2021 Black List / WIF Feature Residency

The Black List and WIF will invite six promising non-professional screenwriters who are of underrepresented genders (women, NB/GNC, and/or trans, and others) to participate in a one year residency, beginning virtually in June 2021. Writers involved in the Residency will workshop one feature screenplay through one-on-one sessions with screenwriting mentors and in peer workshops. Throughout the following 12 months, writers will be supported through arranged meetings with representation, production companies, and fellow writers to elevate their projects and career trajectories. Writers will also be invited to exclusive Black List and WIF events through the end of May 2022. All Residency events will be virtual, due to COVID-19.

Writers who are WIF members can also submit their script directly to WIF.

LAB DEADLINES (Black List)

Submission Period Opens January 6, 2021

Evaluations Deadline (optional)* March 7, 2021

Submission Period Closes April 7, 2021

Short List Writers Notified April 8, 2021

Personal Statements Due April 15, 2021

Zoom Interviews May 18-19, 2021

Final Participants Notified May 20, 2021

Residency Begins June 2021

* In order for new script evaluations to qualify for consideration for the Residency, they must be purchased by midnight on the Evaluations Deadline. Please note, purchase of an evaluation is not required for consideration to participate in the Residency.

Applicants can apply through either the Black List or WIF, however application instructions and deadlines are different for each platform. WIF applicants must be active WIF Members in good standing and can submit directly via WIF.

THE SELECTION PROCESS

Up to 15 writers will be invited, based on the strength of their scripts, to submit a one-page personal statement and professional resume. These writers will also be potentially invited to interview. From those submissions, up to 6 writers will be selected by the Black List and WIF to participate in the Residency.