Teri Brown-Jackson
Rank: Pro
OBS Opportunity Radar
OBS Opportunity Radar
Curated fellowship, grant, contest, and program deadlines for Black screenwriters & creators
103 Active Submissions
v2.3.0
BPM Open Call
Black Public Media
🏆 Up to $20,000 in production funding and a chance to win up to $150,000 at PitchBLACK
An annual open call for feature-length nonfiction projects that explore the Black experience. Selected projects receive funding and an invitation to pitch at the PitchBLACK Forum.
💡 This is a premier funding and pitching opportunity specifically dedicated to amplifying Black nonfiction stories and connecting creators with public media distributors.
Accelerate Fellowship
Inevitable Foundation
🏆 $40,000 in funding + bespoke mentorship
A six-month rewriting sprint that gives disabled film and television writers funding and bespoke mentorship to develop a spec script to market. The program includes writers' groups, one-on-one mentorship, and access to leading film and television writers.
💡 Black disabled screenwriters can receive substantial funding and direct industry connections to elevate their careers and get their scripts ready for the market.
Sundance Episodic Lab
Sundance Institute
🏆 Showrunner mentorship, workshops, and simulated writers' rooms
A multi-part program providing independent artists with the tools and training to develop their original series and pilot scripts. Fellows participate in intensive workshops and receive customized creative support.
💡 Sundance provides Black storytellers with an elite, globally recognized platform to refine their authentic voices and connect with top-tier showrunners.
Disney Entertainment Television Writing Program
Disney Entertainment Television
🏆 12-month salaried program with potential staffing
A highly selective, 12-month TV staffing program designed to staff emerging writers on Disney Entertainment Television series. Writers participate in a professional development curriculum and gain direct exposure to executives.
💡 As one of the most prestigious paid programs in the industry, it offers Black writers a direct, salaried pathway to staffing on major network shows.
SFFILM Rainin Grant
SFFILM / Kenneth Rainin Foundation
🏆 Up to $25,000 cash grant plus a FilmHouse residency
The largest granting body for independent narrative feature films in the US, supporting films that address social justice issues in a positive and meaningful way. Grants are awarded for screenwriting, development, or post-production.
💡 Black filmmakers developing narrative features centered on social justice can secure critical early-stage funding and a supportive residency to advance their projects.
NBCUniversal Launch TV Writers Program
NBCUniversal
🏆 6-month mentored development, potential staffing opportunities across NBCU networks
A premier program designed to create the next generation of showrunners and content creators by developing writers with unique perspectives. Participants undergo a rigorous six-month development process to refine an original pilot.
💡 This program is a direct pipeline for Black creators to secure staffing opportunities across NBCUniversal's vast portfolio of networks and streaming platforms.
Paramount Writers Mentoring Program
Paramount Global
🏆 8-month mentorship, mock writers' room, and executive access
An eight-month initiative designed to support early-career writers as they develop original material and build meaningful relationships across Paramount. The program pairs each writer with a Paramount brand executive for regular one-on-one mentorship.
💡 This program is a proven pipeline for staffing on major network shows, providing Black writers with direct executive advocacy and a supportive peer network.
Warner Bros. Discovery Access Showrunner Program
Warner Bros. Discovery
🏆 Immersive training on leadership and production, masterclasses, and potential showrunner shadowing
Developed in consultation with veteran showrunners, this program provides immersive training on leadership and production for the next generation of showrunners. Participants receive first-hand instruction on running a writers' room, managing budgets, and leading with an equity mindset.
💡 Crucial for mid-level Black writers aiming to break the glass ceiling, offering targeted leadership training and shadowing opportunities to become successful executive producers and showrunners.
NRDC Climate Storytelling Fellowship
NRDC / The Black List
🏆 $20,000 grant + 6 months of mentorship
An annual fellowship supporting the revision of screenplays or pilots that meaningfully engage with climate change. Three recipients receive a substantial grant and six months of industry mentorship.
💡 Black communities are disproportionately impacted by climate change, making this a vital opportunity for Black writers to center their voices in environmental narratives while receiving major financial and industry support.
Sundance Screenwriters Lab
Sundance Institute
🏆 5-day intensive lab with creative advisors, travel and lodging covered
A five-day workshop for emerging screenwriters to work intensively on their feature film scripts with the support of established writers. Fellows participate in one-on-one story meetings and craft workshops.
💡 Sundance is one of the most prestigious labs in the industry, offering unparalleled mentorship and a proven pipeline for Black creators to get their first or second features made.
The Michael Collyer Memorial Fellowship in Screenwriting
The Black List & Writers Guild Initiative
🏆 $10,000 stipend + mentorship by a prominent screenwriter
A one-year fellowship awarded to an outstanding emerging screenwriter to develop an original screenplay. The recipient receives financial support and direct mentorship from the Writers Guild Initiative.
💡 Offers young Black screenwriters significant financial support and direct WGI mentorship to develop their feature scripts.
Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
🏆 $35,000 fellowship prize
The most prestigious international screenwriting competition, awarding up to five $35,000 fellowships to amateur writers. Winners are invited to participate in awards week ceremonies and seminars.
💡 Winning a Nicholl Fellowship is a career-defining achievement that provides Black screenwriters with significant financial backing and immediate industry-wide recognition.
Michael Collyer Memorial Fellowship in Screenwriting
Writers Guild Initiative / The Black List
🏆 $10,000 stipend + 1-year mentorship
A one-year fellowship awarded to an outstanding emerging screenwriter under 25 to develop an original feature screenplay. The recipient receives a stipend and mentorship from a prominent screenwriter.
💡 This is a premier opportunity for young Black screenwriters to secure funding and high-level WGI mentorship early in their careers, helping to establish a strong foundation in the industry.
Black Public Media Open Call & PitchBLACK
Black Public Media
🏆 $20,000 development grant + up to $150,000 production award
BPM's Open Call invites independent filmmakers to submit feature-length nonfiction projects exploring the Black experience. Selected projects receive development funding and an invitation to compete for major production funds at the PitchBLACK Forum.
💡 This is the premier funding pipeline specifically dedicated to Black storytellers, offering substantial financial support and public media distribution opportunities.
Lord Family Foundation Short Documentary Grant
From the Heart Productions
🏆 $10,000 grant + mentorship
A grant designed to help emerging filmmakers bring an original short documentary story (under 40 minutes) to the screen. It provides funding, resources, and mentorship to help the recipient create a film that could benefit society.
💡 This is an excellent opportunity for emerging Black documentarians to secure crucial finishing or production funds and industry mentorship for their short films.
