Narrative Labs
4-DAY IN-PERSON INTENSIVE
Designed for top emerging screenwriters, filmmakers, and creative producers developing new projects and looking to workshop story, develop skills, and plan next steps on projects
Applications are now closed for 2025 Narrative Labs, Fellowships, and Scholarships.
Upcoming Narrative Labs
June 6 - 9, 2025 : Stowe, VT
August 20-23, 2025 : Birmingham, Alabama (dates are not officially set)
DESIGNED TO SUPPORT TOP EMERGING SCREENWRITERS, FILMMAKERS, AND CREATIVE PRODUCERS
Admitted applicants will present a strong story idea, a good writing sample, demonstrate capacity to do the work to develop the story, and demonstrate a collaborative nature. During the Lab, participants will work with a community of peers and top industry mentors to help develop projects, skills, and a strategy to move the work forward.
GOALS + OUTCOMES
Our goal is for participants to leave the Lab energized and with story insights and ideas for next steps on the project workshopped, peer script notes, and with new friends and colleagues in this collaborative art.
FOUR-DAY INTENSIVES TO DEVELOP YOUR WRITING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
The Lab is an intensive program that mixes presentations, in-conversation interviews and Q&A sessions, carefully built exercises, structured small group sessions (both peer-to-peer and mentor-led), and social and networking time.
We focus on story structure, theme, and character; work closely with participants on how to advance your project in this deeply collaborative industry; and help identify the right next steps to develop your work to get it made and seen.
Our intensives offer opportunities to:
Work with industry mentors in structured small group table top exercises about your story
Receive script notes from other participants in your peer group
Skill development and focus on story structure, character, and theme; conversation about story; packaging; elements of creative production; casting; adaptation; and finance and distribution
Build knowledge, skills, and insights to navigate the film industry
Network with talented peers, vital in this collaborative art and business
Workshop, roundtable, and social time
A beautiful setting to develop your craft
“The Stowe Story Narrative Lab was the key to cracking my feature script. The structure of the program lended itself to high productivity for the writers while also giving us time with mentors and industry professionals across all levels to learn from and ask questions. Staff was more than helpful with all of my questions, including scholarships and financial aid. It meant the world to me as a young writer for them to believe in my work and do whatever they could to make it possible for me to participate. If you’re a writer, this is an investment into both your professional and personal lives.”
Aliyah Curry, 2023 August Sidewalk Narrative Lab
Everyday:
- Mix of peer-to-peer script note meetings and mentor-run pitch tables
- Focused workshop time on elements of development
- Focused workshop time on why this story, why now, why you?
Day 1:
- Introductions and icebreakers
- Workshop: Conversation About Story
- Story development
- Group table meetings: theme and character
- Working lunch and dinner, and evening “In Conversation” interview with industry mentor
Day 2:
- Small group sessions: pitching
- Story structure
- Casting
- Workshop: logline and synopsis
- Pitching at lunch, working dinner, and evening “In Conversation” interview with industry mentor
WHAT TO EXPECT
Day 3:
- Presentation and discussion on production process
- Presentation and discussion on traditional and innovative finance, sales and distribution systems
- Facilitated peer-to-peer story notes
- Working lunch, farewell dinner and drinks, screening, and mentor Q&A
Day 4:
- Small group story discussions and workshop time to focus on next steps
- Navigating competitions, festivals, and markets
- Polishing pitches, loglines, and synopses
- Sad and long farewells
- Optional "it's over, but we don't want to go" dinner
INVESTMENT
$2,650
Our lodging partners offer discounts (and some offer breakfast), and we provide lunch and receptions during the time together, so expenses during the program are kept to a minimum.
Fellowships and partial scholarships available.
Sidewalk Lab, built in proud partnership with Sidewalk Festival
Stowe Story Labs is proud to partner with the Sidewalk Film Festival, a nationally recognized festival based in Birmingham, Alabama, to deliver a Narrative Lab during the annual Sidewalk Festival. The Festival showcases the work of more than 250 filmmakers annually, and welcomes approximately 15,000 film lovers to Birmingham each year.
ACCLAIM FOR SIDEWALK FILM FESTIVAL
"Top 50 Festivals Worth the Entry Fee" —MovieMaker Magazine (2017)
"Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals in the World" —MovieMaker Magazine (2015, 2014)
"Top 10 Places for a Fabulous Film Festival" —USA Today (2013)
Stowe Story Labs Partners with Fantastic Fellowship Partners
Stowe is proud to partner with top industry partners to bring disparate voices to our Labs and Retreats. Read more about Stowe Story Labs scholarships and fellowships
We are deeply appreciative for SAGindie’s ongoing partnership with us, and Darrien’s kind words (just below) about our work and partnership:
"SAGindie is so excited for our continued partnership with Stowe Story Labs. Uplifting underrepresented artists is a mandate we take seriously, and the Stowe Story Labs/SAGindie fellowship is a great way to nurture diverse voices within the film industry."
—Darrien Michele Gipson, Executive Director SAGindie and Creative Producer
MEET YOUR MENTORS:
Specific program mentors are announced closer to Lab start date.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Applications are now closed. Subscribe to our newsletter here to stay up to date.
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There is no separate fellowship/scholarship application. If you indicate you are interested in financial aid on the application to the labs, you may also suggest a fellowship you think you are particularly well suited for, but it is not required. Learn more about available scholarships & fellowships here.
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Full-fee slots to our labs cost $2,650 plus travel and lodging. We offer fellowships and partial scholarships to both labs. Our lodging partners offer discounts (and some offer free breakfast), and we provide lunch and some meals during the time together, so expenses during the program are kept to a minimum.
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A team of two may apply, and if admitted the team will share mentor tables and peer group slots (not take separate meetings or seats).
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Yes!
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Email us at info@stowestorylabs.org.