First Writer's Initiative

Submissions for the 2010 First Writers Initiative will be due at 5pm Friday 18 June

This is a grassroots training and development initiative designed to identify new screenwriting talent and to give new writers an opportunity to workshop a script with development experts. This is an annual workshop with a call usually going out by May for a June submission date.
 
This scheme is open to New Zealand feature film screenwriters who have not previously received financial support from the NZFC, for scripts that have not previously been submitted for funding. Screenwriters do not need to have a producer attached to their project to be eligible.

The selection of scripts to participate in the workshop is made by NZFC development staff in conjunction with independent assessors.

The six writers chosen to attend the workshop last year were David Coyle, Rebekah Palmer, Annie Weston, Simon Hall, Emma Kinane and Barry Duffield. Tutors were Briar Grace-Smith, Matthew Grainger, Christina Milligan and Claire Dobbin who facilitated the workshop. Guest speakers included Larry Parr, Duncan Sarkies, Christine Jeffs and, former participant, Gary Davies.

Check out our FAQ for more information

You may also be interested to know that a writer may apply to the Early Development Fund for a Writer Development Loan of up to $7,500 without a producer attached.  Applications can be submitted at any time and will be considered at NZFC’s regular Early Development Fund meetings. You can find out more here.