Fifty filmmakers from around the world paid $10,200 each to attend Werner Herzog's exclusive workshop on São Miguel island in the Azores. The German director, known for his maverick approach to cinema, challenged participants to create five-to-ten-minute films in just 11 days while grappling with practical obstacles like transporting cows into churches.

Herzog's reputation as an iconoclastic filmmaker drew applicants from as far as Hawaii, Australia, and India. The workshop's steep price tag sparked debate among his Instagram followers, with some criticizing the exclusivity that bars working-class filmmakers. Participants crowdfunded, sold possessions, and took loans to secure their spots, viewing the experience as a prestigious opportunity to learn directly from the master.

The intensive program emphasized Herzog's philosophy of "doing the doable" rather than attempting the impossible. Filmmakers worked in pairs, drawing inspiration from the island's dramatic landscapes while learning to manage chaos and deliver under pressure. Despite the cost and time constraints, attendees gained valuable mentorship, industry contacts, and material for their portfolios.