About the program

The Cine Qua Non Retreat is a writing retreat specifically designed for Cine Qua Non Lab alums. The program aims to connect alums across Cine Qua Non Lab generations and give them the opportunity to work intensively on the development of their feature-length narrative scripts in Mexico in an environment structured to foster professional collaboration.

The Cine Qua Non Retreat is a supported writing retreat that gives Cine Qua Non Lab alums the opportunity to experience —or return to— Cine Qua Non Lab facilities in Mexico and develop their scripts in a protected writing atmosphere, with support from international peers across Cine Qua Non Lab generations and brainstorming support from an onsite mentor.

The Cine Qua Non Retreat has a duration of 10 days. Participants have the option to extend their stay in Cine Qua Non Lab facilities for one week to keep working on their project after the end of the retreat.

Language

All brainstorming sessions will be conducted in English. All application materials need to be in English.

Dates and location

The Cine Qua Non Retreat is held in Tzintzuntzan, a small town in the state of Michoacán, Mexico, approximately 50 km from the city of Morelia. The writing and living spaces are tucked amidst the beauty of the Sierra Madre mountains, overlooking Lake Pátzcuaro, a quiet natural retreat.

The 2025 edition of the Cine Qua Non Retreat will take place from Thursday, January 16^th, through Sunday, January 26^th, 2025. Participants will have the option to extend their stay for one week, until Sunday, February 2^nd, 2025.

Eligibility

The Cine Qua Non Retreat is open to Cine Qua Non Lab alums developing a narrative feature film, including:

• Storylines Lab alums working on the draft or rewrite of the project they attended the lab with;

• Script Revision Lab or Storylines Lab alums working on the draft or rewrite of a new project at a mid- to advanced development stage (for projects at an early stage of development, please check the Storylines Lab); and

• Script Revision Lab alums working on a new revision of the project they attended the lab with.

Application deadline

The call for applicants for the 2025 Cine Qua Non Retreat is closed.

Participation fee

There is no application fee.

Cine Qua Non Lab covers with resources of the organization and its members the bulk of the cost of participation in the Cine Qua Non Retreat, so that participants pay only a 1,900 USD fee for attending the retreat. This fee is required upon acceptance. In case of cancellation more than 15 days prior to the starting date of the retreat, there is a 50 % refund of the participation fee. There is no refund in case of cancellation less than 15 days prior to the starting date.

In addition to the professional support from the onsite mentor, accommodations and meals will be provided during the retreat. Participants are responsible for their own travel expenses. Participants must submit proof of medical insurance covering the whole period of their stay.

Participants in the Cine Qua Non Retreat have the option to extend their stay for one week to keep working on their project after the end of the retreat, for an additional fee of 500 USD. Accommodations and meals will be provided throughout the extended period, but there will be no activities with the onsite mentor during that week.

Giving back

Participants must give official recognition to Cine Qua Non Lab in the future production of their work, by including an acknowledgement and the Cine Qua Non Lab logo in any published rendition of the script, in the project’s website or when applying for other residencies or labs and for funding for the same project, as well as mentioning Cine Qua Non Lab’s support in any interview or article about their project. In addition, once completed, films that have been supported by Cine Qua Non Lab must indicate that support both in the opening and closing credits, by displaying the Cine Qua Non Lab logo and the caption “Developed with the support of Cine Qua Non Lab”. Participants are also required to give recognition to the retreat mentor with an on-screen credit of script consultant.

Selection process

All applications will be read and evaluated by a jury panel comprised of film professionals. Applicants short-listed for consideration in the final round of evaluations may be interviewed by videoconference.

For further information, please address inquiries to [email protected].