The Writers Lab presents
script-development intensives
& market incubation to build
craft, community, and career

We Are Mission Driven

It is critical that we amplify the voices of women in their prime whose stories have not been told. We are working toward a new landscape where the female narrative is in equal proportion to the male narrative, and where shared stories strengthen our ties to one another and empower younger generations.

We are committed to storytellers who identify as women, yet we do not limit our search to stories about women. The Writers Lab seeks well crafted scripts, in all genres, exploring universal themes, using a full range of cinematic tools.

During the intensives, mentors and writers engage in a rigorous process of script development through one-on-one meetings, panel discussions, peer workshops, and mock writers rooms. Alumna then focus on the industry for up to 6 months to boIster market potential. Interactions are designed to prompt creative exploration; to cultivate first-rate cinematic stories; and to ready the projects for market.

TWL leadership

Elizabeth Kaiden

co-founder

Elizabeth co-founded The Writers Lab with Nitza Wilon and Kyle Ann Stokes in 2015, and co-produces it with Nitza and New York Women in Film & Television. She is also a founding Partner, with Nitza, of Women in the Script Trade (WIST), where she works individually with exceptional women screenwriters. WIST also ran script-development labs in NY and LA for the Athena Film Festival 2016-2020. Elizabeth previously served as Head of Development at Tangerine Entertainment, an independent production company that produces films directed by women, and has mentored at Stowe Story Labs. A former theater and film critic and graduate of Princeton and the Yale School of Drama, she lives in New York with her family.

Nitza Wilon

co-founder

Nitza co-founded The Writers Lab with Elizabeth Kaiden and Kyle Ann Stokes in 2015 and is a founding partner of Women in the Script Trade (WIST) with Elizabeth. WIST ran the script-development labs for the Athena Film Festival (NY and LA) and co-produces The Writers Lab with NYWIFT, and provides individual support for exceptional women screenwriters. Prior to committing to script development for women, Nitza was an actor, journalist, and magazine and book editor. She earned her BA from the Annenberg School of Communications at UPenn. In addition to her work advocating for women in film, Nitza is a writer and voice actor. She lives in New York City with her family.