GENRE FEATURE LAB is a 2 day residential lab and development programme for 3 screenwriters from the North of England. The lab will be led by producers Ivana Mackinnon and Emily Leo and writers will be matched with a North of Tyne based production company. New Writing North will then work alongside script editors and the production company to support the development of your early-stage idea to compelling treatment and deck ready to present and pitch to Film4.

Before completing this form please read the information below to check you are eligible to apply. If you require us to make any access adjustments please email skills@newwritingnorth.com.

Key Eligibility Requirements and Information

• The programme is only open to writers or writer-directors who are based full time in the North of England (Cheshire, County Durham, Cumbria, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Merseyside, Northumberland, North and North East Lincolnshire, Tees Valley, Tyne and Wear, and Yorkshire) 
• Writers must be over 18 years old on commencement of the programme.
• Writers can be at any experience level but must be able to provide a 15 page screenwriting sample. 
• Writers must be available to attend the residential element of the lab taking place on the 28th - 29th September 2024 in Newcastle (travel and accommodation will be provided) 
• Writers can apply with a completely original idea or an idea of their own that already exists in another form such as a play or novel but the applicant must be the originator of the idea and be the sole owner of the underlying rights to the material.  
• Rights and Fees: Supported by New Writing North the production company will commission the treatment in a form to be mutually agreed for £3000. These materials will be owned by the producer/production company. After one year from delivery, if the project is not in active development (meaning EITHER in development with a bona fide third party financier or with the producer having themselves paid for the first draft at a first draft fee agreed in good faith), then the writer has the right to get the project back - ie it goes into turnaround.  If further development or a first draft is commissioned, then the parties agree to enter into a further contract to be negotiated in good faith. 

If you have any further questions before completing your submission please sign up for our Writers Zoom Drop-in Info Session 12pm - 1pm  June 13th Book here<link>