Planet Health Documentary Grant
Earthrise Studio & Bupa
🏆 £20,000 grant + SXSW London 2027 premiere
This initiative funds five filmmakers to make short documentaries exploring how human health is tied to the environment. Recipients get a development program with BAFTA Albert and a world premiere at SXSW London in May 2027.
💡 Black documentarians can secure significant funding and a guaranteed SXSW London premiere while exploring critical intersections of health and environmental justice.
AfroPoP Rolling Call
Black Public Media
🏆 Licensing agreement for public media distribution
An ongoing open call for documentary filmmakers to submit feature-length nonfiction projects for public media distribution.
💡 A direct pipeline for Black documentarians to secure distribution and funding for stories centered on the global Black experience.
2027 CineStory TV Fellowship & Retreat
The CineStory Foundation
🏆 Free retreat attendance, cash award, and a 1-year educational mentorship
A comprehensive retreat and fellowship that pairs emerging writers with industry professionals for one-on-one feedback and specialized panel discussions.
💡 Provides Black screenwriters with invaluable one-on-one mentorship and a deep dive into the business side of television writing.
Documentary Lab
Firelight Media
🏆 $25,000 project grant + 12 months of mentorship and professional development
Firelight Media's flagship 12-month fellowship supports filmmakers of color working on their first or second non-fiction feature film. It provides holistic support through customized mentorship, professional development, and a project grant.
💡 This lab is specifically designed to elevate filmmakers of color, making it an essential incubator for Black documentarians to finish their films and build industry connections.
IDA Enterprise Documentary Fund
International Documentary Association (IDA)
🏆 Production grants up to $100,000
The IDA Enterprise Documentary Fund provides production funds to feature-length documentary films taking on in-depth explorations of original, contemporary stories. It prioritizes projects integrating journalistic practice into the filmmaking process.
💡 This fund is ideal for Black filmmakers tackling high-stakes, journalistic storytelling, offering both significant funding and tailored resources to support diverse voices.
Anarchists United Writers Discovery Fellowship
Anarchists United Foundation
🏆 $10,000 stipend + 6-month mentorship program
A six-month immersive program providing an introductory experience to the TV ecosystem, including script development and career advice from a seasoned industry mentor. Fellows also explore new media opportunities and are introduced to television producers and executives.
💡 Black TV writers can leverage this fellowship's $10,000 stipend and direct executive mentorship to break into traditional television and emerging digital media pathways.
Sundance Institute Ignite x Adobe Fellowship
Sundance Institute
🏆 $5,000 artist grant + 12-month Adobe Creative Cloud + Sundance alumni mentor
A yearlong development program for emerging filmmakers that begins with a weeklong in-person lab. Fellows receive a grant, mentorship, and professional development to advance their careers.
💡 An incredible launchpad for young Black filmmakers to gain funding, industry connections, and world-class mentorship from Sundance.
CineStory TV Retreat & Fellowship
CineStory Foundation
🏆 $3,000 cash, free retreat tuition and housing, 12-month mentorship
An intensive retreat and fellowship program designed to elevate emerging TV writers through mentorship and a simulated writers' room.
💡 Black writers can benefit from the intensive mentorship and simulated writers' room experience to prepare for staffing.
Black List Annual Labs
The Black List
🏆 Lab training and mentorship in Ojai, CA
An intensive residential lab offering script development and mentorship for emerging feature writers and writer-directors. Selected writers will participate in a week-long workshop in Ojai, CA.
💡 The Black List Labs provide unparalleled industry access and mentorship, making it a crucial stepping stone for Black writers to elevate their feature scripts and build lasting executive relationships.
Sundance Institute Episodic Alfred P. Sloan Grant
Sundance Institute / Alfred P. Sloan Foundation
🏆 Development grant and Sundance support
A grant supporting emerging writers developing an episodic pilot script that explores science and technology themes or characters.
💡 An excellent avenue for Black creators to secure funding and prestigious Sundance backing for STEM-focused narratives.
Black Boy Writes & Black Girl Writes Mentorship Initiative
Black Boy Writes Media
🏆 Monthly writers' rooms, notes, workshops, professional roundtables, and general meetings
A year-long initiative dedicated to supplying industry access and resources to pre-WGA Black screenwriters. The program positions and equips writers with the knowledge to acquire representation and staffing.
💡 Created specifically for Black writers, this initiative provides a culturally supportive environment and direct industry connections to launch your career.
Women In Film Writer Fellowship
Women In Film Los Angeles (WIF)
🏆 Year-long professional mentorship and career development
A year-long program that supports both episodic and feature writers through mentorship, professional development, and industry connections. It aims to foster connections between women and underrepresented professionals in the entertainment industry.
💡 This is a premier opportunity for Black women and nonbinary screenwriters to build equitable industry relationships and advance their careers with a highly respected organization.
NRDC Climate Storytelling Fellowship
The Black List / NRDC
🏆 $20,000 grant + mentorship
A fellowship awarding three writers $20,000 each to revise a feature screenplay or pilot that engages with climate change in a compelling way. Fellows also receive creative support and mentorship from established screenwriters and climate experts.
💡 Black writers can use this fellowship to bring diverse perspectives to climate storytelling while receiving significant funding and industry mentorship from top organizations like NBCUniversal and CAA.
JustFilms Grant
Ford Foundation
🏆 $100,000 - $200,000 grant
Funds innovative, artist-driven feature documentaries that creatively address social justice issues and promote intersectional representation. The initiative supports projects that elevate independent filmmakers and media creators to document realities and inspire a more equitable future.
💡 An exceptional opportunity for Black documentarians to secure substantial funding for projects addressing systemic inequalities and racial justice.
Film Independent Documentary Lab
Film Independent
🏆 Year-round mentorship, creative feedback, and industry access
An intensive program designed to help documentary filmmakers who are currently in the post-production phase. Selected fellows work with lead creative mentors and industry guest speakers to refine their films and build strategies for distribution.
💡 This lab provides Black filmmakers with crucial post-production mentorship and direct access to financiers and distributors to ensure their documentaries reach a wide audience.
Catapult Development Grant
Catapult Film Fund
🏆 $25,000 grant
The Catapult Development Grant provides early-stage support to documentary filmmakers when funding is hardest to find. It offers critical funding to help creators produce a fundraising piece and unlock further production support.
💡 Early-stage funding is notoriously difficult to secure, making this an essential opportunity for Black creators to get their documentary projects off the ground.
