Listen up, writers, directors, and cinematographers! Women in Film (WIF) is now accepting applicants to four of its filmmaking programs uplifting women and non-binary industry newcomers. The organization announced in a press release that applications are open now for four of its career acceleration programs for the 2023 year: the Episodic Lab, the Feature Residency, the Director Fellowship, and the Cinematographer Fellowship.
WIF acknowledges that “achieving equal cultural representation within our media narratives requires a representative number of skilled storytellers.” To this end, the collective has collaborated with The Black List, a platform where scribes can have their writing showcased and evaluated, to create the WIF Writing Labs, which include the Episodic Lab and Feature Residency.
The Episodic Lab selects “six to eight promising non-professional television writers who are of underrepresented genders“ for its four-week in-person program with sessions on script development and pitching. The Lab also includes a mock writers’ room and roundtables with experienced scribes and industry execs. Advisors and masterclass instructors have included scribes from series such as “Watchmen,” “Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D,” and “Parenthood.”
Applicants can submit up to three TV pilot scripts for consideration, for which they are the sole and exclusive author. The applicant must not have received more than $25,000 in aggregate to date as compensation for TV writing work.
Recipients of the in-person Feature Residency will receive one-on-one mentorship with screenwriters, peer workshopping sessions, and industry advice. During the 12 month program, “writers will be supported through additional events as well arranged meetings with representation, production companies, and fellow writers to elevate their projects and career trajectories,” per program details. Residency mentors have included screenwriters of films such as “Legally Blonde,” “Bring It On,” and “Wadjda.”
Applicants can submit up to three feature screenplays, for which they are the sole and exclusive author. The applicant must not have received more than $100,000 in aggregate to date as compensation for film or TV writing work.
As of 2023, all participants of WIF’s discipline-specific career programs, including the Episodic Lab and Feature Residency, will also be WIF Fellows in their respective specialties.
The Director Fellowship and Cinematographer Fellowship are part of WIF’s series of Fellowship programs. Providing yearlong executive mentorship, community building, and networking support, WIF Fellowships are “committed to advancing the careers of women and all people of underrepresented genders.” Fellows across programs will also receive access to industry experts and special events. All fellowships will be held virtually until further notice.
Submissions must include a statement that articulates a clear career focus. Applicants must be local to the Los Angeles area.
Since its inception in 1973, WIF has “[advocated] and [advanced] the careers of women working in the screen industries — in front of and behind the camera, across all levels of experience—to achieve parity and transform culture,” per the organization’s site.
Head over to WIF for more information on the Writing Lab or Fellowship programs. Click to apply to the Episodic Lab, Feature Residency, Director Fellowship, or Cinematographer Fellowship.
The deadline to apply to all of these programs is November 7, 2022. All applications require a fee of $40 for non-members whereas WIF members can apply for membership rates.
Applications for WIF programs supporting other positions in entertainment, including producers, business roles, craft, and below-the-line roles, will open December 12.
