Since its beginning, the Ateliers Varan have been organizing workshops in various countries around the world. After the completion of the directing workshop, the Ateliers Varan supports local trainees as needed to ensure the workshop's continued autonomous operation with the equipment left on-site.

These workshops are set up in countries upon request, in collaboration with representative organizations such as universities, TV networks, unions, film schools, and cultural institutions.

Twenty-five years ago, the Ateliers Varan focused on providing access to audiovisual tools for those who lacked it. Today, while digital video is widely accessible, mainstream media's uniformity often stifles individual artistic perspectives. Documentary film, in particular, remains scarce in the audiovisual landscapes of many countries.

The Ateliers Varan advocates for recruiting trainees from diverse sociological backgrounds. Experience has shown that this diversity—ethnic, cultural, and professional—fosters rich exchanges and dynamic reflections.

Objectives :

The workshops aim to understand, through practical experience, the intellectual, moral, and aesthetic aspects of filmmaking. Each trainee produces a 10 to 20-minute documentary film, which requires significant dedication and motivation. By making their own film, trainees learn about writing, production, cinematography, sound recording, editing, and directing. The process of filmmaking integrates and gives purpose to each technical aspect, accelerating and solidifying the learning experience.

Equipped with necessary tools, the workshop becomes a self-sustaining audiovisual unit, enabling young directors to produce their own films. The workshop serves as a development hub, promoting a new dynamic for film production and distribution within the country.

The workshop functions as a microcosm of society. Capturing the essence of a large city, a country, or even its most representative facets is a challenging task. The films produced reflect a range of situations and characters, offering deeper insights into the country's complexity.

Some workshops have been short-lived, facilitating the training of filmmakers and film production (in countries such as Mexico, Kenya, Romania, and Venezuela). Conversely, other workshops (in Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, South Africa, Cambodia, Colombia, Vietnam, and Serbia) have benefited from extended support over several years, leading to the formation of strong, organized groups.

PARTNERS

Initially, the Communication Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs fully funded the workshops. Since then, funding sources have evolved and diversified significantly.

Ateliers Varan, in collaboration with interested organizations, applies for funding from various sources. Requests are sent to the French Embassy (representing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs), local delegations of international institutions (such as the European Union, UNESCO, and various foundations), and local institutions.

Ateliers Varan and the local partner monitor these funding requests with the relevant ministries and organizations. Together, they establish a budget covering the cost of shooting and editing equipment, trainers' fees, local travel, trainees' grants if needed, and facility expenses.