Following the experience of its first edition, which confirmed both the interest in and the need for a dedicated development path for archive-based documentaries, Past Forward – Archive Film Lab returns in 2026 with its second edition. The lab further consolidates its role as a space for specialised consultancy and tutoring aimed at projects working with the creative reuse of archival footage, responding to a production field that is rapidly growing and to an increasingly structured demand from the audiovisual industry.
Past Forward – Archive Film Lab is a project by Archivio Aperto and Bio to B – Industry Days | Doc.
The lab is addressed to Italian feature-length documentaries (minimum final length 52’), in development, production or post-production, based predominantly on archival footage and materials.
Archive-based documentaries and found-footage films are increasingly present today at festivals, showcases and in distribution circuits, as well as on television channels and streaming platforms. Past Forward – Archive Film Lab was created to engage with this production and market sector, offering a focused training and consultancy programme designed to provide specific expertise and concrete development tools.
A total of 6 projects will be selected:
4 projects in an advanced stage of production (work in progress / rough cut)
2 projects in development (early stage)
The selected teams will take part in a programme coordinated by Sergio Fant (Archivio Aperto) and Caterina Mazzucato (Bio to B – Industry Days | Doc & Drama), including one in-person in-depth feedback session and two online sessions, with contributions from professionals with specific experience in working with archival materials:
Ilaria Fraioli, editor
Martina Parenti, director
Alessia Petitto, archive producer
Call opening: 21 January 2026
Call deadline: March 1 2026
Participation is free of charge, subject to selection.
Lab period: March–May 2026, with in-person and online meetings
Programme conclusion: final showcase within Bio to B – Industry Days | Doc, Cinema Modernissimo, Bologna, 9 June 2026, in front of an audience of experts and audiovisual industry professionals.
