You’ve made some shorts. You’ve written a feature script. Or a series pilot. What’s stopping you from moving ahead?

At From Script to PreProduction, a lab for women filmmakers, we help you develop all the materials you need to move forward – loglines, synopses, pitches, lookbooks, pitchdecks, reels, websites, schedules, budgets and business plans. We bring in guests to help vet your presentations. And we introduce you to the industry at our Producers Panel. At the end of the six month lab, you will be ready to go out and get partners and financing.

In 2023, we added a Writers Boot Camp for filmmakers whose scripts weren't quite ready for production development. The Writers Boot Camp focuses on the script and is open to anyone wanting to make revisions in a structured environment with the support of fellow writers. At the end of the two month boot camp, you will have a new draft of your script.

There is no obligation to continue on to the lab and it is not necessary to attend the Writers Boot Camp to apply to the FS2P lab.

We're also now accepting series pilots into the Writers Boot Camp and the FS2P Lab.

Applications for both the Writers Boot Camp and the FS2P Lab open on August 8th. Notifications for the Boot Camp will go out on a rolling basis with the Boot Camp starting on October 4th and running through November. Applications for both the Writers Boot Camp and the FS2P Lab close on September 26. Notifications for the FS2P Lab go out on December 5th. The FS2P Lab starts on January 10th.

PLEASE NOTE: There are FEES for both the Boot Camp and the Lab. Please see the website - fs2p.org - for details.

Here’s what some of our filmmakers and supporters have to say about us:

“What you’re doing? Works.”
Celine Rattray, Producer: The Kids Are All Right, American Honey, The Kindergarten Teacher

“The time we took from week to week, the examination, the listening to the group’s ideas and suggestions, yours of course was really priceless... So I wanted to thank you for the gift of really putting a microscope up to my work because ultimately the film will be better, performances will be better and I will be a better, more confident director because of it. So thank you.”
Suzanne Guacci
Update: Suzanne’s film is wrapped and on the Festival Circuit

“My look book is partially what made that presentation so good. It’s also partly why it’s a finalist for [FILMGRANT] because they don’t read the screenplays to get you to the final round. AND I brought up my three budgets in the question and answer period of the pitch fest. Your lab and all the time I spent killing myself over making each of those parts strong has really paid off. I just want you to know I’m thankful. All of that hard work was needed for the steps I’m taking now :) “
Jamie Ruddy
Update: Jamie’s projection was accepted for the NYU Production Lab and has now attached Producers

“Thank you for putting in a good word for us! We are all set to impress and make this! Saw [her] on the list and am excited to touch base! Thank you again for the support!”
Gabriella Moses
Update: We introduced Gabby’s film to a member of the Tribeca panel who loved it. She received two grants! And her first feature just premiered at Tribeca!

“Your filmmakers are wonderful.”
Jennifer Fox, Filmmaker

FIND OUT MORE ABOUT THE APPLICATION PROCESS, CURRICULUM, DATES AND FEES ON OUR WEBSITE: fs2p.org.

Awards & Prizes

Members of the Writers Boot Camp who attend the full two month program and complete a new draft of their script may apply to the From Script to PreProduction lab with no additional application fee.

Members of the From Script to PreProduction lab who attend the full six month program and complete all the materials and attend all the sessions and abide by our code of conduct will be invited to present their materials to a panel of Producers at the end of the lab in June 2025.

At the end of the Writers Boot Camp, you will have a new draft of your script.

At the end of the From Script to PreProduction lab, instead of a long "to do" list, you will have created all the materials you need to move forward - loglines, synopses, pitches, lookbooks, pitchdecks, schedules, budgets, business plans, reels, pages and websites. And you will have suggestions for "next best steps" from the producers on our Producers Panel.

And you will be part of an ongoing community of women filmmakers, which is priceless.

