In a four-day crash course, a select group of emerging filmmakers will get up-close and personal with some of the most esteemed artists from around the world.

Now in its sixth year, TIFF’s Talent Lab is a four-day intensive artistic development program (Sept. 9-12) that offers 23 Canadian directors (plus two spots for international participants) the chance to network with and learn from internationally acclaimed writers, directors and producers who are in town for the festival.

‘The idea of the Talent Lab is to spark participants’ imagination,’ says Karen Black, director of Canadian Initiatives at TIFF. ‘We want them to come out of the program inspired in a way they weren’t before about their filmmaking and how to approach it.’

Black stresses that the Talent Lab is not a training program – its aim is to offer mentoring opportunities.

‘It isn’t about how to make a film, it’s about hearing from people who have not compromised their art of storytelling and stuck with their ideals of filmmaking and haven’t conformed to what the industry may tell them makes for a success,’ she explains. ‘The guests come in and offer very candid and honest stories.’

This year’s Talent Lab – whose guests include Don McKellar – is run by Strada Films producers Sandra Cunningham and Brad Fox, who also help foster relationships.

‘It’s about creating a peer community, where once they have met they stay in touch and support and help each other get projects made,’ says Black.

In previous years, Talent Lab guests have included Brian De Palma, Atom Egoyan, Ed Harris, Steve McQueen, Anna Boden, Paul Haggis, Terry Gilliam and Jason Reitman.

Toronto filmmaker Richie Mehta participated in Talent Lab in 2006, three weeks before directing his first feature, Amal, and is enthusiastic about the experience.

‘It was one of the most challenging and inspiring experiences I have ever had, working with the guests and participants,’ he says. ‘I pushed myself further than I had ever gone before, and it perfectly laid the emotional groundwork for what I would have to go through on my first film. Without it, I would not have been able to cope as well for the next year of hard work.’

One of the measures of success of the program is the fact that this year 10 Talent Lab alumni have films in the Toronto festival, and over the past six years 35 participants have screened their work at TIFF.

As well, interest in the program is on the rise.

Last year, the Talent Lab received 120 applicants, which increased to 185 in 2009. International interest is also growing, with 15 applications in 2008 and over 35 this year. After a pre-screening process, an industry advisory committee chooses the successful applicants.

Ten Talent Lab alum have pix at TIFF ’09

Ten Talent Lab alumni have written, directed or produced films in the festival’s Official 2009 Selection, including three feature films: Cole, produced by Jason James; Crackie, directed, written and produced by Sherry White; and the Canada First! opener, Year of the Carnivore, directed and written by Sook-Yin Lee.

Seven other alumni have shorts films at TIFF this year. They are: 5 Dysfunctional People in a Car, directed by Pat Mills; 75 El Camino, directed by Sami Khan; The Armoire, directed by Jamie Travis; Big Head, written and produced by Kris Elgstrand; Karaoke, directed by Chris Chong Chan Fui; On a Lonely Drive, directed by Igor Drljaca; and Sixty Seconds of Regret by Ed Gass-Donnelly.