“imagineNATIVE is helping me be the best writer that I can be.  With their help, I now have amazing mentors, professional guidance, and financial reinforcement along the way to actually write what I want to write. I feel fully supported by them, and it's a great comfort knowing that I'm a part of something wonderful. Their willingness and openness to help artists like myself is truly a blessing.” - Migizi Pensoneau,writer Edumacation, 2018 Participant, imagineNATIVE Indigenous Screenwriting Intensive I

Indigenous Screenwriting Intensive

The Indigenous Screenwriting Intensive will support four Indigenous screenwriters, two residing in Canada and two residing internationally. Over the course of the year, each participant will develop a feature film script from concept/treatment to final draft. With a focus on potential optioning, the program will culminate in a live reading of script excerpts at the imagineNATIVE Festival in October, 2020.

Indigenous story editors will support the writers’ projects at each stage, providing feedback, advice, and writing resources. Screenwriters in the program will receive financial support throughout the Intensive, with stipends at the completion of key milestones.

It is expected that each participant will meet deadlines and participate in any group or one-on-one calls or Skype meetings, and will attend in person at the group workshop (March 2020). Travel, accommodation and hospitality will be provided.

Part of this Intensive is sharing your work with the script editors, select iN staff, and the other participants for feedback. You will be expected to read and provide commentary on the other participants’ work.

2018 Participants: Migizi Pensoneau - Edumacation, Gail Maurice - Rosie, Bryson Chun - Where is My Mind?, and Alexandra Lazarowich’s Two Funerals, a Round dance and a Wedding.

Eligibility:

Open to Indigenous screenwriters/filmmakers worldwide.

Applicant Requirements:

• Complete an application form

• In addition to the application form, applications must include the following (sent in one e-mail):

• 3-5 page treatment for your film idea: write the story in prose

• 2 -3 pages of a scene(s) to illustrate dialogue

• References - provide stills or images that reference the overall tone/look/feel that you want your film to have. These can be images or stills from popular films, stock images, or your own photography. Provide a brief, written explanation of the tone/look/feel.

• Writer’s Statement - Why do you want to write this film? What do you want to get out of participation in the Screenwriting Intensive?