Twelve authors chosen for the eleventh year of The Lab's prestigious annual program
The Writers Lab, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to developing and promoting narrative scripted content written by diverse women over the age of 40, is hosting its 11th annual event with a new initiative. This year, the organisation is partnering with MountainA, a production company founded by Natalie Portman and Sophie Mas, to launch the Industry Advocacy Program.
MountainA, known for its work on television series and films, has recently secured a first-look deal with Apple TV+ for TV projects. Some of their credits include Todd Haynes' feature May December and the HBO original docuseries Angel City. Upcoming projects from MountainA include the animated feature Arco, an art world satire The Gallerist, and the rom-com Good Sex.
The Industry Advocacy Program is a new initiative designed to build a pipeline for women and nonbinary screenwriters over 40. The aim is to bring the Lab participants' projects to the attention of industry representatives and executives, thereby opening pathways to employment and production opportunities.
Twelve women screenwriters over 40 have been selected for The Writers Lab this year. These include Amy Fox, Pamela Gray, Jenny Halper, Rita Hsiao, Meg Lefauve, Amenya Makuku, Mary Jane Skalski, Shelby Stone, Robin Swicord, Pat Verducci, Tracey Scott Wilson, and Jamie Zelermyer.
During the retreat in early November in New York City, the selected writers will gather to focus on tools and strategies to navigate professional opportunities and build sustainable careers, with accomplished women creatives as mentors. The retreat will also provide opportunities for the writers to network with industry professionals and executives.
The Industry Advocacy Program complements The Writers Lab’s core mission of elevating women and nonbinary screenwriters over 40 by providing tools, strategies, and mentorship to help them navigate the evolving professional landscape and build sustainable careers. The Program specifically focuses on advocacy within the industry, promoting participants' work to key decision-makers.
Additional support and promotion for the program come from partner organisations including The Writers Guild of America East, New York Women in Film & Television, The Black List, Film Fatales, the Alliance of Women Directors, and others, which help enhance visibility and opportunities for participants.
Roadmap Writers, a screenwriting education and training platform, has signed on to promote the 12 winners and additional top scorers this year. The Writers Lab accepts scripts from writers worldwide and operates in the U.S., the U.K., Europe, and Canada, making it the only program in the world dedicated exclusively to elevating the work of women and nonbinary screenwriters over forty.
The Writers Lab has a high success rate, with over 400 meetings set up for writers with leading industry members, three produced and released projects, another 38 in pre-production, and many alumnae signed by representation and hired to write. With the addition of MountainA's Industry Advocacy Program, the organisation hopes to continue its mission of opening doors for women over 40 in the film industry.
[1] The Writers Lab website: https://www.thewriterslab.org/ [2] MountainA website: https://www.mountaina.co/
- The director of MountainA, Natalie Portman, and founding partner Sophie Mas have established a new initiative with The Writers Lab called the Industry Advocacy Program.
- The Industry Advocacy Program is designed to bring attention to the projects of women and nonbinary screenwriters over 40, opening pathways to employment and production opportunities.
- Legendary figures in television and film, such as Todd Haynes, are associated with MountainA, which recently secured a first-look deal with Apple TV+ for TV projects.
- Twelve women screenwriters over 40 have been chosen for The Writers Lab this year, and they will benefit from tools, strategies, and mentorship to build sustainable careers in the industry.
- During the retreat, the selected writers will network with industry professionals and executives to learn how to navigate the evolving professional landscape in fashion-and-beauty, education-and-self-development, and lifestyle industries.
- The Writers Lab has partnered with numerous organizations, including The Writers Guild of America East, New York Women in Film & Television, The Black List, Film Fatales, and the Alliance of Women Directors, to provide additional support and promote the winners.
- Roadmap Writers, a screenwriting education and training platform, will promote the 12 winners and additional top scorers this year.
- With more than 400 meetings set up for writers with leading industry members and a high success rate in achieved projects, The Writers Lab aims to continue its mission of opening doors for women over 40 in the film and television industry.
