MESA REFUGE 2027 RESIDENY
Mesa Refuge |đź“ŤPoint Reyes Station, CA
DEADLINE: October 4, 2026 at 11:59pm PST
APPLICATION FEE: $35
INFO: Mesa Refuge brings transformative stories, ideas, and knowledge to the world by supporting a diverse community of writers and activists through residencies at our coastal California retreat. We welcome a diverse group of writers—both emerging and established—who define and/or offer solutions to the pressing issues of our time. Particularly, it is our priority to support writers and activists whose ideas are “on the edge”, taking on issues including (but not limited to): nature, environment and climate crisis; economic, racial and gender equity; social justice, incarceration and restorative justice; immigration; health care access; housing; democracy and more.
We accept all genres, however, we prioritize nonfiction books, long-form journalism, documentary film and podcasts. The potential impact and distribution of your project is also important.
We aim to support a diverse community of writers and welcome applicants that represent a broad spectrum of race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, immigration status, religion or physical ability. We prioritize applications of first time residents. If you are a Mesa Refuge alum, please inquire about Alum Weeks.
APPLICATION: We are a small nonprofit and our application fee of $35 helps underwrite the cost of application review. As an organization committed to equity, however, we do not want the application fee to be a barrier to apply. To request a fee waiver, please email nkansky@mesarefuge.org
The questions on our application are mostly short-answer. We require one writing sample (no longer than 2,000 words or 10 pages), a current resume, headshot photo (horizontally oriented), brief bio and two references (we do not require letters of recommendation). Applicants will be contacted in early 2027.
Please consult our FAQ page to learn more about applications and our facility.
LOGISTICS: Mesa Refuge is located in Point Reyes Station, CA (about 1.5 hours north of San Francisco). Our residencies are two-weeks long and there is no residency fee. Three writers are in residence at a time, living together in a house that has both private and shared spaces. You will need to provide your own transportation to and from the residency and most meals. Additional residency expenses like travel, transportation and food, are your responsibility.
mesarefuge.submittable.com/submit
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2027 FELLOWSHIP
Amplify Arts |đź“ŤOmaha, NE
DEADLINE: October 4, 2026
INFO: Amplify’s Fellowship program champions artists working outside conventional art spaces to investigate the layered civic histories, cultural traditions, and living ecologies that shape our region. Designed to support site-responsive installations, book and publishing projects, films, performances, and other publicly engaged project-based work, the Fellowship provides $10,000 in project support, individualized project mentorship, and feedback in a small cohort-based learning environment.
For the 2027 Fellowship, preference will be given to projects that engage with the theme of Migration by exploring how movement shapes our communities, environments, and collective futures. We welcome project-based work that examines migration not only as the movement of people, but also as the circulation of ideas, languages, labor, waterways, seeds, species, capital, and culture.
We especially encourage projects that invite public participation or engagement. This may take the form of site-responsive installations, performances, workshops, or other shared experiences, as well as the circulation of books, printed matter, films, digital media, archives, or other forms of knowledge. We value projects that create opportunities for people to encounter, contribute to, or engage with ideas in ways that foster dialogue, learning, and reflection outside conventional art spaces.
FELLOWSHIP: The Fellowship is one year beginning in January of 2027 and ending in January of 2028. Fellows are expected to actively participate in all regularly scheduled cohort meetings and contribute to a culture of generosity, curiosity, and shared learning. Prospective applicants should approach this program willing to expand their practice with curiosity and critical feedback from other Fellows and mentors.
Fellows will be paired with mentors from outside the Omaha area early in the program in a matchmaking process that responds to each artist’s questions, methods, and ambitions. Mentors will be selected from a pool of curators, artists, and arts professionals with substantial experience in developing project-based work.
ELIGIBILITY: Any artist, artist collective, or collaborative group maintaining a residence within the Omaha/Council Bluffs Metro Area, including Washington, Douglas, Cass, Sarpy, and Saunders counties in Nebraska, and Pottawattamie, Mills, and Harrison counties in Iowa, is eligible to apply.
Applicants must be at least 19 years old and submit a complete application, including an Artist Statement, Project Description, Project Budget, Work Sample, and Works Cited page to be considered. A formal education is not required to apply.
Collectives and collaborative groups with a significant history of working together are also eligible.