Sundance Documentary Fund
Sundance Institute
🏆 Up to $100,000 non-recoupable grant
The Sundance Documentary Fund supports independent nonfiction filmmakers working on compelling and impactful documentary projects. It provides critical financial support to projects that demonstrate strong storytelling and meaningful engagement with contemporary issues.
💡 This premier grant provides Black documentarians with substantial funding and industry prestige to elevate their nonfiction storytelling on a global scale.
Film Independent Episodic Lab
Film Independent
🏆 Mentorship, industry networking, and eligibility for a $20,000 Alfred P. Sloan grant
A program designed to support writers with original long-form episodic projects through personalized feedback from experienced showrunners and executives. Fellows gain the tools to revise their pilots and navigate the industry.
💡 Film Independent champions diverse voices, offering Black creators invaluable one-on-one mentorship with showrunners to refine their pilots and pitch to executives.
Warner Bros. Discovery Access Writers Program
Warner Bros. Discovery
🏆 Comprehensive creative and business curriculum, plus staffing consideration across WBD
A highly competitive initiative providing historically excluded writers a pathway into the episodic television writing space. Selected writers undergo an extensive curriculum before being put up for staffing opportunities.
💡 WBD Access specifically targets underrepresented voices, making it an essential pipeline for Black writers to secure staffing on major network and streaming shows.
Paramount Writers Mentoring Program
Paramount
🏆 8-month mentorship, 16-week workshop, and mock writers room experience
An eight-month program offering targeted mentorship and engagement opportunities with creative teams developing content across Paramount's ecosystem. Participants work with executive mentors to create a new writing sample and attend weekly workshops.
💡 With a strong track record of launching diverse showrunners, this program is an invaluable stepping stone for Black writers seeking direct studio mentorship and staffing.
Episodic Alfred P. Sloan Grant
Sundance Institute
🏆 $17,000 grant + creative craft support
Supported by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, this grant awards funding and creative support to a writer or writing team with a pilot that illuminates a positive emphasis on science or technology. It includes participation in Sundance Episodic Program activities.
💡 Black writers creating STEM-focused, sci-fi, or historical science pilots can secure $17,000 in non-recoupable funding and prestigious Sundance mentorship.
AT&T Presents: Untold Stories
Tribeca Festival & AT&T
🏆 $1,000,000 production grant + Tribeca premiere
A massive pitch competition where underrepresented filmmakers compete for a $1 million prize to produce their feature film. The winning film is guaranteed a premiere at the Tribeca Festival.
💡 This is a life-changing $1 million greenlight opportunity for Black filmmakers to fully fund, produce, and premiere their feature film on a global stage.
Film Independent Documentary Story Lab
Film Independent
🏆 Creative feedback, mentorship, industry access, and a final pitch event
An intensive program that helps directors hone their story as they dive into the editing phase of their feature documentary. Fellows are paired with mentors and attend multiple workshops.
💡 This lab provides Black documentarians with crucial post-production mentorship and industry connections to ensure their films reach their full potential and find distribution.
NRDC Climate Storytelling Fellowship 2027
The Black List / NRDC / NBCUniversal
🏆 $20,000 grant + mentorship and industry connections
A fellowship granting $20,000 to three writers to support the revision of a script that engages with climate change. Fellows receive guidance from industry professionals and climate experts.
💡 Black creators can leverage this substantial grant and high-level studio exposure to tell impactful, culturally relevant stories about the environment.
Documentary Story Lab 2027
Film Independent
🏆 Intensive fellowship, mentorship, and industry access
An intensive program designed to help filmmakers with feature-length documentaries in post-production. Fellows receive creative feedback and mentorship to advance their projects.
💡 Film Independent is renowned for championing underrepresented voices, making this lab an excellent incubator for Black documentarians to refine their stories.
ITVS Open Call
Independent Television Service (ITVS)
🏆 Up to $400,000 in co-production funding
A co-production funding initiative supporting independent documentary storytellers completing nonfiction projects for public media. ITVS partners with filmmakers to help them complete their films and distribute them across public media platforms.
💡 ITVS is committed to programming that addresses the needs of underrepresented audiences, offering Black documentarians massive funding and guaranteed public broadcast exposure.
Tribeca Creators Market
Tribeca Festival
🏆 Invitation to a private industry market to pitch new projects to distributors, producers, networks, and funders.
A private industry market held during the Tribeca Festival that brings together storytellers to pitch new projects and network with industry members. Selected creators are featured in the Tribeca NOW section.
💡 An unparalleled opportunity for Black digital creators, filmmakers, and audio storytellers to pitch directly to major networks, studios, and financiers.
WIF x The Black List Episodic Lab
The Black List and Women in Film
🏆 4-week intensive lab with script development, pitching, peer workshopping, and master classes with industry executives.
A four-week intensive program offering script development, peer workshopping, and master classes with established writers and industry executives. Participants will have their final pilots read by agencies and networks.
💡 Provides Black women and gender-expansive creators direct access to top-tier industry mentorship and agency reads to launch their TV writing careers.
NRDC Climate Storytelling Fellowship (2027 Cycle)
Natural Resources Defense Council / The Black List / Redford Center / NBCUniversal / CAA Community + Impact
🏆 $20,000 grant per fellow plus six months of mentorship
Now in its sixth year, this fellowship grants three writers $20,000 each and six months of mentorship from industry professionals and climate experts to revise a feature or pilot script engaging with climate change. Submissions are made through the Black List, and revised scripts may be reviewed by studios, agencies, and production companies including CAA, NBCUniversal, and WME. The 2027 cycle is open for submissions through December 4, 2026.
💡 Open to all screenwriters including Black creators, this well-funded fellowship offers a route to develop socially conscious scripts with high-profile industry mentorship and exposure.
Television/Streaming/Radio-Audio Writing Awards
Writers Guild of America (WGA)
🏆 WGA Award nomination and recognition; winners announced at the 2027 Writers Guild Awards
The WGA's annual TV, streaming, and radio/audio writing awards recognize outstanding scripts across categories including episodic, animation, documentary, and children's programming. Submissions for work aired in 2026 close November 20, 2026, with preliminary and final judging conducted by panels of Guild members.
💡 Recognition through this prestigious industry award can significantly raise the profile of Black WGA member-writers and their produced television work.
Emerging Filmmaker Short Film Grant
Black Film Space
🏆 $3,000 grant
Black Film Space is awarding $3,000 to an emerging filmmaker ready to bring a bold, original short narrative to life, with the deadline recently extended to November 16. Collaborative projects are eligible as long as the lead applicant serves as co-writer, co-director, and co-producer. Selections are based on the strength of the submitted script and the applicant's creative vision.
