WRITERS DISCOVERY FELLOWSHIP
Circle of Confusion
DEADLINE: January 5, 2020
INFO: Circle of Confusion — a premiere management and production destination for exceptional actors, writers, directors, content creators, publishers and journalists — will establish an ongoing fellowship program to nurture and assist in accelerating the diversity of voices in our industry. Circle of Confusion’s core mission has always been discovery, and we have been fortunate enough to have identified and promoted many talented writers, directors, actors and creators from all walks of life. It is based on this tradition and fundamental strength of the company that Circle of Confusion is launching the program. The excitement of film and television has always been the joy that great storytelling brings to audiences around the globe. By promoting voices that have been historically excluded, the Fellowship will enrich both the professional lives of the Fellows and the dynamic quality of the entertainment industry.
THE FELLOWSHIP: Circle of Confusion will provide an immersive introductory experience to the world of professional screen and television writing to a diverse group of aspiring writers who have not yet been employed or represented by the industry. The Fellows will each be given a $10,000 stipend by way of a first look deal with Circle of Confusion Television Studios. Twice per year, the program will select six to eight writers for a six-month fellowship which closely replicates the writer-manager dynamic. Each Fellow will be assigned a mentor who will educate and guide them by way of script development, career advice, and support. While the Fellowship cannot guarantee the sale of the pilot or specific employment, by the end of each Fellowship session, each Fellow will have developed a submission-ready television pilot, been afforded multiple opportunities for industry networking, and generally equipped with the essential tools for their success as writers in the entertainment industry.
The Fellowship is open to applicants of all ethnicities, races, cultural backgrounds, gender identities, sexual orientations, and ages.
MENTORSHIP: Our mentors will include Circle of Confusion literary managers and other senior industry professionals, offering general business advice and script development within the duration of the Fellowship. In the first four months, each Fellow will develop an original pilot script with their dedicated mentor. The pilot scripts will be reviewed by the Fellowship’s Advisory Board (composed of established members of the film and television community with an expertise in content evaluation) and then submitted to relevant industry professionals, with the explicit goal of using the last two months of the Fellowship to arrange general one-on-one Zoom meetings with producers and executives. Throughout the entire Fellowship session, the mentor will be available to guide the Fellow through each step, assisting the Fellow in their development of writing and storytelling skills, pitching skills and navigating the meeting process.
PROGRAMMING: The Fellowship program will begin in March of 2021 and include informational panels, speakers and workshops with industry professionals. Additionally, Fellows will have the opportunity to participate in several practice/mock-general meetings in preparation for their final professional meetings.
Applicant Qualifications:
Have never worked or held representation in the entertainment industry as a writer
Must have two storytelling samples, with at least one being a pilot script draft to further develop alongside a mentor during the Fellowship
Application Materials:
Fellowship application
Personal statement
Brief questionnaire
Two samples of narrative storytelling (The development sample must be a pilot script. Other writing samples may include but are not limited to pilot scripts, feature screenplays, short stories, personal essays, produced short form content, slam poetry, plays, audio-drama scripts, etc.)
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GULF SOUTH WRITER IN THE WOODS
A Studio in the Woods
DEADLINE: January 8, 2021
INFO: Gulf South Writer in the Woods, a program of A Studio in the Woods and the New Orleans Center for the Gulf South, supports the creative work, scholarship and community engagement of writers examining the Gulf South region.
Specifically, this year we aim to support BILAPOC Speculative Fiction writers working in prose, poetry and stage/screenwriting. Special consideration will be given to southern voices, under-represented communities, and perspectives not often heard. Eligible writers must live in the Gulf South, be from/have heritage in the Gulf South, and/or write about the Gulf South. The awardee will receive a stipend of $5,000, a 6-week residency at A Studio in the Woods over 18 months, Tulane University library access, and staff support from the presenting partners.
