handle all roles and steps of their film. Every phase will be accompanied individually and as a group by Asghar Farhadi through lectures, exchanges, and script and directing consultations—complemented by the shared knowledge brought by each participating filmmaker.

International Community and Distribution

This collective dynamic is essential: the process unites directors, forging an international community that extends well beyond this encounter and individual work. With this community comes the opportunity to travel festival circuits hand in hand. Following post-production, Playlab Films selects a showcase of 10 short films to actively accompany them in their international festival distribution and exhibition avenues.

For instance, The Lost Memories of Trees by Antonio La Camera (Apichatpong Lab 2022, Peru) won Best Short Film at the Venice Biennale. In 2023, Cannes presented an exclusive installation with 14 short films from the 2022 Lab alongside a short by Apichatpong, and in 2025, 10 shorts from the 2022 Apichatpong Lab and 10 from the 2024 Pedro Costa Lab participated in the Cannes Short Film Corner. Works from past editions have also been selected at festivals such as BAFICI, Berlinale, Locarno, Havana, Cartagena, L'Alternativa, FIRST International Film Festival in China, and MIFF in Melbourne.

"As far as I'm concerned, every film should be a relentless search for the unknown and the mysterious. Not so much to find an answer, but to keep the question alive."

— Asghar Farhadi

Program

Day 0
  • Welcome to the lab
  • Delivery of materials: accreditations, maps, pre-production book
  • Presentation of the central theme and the participants
Day 1
  • Presentation of the Creators LAB working methodology by Asghar Farhadi and Estephania Bonnett
  • Exploration of the territory (part 1)
  • Night Exchange with the Master
Day 2
  • Exploration of the territory (part 2)
  • Creation Lab 1: idea consultations with farhadi
  • Night Exchange with the Master
Day 3
  • Meeting between creators and characters (Afternoon)
  • Creation Lab 2: idea consultations with farhadi
  • Night Exchange with the Master
Day 4
  • Filming of approved short films
  • Night Exchange with the Master
Day 5
  • Filming of approved short films
  • Night Exchange with the Master
Day 6
  • Filming of approved short films
  • Review of materials and assembly scripts
  • Night Exchange with the Master
Day 7
  • Assembly and consulting with farhadi
  • Night Exchange with the Master
Day 8
  • Assembly and consulting with Asghar farhadi
  • Night Exchange with the Master
Day 9
  • Assembly closing and consulting with Asghar Farhadi
  • Screening of completed short films (Afternoon)
  • Final exchange with the Master
Day 10
  • Second screening
  • Closure of the laboratory
The base of the lab

San Miguel de Allende

San Miguel de Allende is a colonial jewel nestled in the heart of Guanajuato, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site and surrounded by a unique landscape of canyons, warm sunlight, and monumental architecture. Its richness lies not only in its cobblestone streets and historic facades, but also in the vibrant life of its communities: living heritage, artisan traditions, welcoming locals, and the complex human layers inhabiting both its historic center and rural communities within a 20-minute radius. For ten days, this film residency in Mexico will turn into a living set for filmmakers, providing stories, characters, dilemmas, and atmospheres to inspire fresh artistic visions.

The workshop will be based on the union of two extraordinary spaces: Finca La Devoción y Agua Bendita. Two venues surrounded by lush vegetation, gardens, and traditional architecture, where design harmonizes with nature. From this haven of calm and concentration, filmmakers can travel to different parts of the city and its surroundings, before returning to an optimal environment for analysis, writing, and editing. The confluence of Finca La Devoción and Agua Bendita will become the creative and human epicenter of the gathering, a space designed to foster the exchange of ideas and for each creator to find the serenity necessary to shape their stories in dialogue with San Miguel de Allende.

Agua Bendita.

Finca La Devoción

“One films so as not to forget, to give meaning to that which has no meaning, or simply because one wouldn't know what to do with so much beauty around oneself.”

— Asghar Farhadi

Call

Calendar and registration

Calendar
  • General Call Opens: August 1, 2026
  • Early Bird Deadline: August 15, 2026 (Free application fee when applying on or before August 15)
  • General Call Closes: September 6, 2026
  • Lab Start Date: November 16, 2026
  • Lab End Date: November 27, 2026
Registration and payment
  • Application Fee: 30 € (For selected participants, this amount is deducted from total tuition).
  • Early Bird: Free application when registering on or before August 15.
  • General Tuition: 7.900 €
  • Duration: 10 full days + 1 arrival afternoon/evening (11 nights of residence).

*Payment Policy: Once the fee has been paid, there will be no refunds. If the selected participant has not paid their registration fee before the stipulated deadline, their place will automatically be offered to the next person on the waiting list.

*Once the selection is announced, you have 8 days to pay 50% of the tuition and reserve your spot.

