JAFTA/PORTER-CHRISTIE SCREENWRITING FELLOWSHIP 2025
Jamaica Film & TV Association
DEADLINE: October 6, 2025
INFO: The JAFTA/Porter-Christie Screenwriting Fellowship 2025 is now open for applications.
BENEFITS:
• Mentorship from Aisha Porter-Christie + 2 industry professionals
• 2 x US$1,000 grant awards
• Access to development labs + a one-week immersive Writers’ Retreat
2025 ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Applicants must:
Be an active JAFTA member i.e. have an approved membership with JAFTA and paid up annual membership fee.
Be 18 years or older.
Be a Jamaican national or citizen.
Applicants satisfying the above are NOT ELIGIBLE if:
1They were a successful applicant for a JAFTA/Porter-Christie Episodic Screenwriting Fellowship awarded project in previous years.
They are currently participating in another JAFTA or JAFTA-associated developmental programme
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfW0dsGKbowL2WpNgx6BMU_0EQ0kk9q3ztVIT6RRkulUP56kQ/viewform
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2025 JOHN LEWIS WRITING GRANTS
Georgia Writers Association
DEADLINE: October 10, 2025, at 11:59 pm ET
SUBMISSION FEE: $0
INFO: The Georgia Writers Association's John Lewis Writing Grants are inspired by the late civil rights icon and his more than three decades of service as Georgia’s 5th District representative. The John Lewis Writing Grants will be awarded annually in the categories of fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, and screen/playwriting.
The purpose of the John Lewis Writing Grants is to elevate, encourage, and inspire the voices of promising Black writers in Georgia. Applicants must be emerging writers who are Black or African-American residents of Georgia for at least one year, or full-time students at a Georgia college or university at the time of application and on the date of the award. Writers who are eligible may apply annually but may only win the John Lewis Grant one time.
GRANT: The winning recipients will receive $500, and an invitation to read from their work at the next Red Clay Writers Conference.
QUALIFICATIONS: Applicants must be at least 18 years of age and emerging writers who are Black or African-American residents of Georgia for at least one year, or full-time students at a Georgia college or university at the time of application and on the date of the award. Applicants are ineligible if they have published more than one traditionally published book. Promising writers without publication will be considered. Writers who are eligible may apply annually but may only win a grant once. There is no submission fee to enter. Applicants are ineligible if they are of relations to any of the Georgia Writers staff or board of directors.
GUIDELINES:
Writers may apply in only one genre and must submit the following:
A completed grant application
An artist statement of 500 words (max.) as a concise description of your work and goals as a writer. Tell us what inspires your writing career, and how your work engages (directly or indirectly) with the legacy of John Lewis.
A writing sample of 10 pages (max.) of a published or unpublished piece in the genre in which you are applying: fiction, creative nonfiction, poetry, or screen/playwriting. If submitting poetry, one poem per page please.
*Do not include your name or any identifying information in the writing sample.
georgiawritersassociation.submittable.com/submit/333082/2025-john-lewis-writing-grants
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Diversity Talent Accelerator Screenwriting Contest
Stage 32 / Color Farm Media
DEADLINE: October 15, 2025
INFO: Erika Alexander - beloved for her iconic acting roles as Maxine Shaw (“Living Single,” NAACP Image Awards as Outstanding Actress/Comedy Series), Detective Latoya (“Get Out”), Cousin Pam (“The Cosby Show”), Perenna (“Black Lightning”), Linda Diggs (“Wutang: An American Saga”), Barb Ballard ( Run The World), and Meredith Lockhart (“Swimming with Sharks”) - and Erika's production company Color Farm Media are partnering with Stage 32 to find the next undiscovered diverse writing talents. Erika has built her company on diverse, prestige projects for and her team will work directly with Stage 32 through the Stage 32 Diversity Talent Accelerator Screenwriting Contest.
Color Farm Media will be personally reviewing semi-finalist loglines and all top 10 finalist scripts, with winners selected based on both creative merit and commercial viability. The selected writers will receive script development, industry mentorship, and potential production pathways designed to fast-track emerging writers. Both Stage 32 and Color Farm Media will jointly package developed projects for production.
"Color Farm's mission is to create an ecosystem where underestimated and underrepresented creators don't just survive — they thrive." said Erika Alexander, founder of Color Farm Media "Stage 32 shares that vision and has spent over a decade proving that world-class training can break down the traditional barriers that keep talented voices on the sidelines."
"This partnership takes that philosophy one crucial step further," Erika added. "We're not just opening doors, we're walking through them together and ensuring our contest winner gets real development, real mentorship, and a real shot at getting their story to screen."
“Leveraging Stage 32’s worldwide leading entertainment educational resources, the partnership launches an immersive creative ecosystem that transforms how emerging writers break into the industry.” Richard Botto, CEO and Founder of Stage 32, said in a statement Tuesday. “Great stories and talented writers shouldn’t be limited by geography, connections, or background. This pipeline ensures the best voices get the platform they deserve.”