DATES The term of the Gulf South Writer in the Woods will be Winter 2021 through Summer 2023. The six weeks of residency at A Studio in the Woods can be scheduled in up to three sessions between July 2021-June 2022.
REQUIREMENTS
Exploration and early development of concept for a significant manuscript
Creative and radical thinking
Participation in six week residency
Giving a public lecture
Design and implement a community engagement event
Participating in a public dinner
ELIGIBILITY Creative writers working in Speculative Fiction in the format of prose, poetry, or stage/screenwriting will be considered. This year we aim to support BILAPOC writers working in prose, poetry and stage/screenwriting who live in the Gulf South, are from/have heritage in the Gulf South, and/or write about the Gulf South. There are no degree requirements. If the applicant is a student, they must be an active and advanced graduate student—in their second year of coursework and beyond. Note that this is an opportunity for a single writer, not a collaborative team or ensemble. Foreign language projects are welcome, however application and primary work sample must be in English.
SPECULATIVE FICTION Speculative Fiction is a broad category of fiction encompassing genres with certain elements that do not exist in terms of the recorded history and observed phenomena of the current universe, covering various themes in the context of the supernatural, futuristic, and many other imaginative topics.[1] Under this umbrella category, the genres include, but are not limited to, science fiction, fantasy, horror, superhero fiction, alternate history, utopian and dystopian fiction, and supernatural fiction, as well as combinations thereof (e.g. science fantasy).[2]
SELECTION PROCESS Every two years, a new Gulf South Writer in the Woods is selected through a jury process. The position will be awarded on the merit of the proposal, the stage of the manuscript, and its potential to result in new and refreshed understandings about this region. We will also consider the impact of the position on the writer’s career trajectory. The next selection process will take place in Winter 2023.
SUPPORT The awardee will receive a stipend of $5,000, a 6-week residency at A Studio in the Woods over 18 months, Tulane University library access, and staff support from the presenting partners. We are looking to support projects in the exploratory phase and will endeavor to connect the writer with faculty and experts in relevant fields. We will provide full room and board including food, utilities for living and studio space to selected resident. Resident is expected to cover personal living expenses, additional materials and supplies, and any other expenses relating to the cost of producing work incurred while in the program. Travel and shipping expenses to and from A Studio in the Woods for the residency are also the responsibility of the artist. To better understand project impact, each artist will work with an external evaluator.
GUIDELINES:
Gulf South Writer in the Woods proposals should include the following:
500-word project summary.
Project narrative of no more than five double-spaced pages.
http://www.astudiointhewoods.org/2020/11/18/open-call-for-next-gulf-south-writer-in-the-woods/
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BIPOC WRITERS FELLOWSHIP: ADAPTING BOOKS FOR THE SCREEN
The Writers Room 5050
DEADLINE: January 8, 2021
INFO: The Writers Room 5050 and Level 4 Press Present: The BIPOC Writers Fellowship, "Adapting Books for the Screen," beginning March 2021. In this 12-week fellowship, fellows will adapt a book into a feature film screenplay, receive mentorship from industry leaders, a stipend for participating, and more.
The fellowship will focus on adapting a book into a screenplay, the release of fictional feature films for theatrical, streaming, and television movies-of-the-week (MOWs). In the process, BIPOC writers will learn the highest industry standards for developing, writing, financing and producing an adapted feature film project. Each fellow will adapt one Level 4 Press book into a feature film screenplay.
The Writers Room 5050 and Level 4 Press are currently working with top executives, writers, representatives and guest speakers to provide mentorship, feedback, and firsthand industry knowledge.
The BIPOC Writers Fellowship includes but is not limited to:
A 12-week lab taking you from book-to-screenplay
Mentorship on creating and crafting your script
A $750 Writer Stipend to all participants and accepted writers
Expert development notes and assessments by industry professionals
A 'table read' with professional actors
Script Sales and Career Strategy instruction
Pitch deck and high-end marketing collateral created for the project
Live Industry Event to pitch your new script and meet high-end industry decision-makers
For those scripts optioned, setup or sold, there will be financial participation
REQUIREMENTS:
BIPOC Writer: Applicants must be of BIPOC heritage/ethnicity (Black, Indigenous, Person of Color)
Script Submission: Writers must submit a completed screenplay (90 to 120 pages) for consideration
Application Fee: An Early, Regular or Late application processing fee will apply.