Includes
  • Artistic mentorship and creative guidance from Asghar Farhadi.
  • Support from the Playlab Films team.
  • Accommodation for 11 nights / 12 days at Agua Bendita / Finca La Devoción.
  • Full board: three meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner, non-alcoholic beverages).
  • 24h Hydration station (water, coffee, tea).
  • Internal group transfers to and from Querétaro International Airport (QRO).
  • Local transport during the workshop.
  • Access to all lab activities.
  • Nightly dialogues and exchanges with Asghar Farhadi.
  • Workspaces tailored specifically for the workshop.
  • A pre-production booklet featuring:
    • Extensive casting directory of local non-professional and professional actors.
    • Location catalog with historical, scenic, and cultural descriptions.
    • Filming permits for locations curated by Playlab.
    • Practical production guidelines for shooting.

CALL CLOSED

FAQ

FAQ 

What is Creators Lab?
  • What is Creators Lab?
    Creators Lab is an international filmmaking workshop organized by Playlab Films. This year, 50 filmmakers from around the world will be selected to each create a short film during 10 intensive days in [location missing]. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico. You are not applying with a projectThe laboratory starts from scratch: on the first day, Asghar Farhadi will propose a common theme, and from there each participant will develop, film and assemble their own work.
  • What is the focus of the lab?
    To foster a deeply auteur-driven, honest, and daring cinematic experience. It is a space for creative freedom, formal experimentation, collective work, and radical presence. There is no pitching, no industry pressure, and no competition—only creation.
Who can apply?
  • Who can apply?
    Filmmakers and audiovisual creators with prior experience as directors (fiction, documentary, hybrid), screenwriters, or directors of photography who can demonstrate their ability to create an audiovisual work independently from start to finish. The application form requires links to two previous completed works (short or feature films). Trailers and showreels are not accepted.
  • What profiles are you looking for?
    Individuals with an artistic and auteur vision interested in experimenting, researching, and working intensely within the suggested territory. We value sensitivity, risk-taking, ethics, autonomy, and collaborative capacity.
  • Is there an age or nationality limit?
    No. Anyone from any country aged 18 or older can apply.
How to apply?
  • What materials must I submit to apply?
    • Updated CV / Resume.
    • A 1-page Motivation Letter explaining your interest in participating (in English).
    • Links to two (2) previous completed works demonstrating your vision and skills (trailers and showreels are not accepted).
  • Do I apply with an idea or script for a short film?
    No. Ideas or scripts are not accepted. The creative process starts completely from scratch during the lab.
  • In what language should the application be submitted?
    All documentation must be in English. The lab will be conducted primarily in English.
  • Can I reapply if I submitted an application in previous editions?
    Yes. There is no issue with applying again. Having applied before does not negatively impact your chances of selection. Each edition evaluates the candidate's current profile from scratch. If you were selected in a previous edition but could not attend, please mention it in your motivation letter so we can take it into account.
Laboratory operations
  • Where and when does it take place?
    San Miguel de Allende, MexicoThe workshop will be held at Finca La Devoción / Agua Bendita. It lasts 10 full, consecutive days, starting on Monday, December 1st and ending on Friday, December 12th.
  • What is included in participation?
    • Artistic advice and support from Asghar Farhadi.
    • Support from the Playlab Films team.
    • Accommodation for 11 nights 12 days in La Devoción Farm / Holy Water.
    • Three meals per day (breakfast, lunch, dinner, non-alcoholic beverages).
    • 24h Hydration station (water, coffee, tea).
    • Internal group transfers to and from (Querétaro International Airport - QRO)
    • Local transport during the workshop.
    • Access to all lab activities.
    • Nightly dialogues and exchanges with Asghar Farhadi.
    • Workspaces tailored specifically for the workshop.
    •  A pre-production booklet featuring:
      • Extensive casting directory of local non-professional and professional actors.
      • Location guide with historical and cultural background.
      • Filming permits for locations curated by Playlab.
      • Practical production guidelines for shooting.
  • What is not included?
    • International travel to the destination airport (Querétaro International Airport - QRO)
    • Travel & health insurance (each participant must secure their own).
    • Technical equipment (camera, lenses, laptop/computer, microphone, tripod, etc.).
    • Actor fees. Each participant is responsible for negotiating directly with their cast regarding collaboration terms (symbolic payments, exchanges, or monetary agreements).
  • What equipment should I bring?
    Each participant must bring all the necessary equipment to shoot and edit their short film, including:
    • Camera (digital, film, smartphone, VHS, etc.).
    • Lenses
    • Microphones
    • Tripod
    • Laptop with editing software
    • Any additional technical accessories deemed necessary.

Keep in mind you will be moving with your gear all day; we recommend keeping it lightweight and bringing only essentials.

