No Man's Land Creative Retreat
Programme
The creative retreat will take place in October 2026 over 5 days in Calabria, Italy, one of southern Italy’s hidden gems.
Perched on a hill overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea and nestled between the Apennine Mountains and Italy’s largest national park, you’ll spend your days with up to 9 other select filmmakers, meeting for daily workshops with a decidedly un-industry bent.
Your only daily task will be to focus on serious play, inspiration and fresh perspectives on your most difficult challenges as a creator. The retreat will combine moments of deep connection with nature and one another, and give time and space for the important work you never have time for.
Meet the Mentor
RACHEL LEAH JONES
An Emmy Award-winning documentary director and Producer, Jones has been selected by the European Film Academy, honoured by Cinema Eye, and shortlisted for the Oscars. She’s a five-time Sundance Festival nominee, whose work has screened at leading festivals and been broadcast worldwide.
Jones’ trajectory in the field has spanned three decades and four continents: 500 DUNAM ON THE MOON (2002) ASHKENAZ (2007) TARGETED CITIZEN (2010) GYPSY DAVY ( (Sundance 2012) ADVOCATE (Sundance 2019, Shortlisted for Oscars 2019, Top prizes at Kraków Film Festival, Thessaloniki Documentary Festival, Docaviv, Emmy Award for Best Documentary) COEXISTENCE, MY ASS1 (2026).
In addition to maintaining a prolific career as an activist-artist, Jones, a member of the Documentary Branch of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, has collaborated extensively with other filmmakers and worked as a story consultant, directing mentor, and film curator.