Studios, producers, executives, agents, and managers are always looking for the next great up and coming screenwriter. One of the best ways they find them is through screenwriting fellowships. The best screenwriting fellowships are a win win. They allow writers to develop their scripts while also gaining access to various execs and producers that can carry their career forward. Studios win because they are able to attract the best writers to their programs, potentially hire them, and/or produce their work they’ve developed in the program. So, what are the best screenwriting fellowships to apply to? Let’s find out.Â
BEST SCREENWRITING FELLOWSHIPS
Academy Nicholl Fellowship
Tips for Applying to the Nicholl Fellowship in Screenwriting
The Academy Nicholl Fellowship is one of the best screenwriting fellowships for new, up and coming screenwriters. The Academy selects up to 5 screenwriters with a fellowship of $35,000.
In addition to the cash award, winning writers participate in seminars and ceremonies during the award week. The opportunity is in the networking as winners can rub shoulders with producers, directors, and other talent.
Winners are expected to complete at least one feature film script during the Fellowship year.
This has led to a number of successful careers such as that of director Destin Cretton. After winning in 2010, Cretton went on to directing Short Term 12, The Glass Castle, and more recently Just Mercy, to much critical acclaim.
Academy Nicholl Fellowship
How To Apply
To apply, you must complete an online application and submit a script with a length of 70 to 160 pages. Scripts go through four judging rounds. Winners are announced in September.
Best screenwriting fellowships
Sundance Screenwriters Lab
Sundance Institute • Best screenwriting fellowships
When it comes to script writing fellowships that produce and support indie filmmakers, the Sundance Screenwriters Lab ranks among the best. 15 screenwriters are chosen to partake in a five day workshop and writing lab in Utah. Applications for the Sundance Screenwriters Lab are open to any screenwriter who is working on their first or second feature film.
Sundance Screenwriters Lab Feature Film Program
How To Apply
To apply, you can submit a maximum of three projects through separate applications each costing $40.
Best screenwriting fellowships
ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship
Screencraft screenwriting fellowship
Great screenwriters need to be connected with great producers, directors, managers, and agents. The Screencraft Screenwriting Fellowship aims to do exactly that. The all-expenses paid week-long fellowship in Los Angeles will connect writers to execs and Oscar-winning writers. Relationships are also formed with past Screencraft Fellowship winners for ongoing mentorships.
ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship
How To Apply
Applying to the fellowship is as simple as submitting a feature film or pilot script with an optional cover letter.
Best screenwriting fellowships
Universal Screenwriting Fellowship
Universal Screenwriting Fellowship
The Universal Writers Program aims to find up-and-coming writers with various points of view. The fellowship is also the only program sanctioned by the Writers Guild of America West and prides itself on its effort for inclusion of writers from all walks of life.
The program lasts one year and develops its screenwriters into full-time writers in the industry. Throughout the year-long program, writers will complete two feature length screenplays.
Universal Writers Program
How To Apply
To apply, you must submit one feature length screenplay and one treatment for another project. There is no application fee, both script and treatment must be registered with the WGA which costs $20.
Best screenwriting fellowships
Warner Bros Writing Workshop
WB writers workshop
The Warner Bros Writing Workshop is one of the longest running script writing fellowships on this list starting over 40 years ago. The program selects up to 8 writers to partake in a program that lasts from Oct. through Mar.
Ultimately, the WB Writers Workshop aims to develop writers and ultimately have them earn a staff writer position on a TV show produced by Warner Bros.
Warner Bros Writing Workshop
How To Apply
To apply, writers must submit a resume, personal statement, and a spec script of either a comedy or drama from Warner Bros approved list of shows.
Best screenwriting fellowships
CBS WRITERS MENTORING PROGRAM
CBS Writers Mentoring Program
If you’re looking for a fellowship where you can learn from screenwriters already working in the industry then you’ll want to apply to the CBS Writers Mentoring Program. The program has produced over 75 writers’ careers.
The program has two segments. The first is an eight-month program in which writers meet with their mentors and peers to develop their ideas. The second part is a sixteen-week workshop in which writers connect with execs, potential producers and agents.
CBS WRITERS MENTORING PROGRAM
How To Apply
To apply to the mentorship program, you will need to submit two writing samples. These samples can be one of the following: a pilot script, spec script, stage play, or short fiction story. The program highly encourages writers of diverse and/or underrepresented backgrounds to apply.
Best screenwriting fellowships
WarnerMedia Access Writing Program
WarnerMedia Access Writing Program
The WarnerMedia Access Writing Program, formerly known as the HBO Access Writers Program, is geared toward ambitious television writers. The eight writers selected for the fellowship begin by partaking in a writing master class based in Santa Monica. After the masterclass, writers participate in an eight-month development process for a pilot script.
During these eight months, HBO execs will help writers develop their scripts and tackle things like plot problems, character development, getting representation, and marketing their television show. The Warner Media Access Writing Program happens every two years giving writers time to create their submission sample scripts.
WarnerMedia Access Writing Program
How To Apply
To be eligible to apply, you must be 18 or older, have the right to work in the US, must have not been on more than one TV show staff. WarnerMedia also highly encourages writers from underrepresented backgrounds to apply.
Best screenwriting fellowships
Walt Disney Screenwriting Fellowship
Walt Disney Screenwriting Fellowship
Script writing fellowships can be an incredible opportunity to hone your writing skills and develop your scripts. However, not all compensate writers financially in the way that the Disney ABC program does. Selected writers of the program are paid a weekly salary of $981.54 or $50,000 annualized. The program lasts one year and has produced successful writers that have gone on to write for shows like Mad Men, Breaking Bad, and Chicago Fire.
The program aims to staff writers on a Walt Disney Television series as a staff writer. The first month of the program is designed to educate and prepare writers to work as a staff writer throughout their one year fellowship. Writers will also meet and have access to various producers, execs and representatives to develop a lasting network. The ultimate goal is to produce writers that will be valuable assets to WDT writers’ rooms.
WarnerMedia Access Writing Program
How To Apply
The annual submission period for the Writing Program opens during the month of May. Specific dates vary year to year.
Best screenwriting fellowships
ANNUAL BLACK LIST FEATURE LAB
Black List Feature Lab • Best screenwriting fellowships
The Black List Feature Lab selects up to 6-8 writers for a month-long writers workshop. Throughout the workshop, writers will develop a feature length screenplay. Screenwriting mentors will work with writers through one on one meetings to get writers’ screenplays to a place where it can be presented to execs, producers, agents and managers.
ANNUAL BLACK LIST FEATURE LAB
How To Apply
To apply, writers must submit a feature length screenplay sample, a one page personal statement, and a professional resume.
Best screenwriting fellowships
BLACK LIST X WOMEN IN FILM EPISODIC LAB
The Black List • Best screenwriting fellowships
The Black List and Women in Film fellowship is a one-year program that is geared toward writers from underrepresented genders (Trans, women, NB/GNC, and others).
The program invites six non-professional screenwriters to develop their pilot scripts with writing mentors, production companies, and execs.
BLACK LIST X WOMEN IN FILM EPISODIC LAB
How To Apply
To apply, writers must submit a sample pilot script, a one page personal statement, and a personal resume. 25 writers will be invited based on the strength of their script. From these 25, 15 will be invited to interview. Finally, 6-8 writers will be chosen for the program.
UP NEXT
Best Screenwriting Contests
If these fellowship opportunities have inspired you to get started on your submission screenplay, be sure to check out our next article. We dive into various screenwriting contests to which you can apply to and submit your screenplay.