Announcements:
Semi-Finalists: January 22, 2021
Finalists: February 5, 2021
Fellows Announced: February 19, 2021
Fellows Begins: Week of March 8, 2021
Fellowship Schedule:
Dates: Wednesdays, March 10th to May 26th, 2021
Time: 6pm to 9pm PST - (1 class per week, 3 hours per class)
Venue: Zoom
SUBMISSION FEE: $60
https://www.writersroom5050.com/fellowship-details
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2021 SESAME WORKSHOP WRITERS’ ROOM
DEADLINE: January 8, 2021 at 5pm EST
INFO: Sesame Workshop Writers’ Room is a writing fellowship from the creators of Sesame Street. And we’re looking for YOU! Fresh new writing talent from underrepresented racial backgrounds. Emerging storytellers who are selected to join the Writers’ Room will receive hands-on writing experience guided by Sesame Street veterans and other media industry leaders. Each participant will develop and write a pilot script for their own original kids concept. Past fellows have gone on to develop their own original content with Sesame Workshop, as well as write for Sesame Street and various programs at Nickelodeon, Disney, DreamWorks, and more!
Up to 8 writers from underrepresented racial backgrounds will be selected
Sessions will take place from May through July 2021
Includes eight, three-hour sessions on creating original children's content
Learn from industry writers, producers, agents and executives
Learn and complete all steps of creating an original pilot episode script
Up to two participants will have the opportunity to receive creative development deals and further mentorship
Application Check List:
Application form
Resume: this can feature your overall work experience, NOT only writing experience
Personal statement: tell us about yourself, for example, why you want to write for children's educational media, how your experiences influence the stories you tell, why you value diversity/representation in children's media, etc. (up to 250 words)
Original script sample: 11-page maximum, it should NOT contain Sesame Street elements, it can be an excerpt from a larger piece you've written, it must be kid-friendly content for viewers up to age 12...we're looking for great characters and stories that inspire kids to be smarter, stronger and kinder!
More info on your script: what's the bigger picture/idea of your script sample? (up to 100 words)
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Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab
Hillman Grad Productions
DEADLINE: January 10, 2021
INFO: The Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab provides opportunities for marginalized storytellers to connect, grow, and accelerate their career in television and film.
Committed to infusing new narratives and perspectives in front of and behind the camera, the Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab provides a robust slate of workshops, educational resources, and professional development and networking opportunities for a cohort of diverse writers, actors, and aspiring creative executives.
The tuition-free, 10-month program grants fellows the unique opportunity to enhance their creative skillset through personalized instruction from industry professionals, creating additional pathways to bring more people from diverse backgrounds into the entertainment industry.
CURRICULUM: The Hillman Grad Mentorship Lab consists of three separate tracks: television writing, screen acting, executive development.
Writing fellows will engage in a comprehensive writing experience, developing an original pilot from concept ideation to a fully polished and packaged script. Fellows will learn how to plan and write a pilot, participate in a simulated writers room–undergoing a series of rewrites from notes by both the instructor and peers–capped off by a table read featuring actors from the Hillman Grad Network.
Acting fellows will explore the fundamental tools and techniques of screen acting, engaging in a series of classes and workshops designed to fine tune their ability to bring a story to life. Fellows will critically explore a wide array of text, expanding their creative capacity to successfully deliver powerful performances, slay their audition, and get booked.
Executive development fellows will learn how to transition from working as an assistant to becoming a creative executive. Fellows will receive direct mentorship from Hillman Grad Productions development team, led by President of Film/TV, Rishi Rajani.
