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

Thanks to the generosity of Spark of Hudson and fiscal sponsorship from Stockade Works, 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 script at your disposal is priceless! And if you can shoot it yourself? Even better!

Criteria for Applying:
While anyone may apply for the first round of the lab (an incredible opportunity), here is criteria for advancing to finals:

—Haven’t made over $10K from profits or grants in the narrative film space?

—Not a student?

—Identify as an underrepresented screenwriter (socio-economic counts)? This lab may be for you!

If you feel like you’re a fit: APPLY with a killer concept, a short script that needs elevating, or a feature script you want to distill into a contained Proof of Concept.

The Grand 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 Stockade Works, who will help locate 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, line in Hudson, NY. (October 23-25, 2026)

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