About us
Join BFC! Free seminars, members only events, free filmmaking gear rentals, 10% discounts on all workshops/seminars and a voice to shape us going forward! We'd love to have you!
https://berlinfilmcommunity.com/membership.php
Are you passionate about film making? Are you a professional looking for new opportunities and challenges? Are you a film lover curious how to get started? If you have experience behind or in front of the camera, or just starting up with dreams and aspirations - bring your talent and let's work together to make independent films. We are a group of passionate film creators focused on development, creativity and production of film in Berlin. We also offer help, film equipment, advice and all that goes into a film project.
The purpose of our community is to :
1. develop ideas for films, either narrative or documentary
2. build partnerships so that films can get shot and
3. building the team/crew and shoot the short film(s)
4. educate
4. If you already have an ongoing project and you need help/crew, this can be the group for you.
We want to stress is that we are not here to select or have opinions about what type of films you want to develop, it can be of any type or genre. The more diverse the better! But we do want to get started and shoot as soon as possible so that we get to start working together and learn more together.
Not all of us will work on all projects, you choose freely what project you want to get involved with and in what capacity. The community will support and assist all projects and facilitate planning and meetings and also create our own ideas together with you. And for those of you who don't have a massive experience already - this will be an excellent opportunity to get down and dirty and learn by doing :)
Upcoming events
8
- €250.00
Documentary Course
·OnlineOnlineLevel Beginner - No previous experience required
Must be at least 15 years old
Language English
Group Size 12
Date
Sat. 12 Sep. – 16:00 – 19:00
Sun. 13 Sep. – 16:00 – 19:00
Sat. 26 Sep. – 16:00 – 19:00
Sat. 03 Oct. – 16:00 – 19:00
Cost €250.00
(€225.00 for members. Membership costs €30/year and includes 10% off all workshops plus member-only events. Log in or join BFC while enrolling),
Student €200,
Unemployed €100
Location Online
Enrol https://dev.berlinfilmcommunity.com/course.php?slug=documentary-courseWORKSHOP INFO
Are you passionate about documentaries? Do you have a story waiting to be told but don’t know where to start? This online workshop empowers you to create cinematic, contemporary documentaries from the ground up. Bring your ideas and curiosity; I’ll help you find your unique voice and shape your story with personalized support every step of the way.
With a small, intimate group of max 12 participants, you’ll receive focused guidance in an interactive environment that nurtures creativity and skill-building. Whether you’re shooting on a mobile phone or any camera, learn essential techniques in storytelling, camerawork, sound, interviewing, and editing to bring your vision to life.WHAT YOU WIL LEARN
1. STORY DEVELOPMENT & FINDING YOUR VOICE- How to identify and refine a compelling story from your initial idea.
- The art of the pitch: How to articulate your core concept clearly and confidently.
- Discover your unique style by exploring different documentary genres (e.g., observational, poetic, interview-driven).
- Develop a production plan and shot list to guide your filming efficiently.
2. PROFESSIONAL FILMING TECHNIQUES (ON ANY CAMERA OR PHONE)
- Cinematic Fundamentals: Master shot sizes, composition, and framing to create visually engaging scenes.
- The secret to clean, clear audio: Learn how to capture high-quality sound using the equipment you have.
- The power of B-Roll: Discover how to intentionally capture cutaways, atmospherics, and details that enrich your story.
- Conduct powerful interviews: Learn techniques to make your subjects feel comfortable and draw out authentic, emotional stories.
3. THE ART OF EDITING & POST-PRODUCTION
- A professional editing workflow: From importing and organizing your clips to building your timeline.
- Storytelling in the edit: Learn how to sequence your shots to create rhythm, emotion, and narrative flow.
- Sound design basics: Enhance your film with music, soundscapes, and basic audio mixing.
- Finishing touches: Add titles, credits, and color correction, and learn how to export your film for any platform.
