Calling all Hudson Valley (and greater NY) screenwriters — your story counts!

Thanks to the generosity of Spark of Hudson, the Screenwriting Sprint will launch a Contained Shorts Writers’ Lab — a program designed to get underrepresented/emerging writers into production. At any level of your career, having a shoot-ready contained short at your disposal is priceless! And if you can shoot it yourself? Even better!

Have a killer concept or short script that needs elevating? Or a feature script you want to distill to shoot a contained Proof of Concept? This lab is a real pathway from page to screen.

Who we’re looking for: Haven’t made over $10K from profits or grants in the narrative film space? Not a student? Do you identify as an underrepresented screenwriter? This lab may be for you!

The prize? One winning contained short script receives a $10,000 production grant and goes into full production in 2027, as well as a $1000 stipend to attend your own shoot. With support from our fiscal sponsor, Stockade Works, who will help hire talented, underrepresented crew members in Upstate NY. Two runners-up will each receive a $500 cash award.

The Lab unfolds in three phases:

Phase One — Selected writers will join a month-long online lab: twice-weekly sessions covering screenwriting structure, guest mentors, and hands-on writing exercises. (September 1-24, 2026)

Phase Two — 10 writers will be invited to an immersive three-day in-person lab at The Spark of Hudson. (October 23-25, 2026)

Phase Three — 1 winner goes into production and cash prizes are awarded to our three winners. (Spring/Summer 2027)