"In an industry where breaking in seems increasingly difficult, we're continuing to create a direct pipeline from undiscovered talent to professional development," added Geoffroy Faugerolas, Stage 32's Director of Development Services. "This is about discoverability, access and launching careers."
Diversity is what makes the film industry special - the best movies take us into new perspectives that help us understand the world through unique point of views, often different from our own. In a world of re-boots, re-makes, and re-treads, what stands out is singular, fresh voices to keep audiences on the edge of our seats.
From the frightening scares and terror of SINNERS, to the totally fun and hilarious antics of ONE OF THEM DAYS, to the supernatural psychological terror of THE WOMAN IN THE YARD, audiences can’t get enough exciting diverse storytelling. This year alone, classic franchises like CAPTAIN AMERICA with BRAVE NEW WORLD and JOHN WICK with BALLERINA were rebooted with diverse leads and proved smashes at the boxes. The appetite for diverse projects is massive, and we want your story to be the next smash hit!
THE GRAND PRIZE WINNING SCREENWRITER WILL RECEIVE:
Color Farm Media Diversity Talent Accelerator placement for script development and packaging with Color Farm Media
Career Accelerator Prize Package ($4,000 value) including script development, career consulting, writer branding, and comprehensive education resources
Personal Mentorship Track with dedicated 1:1 career development sessions from our success team
Industry Marketing Campaign promoting winner to our exclusive roster of 2,500+ managers, agents, producers, and executives
Strategic Partnership where Stage 32 and Color Farm Media executives collaborate to prepare your project to take directly to market
OUR FINALISTS WILL RECIEVE:
Our Finalists will receive a Career Momentum prize package valued at $1,500, including Career Development, a Writer Branding Workshop and an Education package, and will have your logline featured in a Stage 32 Look Book sent to over 2,500+ top entertainment industry executives, giving your work unparalleled exposure!
But that’s not all! Everyone who makes the Semi-Finals will receive a Career Breakthrough prize package valued at $1,000, our Quarterfinalists will receive a Career Elevation prize package valued at $500, and all Entrants will get a prize package valued at $100!
What Type of Scripts Are We Looking For?
We are looking for Feature scripts like:
AMERICAN FICTION, GET OUT, MOONLIGHT, THE FAREWELL, REZ BALL, CRAZY RICH ASIANS, OLD DADS, DIDI, THELMA, TÁR, BOOK CLUB, NICKEL BOYS, SIX TRIPLE EIGHT, ANORA, EMILIA PEREZ, SING SING, THE SUBSTANCE, NOMADLAND, THE FATHER, LOVE LIES BLEEDING, THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL, THE HALF OF IT, SEARCHING, QUEER, CALL ME BY YOUR NAME
As well as TV pilot scripts like:
INSECURE, RESERVATION DOGS, FRESH OFF THE BOAT, THE BOONDOCKS, ATLANTA, EVERYBODY HATES CHRIS, GRACIE & FRANKIE, HOW I MET YOUR FATHER, RAMY, WOKE, DAVE, THE SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS, THE MINDY PROJECT, BLACK-ISH, BABY REINDEER, TRUE DETECTIVE, KILLING EVE, THE CHAIR, MIXED-ISH, THE WIRE, GODFATHER OF HARLEM
But that's not all, we want to see all new, unique and fresh ideas that we haven't seen before!
For the last 13 years, Stage 32 Contests have led to dozens of success stories including writers getting representation, sold, optioned, staffed, given writing assignments and getting produced. No other contest opens more doors and we want to do the same for you.
If you have a diverse story that needs to be told, now is the time to show us what you've got, because our goal is to amplify your voice, give you the access Stage 32 is known for, and take your writing career to the next level!
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call for submissions: 1.1 Foglifter Online Exclusive: Body Politics
Foglifter
DEADLINE: October 15, 2026
INFO: As Foglifter revitalizes our website and digital production, we are interested in creating and holding space for works that may not fit within the constraints of our print edition. We are now accepting submissions for our new Online Exclusive Issue dedicated to showcasing queer voices across a wide spectrum of creative forms.
As always, we are seeking art that aligns with our mission of promoting queer, transgressive, and original work. The themes will change from issue to issue. For 1.1, our theme is Body Politics. Bodies are sites of power, protest, pleasure, oppression, transformation, and resistance. They are legislated, labeled, liberated, and loved. In a world where bodies are constantly scrutinized, marginalized, and controlled—especially queer, trans, fat, disabled, racialized, and reproductive bodies—we want to create a space for work that responds, reclaims, and reimagines.