  • Are there restrictions on recording formats or media?
    No. You may shoot in whatever format suits your artistic vision.
Post-production, selection and distribution
  • What happens at the end of the lab?
    • On the final two days, all 50 completed short films are screened internally.
    • After the lab, each participant has a two-month deadline to complete their final cut and post-production.
    • Following this period, Playlab Films selects 10 short films to receive dedicated distribution support.
  • What do the 10 selected shorts receive?
    • A grant for professional color grading completed by a partner colorist.
    • International festival distribution support managed by Playlab Films.
  • What happens to the shorts not selected?
    They can be freely distributed by their authors, with ongoing guidance from Playlab Films.
  • Can I stay connected with Playlab Films?
    Following short film distribution, and to continue working with participating directors while strengthening our community, all 50 filmmakers will be invited to an exclusive internal call to submit their upcoming feature film or series projects to Playlab FilmsWe aim to nurture new talent and accompany them throughout their filmmaking careers.
    Costs and financing
    • What is the application fee?
      Applying to the Asghar Farhadi Lab: Filming in Mexico. requires an application fee of €30, which is deducted from your total tuition if selected. If you apply before August 15th during Early Bird, this application fee is waived.
    • What is the tuition cost for the lab?
      The entry fee will be published in the official announcement.
    • Are scholarships or financial aid available?
      • Creators Lab is an independent, self-funded lab. We do not offer internal scholarships or funding to cover participation costs.
      • However, we have partnerships with cultural institutions and funds in various countries that have supported selected participants in past editions.
      • If selected, we can issue an official acceptance letter  for you to seek external funding in your home country.
    • Can I request a letter of acceptance to apply for external funding?
      Yes. Selected participants can receive an official acceptance letter to apply for grants or funding from entities in their home country.

    • What is the Early Bird benefit?
      If you submit your application to Creators Lab before August 15, 2026, the application fee is completely free. Starting August 16, 2026, applying carries a €30 fee.

    • Are refunds offered after paying tuition?
      Once paid, tuition fees are strictly non-refundable.
    • What happens if I don't pay the workshop registration fee on time?
      If the selected participant has not paid their registration fee by the deadline, their spot will automatically be given to the next participant on the waiting list.
    • How does the exclusive €300 Community Grant work?

      We want to reward the loyalty of the filmmaker network walking alongside us. Therefore, we created a Community Grant of €300 applied toward total tuition, reserved exclusively for individuals who were already part of our database (alumni from our 10 past lab editions and active newsletter subscribers) prior to launch.

      How does the code work?

      1. Check your email: If you were registered in our database or attended a past lab, you received an email with a personal code prior to public launch.
      2. Apply as usual: Complete your application form with required documentation within deadlines.
      3. Apply your benefit: If selected by the committee for the Mexico residency, present your code during enrollment to automatically deduct €300 from your total tuition.

    Important Note: This grant is an exclusive recognition for the community registered prior to August 1, 2026. No new codes will be generated for registrations after that date.

    Certificates and participation
    • Is a certificate provided?
      Yes. All participants receive an official certificate of completion issued by Playlab Films.
    • Can I attend as an observer or companion? 
      No. The lab is strictly reserved for the 50 selected participants.
    Contact
    • What email address can I contact if I have questions that aren't answered here?
      creatorslab@playlabfilms.com
    The production house

    Playlab Films

    Playlab Films is a production company and global network of authors, producers, and cinematic visionaries. We are privileged to have the support of some of the most renowned masters of world cinema, including Abbas Kiarostami, Werner Herzog, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Pedro Costa and Paolo Sorrentino. Our core mission is to foster bold and original voices in film, those whose practices are grounded in artistic integrity and the courage to challenge conventional ways of making films.

    For over a decade, Estephania Bonnett, film producer and creative mind behind Playlab Films, has been at the forefront of this vision. She has led the creation of the Creators Lab, a unique space where emerging filmmakers explore bold ideas, challenge conventions, and develop their voices under the guidance of world-renowned directors. Through workshops and annual residencies, Estephania has connected young talents with masters such as Abbas Kiarostami, Werner Herzog, Apichatpong Weerasethakul, Pedro Costa, and now Paolo Sorrentino.

     The Creators Lab and other Playlab initiatives have produced more than 350 short films, many of which have participated in festivals such as Venice, Cannes, Berlinale, Locarno, Havana, and Docs BA. Beyond short films, Playlab supports emerging directors in the production of feature films, miniseries, and documentaries, offering a space to create, experiment, and inspire. Under Estephania's leadership, Playlab remains an intimate and collaborative environment where ideas are shared, bold risks are encouraged, and new cinematic voices are fostered to reach an international audience.

    Allied institutions

    To obtain financial support, each selected participant must personally apply to a public or private institution in their country, which typically offers scholarships for international training or short film creation.

    In previous editions, Creators Lab participants have received support from institutions such as Swiss Films, Colombian Film Development Fund (3 scholarships of up to three million six hundred thousand pesos ($3.600.000), Polish Film Institute (1 international scholarship), Hungarian Film Institute (1 travel scholarship), Greek Film Center, South African Film Institute, among others.

    Organized by
    Sponsors

    Credits

    Director and producer

    Estephania Bonnett A.

    Director of Content and Community

    Laura Otálora

    Production Coordinator 

    Matheus Mello

    Local Production Manager 

    Diego Medina Riveroll

    Design and graphics

    Juan Felipe Mejía

    Web by

    New Spirit Studio

    Social Media Communication

    Sunamers.com

    Picture

    Newsha Tavakolian