Kyra Sedgwick’s Big Swing Productions is teaming up with SeriesFest to broaden opportunities for women writers with the “Women Writing Competition,” which is seeking new series and narratives “from female creators about real, complex, recognizable characters,” a press release announced. Applications are now open. The winner of the competition will receive a year-long development deal with Big Swing Productions in addition to an opportunity for a live read of the script with professional actors.
Launched in 2016 with Rose McGowan and her production company, Damage Inc., the winner of the first “Women Writing Competition” was Sarah Sellman. She presented her original “Cottonwood” script at a live event at the Denver Film Festival.
“We couldn’t ask for a more like-minded partner for the ‘Women Writing Competition’ than Kyra and Big Swing Productions,” commented Randi Kleiner and Kaily Smith Westbrook, SeriesFest co-founders. “Their mission, like ours, is to amplify these often-unknown voices and their work embodies exactly what this initiative, and SeriesFest, is all about. We’re excited to work with them to discover new female screenwriters and lead the charge in providing meaningful opportunities for women in the storytelling space.”
Sedgwick, who co-founded Bring Swing Productions with Meredith Bagby and Valerie Stadler, added, “Big Swing is thrilled to be partnering with SeriesFest to elevate women’s voices and presence in television. Everyone views the world through our own experiences, triumphs, and failures. We are excited to see and share your stories through your lens.”
Apply for the “Women Writing Competition” and find more information on SeriesFest’s website. Scriptwriters have until July 26, 2019 to submit their original work.
“Ten Days in the Valley,” “The Edge of Seventeen,” and “The Closer” are among Sedgwick’s acting credits. She made her directorial debut with Lifetime movie “Story of a Girl,” for which she earned a DGA nod. Big Swing Productions’ series “Girls Weekend” made its debut at Sundance yesterday, January 29. Created by and starring Ali Liebegott (“Transparent”), the project follows a queer woman who returns home to Las Vegas, where she’s reunited with her dysfunctional family. Sedgwick helmed the series. She’s signed on to direct “The Way Between,” a supernatural story about star-crossed lovers penned by “Frozen’s” Jennifer Lee.
