Berlin Film Community

LIMEN — Art Residency, Sardinia

Sun, Oct 4 · 6:00 PM CEST

Location not specified yet

Two 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.casa

First Step Film Workshop: Make Your Own Film

Fri, Oct 16 · 7:00 PM CEST

Space Meduza, Skalitzer Strasse 80, Berlin, al, DE

*** Note:
RSVPs made here do not guarantee a spot at the course. In order to register you must go to: https://berlinfilmcommunity.com/product/first_step_filmmaking_2day/ and pay the workshop fee.

***

The goal of this course is to demystify the filmmaking process, making it the fun experience you know it can be. Have you always wanted to make a film? Let’s get that crossed off your bucket list! In a bit more than two days you will come up with an idea, shoot it, and edit it, all while being supervised by an experienced and entertaining instructor!

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 a bit of filming. With this course you don’t need any fancy equipment, you can use whatever you have for a camera and a computer. This is a very hands-on workshop, the bulk of the learning will come through the process of actually making your own short film. You will learn the basics of how to structure a story, the art and techniques of visual storytelling, and how to piece it all together in the edit.

The workshop will be taught in English and will include 2+ days of instruction, in field help and that sweet sense of accomplishment you will get from making your own film. In order to make sure you get the attention you need, the class is limited to a max of 12 people.

Verein Membership & Discount
By registering for this workshop you get a 1 year membership into the Berlin Film Community's Verein (Officially recognized Non-Profit Association) which costs €30 and gets you an instant 10% off of not only this workshop, but also all paid workshops and seminars we offer. Plus, being a member gets you many other benefits, such as free seminars, access to filmmaking equipment for free, rental discounts at 25p and more!

Friday equipment check and brief storytelling:
In addition to the two days of instruction and practical film work we will hold a 2 hour pre-meeting on the Friday before the workshop, which is of course included in the cost of the workshop. These two hours will allow me to check your camera and computer, making sure that they are capable enough to shoot and edit footage. I will also make sure you have an editing program installed which you will be using on Sunday. There will also be a brief story/script session which will give you some tools to help guide your story writing process so that you can hopefully have an idea prepared for the next day. This Friday session has been added in order to assure that the workshop runs super smoothly, plus we will all get to meet a bit before and hang out! If you cannot make the Friday session please let me know so we can discuss your equipment.

What you need to bring:
A camcorder, DSLR or mirrorless camera with video capabilities, or even a phone that can shoot video (make sure to have enough space to record onto it). You will also need a laptop for editing on Sunday.

Actors will be available as well as some extra filmmaking support for the groups in the field on the Saturday shoot day. You can of course have any friends come to help with the acting, just please let me know.

Conducted in English.
No previous experience is required.
If you have any questions or want to learn more about what we are doing, feel free to reach out to me at alex@berlinfilmcommunity.com.

Prep Day:
Friday, Oct. 16th – 19:00 – 21:00

• Equipment Check
• The basics of storytelling

Day 1:
Saturday, Oct. 17th – 09:00 – 16:00

• How to get started – From smartphones to DSLR cameras
• Composition
• How to tell a story visually
• Shooting for the edit
• Working with actors
• Filming your own short with professional supervision
• Q&A and summary Day 1

Day 2:
Sunday, Oct. 18th – 09:00 – 16:00

• Introduction to basic editing
• How do you tell a story through editing?
• Using music and sound effects in editing
• Supervised practical exercise: Editing of your short films
• Show your short film – Invite friends and family!
• Q&A and summary of both days

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 the craft of filmmaking with clarity and enthusiasm, making complex concepts accessible to all.

Course: The Art of Interviewing

Sat, Oct 24 · 5:00 PM CEST

·

Online

Online

Level: Beginner - No previous experience required
Must be at least 15 years old

Language: English

Group Size: Max 12 participants

Dates: 24th and 25th of October, 14th and 21sth of November from 17:00 to 20:00

Cost: €299.00
BFC members pay €269 - save €30 on this course.
Membership costs €30/year and includes 10% off all workshops plus member-only events.
Log in or join BFC while enrolling.
Students/Pensioners €248
Unemployed €149

Location: Online

Contact: linda@berlinfilmcommunity.com or n.vancauw@googlemail.com

Sign up: https://berlinfilmcommunity.com/course.php?slug=the-art-of-interviewing-course

Join us for a unique two-in-one course that blends journalism and documentary filmmaking. Led by Nadja, a journalist with 28 years of experience as a reporter and editor-in-chief, and Linda, a senior documentary filmmaker and visual anthropologist, this workshop offers a deep, hands-on approach to interviewing—going far beyond quick reportage.
Together, we will guide you through the process of preparing, conducting, and editing strong interviews, both on and off camera. You will learn how to craft thoughtful questions, listen actively, and shape your interviews into compelling stories for print or video. You will also learn how to pitch your interview ideas effectively and benefit from individualized consultations to support your work.
Our four collaborative sessions will explore the key differences between print and video interviews, practical techniques for writing and filming, and strategies for conducting insightful Q&As and editing them into engaging narratives.
This course is ideal for beginners or anyone wishing to combine journalism, documentary, and production skills, helping you create your own interview in writing and on video.

WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
1. INTERVIEW PREPARATION & STORY DEVELOPMENT

• How to research and plan your interview thoroughly, including building trust and securing access.
• The art of pitching: Learn how to identify an original angle and articulate your story idea clearly and confidently
• Understand the differences between print and video interviews and find the right focus for your story.

2. PROFESSIONAL INTERVIEWING & PRODUCTION TECHNIQUES

• Practical skills for conducting interviews on and off camera with confidence.
• Interviewing for print: on- or off- the record, how to fully enjoy the journey
• Cinematic basics: Master camera work, lighting, sound, and composition.
• Learn how to create an engaging written and video interview that captures authentic responses.

3. REVIEW & EDITING

• Structuring and editing your interviews into compelling narratives for both text and video.
• Refining interview angle and structure
• Techniques for sound editing and enhancing your footage to support storytelling.

4. ETHICAL PRACTICE & INDIVIDUALIZED SUPPORT

• Approach interviewing with respect, sensitivity, and inclusivity.
• Receive personalized consultations to refine your project and develop your voice.
• Build confidence in presenting your work and reflecting on your creative process.

SCHEDULE
Day 1: Fundamentals and Preproduction
Sat. 24 Oct. – 17:00 – 20:00

• Introduction : what is a journalism interview, what for, what’s the story?
• Reviewing printing formats: Q&A or profile? Collated quotes and background interviews…
• Preproduction: research and planning essentials
• Securing permissions and building trust with participants
• Location scouting and access considerations
• Using archives and resources for background research
• Fundamentals of text and video interviews
• Differences between video and print interviews
• Pitch your story if you already have one: guided reflection to refine your core concept

⇨ pick your interview subject by next session

Day 2: Get ready: map out and prep up: Production tips!
Sun. 25 Oct. – 17:00 – 20:00

• Mapping out your interview
• Tips: dos and don’ts
• The Interviewer: a posture
• Your questions? What matters are the answers
• Technical tips for conducting interviews and shooting
• Camera work essentials: microphones, lighting, composition, shot sizes
• Understanding writing and video interview techniques
• Pitch presentation and group feedback

⇨ you’ve conducted your interview by next session

Day 3: Postproduction time: trim, structure, edit!
Sat. 14 Nov. – 17:00 – 20:00

• Debrief: how did it go? (written and video parts)
• Group mentoring session for pitching with focused feedback
• Final pitch: refining your interview angle and structure
• Print: choose a format
• How to deal with your transcript, tips on how to select quotes, best passages
• Guidance on video editing and sound clarification

⇨ final interview ready by next session

Day 4: Final Feedback and Showcase
Sat. 21 Nov. – 17:00 – 20:00

• Share your written outlines and video interviews
• Receive individual, personalized feedback
• Reflect on challenges, achievements, and overall learning

Sign up: https://berlinfilmcommunity.com/course.php?slug=the-art-of-interviewing-course

YOUR MENTORS
Nadja Vancauwenberghe is a journalist with 28 years of experience, from the AFP newsdesk in Moscow, to reporting war in Chechnya. She co-founded Berlin’s leading English magazine and served as its editor in chief for 21 years. She currently coordinates a transnational media investigation and teaches journalism with the Berlin Journalism Academy (BJA). Her courses focus on hands-on reporting, critical media, and the techniques and ethics of interviewing.

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.

Seven Ways to Tell the Truth in Documentaries

Fri, Nov 6 · 7:00 PM CET

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Online

Online

Level Beginner - No previous experience required
Must be at least 15 years old
Language English
Date FRI, NOV 6, 2026 · 19:00 – 21:00
Cost Free for Members - Join to attend
Location Online
Contact linda@berlinfilmcommunity.com
Sign in https://berlinfilmcommunity.com/course.php?slug=seven-ways-to-tell-the-truth-in-documentaries

In this 2-hour seminar, we will explore the different modes documentary filmmakers use to shape reality on screen — from the authoritative "voice of God" of expository film to the raw immediacy of direct cinema, the self-aware provocations of reflexive work, and the visual poetry of the experimental mode. Since the term "documentary" in 1926 was coined as the "creative treatment of actuality," filmmakers have been negotiating the tension between truth and construction — and every choice of style is also a choice about how you relate to your subject, your camera, and your audience.

This session challenges participants to move beyond instinctively imitating the documentaries they've grown up watching, and instead to consciously identify which mode — or combination of modes — actually serves the story they want to tell, through concrete film examples and case studies drawn from key movements in documentary history.

Whether you are a filmmaker, student, or simply curious about how nonfiction storytelling really works, this workshop invites you to rethink how you look at — and make — documentary film.

What You Will Learn

• The seven core documentary modes — expository, observational, participatory, reflexive, performative, and poetic/experimental — and what distinguishes each
• The historical roots of direct cinema and cinéma vérité, and why two nearly-identical movements diverged philosophically
• How the presence (or absence) of the filmmaker changes the ethics and meaning of a scene
• How narration, image, and structure work differently depending on mode
• How to recognize which mode a film — or your own footage — is actually working in
• How mixing modes (as most contemporary documentaries do) can serve a specific creative intention
• How to identify which mode resonates with your own voice and the story you want to tell

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.