WHY
lim²’s main objectives :
• To boost creativity and explore new ways of storytelling through creative constraints and recent research
• To create a common language and shared tools for writers and development professionals
• To foster transnational cooperation and address sustainability issues from the early stages of project development
What if…
What if we could integrate the idea of limitations during the development process ?
What if limitation itself became a tool for greater creativity and more in-depth filmmaking ?
lim² offers a new generation of filmmakers, already recognised for their short films or debut features, the opportunity to chart a strong path towards feature film production by embracing creative constraints throughout the development process.
The program is open to first, second and third feature projects, as well as to artists with strong backgrounds in theatre, documentary or visual arts. Twelve emerging European producers, looking to strengthen their project development skills, are coached in parallel and take part in the process.
The lim² approach is both conceptual and pragmatic : turn limitations into strengths.
Edito…
lim² | less is more has been set up to empower a generation of filmmakers intent on opening new avenues and finding new audiences by tackling new issues. Our motto is Igor Stravinsky’s
“The more art is bound by limitations, the freer it is“.
We live in an age of overconsumption and growing ecological concern. Humanism is under strain, and society seems increasingly unable to create meaning. Yet stories remain at the heart of what makes us human. Cinema is one of the most powerful storytelling tools of our time, connected to our dreams and nightmares, and capable of helping us restore our ability to create meaning.
lim uses creative limitations as a tool. Its spirit and ambition go far beyond the simple idea of restricting budgets. Self-imposed limitations encourage filmmakers to dig deeper into character and emotion. They can become catalysts for bold, boundary-pushing cinematic experiences.
In this way, thoughtfully chosen limitations can bring out a filmmaker’s unique voice, giving their work a strong edge in an overcrowded market. And by introducing limitations early in the writing process, filmmakers can significantly increase their chances of shooting their film.
The screenwriter’s role is, in part, to distil apparent complexity. A well-designed strategy of limitations can trigger strong formal choices, helping transform the intimate workings of a personal imagination into something that can resonate with everyone.
At the end of 2025, lim becomes lim². Its tools and methodology underwent a major upgrade through collaboration with leading European researchers in the cognitive science of creativity. This new approach combines visualisation and collaborative techniques with mapping tools, including a conception phase drawing on spatial cognition, sound and orality. Within lim, The StoryTANK (Storytank.eu) is the first European think tank to bring together screenwriters, storytellers and researchers from cognitive science and neuroscience laboratories. This applied research aims to strengthen the creativity and collaborative skills of European filmmakers, helping them respond to the challenges of our times.