Please submit work that engages with themes that may include gender expression and transition, reproductive justice, disability and chronic illness, surveillance and censorship, body modification culture, fat liberation and anti-ableism, queer desire and sexuality, the racialized body, and performance and protest. We invite works that grapple with the political, personal, and cultural dimensions of the queer body.
Pieces must be original, unpublished work in genres including, but not limited to: poetry, fiction, nonfiction, drama, comics, visual art, scripts, and multimedia (video, audio, music, interactive pieces, experimental work, etc.) that align with the current issue’s theme.
This online exclusive issue will be published as a winter issue on our website. We’re especially interested in pieces that experiment with form, push boundaries, and reflect the complexity, joy, rage, beauty, and multiplicity of the queer experience.
WHY ONLINE EXCLUSIVE?
Our print publication has limits—page counts, dimensions, ink. This digital issue is a space without borders. We want to uplift work that can’t—or won’t—fit in print: multimedia projects, audio pieces, visual art, and performance pieces that demand to be seen and heard in digital space.
GENERAL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
We accept only first rights to publication.
We do accept simultaneous submissions, however please withdraw pieces that have been accepted elsewhere.
Please include a short bio, description of your work, any past publications, and applicable trigger warnings in your cover letter.
Visual and [multi]media work must be web-viewable—please include links or uploads through Submittable and include content warnings if applicable
GENRE SPECIFIC GUIDELINES:
Please submit up to 5 pieces
For video and audio submissions, please limit to 5 minutes
We accept art created via all mediums (except AI -- no AI art submissions). This includes, but is not limited to, photography, painting, digital, ink, pencil, collage, etc.
Acceptable file types: .jpg, .jpeg, .gif, .tif, .tiff, .png, .svg, .pdf, .doc, .docx, .txt, .rtf, .odt, .mp3, .m4a, .wav, .mp4, .mov, .avi, .mpg, .3gp, .wmv
All applicable artworks submitted will be considered for cover art for the online exclusive issue
We love experimental work, feel free to submit hybrid forms that blend genres
For grant purposes, we cannot consider submissions that do not include a completed demographic survey with their submission
Foglifter aims to reflect the vibrant diversity of the LGBTQ+ literary community in our award-winning journal. Fill out our anonymized Demographics Survey to be considered for publication—then take a screenshot of the thank-you screen at the end and attach it along with your submission.
foglifter.submittable.com/submit
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Art Omi: Writers Residency
Art Omi
DEADLINE: October 15, 2025
INFO: Art Omi: Writers hosts authors and translators from around the world for residencies throughout the spring and fall. The program’s strong international emphasis provides exposure for global literary voices and reflects the spirit of cultural exchange that is essential to Art Omi’s mission.
Guests select a residency of approximately one month in either the spring or autumn, with ten writers at a time gathering to live and work in a rural setting overlooking the Catskill Mountains. Daytime is reserved for writing and quiet activities, while evenings are more communal. A program of weekly visits brings guests from the New York publishing community. Noted editors, agents, and book scouts are invited to share dinner and conversation on both creative and practical subjects, offering insight into the workings of the publishing industry, and introductions to some of its key professionals. Readings throughout the year invite the public to experience finished and in-process work by writers and translators in residence.
Art Omi: Writers welcomes published writers and translators of every type of literature. All text-based projects—fiction, nonfiction, theater, film, poetry, etc.—are eligible. International, cultural, and creative exchange is a foundation of our mission, and a wide distribution of national background is an important part of our selection process.
All residencies are fully funded with accommodations, food, local transport, and public programming provided. However, please note that Art Omi: Writers does not provide travel funds. We have some limited travel funds available for those who find it a barrier to participating in the program, reviewed on a case-by-case basis. Please contact Emma Ramadan, Art Omi: Writers Residency Program Director, at eramadan@artomi.org for more details.
Notable alumni include:
Joseph O'Neill author of Netherland, which won the Pen/Faulkner Award
Aleksander Hemon, author of The Question of Bruno, recipient of a "genius grant" from the MacArthur Foundation
Gary Shteyngart, bestselling author of The Russian Debutante's Handbook, Absurdistan, and Super Sad True Love Story
Susan Choi, bestselling author of American Woman and inaugural recipient of the PEN/W.G. Sebald Award.
Goce Smilevski, author of Freud's Sister, which won the European Union Prize for Literature
Jan Brandt, bestselling author of Gegen Die Welt (Against the World)
Buket Uzuner, international bestselling author of Istanbulians
James Hannaham, author of Delicious Foods, which won the PEN/Faulkner Award and the Hurston-Wright Award.
Colum McCann, author of Let the Great World Spin which won the National Book Award
Kiran Desai, bestselling author of Inheritance of Loss, which won the Man Booker Prize
Shehan Karunatilaka, author of Chinaman: The Legend of Pradeep Matthew, which won the Commonwealth Prize
Mikhail Shishkin, bestselling author of The Taking of Izmail, which won the Russian Booker Prize
TRANSLATION LAB:
In September Art Omi: Writers hosts an annual Translation Lab, in which English language translators are invited to work alongside the writers whose work they translate. The focused residency provides an integral stage of refinement, allowing translators to dialogue with the writers about text-specific questions.
