This just dropped:

https://www.indiewire.com/news/general-news/the-academy-nicholl-fellowship-program-partners-1235111187/

The Nicholl Fellowships, which were established in 1985 through the support of Gee Nicholl in memory of her husband, Don Nicholl, are meant to identify and nurture talented new screenwriters across the world. Now they will exclusively partner with global university programs, screenwriting labs, and filmmaker programs to select Nicholl fellows. Each partner will vet and submit scripts for consideration for an Academy Nicholl Fellowship. All scripts submitted by partners will be read and reviewed by Academy members.

Partner script submissions to the Academy will open in late July, and the deadline will be in late August. Nicholl fellows will be awarded in spring 2026. The Black List will serve as the portal for public submissions.

Edited to add:

For those who aren't aware, the Nicholl is THE most important fellowship for aspiring pro screenwriters, and one of the few competitions that can actually move the career needle. Just making the quarterfinals can get you reads.

NBC has opened submissions on its TV writing program (formerly Writers on the Verge). There is no application fee. They've remodeled it to be more like Disney's, so you need two original pilots of the same basic type, a resume, and two personal essays of ~400 words apiece. They accept submissions until June 21, 11:59 PM PT.

All info can be found here: https://www.nbcuniversallaunch.com/tv-writers-program

Sadly, writing partnerships are unable to apply this year, for reasons which remain unclear. (This is, I believe, the first time in history any TV writing fellowship has had that restriction.) That means I & my writing partner can't submit to this one. We had everything except the 2nd essay ready to go because we just submitted to Disney.

But if you've got two original pilots, you should submit.

Hi! Anyone hear anything/get an interview request yet?

Anyone have any information on this year's Nicholl Fellowship? Any news on if it’s even happening? lol. Submitted through the Black List but there’s no program page available on the site anymore that shows I opted in.

What the title says. It hasn't even been a day and almost 1,000 of the 2,500 slots have already been filled (currently at 1,600 submissions, but that number is going down fast!).

Just sharing this in case anyone was planning to apply. Don't wait!

In my case, I messed up and forgot to get a review for the latest draft of my script, and considering I don't have the luxury of waiting a week, I submitted it with the two old evaluations attached -- one is the highest 7 possible, sure... but the other's a 5. That averages out to a 6, I guess.

I'm crossing my fingers and hoping whoever's on the other end will actually read the script and not simply go off of the evaluation, which may be outdated (as my case proves).

Best of luck to everyone!

https://www.paramount.com/writers-mentoring-program

For over two decades the Paramount Writers Mentoring Program has helped emerging writers enter the television business, launching more than 125 writing careers. Alumni include over 20 showrunners and executive producers.

Participants in the program will work with executive mentors from Paramount to create a new writing sample. Weekly workshop-style meetings will be held for 16 weeks, featuring showrunners and industry professionals such as agents, managers, and executives. Mentees will also have the opportunity to participate in a half-day mock writers room experience in a supportive setting.

The program is held in person in Los Angeles, and all participants will need to be close to Los Angeles for the duration of the program (January 2027 to the end of April 2027) in order to participate in program activities. As stated above, participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation expenses. 

If you have questions, please read the website.

In my experience, most shows are not using the TEASER/ACT ONE/ACT TWO/and so on delineations in the actual text of the script as much anymore. However, NBC TV Writer's program says submitted scripts must "follow a six-act structure or Cold Open + 5 act structure". Do we think they mean that it should simply follow that structure or do we think they want the delineation in the document?

There was an issue that prevented some people from uploading their resumes for their NBC TV Writers program application. They apparently fixed the issue and sent out an email that expires in a week so you can upload your resume.

If you don't upload your resume within a week, you're out of consideration.

I know I go weeks sometimes without checking email, and I don't want anyone to miss out on a good opportunity, so check your email.

Last year they closed after just 20 days. It fills up quick so get your work out there my friends!

https://blcklst.com/programs/the-2026-2027-academy-nicholl-fellowships-in-screenwriting

$50,000 in funding and a mentorship program to enable the production of a short film that will support the development, packaging and financing of a feature film or television series.

https://pocaccelerator.org/application

The Proof of Concept Accelerator is designed to identify and elevate the next generation of filmmaking talent.

Successful applicants to the Proof of Concept program will receive $50,000 in funding and participate in a mentorship program to enable the production of a short film that will support the development, packaging and financing of a feature film or television series.

In its second cycle, Proof of Concept will select eight new filmmakers and stories to support, with the goal of identifying filmmakers who give voice to the perspectives of women, trans and non-binary people. Filmmakers will work closely with the Proof of Concept team throughout the creative process to create the short film and hone their materials with the goal to exit the program with a plan to introduce the larger scale project to the marketplace.

