The I SEE DOCO LAB is a FREE 12-week online professional accelator, mentoring documentary filmmakers to achieve a specific project goal.

Irrespective of where the filmmaker is on their filmmaking journey, or where they are located, I SEE DOCO LAB is designed to BUILD FOCUS, SHAPE STORY most critically, CREATE MOMENTUM.

Graduates of I SEE DOCO LAB become LAB RATS : An ongoing film community - Ready for Action, Truth & Story.

I SEE DOCO LAB has two aims:

01 // To fast track selected filmmakers to achieve a specific documentary project goal;
02 // To build an active, global community where filmmakers help each other to tell big stories via small actions.

There will be two labs in 2026

LAB 01 // MAY JUNE JULY

LAB 02 // OCTOBER NOVEMBER DECEMBER

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Lab 02 // APPLY NOW
Applications CLOSE // 07 sept 2026
Applicants advised // 12 sept 2026
LAB 02 Kick off // 01 oct 2026

MENTOR SESSIONS

October 22
November 19
NOVEMBER 25
DECEMBER 8

MOMENTUM AWARD DECEMBER 17

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To apply for a lab you must be able to confirm your availability irrespective of timezone.

From anywhere on the planet, you can apply. Once selected, it’s a case of what you put in is what you get out.

Importantly, your commitment to achieving your goal and supporting the aims of I SEE DOCO LAB is part of what will help you earn an opportunity to pitch for the Award in the final week.

Here’s what your commitment looks like:

• Attend LAB INFO SESSION where introductions are made and the program and your goal shared with the group;

• Each Saturday you’ll receive an email with reading, guidance and a task. The task is optional, however, remember, what you put in is what you get out;

• If you chose to complete the task and upload docs, you’ll receive notes and feedback from your mentor;

• Join a monthly recap, focus and group pitch session;

• Receive a 1:1 project/mentor session during the Lab;

• From each Lab, three projects will be selected to pitch in week 12;

• One project will receive the I SEE DOCO LAB DEVELOPMENT AWARD of AUD $20,000.

Applications are reviewed after the Apply window closes.

Selection is based on the strength and clarity of the project; proven access to the story; readiness to participate in a 12-week Lab; alignment with the values of I SEE DOCO LAB; and, preparedness to play a part in an ongoing creative conversation.

Diversity of story, geography and perspective is actively considered.

Up to 8 projects and 16 participants are selected for each Lab.

Teams (up to three) may apply together.

While we are unable to provide individual feedback on unsuccessful applications, all applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application.

In relation to IP, please make sure to read the Terms and Conditions below.

The film industry is one great big competition with one huge reality – to do anything, to make anything, you will need money.

As part of each I SEE DOCO LAB, three of the six projects will be invited to pitch and explain to our selection panel what they would do with, and why they would benefit from, the AUD$20k Award.

This is a competitive pitch and the winner will be selected at the complete discretion of the I SEE DOCO LAB team and/or guest panel members.

The winner will be advised in the week following the Pitch Session and in due course will be required to submit a Goal Report and share updates on Social Media.

Applications are submitted via iseedoco.com.

As part of your application, you will be asked to:

• Answer a short set of questions about you and your project;

• Submit a 2-minute introduction video uploaded to YouTube (unlisted) or Vimeo (unlisted), with the link pasted into your form;

• Provide a one-page project pitch (PDF) outlining the documentary you wish to develop;

• Share links to your active social media accounts, as this is where creative conversations will be shared;

• Pay an application fee of AUD$100 or explain why you are unable to pay the fee.

PARTICIPANTS
Each I SEE DOCO LAB accepts up to 18 participants; Teams of up to three people may apply together; Selection is at the sole discretion of the Founder; Diversity of story, geography and perspective actively informs selection.

APPLICATION FEE
This non-refundable fee supports the administration and assessment of your application. Payment does not guarantee a place in the I SEE DOCO LAB. Selection decisions are final. The application fee is charged per application and is not transferable. If you are unable to pay the application fee, you may briefly explain your circumstances in the form.

UPLOADS
Uploading a simple video to YouTube or Vimeo and sharing the link is a required part of the application. If you are unable to do this, please seek assistance before applying.

SOCIAL MEDIA
Participants are expected to share their experience of I SEE DOCO LAB on social media. Active social media accounts are therefore required as part of the application.

Individuals and teams of up to three people can apply.

While there is a AUD$100 fee to apply, once selected there is no cost to participate in I SEE DOCO LAB.

However, the community we aim to build will be based on shared common values of kindness and the universality of human experience, so to participate, there will be certain obligations you will need to meet.

01 // Open accountability and helping others. WhatsApp will be our day-to-day space for connection. You’re encouraged to share ideas, articles, questions, positive thoughts and creative solutions.

02 // As I SEE DOCO LAB is a shared, outward-facing experience, a willingness to participate publicly is part of the commitment. Participants are asked to share their experience of the Lab with the wider world through weekly social media posts. The aim being to grow the future success of both the lab and participants.

