2025 Stowe Narrative Labs Application

Ends on

Background


Stowe Story Labs is a nonprofit dedicated to helping top emerging screenwriters, filmmakers, and creative producers get work made and seen. We do this through programs designed to help artists develop skills and projects. 

We look for people demonstrating talent, a collaborative nature, a good story worth developing, and the ability to develop the project presented, whether or not they have experience in film or television. We may well reach out with questions as we go through the application process.

This application is for admission and consideration for fee-based, fellowship, and scholarship slots to our 2025 Narrative Labs: 

  • The Stowe Narrative Lab, which will run June 6 - 9 in Stowe Vermont; and  
  • The Sidewalk Narrative Lab, which is tentatively scheduled for August 20-23 in Birmingham, Alabama, in coordination with the annual Sidewalk Film Festival. 

You can learn more about our Labs here. (If interested in our Producers' Lab or Writers' Retreats, we will open those application processes later this year.)

Although we charge for our programming, we work to keep the cost of programming as low as possible, and offer a number of full and partial scholarships and fellowships. Details about our fellowships and scholarships can be found here.

Application Process

The questions on the application ask about you, the project you are submitting, and your intent in making the film or show. Please answer questions as fully as possible.

If applying for fellowships you may note on the application which fellowship you would prefer, but we consider all fellowship applicants for all fellowships, creating more opportunity for support. Each fellowship has its own criteria and benefits. Please check the website for information about each fellowship.

If applying for scholarships please include a statement of need where indicated.

There is not a separate application process for these opportunities. 

Our fellowships are awarded based on merit and our scholarships are offered based on merit and need.

Fees

The fee to attend an in-person four-day Narrative Lab in 2025 is $2,650.00. 

Fees to the Labs include all content, lunch, and receptions. The fees do not cover travel or lodging.

We work with lodging partners to secure discounts to participants (and most include breakfast ...). We keep on the ground costs as low as possible during our programs.

Changes

We will notify all applicants of fee or schedule changes if/when they occur. 

Misc. 

We do not provide feedback on projects through our submission process.

Please familiarize yourself with our programs and fellowships before applying

You can of course reach out to us at info@stowestorylabs.org if you have questions.

As noted above, we look for talented people - regardless of experience or background - bringing us interesting stories. 

Our mission includes breaking down barriers to entry in this complicated industry. 

Dates and Deadlines

Early Bird Deadline ($45): October 1 (ends midnight US Pacific Time)

Regular Deadline ($50): November 11 (ends midnight US Pacific Time)

Late Deadline ($55): November 25 (ends midnight US Pacific Time)

Thank you for your interest in our labs. Best of luck if you choose to apply. Please be assured we take the same care of your work and application in the review process as you have put into developing the work and making your application.

Team Stowe Story Labs


 


 

We use Submittable to accept and review our submissions.