💡 A grant program run by and explicitly for Black filmmakers, designed to give first- or second-time writer-director-producers direct funding and support to complete a short narrative film.
Diversity Screenwriting Fellowship
Writers for Writers
🏆 Mentorship from working film/TV professionals
A rolling, mentorship-based fellowship pairing selected writers with industry mentors based on genre and availability, with notifications typically given four to six weeks after submission.
💡 Directly targets minority writers and diversity-centered stories, offering ongoing (non-cyclical) access to mentorship for Black screenwriters at any time of year.
Golden Script Competition
Golden Script / InkTip
🏆 $10,000 in total cash prizes; scripts read by production companies and literary agencies
An international, rolling-entry competition for short, feature, and TV pilot screenplays. The competition is currently accepting submissions for its next edition on a rolling basis, with mentors including an Oscar-nominee and an Emmy-nominee attached to the program.
💡 A general-market, rolling-deadline contest open to writers everywhere, giving Black screenwriters an ongoing avenue to get scripts in front of agencies and producers without waiting for an annual cycle.
First Flights Short Film Fund (August 2026 Window)
First Flights
🏆 Grants of up to £7,000 / $10,000, plus optional Kodak 16mm film stock package and Festival Strategy/Investor Projection Award add-ons
First Flights runs two annual windows for its Short Film Fund, supporting scripted and documentary shorts intended as proof-of-concept for future feature films. The 2026 second window opened August 4, with grants going toward production costs and possible Kodak film stock or festival strategy perks.
💡 An open, no-restriction global short film fund currently accepting submissions that Black screenwriters and filmmakers can use to finance a proof-of-concept short toward a feature.
Midnight & Indigo Open Call — Short Stories, Speculative Fiction & Narrative Essays
Midnight & Indigo
🏆 Publication in Midnight & Indigo's tri-annual literary journal
Midnight & Indigo, a literary journal celebrating Black women writers, has issued a call for submissions for short stories, speculative fiction, and narrative essays across three currently open categories, including character-driven short stories and previously unpublished personal essays.
💡 A rolling, no-fee call specifically centering Black women's voices, giving OBS members a direct outlet for prose and narrative work that can complement screenwriting portfolios.
B!tchFest Season 3
B!tchFest LA
🏆 Screenplay category trophies plus a free 4-month InkTip Pro Membership ($130 value) for screenwriting category winners
B!tchFest is accepting entries for its Season 3 screenplay and film categories on a rolling basis through mid-November 2026, with winners invited to screen and be honored at the Eastwood Theatre in Hollywood in February 2027. Category winners receive trophies and industry perks including an InkTip Pro membership.
💡 An open-genre festival with a female-forward mission that welcomes diverse voices and offers Black women screenwriters exposure, trophies, and industry perks.
Roster Application for Creative Professionals
Ghetto Film School
🏆 Access to GFS community, equipment, industry mentorship and project opportunities
Ghetto Film School's Roster is a rolling application for a growing community of young creative professionals, including writers and filmmakers, based in NY or LA who want ongoing access to GFS resources, mentorship and industry connections.
💡 An accessible, rolling on-ramp for early-career Black screenwriters and content creators in NY/LA to join a storytelling community and access industry mentorship without a hard deadline.
Awesome Foundation Micro-Grants
The Awesome Foundation
🏆 $1,000 micro-grant, typically awarded monthly per chapter
The Awesome Foundation is a global network of local chapters that award $1,000 micro-grants on a rolling, monthly basis to support creative projects, including short films and documentaries. There are no application fees, and dozens of film projects have received funding through the initiative.
💡 A low-barrier, fee-free rolling micro-grant that Black content creators can use for quick production costs on a short film, proof-of-concept, or festival submission fees while pursuing larger funding.
Pitch Competition
Austin Film Festival
🏆 Producers Badge for 2026 AFF & Conference; live feedback from industry judges
Contestants get 90 seconds to pitch original ideas to a panel of agents, producers, managers, and screenwriters in a live, informal setting. Top finalists present at the Pitch Finale Party on October 25 during the Austin Film Festival & Conference. This is a rolling, first-come registration tied to festival badge purchase rather than a fixed script-submission deadline.
💡 Live in-person pitch access to real industry decision-makers is valuable networking and development experience for Black screenwriters seeking representation.
Unique Voices Screenplay Competition
Creative Screenwriting Magazine
🏆 Industry exposure and potential representation via creative partners
Creative Screenwriting has teamed up with several creative partners looking for Features and TV Pilots with unique voices and original stories, with an extended final deadline of December 4th. Past participants in Creative Screenwriting's competitions have gone on to representation deals and produced projects, including writers whose scripts advanced from quarter-finalist and semi-finalist placements into professional management and production opportunities.
💡 Specifically framed around amplifying 'unique voices,' this contest is well-suited for Black screenwriters whose original stories and perspectives may be underrepresented in mainstream competitions.
HBCU Week NOW Student Film Festival
Black Public Media
🏆 Selection into festival showcase; national exposure via Black Public Media platform
Black Public Media administers this open call for short films (up to 30 minutes) reflecting HBCU experiences, culture, and history, selecting a slate of 10 films for the inaugural HBCU Week NOW Student Film Festival premiering online in winter 2026. Submissions are currently open with the window described as ongoing.
💡 Provides a direct pipeline for HBCU-affiliated Black student filmmakers and screenwriters to gain national visibility through a dedicated Black media institution.
Voices With Impact Production Grant
Art Opening Minds (AOM)
🏆 Short film production grant plus festival strategy support
Voices With Impact is a short film grant and festival that funds mental health narrative shorts, which are then integrated into AOM's mental health curricula distributed to over 350 educational partners. The grant launches in early August with submissions open mid-August through mid-September 2026, and funded films premiere the following year.
💡 A general-market short film production grant open to writer-directors of any background, giving Black screenwriters and content creators an additional funded avenue to produce a mental-health-themed narrative short.
Stage 32 Happy Writers Online Pitchfests
Stage 32
🏆 Direct live pitch sessions with managers, agents, producers, and executives from a roster of 500+ industry professionals
Stage 32 runs recurring virtual Pitchfests where writers pitch directly to industry professionals. Pitchfests occur 1-2 times per month and are usually held on weekends; check back for the next event and see all available pitch sessions.
💡 Offers Black screenwriters a rolling, direct-access channel to pitch produced concepts to managers and producers without waiting on a single annual deadline.
