CinEuro Film Lab - "Hidden Truths - Investigative Approaches for Documentary Filmmaking"

The Mannheim-Heidelberg International Film Festival, in cooperation with MFG Baden-Württemberg, is once again inviting screenwriters and directors to an exclusive Inspiration Session on 14 November 2025 as part of the CinEuro Film Lab, this time with a special focus on documentary filmmaking and investigative journalism approaches.

Documenting  the invisible

In an exclusive workshop with Cem Bozdoğan from the investigative journalism centre CORRECTIV, participants will explore the visual challenge of making the invisible visible. How can you document places you don’t have access to? How can you talk to people who simply don’t want to talk? And how can we strike the right balance between journalistic duty, cinematic storytelling and legal boundaries?

Discover practical working methods, research techniques and narrative strategies used in investigative documentary filmmaking, and exchange ideas with other professionals on how to approach sensitive topics in filmmaking without crossing ethical or legal boundaries. In addition, the workshop will explore the tensions between society, media accountability and the role of the fourth estate.

This exclusive workshop is aimed at documentary filmmakers, directors and screenwriters who wish to further develop their projects or create new content at the crossroads of journalism and cinematic storytelling.

Be inspired by the convergence of research, narration and documentary film, and discover innovative stories and approaches that could spark new ideas for your projects and films. Take advantage of this opportunity to make new contacts.

Practical Information

The workshop is part of the Mannheim-Heidelberg International Film Festival (IFFMH) programme, which will also host the German Documentary Film Award this year.

The day will begin with a networking lunch, which will be an opportunity to meet the other participants. Then, the workshop focusing on investigative approaches for documentary projects will begin.

In the evening, another highlight awaits: an IFFMH masterclass with director and screenwriter Tim Fehlbaum (‘September 5’, “Tides”, ‘Hell’). Fehlbaum will give an insight into his creative process, discussing in particular his feature film ‘September 5’, which tells the dramatic story of the terrorist attack at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich from a journalistic perspective. The film has received numerous awards, including the German Film Prize, and was nominated for an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay.

The day will end with the screenings of themed movies at Stadthaus N1 as part of the festival, followed by a CinEuro reception. At this gathering, you will have the opportunity to enjoy the rest of the evening and make new contacts with colleagues in the industry.

The working languages will be German, English and French. Simultaneous interpretation from German to English will be provided.

Programme (14/11/2025 – starting around 12:45 p.m., subject to change)

1:00 p.m.: Welcome and networking lunch @ C-Hub Mannheim

3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: Workshop on investigative approaches

6:15pm – 7:30pm: IFFMH round table/masterclass with Tim Fehlbaum (‘September 5’, ‘Tides’)

8:00pm – 9:45pm: Film screening (Stadthaus N1, Mannheim), followed by a CinEuro meet-up

Participation

The number of participants is limited to a maximum of 20 professionals, so we encourage you to register quickly.

Participation is free for selected professionals.

For participants who do not live nearby, particularly international participants, the cost of one night’s accommodation may be covered if necessary and upon request.

Submitting an application does not guarantee participation. All applicants will be notified by email if they have been selected. Participants will be selected by the CinEuro project partners based on the number of places available, the motivation of the applicants, and a balance of geography as well as gender parity.

Deadline to submit applications: 28/10/2025 

Limited number of places, apply now!

Application form

@cineuro  /cineuro