03 // Following the Week 12 Pitch Session, if you are awarded the I SEE DOCO LAB DEVELOPMENT AWARD you will be required to report on your progress and outcomes.

The mantra of I SEE DOCO LAB is to fast track you and your specific goal. Taking Spark to Screen and all things in between as indicative of a film journey, we ascertain where each project sits and custom a 12 week framework. All content has been developed and is owned by I SEE DOCO LAB. During your Intro Session you will be given an overview and access to course materials.

To be as accessible as possible and to build a truly global community, I SEE DOCO LAB is conducted 100% online. This means you will need a solid internet connection with good sound to be able to participate.

Yes. Currently online course notes, pitch sessions and assessments are conducted in English. It is very much our hope to be able to expand into other language groups.

I SEE DOCO LAB — TERMS & CONDITIONS

By applying to I SEE DOCO LAB, you acknowledge and agree to the following:

1. Application Fee

• The AUD $100 application fee is non-refundable and supports the administration and assessment of applications.
• Payment of the application fee does not guarantee a place in I SEE DOCO LAB.

2. Selection

• Selection is at the sole discretion of the Founder, and all decisions are final.
• Applications are assessed on project clarity, access to story, readiness, alignment with Lab values, and cohort balance.

3. Originality & Permissions

• You confirm that all materials submitted are your own work, and that you have the right and permission to share them for assessment.
• I SEE DOCO LAB is not responsible for verifying rights, clearances, or authorship.

4. Similarities Between Projects

• You understand that similar ideas, themes, titles, subject matter or approaches may exist within the Lab or among other applicants.
• I SEE DOCO LAB is not responsible for any overlap, similarity, or parallel development that may occur.

5. Intellectual Property

• You retain ownership of the work you bring into the Lab and the work you create during the Lab.
• By submitting materials, you do not gain any claim, rights, or expectation of exclusivity over the ideas or projects of others.

6. Contribution & Collaborative Environment

• The Lab is collaborative and discussion-based, and ideas may be exchanged freely within the cohort.
• Any ideas, feedback or creative suggestions you contribute to another participant’s project are considered voluntary contributions.
• These contributions become part of that participant’s project, and you do not retain ownership, recall rights or claims over any such contributions.
• Likewise, ideas that are contributed to your project become yours to keep and use.

7. Community Ethos

• By joining I SEE DOCO LAB, you agree to uphold a culture of support, respect, generosity and confidentiality.
• We collectively acknowledge we are supporting each other on our respective film journeys.

THE FOUNDER

I SEE DOCO LAB is the creation of Sal Balharrie, Writer, Creative Producer and Documentary Director. After the success of her feature documentary LIKE MY BROTHER with theatrical release in 2024 and years of working in remote communities, Sal launched the lab to build a global network of ethical, generous and courageous documentary storytellers.

The I SEE DOCO LAB model is based on delivering an accelerator program, for professional filmmakers, across the globe for free. Selected filmmakers benefit from critical project focus, achieving a specific goal and the opportunity to vie for a AUD$20,000 cash award. In return, filmmakers actively help to build a community of kindness, helping each other to achieve big stories via small actions.

“When I create the format for I SEE DOCO LAB, it was a no brainer that the program be offered without a cost. It was also fundamentally important that there be a cash award, with no strings attached, so that dreams are not just discussed, they can be demonstrably supported and achieved. Apart from a small application fee for those who can afford it, I SEE DOCO LAB is free. To do this, I needed to find a likeminded patron.”

 FOUNDER // Sal Balharrie

THE PHILANTHROPIST

The idea behind I SEE DOCO LAB is to bring storytelling and philanthropy together. I SEE DOCO LAB has partnered with a philanthropist; someone able to cover the costs of program delivery and the week 12, cash award; someone who shares a belief in the power of story as a fundamental driver of change, highlighting what connects rather than divides.

Without people like Collis Ta’eed, covering both operational and award costs, I SEE DOCO LAB would simply be an idea, not a reality. It’s his generosity that sees us able to offer two I SEE DOCO LABS in 2026.

It is the intention of the Founder, based on the growing success of lab outcomes and community, the model expands finding the I SEE DOCO LAB format and approach across the globe, irrespective of location or language.

If you would like to talk about how to delivery I SEE DOCO LAB in your country/community, please don’t hesitate to send an email to Sal@salbalharrie.com

• Apply from anywhere

• Share your goal

• Join a global community

• Receive weekly tasks

• Attend monthly pitch sessions

• Receive 1 x 1:1 mentoring session

• Award Pitch during Week 12

• Three Projects selected to compete for AUD $20,000 I SEE DOCO LAB CASH AWARD

• Graduate as a RAT: Ready for Action, Truth & Story

• Founder: Sal Balharrie

• PHILANTHROPIST: Collis Ta’eed

• I SEE DOCO LAB Mission: Helping filmmakers achieve the big story in small actions.