write room, wellington screenwriter residency

Call for applications:

**FOR FILM & TELEVISION SCREENWRITERS **

Application Deadline: 5pm, Mon 20 October 2025

Programme Dates: 26 January – 15 August 2026

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 complete a draft of their feature film screenplay or TV pilot and bible over a seven month period with the support of experienced mentors.

This year’s mentors are Robert Sarkies (Scarfies, Out of the Blue, Pike River) and Vicky Pope (Pike River, 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 or TV series at a stage that will benefit from focused development towards completion of a draft of the feature film script or pilot TV episode and bible. You do not need a completed script to apply.

The aim of the programme is to support a writer to develop their work to a level where it can be pitched to a producer and secure further development funding and a pathway towards production. Over the first 7 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.

Write Room is committed to supporting diversity in NZ Film and Television. If you identify with an under-represented community in the industry we strongly encourage you to submit.

What’s on offer:

The programme is comprised of three parts:

1.      Residency - a room at Toi Pōneke Arts Centre – 16 weeks (26 Jan – 15 May 2026)

2.      Completing and polishing draft - a further 12 weeks of work (15 May – 15 Aug 2026)

3.      Script read-through with actors at the end of the programme.(15 Aug 2026)

During this time the writer is provided with a grant of $9,750 and support from experienced industry mentors.

The framework of the residency is defined by what the writer identifies 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.

·         Three work-in-progress discussions with mentors during the residency.

·         At the end of the residency the writer’s script is presented to an invited audience via a script read-through with actors.

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

We expect the chosen writer will spend a minimum of 15 hours a week committed to writing during the residency.

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

You will be required to deliver a draft of your script as part of the programme.

All details of the project will remain confidential. The Writer retains all rights to their screenplay.

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

Assessment Criteria

Your application will be assessed on the following:

- Strength of idea and intention for the screenplay; 

- The quality of the writing; 

- Clarity of vision and next steps to develop screenplay;

- Feasibility of Project Development and Future Pathway;

- Ability to dedicate a minimum of 15hrs writing time per week over the programme dates and achieve the goal of delivering a completed draft;

- Personal statement and genuine need for a designated quiet studio space in order to write; 

- Aho Tini* – Diversity and Inclusion - Potential to reflect diverse or underrepresented perspectives, cultural relevance especially Māori/Pasifika;

- Aho Tini* – Wellington based story or production intent; local place based story telling;

 *Wellington City Council - Aho Tini 2030:Arts, Culture and Creativity Strategy

Selection is undertaken by a panel comprising the Write Room mentors Rob Sarkies and Vicky Pope with the Write Room Producer Intern, alongside an industry advisor and staff of Toi Pōneke Art Centre.

Please note: Feedback is only given to those writers interviewed at shortlisted stage.

How to apply

1.      Download and complete - application and statistics form

2.      Attach - 15 pages of your feature film script or TV pilot. (You do not need a completed script to apply.)

3.      Attach - Synopsis and summary of project (max. 3 pages).

4.      Attach - 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.

5.      Attach - your CV

6.      Please upload all of the above in one PDF document to our One Drive folder by Monday 20 October at 5pm – Use link below to upload.

Please note: one application per writer will be accepted.

Applications are due 5pm, Monday 20 October 2025.

Should you be short listed, you would be need to be available for an interview between 15 - 19 December 2025

For further queries, please contact:
Sascha Perfect - email: sascha.perfect@wcc.govt.nz

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.