Making a Short Documentary Film

Develop, film, and edit your own short documentary in four Saturdays, and walk away with a finished film. No experience needed, just curiosity — a smartphone or any camera is all you need.
This practical workshop guides you through the complete documentary filmmaking process, from your first idea to the final edit. No previous filmmaking experience is required. The focus is on observation, storytelling, real people and places, and developing your own creative perspective.
A small, hands-on workshop taught in English by Mani Nickpour, an Amsterdam-based filmmaker and film educator who teaches at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam.

📅Dates: Saturdays — 3, 10, 17 and 24 October 2026
⏰Time: 10:00–13:00
📍Location: Shinjuku, Tokyo (exact venue depends on final group size and will be shared 2–3 weeks in advance)
🗣️Language: English
💰Course fee: ¥35,000

 

About the teacher
Mani Nickpour
Mani Nickpour is an Amsterdam-based filmmaker and film educator. Since 2006, he has worked across both film production and film education.
He currently teaches filmmaking at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and Open Studio Amsterdam, and works as a trainer and editor at AT5 (Amsterdam’s regional television station). From 2007 to 2014, he also taught at the Gerrit Rietveld Academie. His teaching combines practical filmmaking skills with visual storytelling, personal expression, and cultural exchange.

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