BIPOC Writers Fellowship: Adapting Books for the Screen

The Writers Room 5050 in partnership with Level 4 Press is proud to introduce its 12-week adaptation lab: Adapting Books for the Screen. The Level 4 Press catalogue and vast IP library, spanning various genres, is providing the books to be adapted for the screen by the fellows.

The fellowship will focus on adapting a book into a screenplay, the release of fictional feature films for theatrical, streaming, and television movies-of-the-week (MOWs). In the process, BIPOC writers will learn the highest industry standards for developing, writing, financing and producing an adapted feature film project. Each fellow will adapt one Level 4 Press book into a feature film screenplay.

The Writers Room 5050 and Level 4 Press are currently working with top executives, writers, representatives and guest speakers to provide mentorship, feedback, and firsthand industry knowledge.

The BIPOC Writers Fellowship includes but is not limited to:

• A 12-week lab taking you from book-to-screenplay

• Mentorship on creating and crafting your script

• A $750 Writer Stipend to all participants and accepted writers

• Expert development notes and assessments by industry professionals

• A 'table read' with professional actors

• Script Sales and Career Strategy instruction

• Pitch deck and high-end marketing collateral created for the project

• Live Industry Event to pitch your new script and meet high-end industry decision-makers

• For those scripts optioned, setup or sold, there will be financial participation

Submission Requirements:

• BIPOC Writer: Applicants must be of BIPOC heritage/ethnicity (Black, Indigenous, Person of Color)

• Script Submission: Writers must submit a completed screenplay writing sample (90 to 120 pages) for consideration

• Application Fee: An Early, Regular or Late application processing fee will apply.

Application Submission Period: October 12 - January 8

• Early Deadline: November 20

• Regular Deadline: December 18

• Late Deadline: January 8

• Application Fee: 

- Early Submission Fee - $40.00

- Regular Submission Fee - $50.00

- Late Submission Fee - $60.00

Announcements:

• Semi-Finalists: January 22

• Finalists: February 5

• Fellows Announced: February 19

• Fellows Begins: April 8

Fellowship Schedule:

Dates: Thursday, April 8th to July 1st, 2021

Time: 6pm to 9pm PST - (1 class per week, 3 hours per class)

Venue: Zoom

We would be honored to take this journey with you!