Film Independent has just announced the talented group of screenwriters chosen for its 26th edition of the Screenwriting Lab. This exclusive program is designed to provide individualized story and career development for screenwriters with fiction feature scripts. The selected Fellows will have the opportunity to workshop their projects under the guidance of esteemed creative advisors, including Javier Fuentes-León, Phil Hay, Matt Manfredi, Jessica Sharzer, Jeff Stockwell, and Christopher Makoto Yogi.
Dea Vazquez, Associate Director of Fiction Programs for Film Independent, expressed how honored they are to offer the necessary tools and support for these exceptional filmmakers to propel their projects and careers forward. The Screenwriting Lab has a proven track record of success, with past projects from the lab going on to receive critical acclaim and accolades.
This year’s selected screenwriters come from diverse backgrounds and bring a range of unique stories to the table. Some of the projects featured in the 26th edition of the Screenwriting Lab include:
– **Burning Well** by MG Evangelista: A re-imagining of the Prodigal Son story that follows a young trans man as he returns home to mend complicated relationships and rediscover the true meaning of love and family.
– **Not My Name** by Juan Paulo Laserna: Set in 1996 Colombia, this story follows a family on a perilous journey to visit their ailing grandfather during a time of insurgent warfare, where they must rely on their youngest child to conceal their identities.
– **Promise** by Naomi Iwamoto: A coming-of-age tale about an ambitious teen with a drug habit who learns to navigate grief and love for her mother.
– **Role Play** by Omer Ben Shachar and Thomas Kivney: This story follows a struggling actor who poses as the supportive partner of a casting director’s newly-out son on Grindr, only to find himself developing real feelings.
– **The Manager’s Wife** by Jhanvi Motla: Nitya uncovers dark secrets about her husband’s life when she reunites with him at his motel in California, putting their marriage at risk.
– **Thirty Grand** by Mary Dauterman: Two Gap employees find a bag of cash in a dressing room on Black Friday, leading to chaos and unexpected consequences.
As these screenwriters embark on their journey through the Screenwriting Lab, they will have the opportunity to receive guidance from industry professionals and hone their craft. The program aims to cultivate the next generation of storytellers and empower them to bring their unique voices to the screen. With the support of Film Independent, these rising stars are poised to make their mark on the world of cinema.
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