Screenwriters Lab
We are excited to announce the THIRD ROUND of the Screenwriters Lab of the Jewish Writers’ Initiative. Applications are now OPEN!
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Apply today!
The Lab is a year-long creative fellowship that supports the development of scripts that tell diverse Jewish stories, with the goals of empowering writers to explore their Jewish culture and identity and of launching accessible, Jewish-themed scripts into the mainstream media marketplace.
​Featuring three in-person seminars - in Los Angeles, New York, and Israel - and Zoom sessions with industry professionals (past speakers have included Marc Platt, Jon Turteltaub, Rachel Bloom, Alex Edelman, and Lake Bell, among others), the Lab provides participants with the opportunity to learn from high-level industry professionals, Jewish educators, production financiers and subject matter experts to enhance their craft, connect with relevant Jewish sources and ideas, and develop their projects with the goal of launching them into the mainstream media marketplace. Travel and other expenses are included.
Between seminars, writers develop their scripts with support from experienced, one-on-one mentors, Jewish subject matter experts, and program staff.
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Each member of our group of up to 18 writers receives a $10,000 stipend in a non-exclusive relationship to create their script within a set schedule of output milestones. Writers own their screenplays and will have the opportunity to pitch their scripts to a group of experienced producers and financiers.
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Television writer and comedian Carol Leifer addressing the 2019-20 cohort.
Anthony Bregman, Producer, Fox Catcher,
In the Heights, Eternal of the Spotless Mind
Welcome Dinner LA Seminar
Meg Lefauve
Writer, Pixar, Inside Out (1 & 2)
Script Subjects
Scripts should be commercially viable narratives that explore Jewish themes, such as Jewish identity, culture, values, heritage, religion, spirituality, or history.
Applicant Qualifications
Writers must be based in the United States, be at least 21 years of age, and qualify with at least one of the below
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WGA member
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Represented by a current Agent or Manager
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Completed an established writer's lab or graduate school program for screenwriting
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Wrote a script that was optioned by a studio or an established production company
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Worked in a writer's room for a major TV Network or Streamer
Writing teams may apply with a joint project. If accepted, teams will receive only one stipend and must designate one writer to attend all three seminars and Zooms.
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On the application, you will be asked to provide:
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General info about yourself (Name, Address, etc)
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Quick Pitch (one-paragraph synopsis of your project, up to 250 words)
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Written Synopsis/Treatment (up to 5 pages)
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Video Submission (Tell us about your project and what you hope to get out of the program, up to 5 minutes, cell phone video is fine!)
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CV (including links to any relevant work)
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Writing Sample (a completed, original script)
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Two References (at least one should be a professional or academic reference)
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Your Jewish background or connection​
Timeline 2025 - 2026*
May 23: Application Deadline
End of Aug: Kickoff Zoom
Sep 14-17: LA Seminar
Oct. - Jan.: Zoom gatherings every 4-6 weeks (dates TBD)
Feb 3-10: Israel Seminar
March - June: Zoom gatherings every 4-6 weeks (dates TBD)
June 21-24: NYC Seminar
July 31: Official conclusion of Program
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*Dates may be subject to change
