#DocsConnect Conscious Filmmaking Training | 3 Modules

Welcome to #DocsConnect — Film Academy for Conscious Creative Leaders

A creative and professional space where filmmaking becomes a practice of care, clarity, social impact, and conscious leadership.
We believe that now more than ever, the world needs films that don’t just raise awareness, but deepen empathy, foster dialogue, and contribute to real systemic change. As filmmakers and storytellers, our responsibility is not only what we tell — but how we tell it, with whom, and at what cost to ourselves and others.

The #DocsConnect Conscious Filmmaking Training is our response to this moment.
Rooted in over 25 years of international documentary industry experience through Taskovski Films, the program supports filmmakers from idea to screen, from development to impact, while placing wellbeing, ethics, and sustainability at the centre of the creative process.
This is not only a training — it is an invitation to reimagine filmmaking as a values-led, collaborative, and human practice.

MODULE 1 - ONLINE MASTERCLASSES, 1ON1 MENTORSHIP AND MOVIES THAT MATTER 2026

Impact, Purpose & Co-Production

(Online Programme + Movies That Matter Festival & Impact Lab | 24 Feb – 9 Mar 2026)

Who it’s for: Filmmakers with projects in development wanting to strengthen impact strategy, co-production approach, and ethical positioning.

What you will learn & experience:

Co-production & funding models
Packaging & pitching with purpose
Building bridges with NGOs & social partners
Masterclasses & 1:1 mentorship
Movies That Matter Festival & Impact Lab participation
Observe 10–12 international impact campaigns & NGOs

Apply Here

MODULE 2 - SHEFFIELD DOC FEST 2026

Storytelling, Innovation & Partnerships

(Sheffield Doc Fest, June 2026)

Who it’s for: Filmmakers seeking international collaboration, exposure to market trends, and network expansion.

What you will learn & experience:

Innovation in storytelling & documentary form
Cross-border creative collaboration
1:1 strategy & market preparation
Networking with key decision-makers
Innovation labs & interactive sessions

Apply Here

MODULE 3 - CONSCIOUS FILMMAKING LAB IN SITGES, SPAIN

Sustainable Careers & Conscious Leadership

(5-day Conscious Filmmaking Lab in Sitges in October 2026)

Who it’s for: Filmmakers seeking sustainable careers, conscious leadership, and alignment between creative work and wellbeing.

What you will learn & experience:

Define creative voice & core values
Career planning & sustainable company strategy
Leadership & cross-disciplinary teamwork
Wellbeing tools for resilience & longevity
Integrate development, production, & distribution planning

Apply Here

ELIGIBILITY & METHODOLOGY

Who This Programme Is For

Independent filmmakers & producers (documentary, hybrid, experimental)
With or without projects
Committed to reflection, collaboration & conscious practice
Interested in ethical, sustainable, values-led filmmaking

How We Work — Our Methodology

Learning through practice, dialogue & reflection
Small groups for deep engagement
Cross-disciplinary exchange & peer learning
Mentorship by award-winning filmmakers & industry experts
Integration of wellbeing, creative practice & professional strategy

PAST SESSIONS

We’ve implemented this training methodology multiple times and have seen powerful, lasting impact on both participants and their projects. Each edition has supported filmmakers and creative storytellers in deepening their vision, advancing their work, and building meaningful, sustainable practices. Below is an overview of what makes this methodology so effective and transformative.

Conscious Filmmaking Lab in Manila, Philippines (as featured in Variety, Business Doc Europe, Modern Times Review and more)
Conscious Filmmaking Lab in Sitges, Spain (check out the highlights video and a brochure)
A series of online masterclasses with award-winning industry professionals, such as Charlie Phillips, Kim Longinotto, Jane Mote, Bård Kjøge Rønning (producer of Oscar-winning No Other Land), and many more

Filmkraft Norway – Workshop Audience Development and Distribution
Nepalese Women Film Association & British Council – Empowering female filmmakers producers and directors – 3 years of 3 different programs
Sunny Side of the Doc – We serve as the primary mentorship organization for project pitching.
Emerging Producers Jihlava IDFF – we have been acting as the co-head of this creative lab for the past 11 years.