TIMELINE:
September 8, 6:00 pm - 7:00 pm: Virtual Application Information Session
September 15, 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm: Virtual Application Office Hours
September 17, 6:00 pm - 8:00 pm: Virtual Application Office Hours
October 4, 11:59 pm: Application Closes
October 5 - October 18: Application Review
October 19 - October 23: Applicant Interviews
October 30: Application Status Updates Delivered
amplifyarts.org/events-blog/2027-fellowship
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SESAME WORKSHOP WRITERS’ ROOM
Sesame Workshop
DEADLINE: October 5, 2026
INFO: Sesame Workshop Writers’ Room is a writing fellowship from the creators of Sesame Street. And we’re looking for YOU!
Emerging storytellers who are selected to join the Writers’ Room will receive hands-on writing experience guided by Sesame Street veterans and other children’s entertainment and 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!
ABOUT THE PROGRAM:
Up to 6 writers will be selected
Sessions are expected to take place virtually from February 2027 to June 2027.
Learn from industry writers, producers, agents and executives
Learn and complete all steps of creating an original pilot episode script
Learn and complete all steps of creating a 3-5 minute speculative script based on Sesame Street
Includes 8 three-hour instructive sessions with an accomplished industry professional, 3 one-hour mentoring sessions with Sesame Street writer, and 15 one-hour office hours sessions on creating original children’s content.
Up to two writers will have the exciting opportunity to see their script brought to life in a live table read featuring Sesame Street performers
APPLICATION CHECK LIST:
Application form: Application must be submitted by October 5th, 2026 12PM EST. Applications for the 2027 Fellowship Program will open on Monday, September 7th, 2026.
Original script sample: 12-page maximum; should NOT contain Sesame Street elements, characters, or intellectual property; can be an excerpt from a larger piece wholly written by the applicant; must model a 3 act story structure; and 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! Please submit only one script with your initial application. If you advance to the second round, you may receive an email with instructions on submitting a second script sample at that time.
Resumes: 2-page maximum. Anything longer will be disqualified.
More info on your script: what’s the bigger picture/idea of your script sample? (up to 100 words)
Personal statement: tell us about yourself, for example, why you want to write for children’s educational media, and how your lived experiences influence the stories you want to tell in children’s media, etc. (up to 250 words)
ELIGIBILITY CHECK LIST:
Participants must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
No extensive media writing experience, such as having written more than six episodes for a produced network or streaming scripted/narrative series
Participants must be 21+ years old
Participants must be able to attend and complete writing assignments for all 11 sessions, and attend the 15 office hours sessions, which will be held virtually from February 2027 to June 2027. The final session and showcase will be held in-person in New York City.
sesameworkshop.org/our-work/fellowships/writers-room
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GREAVES SEMINAR CALL FOR PROPOSALS
BlackStar Projects
DEADLINE: October 5, 2026
INFO: Curators, film programmers, filmmakers, film workers, and film scholars are invited to submit a proposal to present at the seventh BlackStar Greaves Seminar, an annual program for Black, Brown, and Indigenous artists working in cinematic realms, hosted by BlackStar Projects.
Selected proposals will become sessions presented at Stanford University during the 2027 BlackStar Greaves Seminar, scheduled for March 5-7. Travel, accommodation, and a small stipend will be provided, as well as additional program funding as approved for your session.
Please note that if selected, you should be available for the duration of the seminar, March 5-7, 2027.
PROPOSALS: BlackStar Projects welcomes proposals from filmmakers, scholars, critics, and cultural workers interested in holding a workshop, presentation, or performance that explores the technical and creative aspects of media-making. We’ve previously spotlighted artists working in a variety of disciplines related to filmmaking including, but not limited to directing, writing, composing, production design, sound design, animation, editing, accessibility, and more. We also welcome proposals offering a theoretical analysis of film as it relates to craft. Proposals with interactive and/or multimedia components are encouraged.
Examples of past programming can be found here.
SELECTION PROCESS: The BlackStar Programs team will contact shortlisted applicants for an interview and may follow up with additional questions to better understand the scope of the proposal. Applicants will be notified about acceptance by early December 2026.
BlackStar Projects is committed to the principles of equal opportunity at every level without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, marital or familial status, sexual orientation, gender identity characteristics or expression, age, disability, or political affiliation.
For any questions, please contact seminar@blackstarprojects.org.
blackstarprojects.org/seminar/greaves-seminar-call-for-proposals
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Asian+American Storytelling Initiative
The Asian American Foundation
DEADLINE: October 7, 2026 at 11:59pm EDT
INFO: The Asian+American Storytelling Initiative builds on TAAF’s “The United States of Asian+America” by turning the series into a community-powered movement.
