write room, wellington screenwriter residency

Call for submissions:

Application deadline: 5pm, Mon 21 October 2024

Residency Dates: 24 March  – 15 June 2025 (12 weeks) 

Write Room Wellington is a screenwriter residency programme offered in partnership with Toi Pōneke Arts Centre, POP Film and the Wellington City Council Aho Tini 2030 Arts, Culture & Creativity Strategy.

Each year a Wellington screenwriter is selected to undertake a 12-week residency to develop a draft of their feature film screenplay with the support of experienced industry mentors. This year’s mentors are Robert Sarkies (Scarfies, Out of the Blue, Consent: The Louise Nicolas Story) and Vicky Pope (Gardening with Soul, Savage, Went Up The Hill), along with the Write Room Producer Intern.

Write Room Wellington recognises the challenges for New Zealand screenwriters to create space in their lives to write and find a place to do their work. This opportunity is for a Wellington-based screenwriter hailing from film, television, web-series, theatre, radio, journalism or other literary backgrounds, with a feature film project at a stage that will benefit from focused development towards completion of a draft of the script. You do not need a completed script to apply.

The aim of the programme is to support a writer to develop their screenplay to a level where it can be pitched to a producer and secure further development funding and a pathway towards production. Over the first 6 years of the programme 4 projects have been identified and supported to a stage where they successfully accessed further development support from the NZ Film Commission.

what’s on offer

The screenwriter will be provided with:

·         Private office space at Toi Pōneke Arts Centre in Wellington for 12 weeks between 24 March and 15 June 2025.

·         Grant of $9,750

·         Experienced creative support from the Write Room mentors.

·         Industry Script read-through at the end of the residency.

The framework of the residency is defined by what the writer thinks will be helpful to them, but generally takes the following form:

·         A feedback and planning session with the mentors at the commencement of the residency.

·         Two to three work-in-progress discussions with mentors during the residency.

·         An assessment of the draft at the conclusion of the residency, with advice on next steps to take.

·         At the end of the residency the writer’s script is presented to an invited audience of industry and supporters via a read-through workshop to showcase the writer and work.

We expect the chosen writer will spend a minimum of 20 hours a week committed to writing during the residency. You will be required to deliver a draft of your script as part of the programme.

Hours for this opportunity are flexible and can be worked in and around other work commitments - it does not have to be full time.

Eligibility:

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Emerging screenwriters, established screenwriters, or writers transitioning from other writing disciplines into screenwriting, who are looking for a Producer for their screenplay

• Wellington - based New Zealand citizens or permanent residents. You must have a current Wellington address at the time of application. If you are shortlisted you will be required to verify this address and your NZ residency status.

• Undergraduate students are ineligible to apply – You must be over 18 years of age.

• Please note: Toi Pōneke is a wheelchair accessible venue, though in-part due to its age, there are some challenges. To arrange a site visit before you apply, or for any accessibility information please contact: sascha.perfect@wcc.govt.nz

how to apply

Please upload to our One Drive folder all of the following in one PDF document by Monday 21 October at 5pm – Use link below to upload.

 • 15 pages of your feature film script. You do not need a completed script to apply.

• Synopsis and summary of project (max. 3 pages).

 • Self-Introduction (max 1 page.) including information about yourself, your connection to your screenplay, what stage your screenplay is at and what you would like to achieve on the programme.

• Completed application and statistics form (below)

 • Please provide your CV

Applications are due 5pm, Monday 21 October 2024.

Should you be short listed, you would be need to be available for an interview between Mon 2 – Fri 6 December 2024

Download and complete the application form.

Upload your application and supporting documents via the link below.

Please send all documents together in a single PDF - labelled with your full name.