NHMC Series Scriptwriters Program — 2026 Cycle
National Hispanic Media Coalition (NHMC)
🏆 Free 8-week virtual writers lab; scripts reviewed by studio partners including Disney, NBCUniversal, and Netflix
NHMC has opened its application window for the 2026 Series Scriptwriters Program, a virtual writers lab running from September 22 through November 14, 2026, where participants develop an original series pilot with industry mentors.
💡 Though rooted in Latine representation, the program is explicitly open to writers of all races and ethnicities, offering Black screenwriters mentorship and a pathway to staffing consideration with major studios.
Write by the Beach: Female Screenwriters Retreat
Lighthouse International Film Festival
🏆 7 nights in a private oceanfront home on Long Beach Island, NJ; lodging and retreat programming included; retreat runs October 17–24, 2026
Write by the Beach is a week-long writing retreat for female filmmakers held on Long Beach Island, New Jersey, hosted by the Lighthouse International Film Festival. Four selected female screenwriters stay in an oceanfront home and receive dedicated writing time, creative sessions, peer feedback, and community-building. Submissions are currently open for the 2026 edition running October 17–24.
💡 This free, intimate retreat offers Black female screenwriters dedicated writing time and peer connection in an underrepresented-friendly environment with no cost barrier to apply.
Caldera Artists in Residence 2026 – BIPOC Priority Residency
Caldera Arts Center
🏆 Artist stipend + private lodging with bathroom and kitchenette + studio workspace during 2- or 3.5-week residency near Blue Lake, Oregon
Caldera Arts Center offers 2- and 3.5-week residencies in a stunning natural setting near Blue Lake, Oregon, providing private lodging, studio space, and a stipend. The program deliberately prioritizes BIPOC artists, aiming to have 90% of its cohort be artists of color, and also supports parents. Screenplays are among the eligible genres.
💡 With a 90% artists-of-color target and full material support including housing and a stipend, this residency offers OBS members a rare, equity-centered creative retreat for screenwriting.
PAGE International Screenwriting Awards 2027
PAGE Awards
🏆 $25,000 Grand Prize; over $50,000 total in cash and prizes across 31 awards in 10 genre categories
The PAGE Awards presents 31 awards across 10 genre categories each year, judged entirely by working Hollywood producers, agents, managers, and development executives. The 2026 cycle is now closed; the 2027 cycle will open for submissions later in 2026. Winners receive $25,000 cash, a Tuscany screenwriting retreat, and industry promotion via InkTip, Stage 32, and VPF.
💡 The PAGE Awards' multi-genre structure and industry judge panel give Black screenwriters in any genre — from drama to horror to sci-fi — a direct path to getting scripts in front of Hollywood decision-makers.
Black List / Women In Film Episodic Lab
The Black List & Women In Film
🏆 $3,000 stipend, mock writers' room participation, 1-on-1 mentorship
The Black List/Women In Film Episodic Lab selects fellows to receive a $3,000 stipend, participate in a mock writers' room, and receive 1-on-1 mentorship sessions. Applicants submit two original TV pilot scripts (no specs). Fellows must be available for in-person LA gatherings between August 11 and October 1. Application timing typically falls mid-year; verify the Black List website for the 2026 cycle status.
💡 With its stipend, mock writers' room, and direct industry mentorship, this lab is a key stepping stone for Black television writers transitioning from emerging to staffed professional.
2026–2027 Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting (Writers Guild Foundation Portal)
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences / Writers Guild Foundation
🏆 Up to five $35,000 fellowships awarded annually
The Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting awards up to five $35,000 fellowships each year to amateur feature screenwriters. For 2026–2027, the Writers Guild Foundation served as a public submissions partner, with its window running June 22–July 20, 2026 (or until 2,000 entries). The program has 55 partners including Morehouse College, Howard University, Dillard University, and Gold House, expanding access for diverse writers.
💡 With HBCU partners like Morehouse, Howard, and Dillard now in the Nicholl network, Black screenwriters have new institutional pathways into one of the most prestigious and career-defining fellowships in Hollywood.
Disney Entertainment Television Writing Program – 2027 Cycle (Applications Open May 2027)
Disney Entertainment Television / CTDI
🏆 Paid staff writer position on a Disney Entertainment Television series (12-month program); professional development curriculum
The Disney Entertainment Television Writing Program is a 12-month paid program that staffs selected writers on DET series as staff writers. The 2027 cycle application opened May 4, 2026, and closed June 1, 2026; the 2028 cycle is expected to open in Spring 2027. OBS members should bookmark the official page and prepare materials now. The program is one of the most direct pathways to a paid staff writer position at a major studio.
💡 As one of the few studio programs offering a paid staff writer position, the DET Writing Program is a critical pipeline opportunity for Black screenwriters aiming to break into television at the highest level.
WriteMovies International Screenwriting Contest (Ongoing Cycle)
WriteMovies
🏆 Full year of professional script development (up to $3,200 value) + representation from TalentScout International Management + industry pitching
WriteMovies runs biannual screenwriting contests offering the top three scripts full representation, a year of script development, and guaranteed industry pitching through TalentScout International Management. Every entry receives a written feedback sheet on the script's first ten pages. Submissions are rolling with multiple deadline tiers throughout the year.
💡 WriteMovies' guaranteed representation and pitching model — not just a trophy — offers Black screenwriters a practical pathway to industry access, and the free redraft policy supports writers who benefit from development feedback.
The Great Pitch Competition (ISA x Script Pipeline)
International Screenwriters' Association (ISA) & Script Pipeline
🏆 $1,500 ISA credit + pitch coaching + Development Evaluation + 1-on-1 mentorship from ISA and Script Pipeline teams; Top 50 considered for year-round development
The Great Pitch Competition is a free, first-of-its-kind collaboration between the ISA and Script Pipeline, combining ISA's Development Slate with Script Pipeline's industry network. Writers submit a written pitch alongside a screenplay sample (WIP or completed) across four categories: Completed Feature, Completed TV Pilot, WIP Feature, and WIP Pilot. Top 50 projects are considered for ongoing development by both organizations.
💡 The zero-cost barrier and dual-organization mentorship model make this an exceptionally accessible opportunity for Black screenwriters at any career stage, with no financial risk and direct development upside.
KOSINIMA Short Film Grant
KOSINIMA, Inc.
🏆 $2,500 USD per filmmaker (up to 4 awarded per year)
KOSINIMA is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that awards $2,500 grants to up to four Black femme filmmakers per year in Africa and the African diaspora. The current cycle is closed but a new 2026 cycle has been announced — check the official site regularly for the opening date. Grant funds may be used for production, post-production, or distribution.
