Lots of chatter this week about the dire straits of indie film, so it was refreshing to be contacted by IFC Media Lab Studios, who want to cultivate new talent through contests and development deals. From their website:

Media Lab Studios, an independent film studio focusing on web and on-air content development and financing, is offering development deals to the brightest and best filmmakers out there.

Media Lab Studios development executives will periodically call for pitches — in the form of either video submissions and/or written descriptions — in any number of genres, topics, and themes. The mission is to identify and finance great content by great new filmmakers, such as yourself.

Media Lab Studios also offers a multi-platform distribution network, leveraging the IFC channel, IFC.com, Media Lab, IFC Free (On Demand) and a host of TV network and web affiliates. More>>

There are currently two contests for cash, a web series and a documentary, and another to win a trip to AFI Fest in November (a great festival!). Maybe the fate of the industry lies in shorts?