PROGRAM PERKS:
Instant access to the exclusive Hillman Grad Network–a diverse and comprehensive group of industry professionals, including writers, actors, directors, producers, creative executives, network executives and many more
Monthly speaker series with industry experts
Professional development resources and exclusive job opportunities
Opportunities to shadow a writer’s room and visit set
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS:
The Program is subject to the following requirements:
You must submit a complete and accurate application through the Hillman Grad website prior to the application deadline, which application will include:
A Personal Statement;
Short Answers to a series of questions;
A resume and biography;
For Television Writing applicants: a writing sample, written solely by the applicant (no writing teams), which must be either an original feature screenplay or television pilot;
For Screen Acting applicants: a monologue 90-120 seconds in length from a film, television program or play.
You must also agree to (1) these Submission Requirements, (2) all terms relating to the Program posted on Hillman Grad’s website, which you should review and read in full, and (3) the Submission Agreement, which governs the submission of your materials to Hillman Grad. The Submission Agreement includes important, legally binding terms and conditions, including arbitration of any disputes, which you must read in full before accepting.
You must be at least 18 years of age and not a minor in the state or country of your residence at time of submission.
You must be the sole owner of all rights in and to the materials submitted to Hillman Grad (“Submission Materials”). The Submission Materials must not in any way infringe upon the copyright of any person or entity or, to the best of your knowledge in the exercise of reasonable prudence, constitute libel, defamation or invasion of privacy or any other rights of any third party.
https://www.hillmangrad.com/mentorship-labs
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2020-2021 BLACK LIST & GOOGLE ASSISTANT STORYTELLING FELLOWSHIP
The Black List / Google Assistant
DEADLINE: January 15, 2021
INFO: Up to five writers will receive $20,000 each for the purpose of supporting those writers for six months as they work to draft their new feature screenplays and/or teleplays. During the course of those six months, the Black List and Google Assistant will also pair each fellowship recipient with a screenwriting mentor.
Pitches should be contemporary in nature and avoid violence and/or illegal activity as the premise of the story. Completed scripts can include the natural helpfulness of technology in everyday life, but shouldn’t be focused around technology or from a dystopian view. At the end of the Fellowship, each recipient would provide Google with a copy of their new draft along with a report addressing how the grant has been used to advance their work.
THE SELECTION PROCESS
Opt-ins will be open until midnight on Friday, January 15, 2021. On Monday, January 18, 2021, up to 15 writers will be invited, based on the strength of their scripts as determined by the Black List, to submit a one-page personal statement and professional resume. Those materials will be due on Friday, January 22, 2020. From those submissions, up to five (5) writers will be selected by the Black List and Google Assistant to receive the 2020-2021 Storytelling Fellowship. Fellowship recipients will be notified in February 2021.
https://blcklst.com/partnerships/opportunities/90
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Wurlitzer Foundation RESIDENCY
Helene Wurlitzer Foundation
DEADLINE: January 18, 2021
INFO: The Helene Wurlitzer Foundation of New Mexico (HWF) is a private, 501(c)(3) non-profit, educational and charitable organization committed to supporting the arts. Founded in 1954, the HWF manages one of the oldest artist residency programs in the USA and is located on fifteen acres in the heart of Taos, New Mexico, a multicultural community renowned for its popularity with artists.
The Foundation offers three months of rent-free and utility-paid housing to people who specialize in the creative arts. Our eleven artist casitas, or guest houses, are fully furnished and provide residents with a peaceful setting in which to pursue their creative endeavors.
The Foundation accepts applications from painters, poets, sculptors, writers, playwrights, screenwriters, composers, photographers, and filmmakers of national and international origin.
Applications are reviewed by a selection committee consisting of professionals who specialize in the artistic discipline of the applicant. Numerous jurors serve on committees for each: visual arts, music composers, writers, poets, playwrights, and filmmakers. Jurors, who know nothing about the artist's demographics, score in five categories based purely on the merit of the applicant's creative work samples.
