Writers’ Retreats

5-DAY IN-PERSON GROUP GATHERINGS

2026 applications are closed

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Remote (Online)

June 26 - 30, 2026

Croatia

September 21 - 25, 2026

Connemara, Ireland

October 12 - 16, 2026

DESIGNED FOR EMERGING AND ESTABLISHED TALENTS WITH A WELL DEVELOPED DRAFT OF A FEATURE OR TV SCRIPT

Top emerging screenwriters/filmmakers with a well developed story are admitted through competitive application process. Requires a well developed first draft of a feature screenplay or TV pilot to be completed prior to the retreat.

GOALS + OUTCOMES

Participants will leave the program with actionable script notes, a plan to further develop the work, and a network of new peers and colleagues.


WHAT TO EXPECT

  • Work with three different industry mentors in three one-on-one sessions to discuss script notes and career advancement. Past Writers’ Retreat mentors include Ciara Appelbe (Creative Director at O’Sullivan Productions), Derek Simonds (Showrunner, THE SINNER), Olivia Hetreed (Screenwriter, GIRL WITH A PEARL EARRING, MRS. HARRIS GOES TO PARIS), and Ellie Foumbi (Director/Writer of award-winning indie OUR FATHER, THE DEVIL).

  • Direct access to working industry professionals through industry facing content and informal gatherings

  • Instructional content, skills seminars, and writing exercises

  • Peer-to-Peer script note sessions

  • Shared meal and social time designed to help form professional relationships in this collaborative industry

  • A beautiful setting to develop your craft

Sanjay Shah (right, Showrunner/Executive producer) mentors in a one-on-one script notes meeting.

Writers’ Retreat News

Kim Bartley’s drama feature LEMONADE, starring Lewis Brophy (left) and Barry Keoghan (right), won the Global Production Awards 2026 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award at Cannes. Kim workshopped the script as a Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland Fellow at Stowe’s 2023 Connemara Writers’ Retreat. Congratulations, Kim!

“Attending the Stowe 2023 Connemara Writers’ Retreat was an incredibly valuable (and enjoyable) experience that significantly impacted my efforts to move from documentary to drama. The focused environment, expert mentorship, and constructive peer feedback gave me practical tools and above all it gave me confidence. I also made invaluable connections (and lasting friendships) that helped to move the project forward in a very practical way- producer and Stowe mentor Ciara Applebe went on to produce my first short and script editor Karol Griffiths worked with me on LEMONADE, the feature project I workshopped in Stowe which is now in post! I am also attached to two other Stowe projects to direct the scripts they developed at the workshop, and am sure other Stowe connections will become collaborators in the future.”

FIVE DAYS TO INVEST IN YOUR WRITING AND PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

At the Retreat, the main focus is on the script, with three, one-hour, one-on-one script note sessions with three different industry mentors; industry-facing content, including Panel Discussions, In-Conversation Interviews and Q&A sessions; writing exercises; and peer-group sessions. Each Retreat offers approximately 20 participant slots to be led by 12 mentors.


DAY 1

  • Introductions

  • Workshop: Subtext

  • Lunch and social time

  • Write, Reflect, Revise

  • One-on-one mentor meetings

  • Dinner and Social Time

DAY 2

  • Peer group sessions

  • One-on-one mentor meetings

  • Lunch and social time

  • Write, Reflect, Revise

  • Mentor Q&A/discussion Panels

  • Dinner and Social Time

DAY 3

  • Optional early morning excursion

  • Peer group sessions

  • One-on-one mentor meetings

  • Lunch and social time

  • Write, Reflect, Revise

  • Mentor Q&A/discussion Panels

  • Dinner and Social Time

DAY 4

  • One-on-one mentor meetings

  • Mentor Q&A/discussion panels

  • Lunch

  • Write, Reflect, Revise

  • Peer group sessions

  • Writing Exercise

  • Dinner and Social Time

DAY 5

  • Peer group session

  • Writing exercise

  • Lunch

  • Workshop: logline and synopsis

  • Sad and long farwells

INVESTMENT

Remote (Online)

$1,800

Croatia

​€4,250

Connemara, Ireland

​€4,250

Stowe Story Labs is proud to support artists’ projects and professional development through Fellowships and Scholarships.

Remote (Online)

We know that an in-person retreat is not always possible, and some prefer the feeling and process online, so we offer this opportunity to meet your peers and learn from our mentors in this dynamic format.

Connemara and Croatia Retreat: All-Inclusive Rate

These programs include lodging and full board.

MEET YOUR MENTORS

Specific program mentors are announced closer to Lab start date.

Frequently Asked Questions

By humans for humans. We do not use AI in reviewing applications or scripts, and do not accept submissions generated by AI.