Stowe Story Labs

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Stowe, VT
Stowe Story Labs

Nonprofit dedicated to getting the work of top emerging screenwriters and filmmakers made and seen

linktr.ee/stowestorylabs

We run intensive labs, small writers' retreats, workshops, and mentoring programs for emerging screenwriters, filmmakers and creative producers. Our programs focus on each participant's work and offers meaningful feedback in a supportive environment, help build friendships and partnerships in this collaborative art, and give all a chance to take the next steps toward seeing their work made and see

n. Each program is limited in size and participants work with experienced industry mentors and focus on individual projects.

09/01/2026

We are extending the deadline to apply to our long-form writing programs. There are a few reasons for this.

First, screenwriter/showrunner Mark Protosevich (SUGAR, I AM LEGEND) is confirmed as a guest speaker in our episodic writing program. Second, we are aware our website was not accessible in LA for a period of time running up to the deadline for the programs. Given Mark’s participation and the technological fail, we decided to extend the deadline to September 15.

For background, the Writers Room is our longform, online writing program to write a new TV pilot. Stowe Co-founder and Screenwriter David Pope leads the program and will work with Mark and other guest speakers to share knowledge on how to build a successful TV show and apply those techniques to TV writing. Participants will leave with a strong first draft of a TV pilot script.

David also runs Stowe’s long form feature writing program, the Feature Campus. Participants will leave the program with a strong first draft of a feature script, logline, and synopsis.

The new deadline for both programs is Sept. 15.

Apply here: bit.ly/OWPFW26

08/31/2026

We are pleased to announce the participants, mentors, and speakers participating in our September Narrative Lab this week. Congratulations to all. We cannot wait to start. Read the roster here: bit.ly/26SSLSeptRoster

08/30/2026

Free screening of wonderful new movies at Spruce Peak Arts! Stowe Story Labs in partnership with Spruce Peak Arts will screen a short and a feature on Sunday, September 6 at 6:30: THE BOY WITH THE DINOSAUR HEAD is an award-winning short film. It was written by Ali Imran Zaidi and made with a Stowe Story Labs Short Film Production Grant. The film is still on its festival run. It is about an unruly boy and his teacher. DEFINITELY GANGSTER is the inaugural feature film written and directed by phenomenal film maker and Stowe Lab Alum JLee MacKenzie. It is a family-friendly motion capture film. JLee made this beautiful film in Vermont. As he says, it is “a DIY motion capture animated feature film, which is unusual to make in VT, and a non-traditional way to get a movie made.” Please join us for this free screening Sunday night to celebrate these artists and their stories. Stay for a Q&A with JLee! For more info on the films and to sign up for the screening, visit sprucepeakarts.org.

08/25/2026

Applications open for our online writing programs to write a new feature or TV script. The programs are led by the talented David Pope, Stowe Co-Founder, Screenwriter, and Script Consultant. Script consultation projects include OBRAZ, candidate for Best International Film Academy Award 2026, TIGER STRIPES, winner Jury Prize Critics Week Cannes Film Festival 2023 and candidate for Best International Film Academy Award 2024, TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT, candidate for Best Foreign Language Film Academy Award 2019 and TRUTH OR JUSTICE, candidate for Best International Film Academy Award 2020. Previous script development training clients include BFI, BBC/BAFTA, Cannes Film Festival, Screen Scotland, and more. Apply by September 2: bit.ly/OWPFW26

08/24/2026

Two weeks before shooting my first feature, I flew to Vermont for a writing lab I thought would be a waste of time.

08/12/2026

Today, August 12 by 11:59 PM ET, is the last day to apply to our Connemara Writers' Retreat in October. Applications open to screenwriters resident in Ireland or Irish writers abroad working with the Irish screen industries. Learn more about the program and apply here: bit.ly/26SIApplication

08/08/2026

Please join us in congratulating 2022 Producers' Lab and Writers' Retreat alum Sarah Granger on her recent wonderful achievements. The project she brought to the Lab, A PAIN-FREE DAY, now has a producer attached. She was also recently selected to participate in the 2026 Writers Discovery Fellowship through Anarchists United. On how Stowe helped her along her way, Sarah said:

"Stowe Story Labs was instrumental in helping me become a better writer, connecting me with others in the industry, and teaching me about development and the production process. The Stowe programs provided mentors and sessions that helped me dig deeper in character development and refine my own voice. The labs gave me confidence and skills to take my craft to the next level and I'm deeply appreciative of everyone on the Stowe team."

Thank you, Sarah, for your kind words, and we can't wait to see what comes next for you.

08/05/2026

We are excited to welcome fantastic mentors to our Connemara Writers’ Retreat in October. Applications open to screenwriters resident in Ireland or Irish writers abroad working with the Irish screen industries. Apply here by August 12: bit.ly/26SIApplication

Mentors slated to attend include:

• Ciara Appelbe, Creative Director at O'Sullivan Productions
• Conor Barry, Creative Producer at Savage Productions and Wild Atlantic Pictures
• Melody Cooper, Writer/Director (Power Book IV: Force, Law & Order SVU)
• Ali Doyle, Creative Producer and Founder of Mental Pictures
• Aaron Farrell, Head of Production at Shinawil
• Karol Griffiths, Script Consultant
• Olivia Hetreed, Screenwriter (Girl with a Pearl Earring, Wuthering Heights)
• Jeanie Igoe, Creative Producer
• Amanda Livanou, Creative Producer
• Tim Loane, Showrunner (Committed)
• Ruth Meehan, Writer/Director
• Derek Simonds, Screenwriter and Showrunner (The Sinner, Call Me by Your Name)

08/04/2026

Stowe Story Labs is pleased to announce the award of the 2026 $50,000 Curated Short Film Production Grant to Ursula Ellis for her wonderful script “Arlene in 5B." “Arlene in 5B” is a darkly comedic drama centered on New York septuagenarian Arlene’s daily routine of “doing the research,” terrorizing her AA group, and harassing service workers - upended by the arrival of party-girl neighbor Audrey. But when Audrey brings home an unexpected pet, an even more unexpected bond is formed.

Congratulations on your incredible story and achievement, Ursula. We can't wait to help bring your story to screen. Read the official announcement here: bit.ly/2026SFGW

08/01/2026

Shauna Ray Ratapu wrote dark dramedy TV pilot LEISURE WOOD in Stowe’s TV writing program. It just reached the quarterfinalist round for the storied “The Writers Lab” program and is also a PAGE Awards quarterfinalist. Congratulations to Shauna and her co-writer, Amy Hutchins. Apply for the next session of Writers Room by Sept 2. Apply here: bit.ly/OWPFW26

Address

Stowe, VT
05672

Website

http://www.stowestorylabs.org/

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