Artists in residence have no imposed expectations, quotas, or requirements during their stay on the HWF campus. The HWF’s residency program provides artists with the time and space to create, which in turn enriches the artistic community and culture locally and abroad.
GUIDELINES:
Literary artists may upload writing samples in .pdf format using the application form above. Alternatively, literary artists may choose to mail hard-copies. Include a cover sheet containing your contact info and table of contents, but please omit names and contact info on the writing samples themselves.
• Writers: samples should not exceed 35 double-spaced pages
• Poets: a maximum of six poems.
• Playwrights: include one complete play.
• Screenwriters: include one complete screenplay.
Digital work samples are accepted and encouraged for applications from visual artists and composers. Applicants should prepare to submit five work sample files when filling out the online application form. Acceptable file types for images include jpg, gif and png. Accepted types for audio files are mp3 and m4a.
Filmmakers must mail a DVD or USB-drive containing up to 30 minutes of video which represents no more than five different samples of your work.
APPLICATION FEE: $25
https://wurlitzerfoundation.org/apply
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2020 FICTION PODCAST CONTEST
Shore Scripts
DEADLINE: January 21, 2021
INFO: Podcasts are kind of a big deal! Over 100 million people in USA listen to at least one Podcast a month and that rate is increasing by 20 million year on year. Fiction podcasts are taking a century’s worth of entertainment in radio plays and pushing the boundaries to tell stories in fresh and innovative ways, quickly becoming the fastest-growing sub-section of this booming industry. Many writers, including our Judges, have forged successful careers for themselves through Podcasts. Hollywood’s taking notice too! More and more of these shows are being adapted for Televsion: Homecoming, Limetown, Carrier, Left Right Game & LORE to name but a few.
The beauty of the fiction Podcast format is that it allows you as a w
riter to be completely free to tell the story you wish to tell, without having to factor in the budgetary constraints of filmmaking. Our Podcast Contest offers more in funding and prize money than any other.
In collaboration with our winning writers, Shore Scripts will produce both episodes, making use of our industry connections to find talented cast and crew. We will look to attach a named actor/actress to each episode to further elevate the show and draw in a larger audience. Once both episodes are live, we will contact commissioners in an attempt to greenlight the series. The writers have final say on all potential commissioning offers.
This is a great opportunity to get your work commissioned and voice heard in this ever-growing industry. You don’t even need to write an episode from scratch. Perhaps you have a screenplay, novel or stageplay that could be adapted to fit this medium. Read our How to Adapt my Screenplay into a Podcast for some pointers.
We accept screenplay, radio and stageplay format. Check out our Rules and FAQ’s for all the info.
AWARD:
Two winners will be chosen to have their pilot scripts produce, each with a budget of $5,000
Plus, each winner will also receive $1000 Cash!
https://filmfreeway.com/ShoreScriptsFictionPodcastContest
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Call for Applications: Cultural Mentorship Funding Program
Indigenous Screen Office (ISO) / Netflix
DEADLINE: January 22, 2021 at 5pm EST
INFO: ISO is partnered with Netflix to provide new funding opportunities to support training, capacity building and culturally specific approaches for Indigenous on-screen content creators.
The goal of Cultural Mentorship program is to offer the opportunity for Indigenous producers, directors and writers to engage in cultural mentorship, engagement, learning, and protocols work during the development phases of their project. This may include travel and fees to engage with Elders, language speakers, knowledge keepers and/or community members to develop the project.
1. Application Questionnaire (view and download here). Please download the questionnaire, complete it, and upload it into the application form when you are ready to apply.
2. Project Budget
3. Bio (max 500 words)
4. Letter from mentor or community confirming engagement in this process
5. A letter of confirmation from mentor and apprentice
6. Resume/CV for project lead
Eligibility Requirements:
The Cultural Mentorship Program is open to the following applicants:
Indigenous Individuals: Indigenous creatives may apply directly to serve as an apprentice on a production. In this case, the production and/or specialist who will be serving as a mentor may be Indigenous or non-Indigenous.