Following in the tradition of the Art Omi: Writers residency as started by Heinrich Maria Ledig-Rowohlt, the Translation Lab emphasizes translation as a means towards cultural exchange. It serves as an essential community builder for English language translators who are working to increase the amount of international literature available to American readers, as it is currently estimated that less than three percent of all books published in the United States are translated works.
The residency is a rare and unique opportunity for writers and their translators to work together, considering that most writers never meet their translators in person. All text-based projects—fiction, nonfiction, theater, film, poetry, etc.—are eligible.
ACCOMODATIONS + FACILITIES:
Art Omi is located two and a half hours north of New York City in the historic Hudson River Valley. Named for the hamlet of Omi, which is within the town of Ghent, New York, Art Omi is also near to Albany and Hudson, which offer train connections thirty or fifteen minutes' drive from campus, respectively.
The facilities, situated on three hundred acres of open land, include a large two-story barn with indoor studios; contemporary residence buildings designed with a vernacular reference to local barns, surrounded by abundant perennial beds, expansive lawns dotted with fruit trees, adjacent to The Sculpture and Architecture Park. Residents receive private bedroom accommodations with shared bathrooms and common areas.
A Federal Period farm house serves as a gathering center, providing a full kitchen and library; while the front porch overlooks rolling hills and the majestic outline of the Catskill Range. A swimming pool, bicycles, WiFi access and a computer with printing capability is available on the premises.
Columbia County, and the nearby Berkshire Mountains, are popular destinations because of their historical, natural and cultural riches. From bird sanctuaries to modern dance, presidential mansions to farmer’s markets, the environs offer a singular blend of rural quiet and cultural stimulation. Staff and friends in the neighborhood are often available for excursions of interest to residents. The local library has a modest collection, but is a member of the Mid-Hudson group, calling on the resources of libraries within much of eastern New York.
TIMELINE:
Decision Notification: January 2026
RESIDENCY DATES:
Art Omi: Writers 2026 takes place over four sessions, two in the Spring and two in the Autumn.
SPRING 2026
Spring Session One: Wednesday, April 1–Monday, April 27
Spring Session Two: Thursday, April 30–Tuesday, May 26
AUTUMN 2026
Session One: Thursday, September 24–Thursday, October 15
Session Two: Wednesday, October 21–Wednesday, November 18
Art Omi: Translation Lab 2026 takes place from Wednesday, September 9–Monday, September 21. Please note, a separate open call only for Translation Lab will run in early 2026.
artomi.org/residencies/writers/
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CALL FOR FILMS: ATLANTA FILM FESTIVAL
Atlanta Film Festival
DEADLINES / FEES:
Late: October 17, 2025
Extended: November 7, 2025
FEES: Fees are based on category and deadline. Please visit the website for more info
INFO: The Atlanta Film Festival (ATLFF) is the area’s preeminent celebration of cinema. Our 11-day festival presents over 120 films from all over the world, representing 110+ countries, selected from over 6,000 submissions. Each year, 90%+ of ATLFF’s program is composed of submitted films. ATLFF actively strives to provide a diverse slate of programming with spotlights on filmmakers of color, LGBTQ+ films, women and gender non-conforming filmmakers, and filmmakers from the Georgia. For the 2024 festival, 49% of the program selected from submissions was directed by women and gender nonconforming directors and 59% by BIPOC directors, as well as 24% of selected films coming from Georgia filmmakers.
In addition, each year ATLFF seeks to program a variety of genres and film styles including (but not limited to): experimental films, music videos, comedies, horror and sci-fi, virtual reality, food films, and puppetry films.
ATLFF has been named a “Top 50 Festival Worth the Entry Fee” and one of the “25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World” by MovieMaker magazine, and has been recognized as a Best Film Festival by Creative Loafing, Sunday Paper, USA Today 10 Best, and Atlanta Magazine, as well as the Best Spring Festival by the Atlanta Journal Constitution.
ATLFF’s continued exposure is in part thanks to growing distributor and press attention. Recent distributor attendance includes A24, Paramount, Netflix, Lionsgate, Focus Features, The Orchard/1091 Media, Magnolia, Bleecker Street, The Film Collaborative, Participant Media, Archer Gray, Kino Lorber, XLrator Media, CNN, HBO, Showtime, AMC, Sundance TV, Warner Media, NBC Universal, Filmstruck, Kickstarter, Seed & Spark, Vimeo, and MUBI.