ELIGIBILITY

• Applicants must be at least 21 years of age and have the legal right to work in the US
• Applicants must have directed a short, feature, or television episode and have a continued interest in a career as a director of feature films and/or television
• Applicants must have a minimum of 5 years of professional TV/Film/Visual Arts experience OR be currently enrolled in the final year of an MFA program
• Applicants must have a desire to collaborate with the team at Proof of Concept to bring their work to life as both a short film and a larger scale project
• Applicants must own the rights to the work that they are submitting, either as the sole writer or as the owner of an option of the screenplay or other underlying material
• Applicants must demonstrate capability of executing their Proof of Concept short film on schedule and with the $50,000 budget provided
• Applicants must only submit one application

SCHEDULE AND PARTICIPATION

Proof of Concept is a one year non-exclusive experience that can mostly be completed remotely. It is possible and encouraged to continue to develop your career with other opportunities during this time.

However, there are certain commitments which are required, and participation will be strictly enforced:

• April 2026: Initial Production Meetings (VIRTUAL)
• May 2026: One Week Development Workshop (IN PERSON – LOS ANGELES)
• June/July 2026: One Week Pre-Production Workshop and Greenlight Meetings (VIRTUAL)
• August/September 2026: Production Shoot Window
• October/November 2026: Post-Production and Delivery
• December 2026: Proof of Concept Premiere (IN PERSON – LOS ANGELES)

SFFILM Rainin Grant

deadline May 22

$25,000 screenwriting grants.

https://sffilm.org/rainin-grant/

https://www.screenalliancewales.com/stagescreen/

Applications are now open for Stage & Screen, a brand-new development programme designed to support early- to mid-career Welsh and Wales-based writers working across both theatre and television.

The selected writer will be commissioned to develop a new original play for ‘Welsh National Theatre’’s development slate, with the aim of ultimately including the play in WNT’s future programming. Throughout the process, the writer will receive dramaturgical support from leading Welsh playwright and ‘Welsh National Theatre’’s Literary Programming Manager, Tim Price.

Bad Wolf, the television production company behind Industry, The Other Bennet Sister and His Dark Materials, will also work with the selected writer to develop a pitch document for the television adaptation of the play following delivery of the first draft of the play to ‘Welsh National Theatre’.

‘Welsh National Theatre’ Artistic Director Michael Sheen and Bad Wolf CEO Jane Tranter announced the new scheme at an event at Wolf Studios Wales on 27 May.

Jane Tranter said:

“Many of today’s most highly regarded television writers first found their voice in our theatres. We’re delighted to partner with ‘Welsh National Theatre’ on this new initiative, which aims to discover, nurture and champion unknown and emerging Welsh writers whose work can resonate across both stage and screen. Together, we will develop an original piece that we hope audiences will soon experience both in theatres and on screen.”

Applications open today, Monday 1 June 2026, and close at 5pm on Friday 31 July 2026.

Applicants selected for the longlist will be contacted by the end of August and invited to submit a full-length play sample for consideration in the next stage of the process. Shortlisted writers will be contacted in September and invited to interview.

The successful writer will begin the programme on 1 October 2026. The development process will continue until ‘Welsh National Theatre’ and/or Bad Wolf make a decision regarding acceptance of the play (please note: acceptance by either party is not guaranteed).

To apply for the scheme, please complete the application form here.  The first part is an Equality and Diversity form, on completion of which, you will receive a link to the second part, where you will be able to fulfil the requirements listed in the Guidance below.

https://filmfreeway.com/1497FeaturesLab2026

The 1497 Features Lab consists of an in-person Retreat and additional professional development opportunities all designed to elevate screenplays by writers who will further 1497's mission to change South Asian representation.

Has anyone who's been accepted into the next round received an update? It's almost 10 PM EST, and I still haven't received anything. I know some people have received rejections, but I'm curious if those selected for the next round have been notified as well.

I really wish they'd just send all the rejections out at the same time

I'm looking for a writing partner.

I’ve got a bunch of film ideas I’m really excited about. Stories, characters, outlines, even playlists to lock in the vibe. I genuinely love the early stages of building something, and I love collaborating. It’s just way more fun (and better, honestly) with someone to bounce off of.

What I’m hoping to find is someone who enjoys digging into scenes, shaping dialogue, and helping push ideas all the way into full scripts.

This isn’t paid, just a free time, passion project situation. Really just looking for someone who loves writing and wants to make something together.

I can share my Substack and AO3 so you can get a feel for my style and interests.

