i. Introduction
Werner Herzog is one of the great masters of contemporary cinema. He has directed more than 70 films, including titles that have become legendary. His work spans five decades and continues to expand.
Herzog is much more than a filmmaker. He is an explorer of the impossible, a traveller who ventures into the jungle, the ice, or the human soul with the same determination. His films are inhabited by visionaries and lost souls, men who struggle against mountains, rivers, and excessive dreams. He is also a prominent writer: a poet who transforms experience into fiery words, a voracious reader who believes that cinema is born first from books, an author convinced that his prose will outlive his images.
His cinema and literature mirror each other. In Aguirre, chronicles of human failure during the conquest resonate; in Woyzeck, there's the voice of Büchner; in Cobra Verde, we find the pages by Bruce Chatwin. And in each shot, there’s the pulse of a secret, an invisible writing beats, holding everything up.
He has written over 12 books, including On Walking In Ice, Conquest of the Useless, and his recent memoirs; Every Man for Himself and God Against All. A master for generations, he has taught filmmakers around the world to look with different eyes and to transform reality into insight.
II. Methodology
For 11 days, Werner Herzog will mentor 50 filmmakers who will work in 25 creative pairs as they experience all phases of creating a film, with a special emphasis on the writing process. They will go through the conception of the idea, the shooting, the editing and, finally, the screening of the finished work.
Each participant will contribute their knowledge and creativity throughout the process, thus generating complex, high-quality works that experiment with form.
The Experience is open to filmmakers from all over the world, with diverse skills in writing, photography, sound, music, and editing. The 25 pairs will be formed based on the affinity of their visions and the complementarity of their knowledge, autonomy, technical and creative skills.
Working in pairs will allow them:
To receive a personalized mentoring from Werner Herzog throughout all stages of creation.
To improve the quality of the works, with creative contributions from each area.
To Experiment with teamwork dynamics.
To strengthening of work teams for future projects.
III. LOCATION
The Azores Islands are a Portuguese archipelago made up of nine islands in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. Lush and enigmatic, they are steeped in natural, cultural and mythological richness. São Miguel, is the largest island in the archipelago, where the modernity of Ponta Delgada coexists with rural life and pristine nature's imposing force. Craters became intense green and blue lakes, the cliffs plunge into the Atlantic and dense forests hold endemic flora and fauna, tea fields, misty valleys, and thermal rivers; every corner of the island exudes mystery and beauty. Furnas, one of its three active volcanoes, releases constant fumaroles that wrap the landscape in an almost surreal atmosphere. A setting that keeps alive a wide variety of legends from popular oral tradition, which have been a source of inspiration for various creators throughout history.iv. DAY-TO-DAY
DAY 0
13/01
Welcome cocktail for participants
Night
DAY 1
14/01
Start of the workshop
morning
General Opening Meeting
Werner Herzog will explain the working methodology and let participants know the central theme of the workshop around which they will create their pieces. The production team will provide participants with accreditation and a production folder (casting and location resources).
Presentation of the 25 work duos previously composedEach duo will briefly describe their background and interests and will show their film equipment to Werner Herzog.afternoon
Exploration of the field 1The students in the workshop will visit various locations according to the central topic of the workshop.
night
Ideas 1
The duos will present their initial ideas to receive feedback from Werner Herzog.
DAY 2
15/01
Location Scouting
morning
Exploration of the field 2 The filmmakers will visit new locations according to more general topics that can nourish the stories.
afternoon
Individual or group adviceIndividual or group advice regarding student’s ideas for their projects.
night
Ideas 2The duos will present their initial ideas to receive feedback from Werner Herzog.
DAY 3
16/01
morning
Defining the stories
Werner Herzog will focus on his experience and writing methods.
afternoon
Table workEach duo will receive advice from Werner Herzog.
Production table
Each pair will organize their shoot with the production team, clarifying casting, location and transport requirements.
night
Open session
Werner Herzog will share excerpts from his work and answer questions from the participants.
DAY 4
17/01
morning and afternoon
FieldworkEach team will work on location with the character selected for their story. Werner Herzog will be available to advise the projects at the production stations according to schedule.
night
Projects 1
The duos will present their progress in the field. Werner Herzog will share his comments for each project.
DAY 5
18/01
Shooting Day 2
morning and afternoon
FieldworkEach team will work on location with the character selected for their story. Werner Herzog will be available to advise the projects at the production stations according to schedule.
night
Proyectos 2The duos will present their initial ideas and their progress in the field. Werner Herzog will give feedback per project.
DAY 6
19/01
morning and afternoon
FieldworkEach team will work on location with the character selected for their story. Werner Herzog will be available to advise the projects at the production stations according to schedule.
night
Open session
Werner Herzog will share excerpts from his work and answer questions from the participants.
DAY 7
20/01
morning and afternoon
FieldworkEach team will work on location with the character selected for their story.
morning and afternoon
Deskwork
Each team will start editing, mixing and colouring their work. Werner Herzog will view and advise on the first pieces that have been edited into a (final) cut.
DAY 8
21/01
Editing 2
morning and afternoon
DeskworkEach team will start editing, mixing and colouring their work. Werner Herzog will view and advise on the first pieces that have been edited into a (final) cut.
night
Open session
Werner Herzog will share excerpts from his work and answer questions from the participants.
DAY 9
22/01
morning and afternoon
DeskworkEach team will work on the editing, mix, and colour processes of their pieces. Werner Herzog will view and advise on the first pieces that have been edited into a (final) cut.
night
Open session
First part of the screening of the finished projects.
DAY 10
23/01
morning and afternoon
DeskworkWerner Herzog will view and advise on the final cuts.
night
Open session
First part of the screening of the finished projects.
DAY 11
24/01
Films Screenings
morning and afternoon
Screenings
night
Closing celebration cocktail party
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werner herzog 2026
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