The Screenwriters Lab will take place from January 17–21 at the Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah.
The Screenwriters Intensive will be held online from March 5–6.
Michelle Satter and Ilyse McKimmie will lead the Screenwriters Lab, with artistic direction by Jessie Nelson.
Notable advisors for the lab include Michael Arndt, Scott Z. Burns, Linda Yvette Chávez, Barry Jenkins, Meg LeFauve, Lulu Wang, and Doug Wright.
Alumni of the Feature Film Program include Paul Thomas Anderson, Ryan Coogler, Chloé Zhao, Nia DaCosta, Quentin Tarantino and Robert Eggers.
Why this matters: These programs have a significant impact on the independent film landscape, supporting filmmakers who go on to create notable and award-winning works.
The Sundance Institute's Screenwriters Lab and Intensive programs provide crucial support for emerging filmmakers, offering guidance and resources to develop their original scripts. The 2026 fellows were selected from over 3,800 submissions, highlighting the competitive nature and high caliber of talent involved.
The Screenwriters Lab offers an immersive experience at the Sundance Mountain Resort, allowing fellows to collaborate and hone their skills under the mentorship of experienced advisors. The Intensive program provides a similar opportunity online, focusing on first-time feature projects.
With a rich history of supporting successful filmmakers, the Sundance Institute's Feature Film Program continues to be a vital platform for independent cinema. Several projects supported by the program are set to premiere at the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, further showcasing the impact of these initiatives.
Q: What is the Sundance Screenwriters Lab?
It is a program that supports emerging screenwriters through mentorship and workshops.
Q: When and where will the 2026 Screenwriters Lab take place?
January 17–21 at the Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah.
Q: What is the Screenwriters Intensive?
An online program that supports writers developing their first fiction features.
Q: When will the 2026 Screenwriters Intensive be held?
March 5–6 online.
The Sundance Institute's Screenwriters Lab and Intensive programs are key platforms for discovering and supporting emerging filmmakers.
The programs offer invaluable mentorship and resources for developing original scripts.
Many successful filmmakers have emerged from these programs, contributing significantly to independent cinema.
Keep an eye on the projects and filmmakers supported by these programs, as they often represent the future of filmmaking.
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