Twelfth Writers Enlisted for Eleventh Annual Writers' Workshop
The Writers Lab Expands Horizons with New York City Retreat
The Writers Lab, a nonprofit organisation dedicated to the development and promotion of narrative scripted content written by diverse women over the age of 40, is set to hold its retreat in New York City for the first time this year. This move will provide participants with greater access to industry professionals, furthering the organisation's mission to elevate the work of women and nonbinary screenwriters.
The Writers Lab operates in the U.S., the U.K., Europe, and Canada, and partners with esteemed organisations such as New York Women in Film & Television, the Writers Guild of America, East, Film Fatales, Roadmap Writers, The Black List, the Alliance of Women Directors, Untamed Stories, Firecracker Department, and the Female Eye Film Festival.
The retreat will span over five days, focusing on tools and strategies to navigate the ever-shifting landscape of professional opportunities and to build sustainable careers. Influential and experienced filmmakers like Anne Carey, Susan Cartsonis, and Anya Epstein will mentor participants in development sessions, panels, and story-breaking workshops. 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 are among the latest mentors to join The Writers Lab for the 2025 Lab.
In a significant development, The Writers Lab has launched the Industry Advocacy Program, a new scheme supported by Natalie Portman and Sophie Mas' production company, MountainA. This program aims to build a pipeline for Lab participants, highlight their projects to industry representatives and executives, and create pathways to employment and production opportunities for women and nonbinary screenwriters over 40.
MountainA's involvement extends beyond creative development, actively pushing participants' work into the professional sphere. The program is also supported by partners like Roadmap Writers, The Writers Guild of America East, New York Women in Film & Television, and others, helping to promote the winners and top scorers beyond the Lab sessions.
The 12 selected women screenwriters over 40 for the 11th annual Lab are: Susannah Bohlke, Roni Brown-Byrd, Cylin Busby, Lisa Cole, Zsofia Darida, Sara Hallowell, Marty Johnson, Jaime Kawamoto, Tamika Lamison, Deb McCurdy, MK McGhee, and Veronica Reyes-How.
For more information about The Writers Lab, visit twlstories.org and follow on all social platforms @The_Writers_Lab. Upcoming projects from MountainA include the animated feature Arco, an art world satire The Gallerist, and the rom-com Good Sex. MountainA is currently under a first-look deal with Apple TV+ for TV projects and has produced critically acclaimed projects such as Todd Haynes' May December and HBO's Angel City.
The Writers Lab is grateful to supporters including Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Natalie Portman, Sophie Mas, and various foundations.
- The Writers Lab, whose mission is to elevate the work of women and nonbinary screenwriters, is collaborating with the Writers Guild of America, East, and New York Women in Film & Television for its retreat.
- The five-day retreat will offer tools and strategies for participants to navigate professional opportunities and build sustainable careers in the scripted content industry.
- Influential filmmakers like Anne Carey and Susan Cartsonis will mentor participants in development sessions, panels, and story-breaking workshops during the retreat.
- The Industry Advocacy Program, a new scheme supported by Natalie Portman and Sophie Mas' production company, MountainA, aims to build a pipeline for Lab participants and create pathways to employment and production opportunities.
- The careers of the 12 selected women screenwriters over 40 for the 11th annual Lab, including Susannah Bohlke and Veronica Reyes-How, will be furthered through the Industry Advocacy Program.
- MountainA, which is under a first-look deal with Apple TV+ for TV projects, is also a partner in promoting the winners and top scorers of The Writers Lab.
- Upcoming projects from MountainA include the animated feature Arco, the art world satire The Gallerist, and the rom-com Good Sex.
- The Writers Lab is grateful to supporters like Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Natalie Portman, and Sophie Mas, as well as various foundations.
- For more information about The Writers Lab and updates on their projects and activities, visit twlstories.org and follow them on all social platforms @The_Writers_Lab.