💡 One of the few grants designed exclusively for Black femme filmmakers across the diaspora, KOSINIMA directly addresses the intersectional funding gap that many OBS members — particularly Black women screenwriter-filmmakers — face.
ABFF 2027 Film Submissions — Opening Fall 2026
American Black Film Festival (ABFF)
🏆 Festival screening and awards recognition at Hollywood's leading talent discovery platform for people of African descent
ABFF 2026 (the 30th anniversary) submissions are now closed, but submissions for ABFF 2027 will open in Fall 2026. ABFF is the premier annual event dedicated to empowering emerging talent and showcasing film and television content by and about people of African descent, drawing over 7,000 attendees annually to Miami Beach. OBS members should monitor abff.com/miami/submissions/ for the 2027 cycle opening.
💡 ABFF is the single most important Black-specific film festival and industry platform in the US — a must-submit destination for OBS members once the 2027 cycle opens in fall 2026.
Martha's Vineyard African American Film Festival (MVAAFF) 2026 — Film Submissions
Run & Shoot Filmworks / MVAAFF
🏆 Festival screening Aug 7–15, 2026; OSCAR®-qualifying recognition in Short Film Category
The 24th Annual MVAAFF takes place August 7–15, 2026 in Oak Bluffs, Massachusetts, and is an OSCAR®-qualifying festival in the Short Film category. The festival screens and promotes outstanding feature, documentary, and short films produced by and starring African Americans from across the world. Submissions are handled via FilmFreeway — check the official page for current availability.
💡 MVAAFF is one of the most prestigious Black-specific film festivals in the country, offering OBS member filmmakers an Oscar-qualifying platform and direct access to an influential Black industry and community audience.
Shore Scripts TV Writer Mentorship Program 2026
Shore Scripts
🏆 8 weeks of intensive sessions with showrunners, development executives, agents, managers, and working TV writers; scripts circulated to industry roster
The Shore Scripts 2026 TV Writer Mentorship Program is currently open for applications, offering 8 weeks of intensive sessions with showrunners, development executives, agents, managers, and working TV writers. Past cohort participants met with showrunners, studio executives, and reps from major agencies. All winning and finalist scripts are circulated to Shore Scripts' extensive industry roster based on the writer's personal goals.
💡 An accessible, currently-open mentorship program with direct industry connections — a strong option for OBS members who missed major studio fellowship deadlines and need industry exposure now.
ISA Diversity Initiative — Rolling Submissions
International Screenwriters' Association (ISA)
🏆 Acceptance onto ISA Development Slate (top tier of ISA writers); industry exposure and consideration
The ISA Diversity Initiative strives to elevate writers from underrepresented and marginalized communities by breaking down systemic barriers and celebrating authentic narratives. Up to three selected writers will be considered for acceptance onto the ISA Development Slate. Applicants may submit an original feature screenplay or TV pilot.
💡 Explicitly prioritizes writers of color and other underrepresented identities with a rolling submission structure — accessible to OBS members at multiple points throughout the year.
Humanitas New Voices Fellowship — 2027 Cycle (Monitor for Reopening)
Humanitas
🏆 $7,500 stipend + MasterClass membership + UCLA Extension course + headshots + mentorship from professional WGA-member writers
The Humanitas New Voices Fellowship is an approximately six-month artist development program pairing emerging TV and film writers with professional WGA-member mentors for one-on-one script development. Fellows receive a $7,500 stipend and participate in workshops and a professional development series. The 2026 cycle deadline was April 6, 2026; the 2027 cycle is expected to open in early 2027.
💡 Provides unrepresented, early-career writers — including many Black writers lacking industry access — with mentorship, a meaningful stipend, and a direct bridge to the professional writing community.
Disney Entertainment Television Writing Program — 2027 Cycle (Monitor for Reopening)
Disney Entertainment Television / CTDI
🏆 Paid contracted Disney employee for one year or until staffed on a show
The DET Writing Program, founded in 1990, is one of the only industry initiatives that employs its writers as paid contracted employees for one year or until they are staffed on a Disney scripted series. The program has a nearly 100% staffing rate each year and accepts two original live-action pilot scripts. The 2027 cycle is expected to open in May or June 2027.
💡 One of the most prestigious and proven studio pipelines — with nearly 100% staffing and full paid employment — making it a top priority for OBS members to prepare for annually.
NBC TV Writers Program — 2027 Cycle (Monitor for Reopening)
NBCUniversal
🏆 Mentorship from NBCU executives; staffing consideration on NBCU Television, Streaming, and Universal Studio Group series
The NBC TV Writers Program is NBCU's premier initiative for emerging episodic television writers, aimed at developing the next generation of showrunners. Writers develop an original pilot to which they retain all rights and are paired with NBCUniversal programming executives for mentorship. The 2026 cycle closed June 21, 2026; the 2027 cycle is expected to open in June 2027.
💡 One of the industry's top studio pipelines for emerging diverse TV writers, with direct mentorship and staffing pathways into the entire NBCU portfolio — essential for OBS members to monitor.
ABFF 9:16 Microdrama Project
American Black Film Festival (ABFF)
🏆 Official Selections receive curated digital-first exhibition across ABFF platforms; integrated visibility within the 2026 American Black Film Festival; industry recognition and audience discovery opportunities. Creators retain full ownership.
ABFF launched the 9:16 Microdrama Project as a new digital-first initiative to identify, showcase, and amplify outstanding vertical microdrama series by creators of color. Projects are selected through a competitive review by industry professionals including creative executives and producers across digital, film, and emerging media. Official Selections gain visibility across ABFF platforms and within the 30th annual American Black Film Festival.
💡 Created specifically by and for ABFF—the premier Black film festival—this initiative directly serves Black and Black-adjacent digital content creators working in fast-growing vertical storytelling formats.
Firelight Media Documentary Lab 2027 (Anticipated Next Cycle)
Firelight Media
🏆 $25,000 project grant + customized mentorship from documentary industry leaders + professional development and networking
Firelight Media's Documentary Lab is a 12-month fellowship that supports filmmakers of color with a $25,000 grant, mentorship, and professional development. Founded by Peabody and Emmy award-winning filmmaker Stanley Nelson, Firelight Media's mission is to support documentary media by and about communities of color. The 2026 cycle (deadline May 4, 2026) is now closed; the 2027 open call is anticipated to open in spring 2027 — monitor the official page for announcements.
💡 Firelight Media is one of the most prestigious and well-resourced documentary fellowships explicitly centering filmmakers of color, making it essential for OBS members working in nonfiction storytelling to track for the next cycle.
