2022 CAPE NEW WRITERS FELLOWSHIP
Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment
DEADLINE: N/A
INFO: The CAPE New Writers Fellowship (CNWF) discovers and nurtures emerging writers launching their careers in television and film. Founded and co-chaired by Emmy Award-winning Writer, Creator and Showrunner Leo Chu and veteran film and TV executive Steve Tao, the CAPE New Writers Fellowship is one of few writing programs in Hollywood created by a creative and an executive. This immersive Fellowship arms each writer with the practical and business knowledge they need to succeed as a professional writer in the entertainment industry.
Over several weeks, CAPE brings in top television and film writers, producers, agents, managers, and executives for a series of intimate panels, workshops, and discussions. The Fellowship also features a Writing Lab where each Fellow is matched with a high-level industry mentor to help them revise their original script into professional level writing samples to get them noticed and land that all-important first staff job.
The Fellowship typically runs each year in early spring. Each Fellowship session and Writing Lab meeting takes place on weekday evenings - Pacific Time - for approximately 3 hours, twice a week.
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NYC WOMEN’S FUND FOR MEDIA, MUSIC AND THEATRE
NYFA
DEADLINE: November 1, 2021
INFO: The NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theatre provides grants to encourage and support the creation of digital, film, music, television, and live or online theatre content that reflects the voices and perspectives of all who identify as women.
Now in its third cycle, the NYC Women’s Fund for Media, Music and Theatre (“Women’s Fund”), administered by the New York Foundation for the Arts (NYFA) in partnership with the City of New York Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME), is part of a groundbreaking series of initiatives that address the underrepresentation of women in film, music, television and theatre. The Fund provides grants to encourage and support the creation of content that reflect the voices and perspectives of all who identify as women.
In 2021/22 cycle, the Women’s Fund will distribute $2.5M in funding to Media, Music and Theatre projects in NYC.
THE PROGRAM WILL PROVIDE:
Finishing grants* for film, television, and digital projects
Funds for the creation of music recordings or videos
Production funds for live or online theatre
In addition to being made by, for, or about all who identify as women, projects are eligible if they feature a strong female perspective; and/or include a female-identified director and/or producer and/or writer/songwriter and/or engineer (for recordings) and/or female protagonist(s) or lead musical role.
*To be eligible, projects need to have completed principal photography.
GRANTS WILL BE GIVEN IN THE FOLLOWING CATEGORIES (AMOUNTS LISTED ARE THE MAXIMUM POTENTIAL GRANT):
Fiction Feature (running time of 60 minutes or more) – $50,000
Fiction Short (running time of 59 minutes or less) – $25,000
Fiction Webisode/Webseries (all forms) – $20,000
Documentary Feature (running time of 60 minutes or more) – 50,000
Documentary Short (running time of 59 minutes or less) – $25,000
Documentary Webisodes/Webseries (all lengths and forms) – $20,000
Music: Classical/Experimental/Jazz/New Music – $20,000
Music General – $20,000
Theatre Production – grant amounts up to $50,000
https://www.nyfa.org/awards-grants/nyc-womens-fund-for-media-music-and-theatre/
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FELLOWSHIP FOR DISABLED SCREENWRITERS
Inevitable Foundation
DEADLINE: Rolling
INFO: The Screenwriting Fellowship gives disabled screenwriters $25,000 and bespoke mentorship to advance their careers and projects.
We started the Inevitable Foundation Screenwriting Fellowship to substantially increase the number of disabled screenwriters working in film and TV. People with disabilities make up over 20% of the U.S. population but represent only 2% of characters on screen and less than 1% of writers behind the screen. Representation matters and film and TV present a key vehicle to counteract the often negative perceptions that surround disabilities.
How much is the Fellowship for?
Fellows receive $25,000, which is meant to cover 4-6 months of living expenses.
How can I use the Fellowship money?
The money is unrestricted—you can use it to cover living expenses and other project-related fees—which is intended to give you the time and space over 4-6 months to further develop your projects.
Is the Fellowship taxable income?
If you receive a Fellowship, we recommend you speak to an accountant to make a determination on the tax status of the Fellowship money.
Who is eligible for the Fellowship?
The Fellowship is for any screenwriter who meets the following conditions:
Self-identifies as disabled.
18 years of age or older.
Dedicated to or currently pursuing a career in screenwriting.
Currently or previously has worked in the entertainment industry.
Demonstrates that without the Fellowship or similar financial support, you are unable to advance your own full-time career as a screenwriter.
What information does the Application ask for?
The Application requires the following information:
A completed script. Scripts featuring authentic disabled characters are a plus but not required.
Project Logline: Describe the crux of your film (75 words or less).
Project Synopsis: A brief summary of a completed screenplay's core concept, major plot points, and main character arcs (500 words or less).
Personal Statement: In 500 words or less, your personal statement should answer two questions. 1) What stories do you want to tell and why? 2) What does disability representation mean to you?
Biography: Write your bio in third person (150 words or less).
Resume or CV
Summaries of other projects you have completed or are working on. We ask that at least one of these projects (past, current or future) have disabled characters at the forefront.
What type of material do you accept?
We only accept original material (films and TV shows), which may include material you own the rights to and are adapting into a project.
We do not accept spec episodes or any material you do not have the rights to.
What is the application process for the Fellowship?
The application process has three rounds.
ROUND 1
Focuses on selecting Applicants who possess professional screenwriting skills, which is a prerequisite for the Fellowship.
Our reading committee will review all applications on a rolling basis and then invite a select group to the second round.
ROUND 2
Focuses on advancing Applicants who are talent, ambitious, working professionally and have a passion for disability representation.
ROUND 3
Focuses on learning more about the Applicant during an hour-long interview.
ROUND 4
Takes everything into accounts from the first three rounds and our Selection Advisory Committee makes their final recommendations.
A questionnaire will determine if you are eligible to apply for the Screenwriting Fellowship. Complete the questions below and we will notify you about your eligibility via email within 24 hours of completing the application.