The Writers Lab seeks to fight
sexism and ageism in film and TV.

TWL US

The Writers Lab US was co-founded in 2015 by Elizabeth Kaiden, Nitza Wilon, and Kyle Ann Stokes, with New York Women in Film & Television. The Lab intensive is a four-day writers workshop that gives women and nonbinary screenwriters over the age of 40 the opportunity to work uninterrupted on their features and pilots with the support of established film professionals. Mentors and Writers engage in a rigorous process of immersive script development through one-on-one meetings, panel discussions, peer workshops, and mock writers rooms.

Interactions are designed to inspire the artists; to prompt creative exploration; and, through revision, to cultivate first-rate cinematic stories. After the intensive, writers are tasked with submitting another draft or more based on learnings from the lab. Alumni also look forward to mentor feedback on their new draft; a spring networking event; and an expanded career network including every member of The Writers Lab extended community.

TWL has been overwhelmingly positive and has contributed enormously to my growth as a writer.

Irina Rodriguez
TWL US 2021

TWL UK &
Ireland

The Writers Lab UK & I is the first program of its kind, devoted exclusively to script development for women and nonbinary screenwriters over 40 in the British Isles. Our partnership with Untamed Stories, and with support from Cate Blanchett’s Dirty Films and Bird’s Eye View, enabled us to bring this lab to the UK and Ireland.

The Writers Lab UK&I 2022 is presented in association with Dancing Ledge Productions (THE RESPONDER), Screen Scotland, Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland, Northern Ireland Screen, Birds’ Eye View and Ffilm Cymru Wales & BFI NETWORK with funding from the National Lottery.

The mentors’ insights and generosity and the fellow participants’ projects continue to inform and inspire.

Ali Taylor
TWL UK&I 2021

TWL Europe

The Writers Lab Europe is the first program of its kind, devoted exclusively to script development for women and nonbinary screenwriters over 40 in the region. Continuing the success of the UK&I and US Labs, with support from brilliant partners, we’re bringing this virtual script development programme to women screenwriters who are over the age of 40 and based in Europe (including Ireland)

The Lab is open to submissions of both feature and pilot scripts of all genres, we will not be accepting short films or documentaries. Scripts must be submitted in English language.

Previous labs
in the US

Previous lab
in the UK