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Match Lab

Connecting nonfiction storytellers, publishers, and funders to bring projects with a mutual mission to life.

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Match Lab applications are now closed. Thank you to all who applied!

Match Lab Partnership

In 2022, the Video Consortium introduced Match Lab, which connects nonfiction storytellers, publishers and funders to bring projects with a mutual mission to life. For our newest Match Lab, VC is again partnering with artist collective, production company, and film studio Muddy Water, which is looking for two or three more projects to add to its 2024 slate.

The Vision

“Muddy Water is director driven. We chiefly support the creative vision of our directors. We are looking for high concept, slice-of-life, and observational documentaries with dynamic characters, locations, and story arcs. We’re in search of directors with a distinct point of view, as well as a refined and artistic visual style, who avoid the overuse of traditional sit-down interviews. We’re drawn to topics related to activism, music, art, food, sports, and outdoor adventure, but are interested to hear pitches of all sorts. While we’re most interested in documentary features, we’re also open to shorts and episodic series.” - VC member and Muddy Water Producer Ike Rofe

The Company

Muddy Water started as an artist collective in 2020 and has quickly progressed into a global production company, creative studio, and record label. The Muddy Water team has worked with some of the world's most influential artists and designers, including The Weeknd, Khalid, Rosalía, Telfar, and Givenchy. Muddy Water’s Documentary Division is currently in various stages of production and post-production on five feature-length documentaries: SAMA’ (2026) traces the story of Palestinian techno DJ Sama’ Abdulhadi; Timetracker (2025) follows Jack Powers as he re-enters society after 22 years of solitary confinement; Good Kids (2025) dives into the mayhem of a group of teen skaters in Montana; Untitled Cop City Film (2025) intimately documents the Stop Cop City movement in Atlanta; and Untitled Lorena Film (2026) centers Lorena Gutiérrez, a mother who seeks redemption for her daughter who died by femicide in Mexico. Muddy Water has raised over $1.5 million through equity partners, non-recoupable donations and grants, and seed funding on these documentaries. Muddy Water is also in different stages of development and pre-production on a variety of other music videos, TV series, fiction films, and tour productions. Learn more here.

FAQs

Answers to frequently asked questions about Match Lab.

Why did VC decide to launch this program?

Programmers, funders, and acquisitions entities frequently request project recommendations from VC; concurrently, member-filmmakers and journalists frequently request help and advice on distribution and collaborations from VC. Match Lab, now launching in beta, seeks to connect both storytellers and stakeholders, to meet both parties’ needs — by putting power back into the hands of creators and helping to level the industry playing field. With Match Lab, our mission is to rely not on old-paradigm industry connections but instead on story, merit, and craft.

What kind of projects can I submit?

Anything nonfiction — features, shorts, series, no matter their stage. However, please note what Match Lab’s current partner is looking for, per above.

Who will be looking at my project submissions?

Project submissions are seen and reviewed by a very small number of core VC team members, and by essential stakeholders from Match Lab’s partner.

Can I submit more than one project?

Yes!

My film is actually complete, but I still don’t have distribution yet. Can I submit?

Yes! But again, please note the current Match Lab partner’s needs. You’re welcome to submit your project anyway, for future partners to view.

When will I hear back on the status of my submission?

You’ll be emailed by Match Lab’s current partner if there’s potential synergy with your project. And, if you allow your project to be viewed by future partners (which you can approve at the end of your submission form), we’ll also include it for subsequent Match Lab partners to view and consider.

I’m not sure how to answer some of these questions. What should I do?

Send an email! We’re here to help.

My company is looking for fresh nonfiction content and we're interested in participating in future Match Labs. How do I get in touch?

Excellent. Also, email us.

Do proposals submitted remain the intellectual property of the applicant?

Yes. Unless you both decide to move forward in working together, IP remains yours. If a collaboration is explored, how your IP is treated is completely up to you and at your discretion, to be discussed with the partner.

Cover image courtesy of Muddy Water.

The Video Consortium is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that connects and supports today's nonfiction filmmakers and video journalists to tell bold stories that change the world. (EIN: 81-1686368)

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