We’re looking for filmmakers, journalists, artists, podcasters, animators, and digital creators who want to bring overlooked AAPI figures, moments, and histories to light in an original, short-form digital video project.
Show us your original concepts that challenge the narrative, uncover new perspectives, and cultivate a deep sense of belonging for the 26 million AAPIs who call this country home.
THE PROMPT: How would you tell the story of an overlooked Asian American or Pacific Islander (AAPI) figure, community, or moment that has shaped the American experience?
WHAT WILL YOU RECEIVE? If your proposal is selected, you’ll be equipped with resources to bring your project to life.
FUNDING: You’ll receive a grant to help cover production costs ranging from $5,000 to $10,000.
MENTORSHIP: You’ll have a one-on-one virtual mentorship session with a member of our esteemed selection committee, which includes industry-leading filmmakers, broadcast journalists, and content creators.
PLATFORM: When your project is ready to debut, you’ll receive the full support of TAAF’s social media channels and receive distribution to our national network of partners, reaching leaders and luminaries across the AAPI community.
THE SELECTION PROCESS:
‍We believe in impact-driven storytelling, meaning polished production experience is not a requirement to apply. Our evaluation focuses on three core pillars:
The Story
‍The originality, importance, and depth of your proposed topic‍The Execution
‍Your vision and plan for bringing the project to life‍The Passion
‍Your enthusiasm for telling your proposed story and preserving a piece of history for generations to come
taaf.org/our-work/asian-plus-american-storytelling-initiative
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2027 RESIDENCY SEASON
Djerassi Resident Artist Program
DEADLINE: October 9, 2026
INFO: The Djerassi Resident Artist Program has awarded over 2700+ writers, visual/media artists, composers, choreographers, filmmakers and scientists for the past 43-years the gift of time and space with a one-month residency on our 583-acre ranch in Northern California's Santa Cruz Mountains. All at no cost to the artists.
Applications for Djerassi’s 2027 Residency Season are now open. We anticipate being able to accommodate around 40-45 new artists for the 2027 application period.
Our 4—5 week residency dates are as follows:
Cohort 1: February 16-March 16, 2027
Cohort 2: March 30-April 27, 2027
Cohort 3 // Leonardo@Djerassi: June 22-July 27, 2027
Cohort 4: August 17-September 14, 2027
Cohort 5: October 19-November 16, 2027.
Residencies are awarded competitively, at no cost, to national and international artists and scientists in the disciplines of choreography, literature, film, music composition, visual arts, media arts, and science and technology. Those selected are offered living and studio space for one of the five sessions from mid-February through mid-November.
We welcome applications from emerging, mid-career, and established national and international artists.
Choreography
Film
Literature [all disciplines of writing]
Media Arts
Music Composition
Science & Technology
Visual Arts
djerassi.org/apply/2027residency/
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BIPOC Sci-Fi Screenwriting Lab
Justice for My Sister
DEADLINE: October 12, 2026 at 11:59pm PST
INFO: Justice for My Sister is offering a virtual workshop series for individuals who are Black, Indigenous, and/or POC and interested in telling stories that center our community members as leaders, so that we can imagine ourselves into the future in powerful ways.
The BIPOC Sci-Fi and Speculative Fiction Screenwriting Lab welcomes writers who are interested in developing their first TV pilot. If you are interested in themes such as: Afrofuturism, Indigenous-futurism, recovering ancestral ways, intersectional and interdimensional feminism/womxnism, life beyond gender, land stewardship, people of color saving our planet, and non-dystopian narratives about the next 7 generations, we need your voice and vision. Join our BIPOC Sci-Fi and Speculative Fiction Lab and get the tools you need to craft your TV pilot.
Get training in character development, story structure, writing a pilot, media literacy, world building and writing to expose and diminish the white supremacist, capitalist, heteronormative-patriarchy.
Use the application essays to tell us why YOU are the person to tell the story you’re proposing!
TUITION: Tuition for this 10-week lecture series is $555. We have a limited amount of partial scholarships available.
Those who complete this portion of the fellowship are eligible for continued one-on-one mentorship to polish your script, at no additional cost. Completion of your script will grant you a free two-month listing of your script on The Blklst.