Now in its eighth year, our Georgia Film Award has grown into two juried awards – Georgia Feature Award and Georgia Short Award to further celebrate and recognize the outstanding work of filmmakers in our community. Films made by Georgia-based directors and submitted to either feature film category or short category in Narrative, Documentary, or Animation will be eligible for consideration for the appropriate category upon inclusion in the festival. Georgia film submissions are also considered for non-Georgia competition categories as applicable.
Georgia filmmakers may submit with a discounted submission fee for projects that were both shot in Georgia and come from a director with a current Georgia address. Projects that meet both qualifications can submit at a discount. To obtain the discount code, applicants will need to email GA@atlantafilmfestival before submitting with the following information: the city the director resides in and where in GA the film was shot. Films that are not live-action are also eligible for the discount if the director resides in the state and partially produced the film in Georgia.
AWARDS + PRIZES:
Over $100,000 in combined cash and prizes for have been given for awards in the following categories year to year:
The winners of Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature, and the Georgia Feature Award receive a rental credit from the Atlanta Film Society's own annual credit donated by the Plaza Theatre to perform a week-long Oscar Qualifying Theatrical run at the Plaza Theatre (up to a $6,500 value each).
Best Narrative Feature ($1,500 cash prize + theatrical run prize)
Best Documentary Feature ($1,500 cash prize + theatrical run prize)
Best Narrative Short ($750 cash prize)
Best Documentary Short ($750 cash prize)
Best Animated Short ($750 cash prize)
Best Cinematography ($90,000 value in camera and post rental/services)
Georgia Feature Award ($1,500 cash prize + theatrical run prize)
Georgia Short Award ($750 cash prize)
*Additional prizes may be announced. Current award categories and prizes are subject to change.
ACADEMY-QUALIFICATION: The winners of Best Narrative Short, Best Documentary Short, and Best Animated Short all qualify for the following year’s Academy Awards in their respective categories.
ATLFF juries are composed of filmmakers, film critics, academics and industry figures. Recent jurors have included Academy Award-nominated filmmakers and representatives from The Los Angeles Times, Indiewire, TIME, Adult Swim, VICE, Vimeo, NPR, Film Independent, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Seed and Spark, Music Box, NEON, Oscilloscope Laboratories, IFC Films, Factory 25, MEMORY, and MUBI.
Films competing in juried categories are chosen solely at the discretion of the ATLFF programming team. Acceptance to the festival does not guarantee placement in competition. Films are not programmed in or out of competition, as competition status is determined once the full program has been locked.
All officially selected features and short films will be eligible for our Audience Awards. In addition to the juried prizes listed above, ATLFF also awards prizes in a variety of non-juried categories. While they vary from year to year, recent non-juried prizes have included Programmer Awards, the Filmmaker-to-Watch Award, and the Southern Documentary Fund Award. All official selections that meet the guidelines of these non-juried competitions, in a year when they are being presented, will be eligible.
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FOX Writers Incubator
FOX Entertainment
DEADLINE: October 27, 2025
INFO: The FOX Entertainment Writers Incubator is a highly selective initiative designed to nurture and provide training to four (4) writers of all genres (comedy, drama, animation, etc.) who have unique voices, backgrounds and life experiences. Writers will have a chance to work intensively on their scripts with the support of established writers, executives, directors and producers, as well as receive a while receiving a stipend for the duration of the program. The initiative offers trained writers a rigorous three-month workshop focused on rewriting their material, honing writing skills, and exploring the business of media and entertainment. Upon successful completion of the FOX Entertainment Writers Incubator, writers will receive priority in staffing meetings on FOX television shows.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS:
Applications will be accepted through October 27th or when we receive 1000 applications. To apply, you will need the following:
One (1) original episodic pilot script in PDF format (anything that is not an episodic pilot script will be disqualified)
Resume in PDF format
Bio
Personal statement
Script synopsis (750 words or less)
Script genre (drama, comedy, animation)
Logline (75 words or less)
2 additional original loglines of unproduced material
Contact details for 2 references
Completed submission of material agreement
Completed agreement letter
Candidates for the FOX Entertainment Writers Incubator should submit their materials no later than 11:59 PM PT on October 27th. If you have any questions, please email FWI@fox.com.
DISCLAIMER:
Note: FOX Entertainment makes no representation that selected participants will be offered or entitled to employment with FOX Entertainment upon completion of their participation in FWI. In addition, participants will not be entitled to and will not receive any wages or financial benefits as compensation for their time spent as a participant in the program.
FWI is an educational program and selected participants will receive training similar to that which would be provided in a writing seminar or similar vocational program.
FWI is for the benefit of the selected participants.
Selected participants will not be involved in the actual operation of FOX Entertainment’s businesses and selected participants will not displace regular FOX Entertainment employees; rather, selected participants will receive training, mentorship and supervision from FOX Entertainment’s regular employees.