Black Public Media AfroPop Rolling Submissions
Black Public Media (BPM)
🏆 Distribution on AfroPop: The Ultimate Cultural Exchange and AfroPop Digital Shorts (PBS-affiliated public media series)
Black Public Media's rolling open call invites submissions of completed shorts or feature documentaries for distribution consideration on its AfroPop series, which highlights the diversity of the global Black experience. BPM is a Harlem-based national media arts nonprofit that also administers the competitive PitchBLACK pitch forum awarding up to $150,000 in project funding annually. The rolling call accepts submissions on an ongoing basis with no fixed deadline.
💡 One of the only rolling distribution opportunities specifically for Black filmmakers and storytellers, with no fee and direct access to public media broadcast — a critical platform for OBS members ready to share completed work.
NBC TV Writers Program – 2026 Cycle (Results Pending / Watch for 2027 Cycle)
NBCUniversal
🏆 Paid staff writer position consideration on NBCU Television and Streaming and Universal Studio Group series; writers develop an original pilot they retain rights to
The NBC TV Writers Program is NBCUniversal's premier program for emerging episodic television writers, with the goal of developing the next generation of showrunners and content creators. Participants are paired with NBCUniversal executives as mentors and develop an original pilot to which they retain all rights. The 2026 cycle targeted a January 2027 program launch; watch the official site for the 2027 cycle application window.
💡 Explicitly seeks writers with distinct lived experiences and unique perspectives, making it a top-tier opportunity for Black TV writers seeking a direct path to paid network staffing.
WGF Veterans Writing Project 2026–2027 Cycle
Writers Guild Foundation (WGF)
🏆 10-month mentorship with a WGA member; opportunity to pitch completed projects to agents, managers, showrunners, and executives upon graduation
The WGF Veterans Writing Project is a 10-month mentorship program supporting emerging writers from U.S. military backgrounds, providing education, community, and industry insight to launch screenwriting careers. Participants are matched with WGA member mentors who provide hands-on guidance as they complete an original TV or feature script. Upon graduation, writers pitch their projects to leading agents, managers, showrunners, and executives.
💡 Black veterans represent a significant and underserved creative community; this free WGA-backed mentorship program offers a direct path to industry decision-makers for OBS members with military service backgrounds.
ISA (International Screenwriters' Association) Student Fellowship — Diversity Initiative
International Screenwriters' Association (ISA)
🏆 $1,000 ISA credit; exposure to Netflix, Disney+, and major agencies
The ISA Student Fellowship is currently open with a free application and awards a $1,000 credit along with industry exposure to Netflix, Disney+, and major agencies. The ISA's Diversity Initiative component specifically strives to elevate writers from underrepresented and marginalized communities. The fellowship is designed to provide both financial support and direct industry visibility.
💡 The free application and explicit diversity focus make this an accessible, zero-barrier entry point for Black student TV writers seeking industry exposure at the highest levels.
Stowe Story Labs Genre Feature Film Launch Fellowship 2026
Stowe Story Labs
🏆 Fellowship award covering lab participation costs; mentorship and creative development support
The Stowe Story Labs Genre Feature Film Launch Fellowship is awarded to an outstanding genre feature screenwriter presenting a thoughtful, well-crafted story in the action, horror, thriller, or sci-fi genres. Fellows receive one-on-one advisor sessions, community access, and intensive development support at the Stowe labs. Treatments are not accepted — a first draft screenplay is required.
💡 Genre storytelling is a major avenue for Black screenwriters to reach broad audiences; Stowe's fellowship provides meaningful development support and mentorship for writers working in high-demand commercial genres.
Humanitas Prize – The Writers Room (2026–27)
Humanitas Prize
🏆 Professional development programming and community access for emerging writers
The Humanitas Writers Room (2026–27) is a professional development program for emerging film and television writers, listed as an active program on Humanitas's current site. It is part of Humanitas's broader mission to honor and empower writers whose work explores the human condition. Full details for the 2026–27 cycle should be confirmed directly on the official page.
💡 As part of Humanitas's equity-conscious programming ecosystem, the Writers Room offers Black TV and film writers a structured community and professional development pathway in a supportive environment.
POV Documentary Shorts Open Submissions (2026 Broadcast Season)
POV / American Documentary (PBS)
🏆 Distribution on PBS's longest-running independent nonfiction showcase; prestige platform for festival and broadcast exposure
POV, television's longest-running showcase for independent nonfiction films, is currently accepting submissions for its 2026 broadcast season. The program premieres 14–16 films each year and has been presenting independent films to public television audiences since 1988. There are no listed application fees.
💡 A free, high-prestige distribution opportunity on national public television, offering Black documentary storytellers broad mainstream audience reach with no financial barrier to entry.
Black Film Space cliveRd Proof of Concept Short Film Grant 2026
Black Film Space / cliveRd
🏆 $8,000 cash grant plus optional use of a private estate location in Jamaica
Black Film Space and cliveRd are collaborating to fund one short film script that demonstrates strong potential as a proof of concept for a nature-forward feature film. The $8,000 grant is accompanied by the exclusive option to shoot at a private Jamaican estate. Two applications per filmmaker are allowed; BFS members submit for free.
💡 Exclusively funds Black filmmakers and is run by a nonprofit dedicated to empowering Black creators — a direct match for OBS members writing narrative short scripts.
2027 Warner Bros. Discovery Access Writers Program
Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD Access)
🏆 Comprehensive creative and business development curriculum; staffing consideration across WBD networks and streaming
The 2027 WBD Access Writers Program provides a pathway for emerging TV writers to enhance their episodic skills through master classes on storytelling, collaborative writing, and sessions with executives and industry guests. Selected participants attend in-person bootcamp weeks in Los Angeles in January 2027. Finalists interview in Fall 2026, and all applicants receive a status update by end of December 2026.
💡 WBD Access explicitly connects underrepresented writers — including Black writers — to staffing opportunities across Warner Bros. Discovery's networks and streaming platforms, making it a direct career pipeline for OBS members.
Script Pipeline Screenwriting Contest 2026
Script Pipeline
🏆 Cash prize, mentorship, 1-on-1 development, and executive circulation; program has generated $8M+ in spec sales
The 24th Annual Script Pipeline Screenwriting Contest is open and seeking extraordinary feature screenwriters. Quarterfinalists and above receive personalized feedback, long-term mentorship, and direct circulation to leading industry executives. The program has a strong track record for getting writers signed and into production.
💡 With an explicit focus on championing diverse voices and supporting underrepresented writers, Script Pipeline is a meaningful contest avenue for Black screenwriters writing bold, original features.