If you have any questions regarding this application, please email us at: outreach@justiceformysister.org
IMPORTANT DATES:
Applications Close: Monday, October 12, 2026 at 11:59 PM PST
Notifications By: Wednesday, October 21, 2026
Welcome + Orientation: Wednesday, October 28, 2026 at 6 PM - 7:00 PM PST
Workshop Schedule: Wednesdays 6 - 9 PM PST
November 4, 2026
November 11, 2026
November 18, 2026
December 2, 2026
December 9, 2026
December 16, 2026
January 6, 2027
January 13, 2027
January 20, 2027 (pitches week 1)
January 27, 2027 (pitches week 2)
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Location: Online - Via Zoom
Fees: Our registration fee is $555, and we have a limited number of partial scholarships and full scholarships. We will determine the distribution of the scholarships during the review panel deliberation.
Questions? Have any questions about our program? Check out our FAQs here, or email us at info@justiceformysister.org
justiceformysister.org/bipocscifiapp2026-1
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2027 Center Fellowship
Center for Art and Advocacy
DEADLINE: October 25, 2026 at 11:59 pm
APPLICATION FEE: $0
INFO: The Center for Art and Advocacy will accept applications from creatives working in visual art, film, music, creative writing, performance, design, and multidisciplinary practices for the 2027 Center Fellowship (formerly Right of Return) from September 15 through October 26, 2025.
The Center's Fellowship, formerly known as Right of Return, is open to directly impacted creatives from every discipline. For the 8th annual cohort, a panel of external reviewers will select six new 2026 Right of Return Fellows from our open-call applicant pool to receive a $20,000 grant, mentorship, and community building opportunities. For the first time ever, one of the six fellowships will be designated to an artist between 18-24 years of age.
ELIGIBILITY: Through our Fellowship, the Center for Art and Advocacy seeks to support directly impacted artists with a demonstrated capacity to advance social change and a clear vision for utilizing their creative practice to end mass incarceration.
More specifically:
Directly impacted artists of all creative disciplines, ages 18 or older at the time of the application. We do not fund organizations or non-profits, only individual artists.
We define the word “artist” in broad terms to include creatives who work in visual art, film, music, creative writing, performance, and multidisciplinary practices.
In the context of this Fellowship, “directly impacted” includes those who have themselves been incarcerated in U.S. prisons, jails, or detention centers. Those who were detained in migrant detention centers must have since attained U.S. citizenship by the time of this application’s opening.
Artists must collaborate with an advocacy organization during the development and/or execution of their proposed project (collaborating organizations do not need to be secured at the time of application and the Center for Art and Advocacy can help connect fellows to advocates).
Artists may be at any stage of their career, with or without formal training.
Projects and applicants must be U.S. based. This includes all 50 states, Washington, DC, and Puerto Rico.
The Center for Art and Advocacy seeks a diverse cohort of fellows with regard to race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, and experience.
TIMELINE:
Applications close: Sunday, October 25, 2026 11:59 PM
Public announcement of cohort - Tuesday, January 12, 2027
centerforartandadvocacy.submittable.com/submit
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SHORE SCRIPTS SHORT FILM FUND
Shore Scripts
DEADLINES: October 30, 2026
INFO: The 2026 Fall Season of the Shore Scripts Short Film Fund will award a $15,000 cash production grant to one short script and $4,000 cash in finishing funds to one short film in post-production.
The Short Film Fund offers an opportunity for emerging screenwriters and filmmakers to receive much-needed financial support to get their work produced and distributed. Our partnerships with ARRI Rental, Oscar-nominated producer Maria Gracia Turgeon, and Tribeca short film programmer Kimberley Browning elevate the films that come through our Fund with free camera equipment, mentorship, and film festival strategy.
Many of our 28 previously funded short films have screened at some of the top film festivals in the world, including Sundance, Tribeca, BFI London, Austin, Cannes, Encounters, and Palm Springs. One even won a BAFTA! Several of those writers and writer/directors have gone on to gain representation, sell screenplays, get staffed on Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, & BBC shows, and develop their shorts into features and TV shows.
SUMMARY OF BENEFITS:
The Grand Prize Winner will receive a cash production grant of $15,000, free camera equipment rental from ARRI Rental for the duration of production, and support from Shore Scripts from development to distribution.
The Finishing Funds Winner will receive a cash grant of $4,000 in finishing funds for a short film currently in post-production, and support from Shore Scripts through post-production and distribution.
Both Winners will connect with two-time Oscar-nominated producer MARIA GRACIA TURGEON for project and career guidance, receive a film festival strategy package from Tribeca programmer KIMBERLEY BROWNING, and have the opportunity to have their completed films circulated to select members of our Industry Roster.
