SeriesFest and Shondaland are honored to partner once again on the Women Directing Mentorship -- a competition designed to discover aspiring female directors with a unique voice and provide a launchpad for their career. Founded in 2019, The Women Directing Mentorship Program is anchored with the prestigious opportunity to shadow a director for an episode of a Shondaland original series, and a $5,000 stipend to use during the duration of their mentorship.

About SeriesFest
SeriesFest is a non-profit organization dedicated to supporting the art of episodic storytelling. With year-round initiatives and professional development opportunities focused on diverse and under-served voices, education programs for students, and an annual festival, which gives emerging artists a platform and place for discovery, SeriesFest is where new voices and storytellers have found a home.

About Shondaland
Founded by prolific storyteller Shonda Rhimes, Shondaland is the pioneering storytelling company behind many groundbreaking television series including “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Scandal,” and “How to Get Away with Murder.” Over the last decade, Shondaland’s television series have earned numerous awards including a Golden Globe, the Peabody Award, GLAAD Media Awards, NAACP Image Awards and eight Emmys. The company recently created a new home for Shondaland storytelling with media innovator Netflix. In the Fall of 2017, Shondaland entered into the digital space with the launch of Shondaland.com. The website expands the award-winning Shondaland brand by providing a home for complex articles and honest conversations beyond the fictional space.

Awards & Prizes

The 2024 winner will be announced at the tenth annual SeriesFest in Denver, Colorado! The Cycle 5 Winner and Semi-Finalists will receive an all-access badge and round trip domestic flight (up to $400) to Denver for SeriesFest: Season 10 (May 1 - 5, 2024)

Creatives and the Television Industry will gather from around the world at SeriesFest: Season 10 to celebrate the impact of the Women's Directing Mentorship Program during the annual festival.

Rules & Terms

Eligibility:
To qualify, you must have 3 years professional experience (that can be in any professional role not just Director) and can have directed shorts and up to 2 features. If you have previously been a Director on a Network Series, you are ineligible to participate.
Must be 21+ years of age.
Applicants should to be based in the United States or the United Kingdom

Required Materials:
Work Sample: Either a short film or feature

Personal Introduction Video: 3-5 minute video introducing yourself, your unique voice and style, and why you think you're the right fit for the Women Directing Mentorship. Be creative!

Reel: Under 15-minutes or short film showcasing your directing work. This reel can include student work.

CV/Resume

Please note, entry materials will not be returned

**Reels and Personal Introduction Videos should be uploaded or hyper linked to "Files & Attachments"

FINDING OUT
We will contact you via e-mail during the month of February 2024. Please make sure that the e-mail address you provided on your application will be operational at that time. If your e-mail address changes after you’ve filled out the application, please log into your account and update it. We will not be held responsible for any failed delivery of notification. If you haven’t heard from us by March 15, 2024 please contact us at info@seriesfest.com for an official notification.

Please make sure to add info@seriesfest.com to your SPAM account settings as SAFE SENDER LIST.

FINAL SELECTIONS
If your work is selected, you must fulfill the following requirements by the date(s) designated by the SeriesFest:
(1) You must execute a release agreement wherein you:
Indemnify and hold harmless SeriesFest, LLC, its parent company, its affiliates, and subsidiaries and any of their respective directors, officers, employees, and representatives against any claim arising out of exhibition of your film at SeriesFest.

(2) Agree to participate in a reasonable number of customary promotional and publicity activities [including press junkets, telephone interviews, sending press packages, and public appearances to promote the SeriesFest

(3) You own the project IP and have the rights to any affiliated source material

JUDGING
The official judging panel, consisting of individuals selected by the SeriesFest, at its sole discretion, will make a number of official selections (the “Official Selections”) from all eligible entries received. The judging will be based on the following criteria:
Originality and creativity
Overall quality of all elements & aspects of the production of each entry, including, without limitation, writing, acting, directing, editing, etc. Adherence to and appropriateness for a particular format or type of program