Rules & Terms

Submission Guidelines and Agreement between From Script to PreProduction (FS2P) and participants submitting material to FS2P ONLINE and the Writers Boot Camp:

Writers Boot Camp and Lab Submission Guidelines:
· Scripts may be submitted electronically only.
· Submit one copy of a narrative feature script or series pilot script. Attach only PDF Files. Please make sure you have registered the script with the WGA and/or US Copyright office. You may include WGA or US Copyright registration numbers on the cover page.
· Body pages must be numbered.
· In addition, if you are applying to the FS2P Lab, please submit the link and password to a short narrative film that you (or your director) have directed. The short doesn’t have to be related to your feature script – it’s simply a demonstration that you/the director have the chops to take on a feature.
· Scripts must be properly formatted. Consult any screenwriting text or format guide.
· Scripts must be in English.

Additional Rules And Guidelines:
· Entrants must be 18 or older.
· Any narrative screenplay from any genre will be considered except for scripts that would be considered X-rated for violence and/or sexuality.
· Multiple entries are accepted, provided a signed entry form and appropriate entry fee is attached to each submission.
· Admission to the FS2P Lab is for the applicant only. Additional team members – such as Directors or Producers – are subject to approval and would also pay a fee to attend. Dates and fees can be found on our website fs2p.org.
· Screenplays and Pilots must be the original work of the author. If based on another person's life story or work, a statement attesting to the rights obtained must be attached.
· No adaptations of other written work will be accepted unless the writer owns the rights to the original material.
· There must be no dispute about the ownership of submitted screenplays or pilots or the writer's right to submit a screenplay or pilot.
· Entries that fail to follow competition rules and guidelines will be disqualified.
· No refunds for entries that do not comply with competition rules and guidelines.
· Members of the From Script to PreProduction lab acknowledge and agree that they will use a FS2P logo and a 'thank you' or 'developed with support from' credit on completed work on an end credit title card.

By submitting to FS2P, we attest to the following:
· To the accuracy of all information I/we have entered herein.
· That I/we are 18 or older.
· That the submitted material is my/our original work, with all rights to said work held by me/us.
· That I/we will indemnify FS2P, hold it harmless and defend it against all claims, demands, losses, costs, damages, judgments, liabilities, and expenses arising out of or in connection with any and all claims of third parties, whether or not groundless, based on any screenplays, pilots or films submitted to FS2P or on any screenplay pilot developed out of such stories.
· That I/we understand that the FS2P judges, directors, officers, employees or agents may be exposed to or may develop materials and ideas that may be similar to those of the submitted material. I/we understand and acknowledge that I/we will not be entitled to any compensation from such similar material that is independently conceived and created.
· That I/we understand that individual feedback on submissions is not provided except when offered by FS2P as a separate service. Further, I/we understand that decisions by FS2P on admission to FS2P ONLINE are final.
· That I/we have read, understood and complied with all guidelines and rules herein, and failure to do so may result in disqualification.

4 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Lilliana Rose Lyons

    This is an intense program in the BEST way: focused, supportive, and deeply independent... but I never felt alone. This program (along with the bootcamp) helped demystify things like budgeting, scheduling, and honest script feedback. I found so much inspiration in the other two filmmakers in my group and in Elizabeth, who holds the space with real clarity. Thank you for this experience!!

    July 2025
    Helpful
  • Wendy Bednarz

    A life-changing experience - pushed to the limits and learned so much. The bonus is my project is much further along than it would ever have been without FSP2. The screenplay is polished, the pitch is 'send out' ready and I am more confident navigating the film world. THANK YOU!

    July 2025
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Hi. Not sure who sent in this lovely review but they won't publish it without your name and permission to publish. Since you have nice things to say, it would be very helpful if you would submit your name and permissions to publish. Thanks so much. Elizabeth

  • A. L. Lee

    It's the hardest I've ever worked, and the best thing I've done for my film career.

    March 2025
    Helpful
  • Donna Bonilla Wheeler

    An invaluable lab and experience! Top notch. Wonderful to be part of it, thank you!

    May 2024
    Helpful