Film Independent Screenwriting Lab

Film Independent Screenwriting Lab is sponsored by Film Independent. Film Independent's Artist Development programs offer free labs for selected screenwriters, directors, producers, episodic content creators and documentary filmmakers to experience valuable career building and networking opportunities.

Film Independent Artist Development Submission Manager Welcome to Artist Development at Film Independent! Below you will see all of our open applications. Submittable works best on Google Chrome, Firefox, and Safari.

Internet Explorer is not supported. Please make sure you are using a supported browser. You can save a draft of your work if you would like to finish filling out the form at a later date.

However, sometimes Submittable can time out without your work being saved. It is recommended that you keep a backup of your answers in a separate document. Save early and often.

Once you submit your application, we cannot accept updated materials. Film Independent is committed to hosting events that are accessible. For inquiries regarding accessibility, or to request an accommodation, please contact us at accessibility@filmindependent.

org or 323 556 9305. Take a look at our Programs page for more details on timelines, application materials and eligibility concerns. If you have any additional questions, please contact us at artistdevelopment@filmindependent.

org. Check out the Submitter Resource Center or contact Submittable Customer Support . Film Independent Screenwriting Lab 2027 Guidelines for Film Independent Screenwriting Lab 2027 to Film Independent Screenwriting Lab 2027 Before You Begin: Thank you for your interest in Film Independent's Screenwriting Lab.

The 2027 Screenwriting Lab is a full-time, two-week program that will take place in the spring of 2027. The program is designed to provide individualized story and career development for emerging screenwriters with a fiction feature screenplay. Please complete and submit the following electronic application form.

You will be able to save your application and add documents or information until the application deadline. Once you click "submit," the application will be considered final and no additional information will be accepted. If you do not click "submit," the application will not be considered.

At the end of the submission form, you will be asked for your payment information. Please be advised: the application may time out if you keep it open for a long time. It is recommended that you keep a backup of your answers in a separate document.

Save early and often. You can verify that your application has saved by logging out and logging back in. Film Independent Membership is not required when applying to Artist Development programs.

However, all participants accepted into the programs are required to join Film Independent at the standard annual General Membership rate of $105. Applicants will be notified 3-4 weeks before the start of the program. If you don't receive a notification, please check your spam folder.

Applications Open: June 29, 2026 Regular Deadline: August 31, 2026 Extended Member Deadline: September 14, 2026 Accessibility Film Independent is committed to hosting events that are accessible. For inquiries regarding accessibility, or to request an accommodation, please contact us at accessibility@filmindependent. org or 323 556 9305.

Program Questions? Please contact the Artist Development team at artistdevelopment@filmindependent. org.

Technical Questions? Check out the Submitter Resource Center or contact Submittable Customer Support . Fiscal Sponsorship Application Guidelines for Fiscal Sponsorship Application to Fiscal Sponsorship Application Thank you for your interest in Film Independent's Fiscal Sponsorship.

Please complete and submit the following electronic application form. Applications can take approximately 6 - 8 weeks to be assessed. You must be a current Film Independent Member to apply for fiscal sponsorship.

If accepted, you must maintain a current Film Independent membership for the entire time your fiscal sponsorship account remains active. Once you click "submit," the application will be considered final and no additional information will be accepted. If you do not click "submit," the application will not be considered.

It is recommended that you keep a backup of your answers in a separate document. Information and guidelines to answering each question is provided under the questions. Please read them and follow the outlines provided.

A $45 fee will be charged to submit this application unless you provide a valid waiver code. For more information please contact fiscalsponsorship@filmindependent. org.

** We advise all applicants to make sure they have selected "Yes, I want to receive email notifications" in their Submitter Profile here: https://manager. submittable.

com/user/settings ** Film Independent Documentary Works-in-Progress Series Guidelines for Film Independent Documentary Works-in-Progress Series to Film Independent Documentary Works-in-Progress Series Thank you for your interest in Film Independent's Documentary Works-in-Progress Series The Film Independent Documentary Works-in-Progress Series gives members of the film community and the public advance access to new documentaries, including the opportunity to participate in in-depth conversations with filmmakers.

The series offers nonfiction filmmakers a place to share stories that are still being developed in a safe and supportive environment, and receive constructive feedback that will get their projects ready for festivals and distribution.

Taking place in the Film Independent theatre, general public audiences and invited guests can watch films as they enter the final stages of editing, offering feedback via in-depth surveys and a moderated discussion Though the program is open to filmmakers located anywhere, the director and/or key members of the creative team must be able to attend the screening in person.

We accept nonfiction projects with a minimum run time of 40 minutes and no longer than 120 minutes. Projects should have completed production and be in post-production, with a full edit available at the time of submission. Please note that we are only accepting submissions for the screening on Monday, October 19, 2026.

Please complete and submit the following electronic application form. You will be able to save your application and add documents or information until the application deadline. Once you click "submit," the application will be considered final and no additional information will be accepted.

If you do not click "submit," the application will not be considered. At the end of the submission form, you will be asked for your payment information. Please be advised: the application may time out if you keep it open for a long time.

It is recommended that you keep a backup of your answers in a separate document. Save early and often. You can verify that your application has saved by logging out and logging back in.

All applicants will be notified minimum 4 weeks before the screening date. If you don't receive a notification, please check your spam folder. Accessibility Film Independent is committed to hosting events that are accessible.

For inquiries regarding accessibility, or to request an accommodation, please contact us at accessibility@filmindependent. org or 323 556 9305. Program Questions?

Please contact the Artist Development team at artistdevelopment@filmindependent. org. Technical Questions?

Check out the Submitter Resource Center or contact Submittable Customer Support . Film Independent Artist Development