The Southern Producers Lab is a professional development program created by the New Orleans Film Society, designed to support emerging, diverse producers from across the American South. Established in 2018, the program offers an 18-month mentorship, peer support, and a multi-day intensive lab for selected participants. Producers receive a $2,000 unrestricted grant and opportunities to convene at the New Orleans Film Festival and another regional festival or conference. The lab focuses on various aspects of producing, including funding, distribution, story development, and career sustainability, supporting a range of film forms from documentary features to short films and new media.