…. and many others

YOU CAN FIND THE APPLICATION FORM HERE

Your Learning Journey

#DocsConnect Conscious Filmmaking Training is structured around three core modules, each designed to support a different phase of your creative and professional evolution. From nurturing your authentic voice to navigating real-world industry structures and forging lasting partnerships—our program blends artistic exploration with strategic action, personal growth, and ethical leadership.

Across all three modules, we guide participants through four interconnected layers:

Film Industry Know-How – From development to distribution and impact, working in a cross-disciplinary environment.
Wellbeing and Self-Awareness – On both individual and organizational levels.
Conscious Leadership – From self-leadership to collective, organizational, and systemic leadership.
Industry Networking and Establishing Partnerships – Meaningful community connection, sharing knowledge and experience, and nurturing conscious collaboration to co-create a better world.

Module 1: ONLINE MASTERCLASSES, 1-ON-1 MENTORSHIP AND MOVIES THAT MATTER 2026 – €800

A tailored virtual journey featuring one-on-one mentorship, expert-led masterclasses from top industry voices, and the option to join the Movies that Matter Impact Lab in March 2026 as an observer. Learn how to strategically shape your project for co-production, financing, and long-term sustainability.

Offered Online Masterclasses Include:

If you join the full module as a participant, it costs 800€.

You can join this module as an observer without a project. It includes online masterclasses and costs €200 in tuition fees. If you are attending Movies that Matter, there is an additional €200 fee. Total: 400€ (accommodation, travel, and accreditation are not included).

Find the application form here.

Please note: VAT is not included in the listed prices.

Module 2: PREPARATION AND PARTICIPATION PROGRAM AT SHEFFIELD DOC FEST 2026 – €800

This module prepares participants for high-impact visibility and success. It includes a guided experience at one of the leading global markets for documentaries—Sheffield Doc Fest—helping you find the right partner for your film, activate your network, and build meaningful, career-shaping industry connections.

Key Components of the Module:

Industry Know-How & Market Readiness
Participants will:
- Attend online preparatory sessions focused on defining their project and company goals
- Identify key industry professionals they wish to connect with and prepare tailored outreach strategies
- Receive guidance on conscious leadership in networking, pitching, and industry engagement
- Participate in individualized mentoring and curated one-on-one meetings
- Engage in thematic pitch sessions, gaining insider knowledge on co-production, funding, and distribution pathways
Wellbeing & Self-Awareness in High-Pressure Environments
Practical tools for managing stress, emotional regulation, and inner clarity will be provided to help participants navigate market intensity with confidence, presence, and authenticity.
Conscious Leadership in Practice
Graduates of our previous modules will become peer mentors. As part of the Sunny Side Academy public sessions, participants will share insights, tools, and learnings from their own journeys, activating a ripple effect of shared wisdom within the wider community.
Networking & Ecosystem Building
Beyond deal-making, this module fosters value-based collaboration. We encourage long-term partnerships rooted in shared ethics, sustainability, and creative synergy, contributing to a more inclusive and resilient industry.

Price: €800

You can attend this module as an observer without a project. Total: €250 (accommodation, travel, and accreditation not included).

Find the application form here.

Please note: VAT is not included in the listed prices.

Module 3: CONSCIOUS FILMMAKING LAB IN SITGES IN OCTOBER 2026 – €2,500

A Comprehensive Learning and Mentorship Experience Designed to Empower Filmmakers and Shape Meaningful Projects.

The Conscious Filmmaking Lab is designed to equip filmmakers with the skills, tools, and insights they need to navigate the complexities of the film industry while staying true to their values. This module focuses on the essential aspects of filmmaking from development to distribution, providing a comprehensive understanding of working in a cross-disciplinary environment.

Price: €2500

You can join this module as an observer without a project for €1200 (€900 tuition fee + €300 for food). Accommodation is not included, but we recommend the eco-friendly Camping Garrofer, located near the venue. We can also connect you with other observers to share accommodation and make it more affordable.

Find the application form here.

Please note: VAT is not included in the listed prices.