FOX Entertainment will not derive any immediate advantage from a selected participant’s participation in FWI and, at times, FOX’s operations may actually be impeded.
Participants selected for FWI will not be entitled to and will not receive any wages, remuneration or financial benefits as compensation for their time spent as a participant in FWI.
foxcareers.com/Programs/WritersIncubator
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A Film Grant
WFCN / AFilmGuild
DEADLINE: October 31, 2025
ENTRY FEE: $35 (includes your application, event access, and a ticket to the premiere screening of the winner’s film)
INFO: We’re investing in the next wave of storytellers. One filmmaker will win a $5,000 grant to bring their vision to life, with two additional awards for outstanding creativity.
OUR MISSION: AFilmGuild exists to empower underrepresented voices and bold storytellers, creating a platform where independent cinema can thrive.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
A night of networking & collaboration with filmmakers, producers, and creatives.
Bar available to keep the conversations flowing.
Celebrate independent cinema, connect with peers, and most importantly, get your story funded.
AWARDS + PRIZES:
AFilmGuild Grant Awards
First Place – $5,000 + Team Support
• Cash prize: $5,000
• Access to A Film Guild production team for guidance, mentorship, or on-set assistance.
• Opportunity to have your project featured at our next screening or festival.
Second Place – Producing Support
• Hands-on producing guidance from our experienced team.
• Budgeting, scheduling, and resource planning assistance to help bring your project to life.
• Optional consultation sessions with industry mentors.
Third Place – G&E (Grip & Electric) Support
• Technical assistance from our crew in lighting, camera setups, and on-set operations.
• Access to equipment and crew for your project shoot.
• Practical support to make your production more professional and efficient.
RULES + TERMS:
AFilmGuild Grant – Rules & Terms Framework
1. Eligibility
• Open to filmmakers of any experience level.
• Entrants must be 18+ (or have parental consent if under 18).
• Individual or team submissions accepted.
2. Submission Requirements
• Complete entry form including project synopsis, team bios, and contact info.
• Work must be original and fully owned by the submitting team.
• Submission deadline: October 31st 2025. Late entries will not be accepted.
3. Grant Awards
• 1st Place: $5,000 cash + team support from A Film Guild
• 2nd Place: Producing support (mentorship, guidance, consultation sessions)
• 3rd Place: Grip & Electric (G&E) support (crew assistance, equipment access)
Note: Support services are subject to availability and coordination with the guild’s schedule.
4. Credits
• All grant-winning projects must credit AFilmGuild as Executive Producer.
• Credit should appear in opening or closing titles as:
“Executive Producer: AFilmGuild”
• All other creative credits remain with the original team.
5. Usage & Rights
• Entrants retain copyright of their work.
• By submitting, participants grant A Film Guild the right to use excerpts for promotional purposes (social media, press, event recaps).
6. Selection Process
• Winners determined by a panel of judges chosen by A Film Guild.
• Judges’ decisions are final.
• Attempts to influence judging will result in disqualification.
7. General Terms
• Grant funds and services are non-transferable and must be used for the submitted project.
• Winners may be required to sign a formal agreement before receiving funds or services.
• AFilmGuild reserves the right to cancel or modify the grant if necessary.
• By submitting, entrants agree to all rules and terms.
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Women Directing Mentorship
SeriesFest / Shondaland
DEADLINE / FEES:
Regular: October 31, 2025 ($50)
Final: December 18, 2025 ($75)
INFO: SeriesFest and Shondaland are honored to partner on our seventh cycle of the Women Directing Mentorship: A competition designed to discover aspiring female directors with unique voices and provide a launchpad for their careers. Founded in 2019, The Women Directing Mentorship is anchored by the prestigious opportunity to shadow a director on an episode of a Shondaland original series.
PRIZE
The director selected as the Winner for Cycle 7 (2026) will shadow a director for an episode of a Shondaland production.
ENTRY MATERIALS:
Complete our application that includes the following:
Work Sample - A short film or a feature
Personal Introduction Video - 3–5 minute video introducing yourself, your unique voice and style, and why you think you’re the right fit for the Women Directing Mentorship. Be creative! (see examples below)
Reel - Reel under 15 minutes or a short film showcasing your directing work. This reel can include student work.
CV/Resume
Entry Fee (see above)
Please note, entry materials will not be returned. Clips of (or full) Personal Introduction Videos may be used to market this or future Women Directing Mentorship cycles.
ELIGIBILITY:
To qualify, you must have 3 years of professional experience (in any professional role, not just Director). This can include having experience directing independent shorts, series, and films.
Applicants who have previously directed a network series are ineligible.
Must be 21+ years of age.