ISA Fast Track Fellowship
International Screenwriters' Association (ISA)
🏆 A week of 8 industry meetings; acceptance onto the ISA Development Slate; consultation and access to industry partners
The ISA Fast Track Fellowship runs twice a year, with cycles typically open from April through August and September through February, making it a rolling-style opportunity. Two writers per season are selected and receive a dedicated week of meetings with top industry professionals. Fellows have gone on to sign with major agencies including CAA, Paradigm, and ICM.
💡 The rolling cycle structure and career-launching industry access make this a practical, accessible opportunity for Black screenwriters at any stage looking to break into representation and development.
45 Forward Screenwriting Fellowship 2026
Roadmap Writers
🏆 Weekly pitch and Q&A roundtables for 3 months with executives and reps from companies including Gersh, FilmNation Entertainment, Anonymous Content, and more
Launched in 2026, the 45 Forward Screenwriting Fellowship is dedicated to championing screenwriters 45 and older, recognizing that life experience is a creative strength. Every week for three months, five winners participate in pitch and Q&A roundtables via Zoom with executives and reps from leading companies. Registration opened June 8, 2026; check the site for rolling application status.
💡 Many accomplished Black writers begin or return to screenwriting later in life — this fellowship directly addresses and celebrates that path, making it uniquely relevant for older OBS members.
ScreenCraft Feature Screenplay Competition 2026
ScreenCraft
🏆 Grand Prize mentorships with Oscar-winning writer David Rabinowitz (BlacKkKlansman) and other industry mentors; admission to Writer Development Program; personal introductions to agents, managers, and studios
ScreenCraft's Feature Screenplay Competition accepts feature scripts of any genre and connects winners with working Hollywood professionals through its Writer Development Program. Grand Prize mentors for the current cycle include Oscar-winning writer David Rabinowitz (BlacKkKlansman). Past winners and finalists have signed with major management companies and been hired by Netflix, Apple TV+, and more.
💡 The Grand Prize mentorship from the writer of BlacKkKlansman and ScreenCraft's track record of placing diverse writers at top platforms makes this a high-value opportunity for Black feature screenwriters.
Sundance Institute Development Track (2027)
Sundance Institute
One application considers projects for Screenwriters Lab, Screenwriters Intensive, and Alfred P. Sloan Fellowship. Covers travel, accommodations, and food for lab participation.
💡 Renowned program with strong alumni network and ongoing creative support, particularly valuable for independent storytellers seeking artistic development.
Whistler Film Festival Screenwriters Lab
Whistler Film Festival
Intensive program including July-August workshops and December festival access. Participants complete with market-ready screenplay, pitch deck, and industry connections.
💡 Explicitly encourages applications from Black writers and provides comprehensive development support from script to market readiness.
Black Fox Literary Magazine Winter Issue Submission
Black Fox Literary Magazine
Black Fox Literary Magazine accepts general submissions for fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. They publish one summer and one winter issue annually.
💡 Black Fox actively publishes diverse voices and pays contributors, providing valuable publication opportunities for Black screenwriters transitioning to other forms.
Atlanta Film Festival Screenplay Competition
Atlanta Film Festival
17th annual competition offering mentorship meetings, live script readings, cash prizes ($500), travel stipend, and networking opportunities at festival. Three feature winners, one pilot winner, and one short winner selected.
💡 The festival has a history of discovering diverse talent including early works by Spike Lee, and offers substantial mentorship and industry exposure opportunities.
Stowe Narrative Lab 2026
Stowe Story Labs
Four-day intensive program in Vermont focused on script development through mentorship and workshops. Multiple fellowship opportunities available including SAGindie Fellowship for filmmakers of color.
💡 SAGindie Fellowship specifically supports emerging filmmakers of color and provides over $3,000 in value plus travel stipend.
Rocaberti Castle Writers' Retreat
Rocaberti Writers' Retreat
Screenwriting retreats taking place in beautiful medieval castles across France, Italy and Spain with top industry mentors. Specific dates and deadlines to be announced.
💡 The international setting and high-caliber mentorship provide unique opportunities for Black screenwriters to develop their craft in inspiring environments while building global industry relationships.
Script Pipeline TV Writing Contest
Script Pipeline
The 19th Annual Script Pipeline TV Writing Contest searches for extraordinary writers with original television pilots or unproduced indie series scripts. Winners receive significant financial support, long-term script circulation to industry network, development assistance, meetings, and invitations to industry events.
💡 Script Pipeline has a strong track record of helping winners secure representation and advance their careers in television.
BLACK Screenwriters Festival
Black Feedback Film Festival
Festival specifically for Black screenwriters offering full feedback from professional screenwriters, production heads, and script consultants. Accepted scripts receive promotional video readings and interview opportunities for exposure.
💡 This festival is specifically designed for Black screenwriters and offers guaranteed feedback plus performance opportunities to showcase work to the industry.
Black Film Space Entertainmint Grant
Black Film Space & Entertainmint
Partnership offering $2,500 for original short films at any stage requiring funding to complete principal photography by December 31, 2025.
💡 Explicitly requires at least one core team member to be Black and film must feature Black characters, directly supporting Black filmmakers and stories.
AT&T Untold Stories Program
AT&T & Tribeca Festival
The largest film production prize in the world offering $1.2M award with comprehensive mentorship and guaranteed Tribeca Festival premiere. Submissions currently closed for 2026 cycle with deadline February 6, 2026.
💡 Seeks stories from or about underrepresented communities, making it valuable for Black filmmakers looking to tell diverse stories.
Sundance Institute Ignite x Adobe Fellowship
Sundance Institute & Adobe
Year-long fellowship offering $5,000 grant, mentorship, training, and Adobe Creative Cloud membership. Submit 1-15 minute short film by February 19, 2026.
💡 Previous fellows include Black filmmakers like Brittany Alexia Young who makes films following Black and queer protagonists, showing strong support for diverse voices.
Black Film Project Fellowship
Harvard Hutchins Center for African & African American Research
Harvard fellowship supporting filmmakers focusing on any aspect of the Black experience globally. Offers $80,000 stipend plus $5,000 for project development expenses.
💡 Specifically designed to support filmmakers who illuminate Black history and culture, providing substantial financial support and Harvard resources.
Disney Entertainment Television Creative Talent Development Writing Program
Disney Entertainment Television
Paid one-year program designed to staff writers on Disney scripted series. Writers typically begin in January or February with an 8-month development program. Selected writers receive mentorship from Disney programming executives and nearly 100% staffing rate.
💡 This program offers direct access to Disney television shows and has successfully launched careers for Black screenwriters in the industry.