Every year in December at Focus Arnhem, Go Short organizes the Gelderland Film Meeting: a practical workshop and a networking moment for the regional filmmakers and beyond. In 2026, the program will focus on working with and writing for non-actors: an approach that explores the boundary between fiction and documentary, discovering new forms of authenticity within that hybrid space. 

‘The real danger begins when a director starts executing the script’ - half-jokes Isabel Lamberti, when asked about the creative process behind her award-winning titles such as La Última Primavera (2020) or Father (2019).  

Even though creating a script plays a central role in developing your film or applying for funds, working with non-actors requires a whole different approach. A script is a starting point, not a blueprint. Working with non-actors means remaining open and allowing reality to challenge the original ideas. From casting to rehearsals and directing on set, the process is shaped by the people in front of the camera. How do we adapt a story to draw on their personalities, experiences and unique qualities? How do we create situations in which natural behaviors and real interactions can happen? 

Through film examples, practical exercises and discussion, participants will explore the different aspects of working with non-actors. The invited expert Isabel Lamberti will share approaches to writing, casting, preparation, improvisation and directing, exploring the role of non-actors in the film’s co-creation.