Applicants should to be based in the United States or the United Kingdom
seriesfest.com/women-directing-mentorship/
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2026 Writers Room
Black Creatives Social Club
DEADLINE: November 2, 2025
INFO: Apply to join the next cohort of the Black Creatives Social Club Writers’ Room, an 8-week virtual program designed to help Black creatives develop their TV Pilots or Feature scripts through accountability, collaboration, and community. Join a community that’s forging the next generation of screenwriters telling their stories & creating their own opportunities!
REQUIREMENTS:
You must be 18+ to apply.
All applicants must be based in located in a state that is either East Coast (EST) or Midwest (CT).
All sessions are virtual and held in Eastern Standard Time (EST).
Cohort dates Tues, January 20th - Tues, March 10th from 7-9 PM EST (Subject to change)
You must have a logline + synopsis ready to be considered.
You must submit a writing sample to be considered.
All final cohort members will sign an NDA agreement to protect your intellectual property.
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdWNoYxVSN7PBdfVI_NXyse9Q_x70YmAU_p92JAH_5ueklGWw/viewform
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WIF | THE BLACK LIST EPISODIC LAB 2026
Women In Film / The Black List
DEADLINE: November 3, 2025
INFO: Achieving equitable cultural representation within our media narratives requires a representative number of skilled storytellers. The Episodic Lab, held in partnership with key collaborator and industry benchmarker The Black List, is designed to equip new television writers with the knowledge to build and sustain their careers. This program provides participants with support in craft, professional development, and networking toward advancing their livelihoods.
The Episodic Lab selects six to eight TV writers each year and runs for four weeks, with sessions including script development, pitching, a mock writers’ room, and roundtables with established writers and industry executives. Additionally, throughout the year, participants attend events and screenings that further expose them to the realities of life as professional writers.
Episodic Lab advisors and master class teachers have included writers from series including “Grey’s Anatomy,””Ted Lasso,”“Mr. and Mrs. Smith,””P Valley,”“Mindhunter,””High Potential,””The Vampire Diares,””The Walking Dead,””Outer Range,””Loot,””Snowfall,””Reboot, ””Chucky,” and many more.
All participants of the 2026 Episodic Lab will also become 2026 WIF Fellows, receiving an additional year of support.
EPISODIC LAB REQUIREMENTS:
IMPORTANT: Please note that applicants can apply through either WIF or The Black List, however, instructions are different for each platform.
To be eligible to apply through WIF:
You must be the sole and exclusive author of the television pilot submitted for consideration. Writing teams are eligible.
You cannot have received more than $25K in aggregate to date as compensation for television writing work.
You must be based in Los Angeles.
You must be available for in-person evening and weekend sessions during the month of March 2026.
WIF members can apply for membership rates, and non-members can apply for $40 per application.
Through WIF, applicants can submit up to three scripts. Each script must be submitted through its own application, so fees and/or waivers are applicable per script.
IMPORTANT DATES:
November 3, 2025 – Applications close
January 16, 2026 – Short list applicants notified of status
Week of February 9, 2026 – Interviews
Week of February 16, 2026 – All applicants notified of status
March 3, 2026 — Episodic Lab begins
If you’d like to review the application before applying, you can find a PDF version linked here.
For Black List instructions or any other Black List questions, please click here or contact SUPPORT@BLCKLST.COM.
womeninfilm.org/programs/writing/
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Julia S. Gouw Short Film Challenge
CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) / Janet Yang Productions
DEADLINE: November 7, 2025 at 11:59pm PT
APPLICATION FEE: $25
INFO: In 2022, CAPE joined forces with Janet Yang Productions to form the Julia S. Gouw Short Film Challenge to provide short film production grants to four filmmakers in an effort to support Asian and Pacific Islander Women and Non-Binary filmmakers and their stories. The grant is supported and named after philanthropist Julia S. Gouw with additional support from Asian Women Leadership in Philanthropy Fund.
Four grantees are provided with a grant of $25K USD each as well as additional resources to make their short film possible. In addition, the grantees will be offered unparalleled networking opportunities with Emmy Award- and Golden Globe-winning Hollywood producer Janet Yang and the CAPE network as well as access to high-level industry professionals including agents, managers, producers and studio executives and more. The 2025 to 2026 submission cycle with mark a 5 year milestone of the Challenge.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
Your work and and your script should be consistent with CAPE’s mission to champion diversity by educating, empowering, and connecting Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander artists and leaders in entertainment.
Your short film script must feature an Asian or Pacific Islander (Native Hawaiian, Maori, and Pasifika included) female or non-binary protagonist (regardless of age).
Your project may have co-writer(s) and/or co-director(s). However, as the applicant, you must have written the submitted script and must plan to direct the funded short film.
You must be at least 18 years old or older to apply.
You may submit multiple scripts, but each will require a separate application and $25 processing fee each.
Applicants must be authorized to work and have ability to accept paid work in the United States. CAPE does not sponsor or assist with visas or immigration.
Your script must be 15 pages maximum (not including title page).