4. ETHICAL & IMPACTFUL STORYTELLING
- How to approach your subject matter with respect and integrity.
- Build confidence in sharing your work and giving/receiving constructive feedback.
- Develop a critical eye for documentary filmmaking by analyzing and discussing peer work.
SCHEDULE
Day 1: Discover Your Story & Style
Sat. 12 Sep. – 16:00 – 19:00- Introduction & The Power of Documentary
- Pitch your Story
- Find Your Focus: Guided reflection to help participants refine their story idea into a workable core concept.
- Examples of 6 different ways to Narrate a Story
- Find the Style that resonates with you and why
Day 2: The Tools of Visual Storytelling
Sun. 13 Sep. – 16:00 – 19:00- Pre-Production & Production
- Camerawork & Sound: Basics of shooting, shot sizes, composition, and recording sound
- Usable Footage & B-Roll: Tips for capturing essential shots
- Interview Techniques: Secrets and tips for great interviews
Day 3: Crafting the Edit
Sat. 26 Sep. – 16:00 – 19:00- Learn basic Editing techniques
- Settings and essential Tools
- Cutting
- Transitions
- Sound
- Texts & Titles
- Exporting
Day 4: share, reflect & celebrate
Sat. 03 Oct. – 16:00 – 19:00- Feedbacks
- Screening: Watch and discuss each other’s Films
- Celebration: Reflect on challenges and achievements
You’ll receive personalized guidance through tailored one-on-one consultations available throughout the entire course, in addition to group sessions.
Enrol https://dev.berlinfilmcommunity.com/course.php?slug=documentary-course
WORKSHOP MENTOR
Linda Paganelli is an artist, anthropologist, and filmmaker integrating more than human perspectives in her storytelling. Drawing on over 13 years of experience across diverse contexts, Linda guides participants toward non-extractive, ethically grounded visual practices that challenge dominant knowledge paradigms and foreground embodied positionalities. Since 2018, she has been working with More-Than-Human frameworks, creating short documentaries such as Journey of Waves and Imprinted, as well as installations including Carbon Spa in collaboration with scientists from the university of Twente (Netherlands) and ECO-MOURNING developed through the Community of Practice with CitizensLab (Germany). Her practice center interspecies relationships, ecological interdependence, and the agency of non-human beings in visual storytelling.
Contact: linda@berlinfilmcommunity.com
Enrol: https://dev.berlinfilmcommunity.com/course.php?slug=documentary-course7 attendees - €299.00
Film Lighting Workshop: Hands-on Lighting
Space Meduza, Skalitzer Strasse 80, Berlin, al, DE***
Note: In order to attend you must register and pay at
https://berlinfilmcommunity.com/lighting
***
Level: Beginner.
The workshop is conducted in English and costs 299€.
Membership
Berlin Film Community members pay €269 - save €30 on this course.
Membership costs €30/year and includes 10% off all workshops plus member-only events.When you purchase this workshop, your first year membership is included in the price. To find out more info about the Berlin Film Community visit our website.
https://berlinfilmcommunity.com/***
Lighting transforms a flat, styleless image into one with depth, mood, and emotion. In this workshop, you'll learn the fundamentals of how light works and when to choose one approach over another — through doing, not just watching.
Working together as a class, we'll light several scenes in the same location using HMI, tungsten, and LED lights along with a range of light modifiers. You'll also have dedicated time to experiment, and I'll work with you directly to light a scene of your choosing.
With a class size capped at 12, you'll get real personal attention and enough time to develop confidence without feeling rushed. The course is designed to meet you where you are — whether you've never touched a light or have some experience already.
By the end, you'll have hands-on familiarity with lighting instruments, modifiers, interview setups, and adaptable techniques you can apply across a range of situations.This workshop will have a very limited class size of 12 people to ensure that everyone gets personal attention as well as to allow for a decent amount of time so that all participants can feel comfortable and not rushed. I have tailored this course to make it flexible enough to accommodate people with absolutely zero experience as well as for people who have done some lighting.