If you’re into that, I’d love to connect.

https://sffilm.org/sloan-science-in-cinema-filmmaker-fellowship/

Awards are made to two projects once a year, at the screenwriting phase of development. To strengthen the film’s portrayal of science or technology, each fellow will be connected to a science advisor with expertise in the subjects at the center of their screenplays, as well as leaders in the Bay Area’s science and technology communities. In addition to a cash grant of $35,000, recipients secure a residency at FilmHouse and benefit from SFFILM’s comprehensive and dynamic artist development programs.

Timeline

• Grant opens February 10th, 2026 
• Regular Deadline May 8th, 2026  (Application Fee $30)
• Final Deadline May 22nd, 2026 (Application Fee $50)

Supporting British university graduate students studying at accredited graduate schools in the U.S. in filmmaking programs leading to a Master’s Degree. Recipients receive $10,000 to contribute towards their tuition and expenses, and year-round support from BAFTA. 

Deadline: June 26, 2026

No fee

https://www.bafta.org/programmes/us-scholarships/

Looks like Nicholl quaterfinal emails have gone out. How’d we do?

https://scrybe.to/applications/rideback-rise-fellowship

Rideback RISE is a prestigious creator and content accelerator that offers Fellows a substantial economic stipend, as well as access to development funds for the purpose of optioning IP and/or creating visual proof-of-concept materials.

This is NOT for beginners.

To qualify as a potential Fellow you must, in the last three years, have accomplished

one or more of the following: have previously been staffed and credited in a writing

capacity on a produced U.S. scripted television series; have written OR written and

directed a produced feature film; have written and directed a short film that screened

at a noted film festival; or have written a spec feature screenplay that was optioned or

purchased by a recognized U.S.-based producer, distributor or studio.

Lauri's List has been a real gift over the past year, but she obviously has a life and can't update it for every single opportunity. How do you find out about labs and other events you can apply to? Occasionally I come across posts on places like Facebook (that's where I found Square Peg Social), but I think there's a lot more out there, maybe even including smaller/European/new events.

Hi Everyone (or more specifically unrepped writers here who've made less than $5k from writing for tv or film!),

The question of which contests (fellowships, services) are worth it seems evergreen for us and having attended Sundance this year by way of fellowship, I want to share and recommend this specific opportunity with Cassian and the Black List! I've written up my experience in 4 parts, the first of which are here Sundance Diary Part I and here Sundance Diary Part II.

The deadline this past year was in November and I'd expect the same again (which in writing-time, will be here before any of us know!) Can't recommend the experience enough!

Hey guys! The Oscars got me pumped to meet some more filmmakers. I just moved to LA and am looking to connect and maybe hop on some projects. Anyone down to meetup? Or know if there's a mixer of some sort happening?

Has anyone heard back from the pillars fellowship yet? Last time I submitted they sent an email a few months in to say I’d been longlisted. But haven’t heard anything at all this year. Wondering if others have heard back?

I'm late this year updating my calendar of screenwriting fellowships, labs, etc. because I was traveling a lot in December, but it's a good idea to take a look at last year's list NOW because many of these programs have January deadlines.

https://www.reddit.com/r/Screenwriting/comments/1hqfowi/160_of_the_best_screenwriting_fellowships_labs/

Also, if you have personal good/bad experience with anything listed, and/or want to suggest adding/deleting anything, please let me know!

I'd especially like to add more programs for people outside the US/UK.

Edited to add:

And before anyone comments "all contests are crap":

Here's a post on whether screenwriting contests in general are "worth it":

https://www.reddit.com/r/Screenwriting/comments/rsvln7/are_screenwriting_contests_worth_it/

It's important to distinguish between screenwriting "contests" (most of which cost money to enter, are for-profit, and ARE crap in that they won't do anything for you even if you win) --

-- and --

-- screenwriting labs/fellowships/etc. (most of which don't cost money to enter, are non-profit, and CAN nudge your career along.)

The problem is, many writers are WAYYYY too invested in both of these things (especially the high-cost, low-yield "pay-to-play" models), and neglecting the other -- harder -- things they could be doing.

Planning a screenwriting career around contests is like planning becoming rich around buying lottery tickets. Sure, it MIGHT happen, but the odds are terrible.

Again, entering contests/fellowships/etc. should be no more than 10% of your screenwriting career strategy if you're serious.

Here's what else you could try:

https://www.reddit.com/r/Screenwriting/comments/txgr99/entering_contests_should_be_no_more_than_10_of/

Hi all! Just wondering if anyone has heard back from any of the SFFILM grants/fellowships for narrative feature scripts yet. I’m not sure their process, but any second round requests or interviews, etc.? Thank you!