The Outfest Screenwriting Lab started as a screenwriting contest in 1997 and has become the cornerstone of our education and mentoring program, Outfest Forward. Twenty-two years later, this program has become an intensive three-day lab in Los Angeles, shepherding the next generation of screenwriters.
The authors of five scripts will be invited to participate in this dynamic lab, where they will work closely with Lab Mentors — established writers who will critique and encourage their work. Only narrative feature-length screenplays and episodic pilot script (standard broadcast length - half hour or hour) will be considered.
Throughout its history, the Outfest Screenwriting Lab has shepherded over 100 scripts through its mentoring program. The scripts from the lab have been selected as Opening and Closing Night films at Outfest Los Angeles, nominated for an Independent Spirit Award, and premiered at Sundance. One has even been selected as Peru’s official submission for the Academy Awards in 2011!
Founded by UCLA students in 1982, Outfest is the leading organization that promotes LGBTQ equality by creating, sharing, and protecting LGBTQ stories on the screen. Outfest builds community by connecting diverse populations to discover, discuss, and celebrate stories of LGBTQ lives. Over the past three decades Outfest has showcased thousands of films from around the world, educated and mentored hundreds of emerging filmmakers, and protected more than 20,000 LGBTQ films and videos. Outfest is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
OUTFEST SCREENWRITING LAB TIMELINE:
Thursday, December 19
Submissions open on FilmFreeway - ROUND 1 (first 10 pages)
Tuesday, December 24
Early deadline
Friday, January 31
Regular deadline
Sunday, March 22
Final deadline - Script submissions will not be accepted after this date!
Friday, July 31 (new date)
ROUND 1 NOTIFICATIONS ARE SENT OUT.
If your script is selected for the second round of the selection process, you will receive an email with a request to submit a PDF of the COMPLETE SCRIPT by TUESDAY, AUGUST 4; you may also be called for an interview.
Tuesday, September 8
ROUND 2 NOTIFICATIONS ARE SENT OUT. Five Screenwriting Lab fellows are selected.
October 5-7 (tentative)
The Outfest Screenwriting Lab takes place online, in a virtual version of Los Angeles.
To be held in October of 2020, the lab includes sessions with industry professionals and structured career development opportunities. Lab Fellows are selected by Outfest staff, with recommendations from an illustrious panel of writers, directors, producers, and development executives.