Lighting A Set
I will show you how I would light several different scenes, ranging from a pleasant conversation to a much more sinister thriller look, as well as a nighttime moody interior scene. I will show you how I would light for the wide shot and then the modifications I would do when going for a closeup.Lighting a Face
The most common subject that gets lit in films is, as you would expect, the human face. We will light several different looks and you will see how small changes in light angles or height can have massive impacts on how we perceive a character. I will also cover how to set up lighting for an interview set-up and the different looks that can give a face more depth. Below are some examples from the interview set-up from the last workshop.Lighting With Different Budget Levels
You will learn the tools used when working with a limited budget. You’ll be amazed at he lighting you can achieve using common items found in Ikea. We will of course also go over how to work with bigger lighting instruments and more power.Safety On Set
As rigging lights and handling them can be dangerous, I will go over how to handle hot lights, and how to keep from overloading circuits. Please bring a pair of workman’s gloves to be able to handle hot lights.As a group you will be handling the lighting equipment with me there to supervise and instruct. While you can’t learn everything you need to know about lighting in two days, by the end of the workshop you will have enough of an understanding to ask the right questions, learn through observation, and find like minded people with whom you can practice lighting.
If you have any questions or would like to learn more about the workshop, reach out to me at alex@berlinfilmcommunity.com.
Schedule:
Day 1:
Sat. Sept. 26th – 09:00 – 16:00The basics of how light works
Differences between hard and soft light
High key versus low key lighting
Lighting exteriors versus interiors, day versus night
Breaking scenes down to understand lighting choices
Different tools used in lighting and when and how to use them
Supervised lighting of two scenes with instruction as we light them
Q&ADay 2:
Sun. Sept. 27th – 09:00 – 16:00Breaking down more complicated scenes
Interview lighting set-ups
Analyzing and replicating scenes
Supervised free lighting
Q&AThe workshop is conducted in English.
No previous experience is required.
Please bring a pair of work gloves to handle hot lights.About the Workshop Leader
Alex DePew has spent 17 years in the film industry as a Cinematographer and Gaffer, working on projects ranging from no-budget shorts, music videos, art projects, to ad campaigns for brands like Volkswagen, Loro Piana, and Adidas. He got his start in New York City, his hometown, and has shot all over the world. After moving to Berlin he found his passion for teaching and has taught hundreds of students over the past 9 years. Alex guides you through lighting craft with clarity and enthusiasm, making complex concepts accessible to all.Alongside Klaus Salminen and Linda Paganelli, he co-leads the Berlin Film Community, now a registered e.V. and home to a community of roughly 17,000 filmmakers and film-lovers. Got questions about the workshop? Reach out at alex@berlinfilmcommunity.com.
2 attendees - €1,300.00
LIMEN — Art Residency, Sardinia
Location not specified yetTwo of BFC's association co-founders have launched LIMEN, a two-week art residency taking place October 4–17, 2026, at Casa M — a restored manor house in the medieval village of Siddi, Sardinia.
LIMEN offers filmmakers, artists, researchers, and writers real, uninterrupted time to develop a body of work, set against a landscape shaped by extraction, resistance, and deep relationships to land.
Alongside independent studio time, Linda leads group sessions rooted in regenerative practices, opening up memory — personal and collective — as material for the work itself, read through a political and queer lens.SPOTS: 8–9 participants
FEE: sliding-scale €1,100–1,600 (transport in Sardinia, full board, and studio space included)
Learn more here: https://limen.casa/index.html
Three spots are reserved for Berlin Film Community members (membership here: https://berlinfilmcommunity.com/membership.php)
Apply: https://limen.casa/apply.html
Applications close September 20, 2026.
Contact: linda@berlinfilmcommunity.com or info@limen.casa1 attendee
Past events
290