Indigenous Productions must be Indigenous-controlled (minimum 51% ownership by person/s who are First Nations, Inuit or Métis from Canada);
For the purposes of ISO programs, “Indigenous” is defined as status and non-status First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples residing in Canada.
For both programs, funding is available for fiction, non-fiction, or documentary screen-based projects in all genres. The following types of productions are eligible:
Short works
Feature-length works
Television series
Web series
VR, 360, digital and interactive works
FUNDING: Maximum funding $15,000
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EPISODIC LAB
Realness Institute / Netflix
DEADLINE: January 31, 2021
INFO: Realness Institute’s mission is to unearth the wealth of African stories – stories from the continent, told with an honest and unapologetic point of view by African filmmakers. Their Episodic Lab will focus on developing pitch documents with selected writers for series content of all genres.
6 writers will spend 3 months in an online ‘writers room’ format. They will work with a script consultant and a creative producer to fully develop their story concepts into an episodic pitch. Along with creative training, writers will receive feedback from NETFLIX’s series development team.
Selected writers will receive a stipend of $2000 per month to dedicate 3 months to cover their living expenses as they develop their ideas.
At the end of the lab, selected writers will have the opportunity to pitch to NETFLIX and have their series developed for production.
Should the pitch not be picked up for production, the development rights of the story revert to the writer.
ELIGIBILITY:
Applicants must be from South Africa, Kenya OR Nigeria only.
Concept must be set in South Africa, Kenya OR Nigeria
Writer/writing team* with either Film or Television experience *only one writer will be able to participate if selected.
Any genre, must be fictional
Series Language: English and/or local language *Please note that the working language of the lab is in English and all documents must be delivered in English.
Creators should not be committed to a producer or a director to participate in this lab.
APPLICATION:
You will be required to fill in the following in the online application:
1 paragraph of your story idea,
1 paragraph description of the story world,
1 paragraph description of the tone and references for the series,
½ page bio of writer or per writer if writing team,
10 words description of each main character,
8x one- line episode ideas;
and two writing samples of which you are the sole writer (10 page max.) It could be any writing but preferably a synopsis, a treatment or a short script or scenes of a long form one.
You must also pay a 30 Euro Application Fee via Paypal (Wire Transfer option of R550.00 available for South African participants only).
https://www.realness.institute/episodic-lab-application
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CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS
Chaotic Merge
DEADLINE: Rolling
INFO: Chaotic Merge is looking for submissions from all different forms of artist. We seek work that is adventurous and test the border of art and structure. Don't be afraid to mess with everything you have ever learned in your lives. We write to have fun!We encourage voice of people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community to submit their work.
We are open for submissions all year round.*We strongly suggest following all guidelines upon submitting.
GUIDELINES:
Submit all work to ChaoticMergeMagazine@gmail.com
Title your email subject as follows: Full name_Genre_Title of work. Anything labelled otherwise will not be read.
Depending on your genre, please limit each submission to:
Up to 5 unpublished poems (a non-English work & its English translation count as one poem submission)
2 unpublished short fiction piece (up to 5,000 words)
Up to 5 unpublished art/photographs/ illustrations in pdf, png, and jpeg or
2 unpublished Screenplay or Play (up to 10-15 pages)
All work submitted should be accompanied by a short author bio between 50 and 100 words, a author/creator photo in jpg, and your pronouns.While we accept simultaneous submissions, do indicate in your email that this is a simultaneous submission, and write in to us immediately to withdraw your work once it has been accepted elsewhere.
Publication Rights: Chaotic Merge Magazine publishes only unpublished work, unless we ourselves request for them. By submitting your work, you affirm that you are the sole author and maintain all rights for your work. By submitting your work, you authorize Chaotic Merge Magazine to publish your work in both its e-journal and online platforms.
https://chaoticmergemagazine.com/submit/