Top 5 Finalists (production grant) will receive feedback on their script from one of our esteemed Judges.
Top 15 Finalists (production grant) will have the opportunity to have their scripts circulated to select members of our Directors Roster.
Finalists (finishing funds) will receive feedback on the rough cut of their film from one of our esteemed Judges.
shorescripts.com/shortfilmfund/
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2026 Moondancer Fellowship for Environmental and Nature Writers
Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow |📍Eureka Springs, AR
DEADLINE: October 31, 2026 at 11:59 pm CST
INFO: The Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow is pleased to announce the official opening of applications for the 2026 Moondancer Fellowship. Designed for authors who express their passion for the natural world and address vital environmental issues through their work, this fellowship supports poets, fiction writers, playwrights, screenwriters, essayists, memoirists, and columnists alike. Prior publication is not required. Applicants will be evaluated on insight, honesty, literary merit, and the potential for future publication or production.
The Moondancer Fellowship is made possible through the generous sponsorship of the late Elise Roenigk, a longtime WCDH board member, given in loving memory of her husband, Marty Roenigk. WCDH is honored to carry their legacy forward through the writers this fellowship supports.
The selected fellow will receive a complimentary two-week stay at The Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow in Eureka Springs, Arkansas, allowing uninterrupted focus on their writing project. Travel to and from Eureka Springs is the responsibility of the fellow. Each private suite provides a peaceful atmosphere complete with a bedroom, private bathroom, separate writing space, and high-speed wireless internet. Fellows enjoy a supportive creative environment with dinners prepared six nights a week, access to a fully stocked community kitchen, and the opportunity to connect with a community of fellow professional writers.
APPLICATION DETAILS + TIMELINE:
Applications close: October 31, 2026 at 11:59 PM CST
Application requirements: A writing sample proposing one distinct project, plus a non-refundable $35 application fee. Writers submitting multiple projects must complete a separate application for each proposal.
Judging period: November – December 2026
Winner announced: December 2026
Residency must be completed within one year of the award announcement.
writerscolony.org/scholarships-fellowships/fellowships-current-past/
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WOMEN DIRECTING MENTORSHIP
SeriesFest x Shondaland
DEADLINES / FEES: November 1, 2026
INFO: SeriesFest and Shondaland are honored to partner on our eighth 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.
The 2027 winner will be announced at the thirteenth annual SeriesFest in Denver, Colorado! Creatives and the Television Industry will gather from around the world at SeriesFest: Season 13 to celebrate the impact of the Women’s Directing Mentorship Program during the annual festival.
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.
No directing teams will be considered. We encourage you to apply individually.
ENTRY MATERIALS:
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
PRIZE: The director selected for the Grand Prize will shadow a director for an episode of a Shondaland production. The cycle 8 winner and semi-finalists will receive an all-access badge to SeriesFest: Season 13 in 2027.
SeriesFest and Shondaland are committed to amplifying the finalists and recipient through editorial features, social media, and national press opportunities. Explore examples of media coverage on Variety, Forbes, Indiewire and more here and on SeriesFest.com and Shondaland.com.
If your work is selected, you must fulfill the following requirements by the date(s) designated by SeriesFest:
(1) You must execute a release agreement wherein you:
Indemnify and hold harmless SeriesFest, LLC, its parent company, its affiliates, and subsidiaries and any of their respective directors, officers, employees, and representatives against any claim arising out of exhibition of your film at SeriesFest.
(2) Agree to participate in a reasonable number of customary promotional and publicity activities [including press junkets, telephone interviews, sending press packages, and public appearances to promote the SeriesFest]
(3) You own the project IP and have the rights to any affiliated source material
seriesfest.com/women-directing-mentorship/
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Roots & Resilience Artist Grant (WINTER 2026)
The Doan Foundation
DEADLINE: November 1, 2026
INFO: The Doan Foundation is launching the third round of the Roots & Resilience Artist Grant.
This grant is designed to support artists, photographers, filmmakers, graphic designers, dancers, and other creatives from Southern California whose work explores themes of cultural heritage, community strength, and resilience. Selected recipients will receive $1,000 to bring their projects to life.
This is a project-based grant. Proposals must outline a clear project, its purpose, and its intended impact. This program is not for school tuition, general career funding, or unrelated personal expenses.
docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScxBT27-Y9Fs_Fa5IRFNtehpxmdUqICEqIb3Z_O7uX8fIsljA/viewform