Your script must be in PDF format and in industry format.
For the application, scripts must be written in English and/or translated in English (if other languages are used).
Narrative live-action and / or animated short film scripts will both be accepted.
Your script must not contain any identifying information (name, email, rep information) on any pages. You may include WGA or copyright registration numbers if you wish, but it is not necessary. Generic watermarks such as “CAPE/JYP” are also allowed.
Your script must be original and you must own all rights to the script free and clear.
Your script must not be under an option and you must have sole authority over changes to the script.
If your short film is at any stage of production, principal photography must not have started before December 9, 2024.
ADDITIONAL PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS:
If awarded the grant, you must produce a short film based on the pre-approved script submitted to the challenge.
Final projects must be no more than 15 minutes in length inclusive of credits.
Participants are not allowed to act in their film under the the Julia S. Gouw Short Film Challenge.
Grantee’s short film can be shot anywhere in the world. (For example, past grantees have shot their short film in India and Philippines.)
capeusa.org/short-film-challenge
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Episodic Program
Sundance Institute
DEADLINE: November 9, 2025
APPLICATION FEE: $50
INFO: The Sundance Institute Episodic Program provides artists with the tools and training to develop their original series and pilot script. Offering one of the few training grounds for independent voices, the program is designed to help creators move their projects and careers forward.
The Sundance Institute Episodic Lab is a six-day program that offers writers the opportunity to workshop a pilot script, while developing their writing. Working with accomplished showrunners, Fellows will participate in one-on-one story meetings, craft workshops, and simulated writers’ rooms. Together, these meetings provide an elevated creative strategy for artists to advance their projects.
ELIGIBILITY:
The Lab is open to international and U.S. participants, subject to international travel guidelines and restrictions. By submitting an application, each Applicant agrees to be bound by these Rules and the decisions of the Selection Advisory Committee, which are final and binding on all matters relating to this Program. The Program is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws.
Additional Eligibility Requirements:
Applicants must be 18 years of age or older at time of application.
The Script must be the Applicant’s original creation or adapted from optioned source material. The Script must be written in the English language.
The Script draft must be revised or new, that is, not previously submitted to any Sundance Institute labs, competitions, grants, or programs; not already produced; not already sold to a third party; and not distributed online or otherwise.
Applicants cannot have already had an episodic project (pilot or pitch) that has been produced by a studio or network in the past.
The Script shall not infringe the copyright or any other proprietary right of another individual or entity. The Applicant is responsible for all rights pertaining to the project (including the Script).
sundance.org/programs/episodic-storytelling
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WINTER RESIDENCY 2026
Velvetpark Media (Brooklyn, NY)
DEADLINE: November 9, 2025 by 11:59pm EST
APPLICATION FEE: $25
INFO: Velvetpark Residency is a project based live-work studio, awarded through a selection process by open application. It is open to LGBTQ+ writers and visual artists to complete a proposed project. Applicants from across the United States are welcome to apply, however, must have a primary residence.
The studio will be awarded bi-yearly, and will alternate between writers Winter/Spring, and visual artists Summer/Fall respectively. This schedule will continue to alternate into the ensuing years.
Velvetpark‘s Residency award is open for for an artists, writers, creators age eighteen and above, who are not enrolled in an academic program. The residency is for a 6 month term, as indicated in application form.
The VP Residency is housed within Crown Studios, an artist building on a floor of eleven working arts professionals in the Crown and Prospect Heights neighborhoods of Brooklyn, New York.
For almost two decades Velvetpark has recognized queer people in the arts, academia and activism, by featuring stories on, by, or about these individuals in the pages of the print magazine and online. It is in the same spirit that our residency program has been launched and expanded to include imaginative and enterprising LGBT+ creators, who need space to support and cultivate their work.
RESIDENCY DATES:
Please note that we will be awarding TWO 3 month terms for our writer residency this year!
Term 1: January 5th – March 30th 2026*
Term 2: April 3rd – June 28th 2026*
*Dates are subject to change.
CHECKLIST:
100 – 250 word, project proposal
– additional .pdf, docx, .doc, .jpg files and supporting materials accepted (limited to 10 mb in size)
Project Outline:
– Provide a detailed outline of what you expect to complete within your 3 month term.
Writers — Work Samples
– Poets, submit up to 15 – 20 pages of poetry
– Prose, 25 – 30 pages of prose
– screenplay/play script, provide 1 – 2 completed works
– additional works accepted via url, to online portfolio or published works
CV/Resume
– should reflect your artistic/creative accomplishments
2 references
– 1 professional reference, who can speak about your work and
– 1 personal reference, who can speak about you personally, your work ethic, values, and any other pertinent information about you.
– provide names and contact; phone/email of these individuals (letters not required).
– finalists’ references will be contacted by selection committee to speak about you.
velvetparkmedia.com/residency/