No Man's Land Creative Retreat
In partnership with Curation Hour
An 18th century house in southern Italy, renovated by two filmmakers. Remote, warm, and built for creative work. A place of quiet. Of early mornings and open water. Of walks through the forest and conversations that flow. No Man's Land Creative Retreat is a space designed for filmmakers to step away from the noise and slow down. It is the antidote to deadlines, devices and the stress of the day-to-day.
Towards the work that actually matters - remembering why you do what you do,
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THE PROGRAM
Friendly, safe, triggering insights.
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 Tyrhennian 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. Here, 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.
Your days at the retreat will be spent moving between the 18th century home of No Man’s Land, the forests of Parco Nazionale del Pollino, and the natural wonders of Arco d’Enea and the Calabrian shoreline.
You’ll enjoy your meals at the local Taverna, at a please-can-I-have-another pizzeria with stunning views of the seaside, and at a local farmhouse where all products are made in-house.
Workshops will be led by our special mentor of this year Rachel Leah Johns.
MEET THE MENTOR
RACHEL LEAH JOHNS
An Emmy award-winning Documentary Director and Producer.
Selected by the European Film Academy, honored by Cinema Eye, and shortlisted for the Oscars.
A five-time Sundance Festival nominee, whose work has screened at leading festivals and been broadcast worldwide.
Rachel's 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.
THE COST
What's included
Accommodation in one of Calabria's old towns
Meals prepared by locals with all fresh produce and locally sourced ingridients
Programming guided by an Emmy award-winning filmmaker
Local transport so you don't have to think about anything once arrived
What's not included
he International travel and the train to retreat location.
* The closest airports are: Naples (3h train ride), Lamezia Terme (1h train ride) or Rome (3-5h train ride).
WHO WILL BE THERE
Up to 10 select mid-career international filmmakers.
Curated based on portfolio and fit for this specific edition.
Artists in need of re connection with their art outside of the noise of the industry and seeking a slower.
more human way to build new connections with other filmmakers.
WHY TAKE PART
It's a chance to disconnect from the business of the world and take a breather in a truly beautiful and quite place.
A chance to meet, spend some time with like-minded filmmakers and get inspired.
Learn from one of the industry's most respected documentary Director- Producers.
Discover a new part of the world ( And eat incredibly well along the way).
THE TEAM
Niccolò Montanari Montanari PR | MD
A seasoned publicist and festival strategist known for his pioneering contributions to the creative industry. Co-founder of Berlin Fashion Film Festival in 2012, he established MontanariPR in 2016, offering specialised PR services for film directors, production companies, and brands, with a focus on distribution across film festivals, commercial awards, magazines and online platforms. In 2022, he launched Curation Hour, an online platform showcasing avant-garde video productions spanning fashion, design, music, dance, art, lifestyle, and contemporary culture.
Yuval Orr
Documentary Director, Writer and Producer.
Head of No Mans Land Production and No Mans Land Residency
Daria Geller
Cinematographer, Director.
Head of No Mans Land Production and No Mans Land Residency
Get in touch to learn more about the Retreat!
The little boat of my intellect now sets sail
to course through gentler waters
leaving behind her a sea so cruel.
And I will speak of that second region
where the human spirit is purged
and becomes fit to climb to Heaven.
But, since I am yours, O sacred Muses,
here let dead Poetry rise again.
– Dante, The Divine Comedy “Part II: Purgatorio”.