There’s magic happening in the virtual writing room! Seven talented Native writers are participating in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and have the chance to propel their careers by taking part in the highly selective Third Annual Native American Feature Film Writers Lab.

It’s an intensive 10 weeks for the fellows, but weeks that could change their lives. The lab, running virtually from August to October 2020, focuses one-on-one attention on each writer, allowing them to develop and complete a screenplay. Each day, the fellows are taking part in workshops, seminars and individualized mentoring. The writers also have the rare opportunity to meet with industry professionals along the way for invaluable feedback on their work, helping secure their place in the industry.

At the end of the course, each fellow walks away with a new screenplay they’ve written, which could be the next big film sensation.

The Cherokee Nation Film Office is proud to be a sponsor of this intensive lab hosted by LA Skins Fest, A Native American Film Festival, along with Comcast NBCUniversal, The Walt Disney Studios, California Community Foundation, Topple and Sony Pictures Entertainment.

CNFO is devoted to increasing the presence of Natives in every level of the film and television industries. Here is just a small sampling of the numbers we’re working to change. Writers Guild of America’s 2020 Inclusion Report shows that “of more than 2,000 screenwriters employed in 2019, only 27% were women and just 20% were people of color … Native/Indigenous screenwriters having almost no representation at all.” These seven writers are just one way to add #MoreNatives to the industry.

Read more at http://cherokee.film/