The Writers Lab (TWL) has offered mentorship, feedback and networking opportunities, panels, and workshops to women screenwriters over 40 in the United States and, more recently, the U.K. and Ireland — and now submissions are being accepted for the inaugural TWL Europe.
Supported by Fremantle and HBO Max Nordic, the European edition will kick off in April. Up to 15 women and non-binary writers over age 40 will be selected for the six-month virtual script development program. Fremantle will sponsor several scribes’ participation, and HBO Max Nordic will sponsor one Nordic writer, according to Deadline.
TWL Europe’s mentors and guest speakers include actors, writers, and filmmakers such as Susanne Bier (“The Night Manager”), Jasmila Žbanić (“Quo Vadis, Aida?”), Isabel Coixet (“Secret Life of Words”), Nadine Labaki (“Capernaum”), Valeria Golino (“Portrait of a Lady on Fire”), Zackary Drucker (“Transparent”), Christina Ham (“Them”), Jantje Friese (“Dark”), and Ameenah Ayub Allen (“Rocks”).
“It’s our obligation and our responsibility to empower others, and we are delighted to back women and non-binary writers over 40 through this incredible creative initiative, giving them the opportunity to tell their stories within a supported space,” Jennifer Mullin, Group CEO, Fremantle told Deadline.
The Writers Lab is founded and produced by Elizabeth Kaiden and Nitza Wilon. The U.S. edition’s supporters include Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, and Oprah Winfrey, while the U.K./Ireland version is backed by Cate Blanchett.
Head over to The Writers Lab’s website to find out more about TWL Europe and the application process. Feature and pilot submissions in the English language will be accepted through February 7.
