The M
Film Lab

Empowering Minority Filmmakers

Film Labs

Spring 2023 Programs: South Asian Screenwriters

Despite recent gains, South Asians are among the most underrepresented minority groups in film and TV. Even more woeful than the numbers, is the quality of their representation. Whenever South Asians appear on screen, they are often treated poorly in the storyline. Characters are often invisible, stereotyped, tokenized, almost always reflect tired tropes – all which point to a dearth in the quality of the writing. That is why we are focusing our Spring 2023 program on finding and empowering talented screenwriters of South Asian descent. We are looking for scripts of any genre and subject matter, so long as they are written in the authentic voice of the writer.

now accepting applicants!

Fall 2022 Programs: AMPLIFYING LATINX STORIES

Despite comprising a significant and rapidly increasing segment of the audience, and a higher-than national average of the spend on entertainment (streaming services, box office), Latinx stories continue to be underrepresented on the screen. Beyond the increase in demand, and the economic argument for creating more Latinx content, there is an immense depth and richness of stories, with varied cultural nuances and breadth of experiences, that remains largely untapped. Hollywood continues to forgo this veritable goldmine of stories for exhausted tropes of narco-culture. The M Film lab’s goal is to explore genuine and authentic stories from a Latinx perspective, that defy this reductionist trend. We are looking for stories of any genre and subject matter, so long as they are delivered with a uniquely latinx voice.

Spring 2022 Program: EMPOWERING BLACK SCREENWRITERS

We are proud to announce the launch of the M Film Lab's Spring 2022 program, focusing on developing the talents of Black screenwriters. This is an opportunity for Black screenwriters to submit a working draft of a 15-minute short film screenplay for a chance to have it produced. You will work with a team of acclaimed mentors and industry professionals in virtual, 1-on-1 sessions over the course of 10 days to develop that screenplay and submit it for consideration to the M Film Lab Board. The best screenplay will be filmed and produced!**

Fall 2021 Program: Muslims in the West

Tired of seeing harmful stereotypes of Muslims on film & TV? Then this is your chance to help us change the narrative! M Film Lab is a free-to-join screenwriting workshop and mentorship opportunity for storytellers and creators committed to fair artistic representation of Muslims and Islam in film & television. Six (6) talented artists will be selected to work with acclaimed industry professionals to develop their screenplays, and the top screenplay will be guaranteed production! Applications are now closed. Congratulations to those selected to participate in our Fall 2021 Program! Thank you to all who applied.

Key Dates

02FEB

Applications Open

15MAR

Application Deadline

28APR

2nd Cohort Announcement

04MAY

Film Lab Starts

14MAY

Film Lab Ends

25MAY

Winning Screenplay Announcement

Lab Mentors

Nelu Handa

Writer, Actress & Producer

Jaffar Mahmood

Director, Producer & Writer

Asis Sethi

Director, Producer & Writer

Raisa Ahmed

Writer & Director

Priyanka Shetty

Actress, Director & Writer

Reshmi Hazra Rustebakke

Director, Creator & Producer

Nelu Handa

Writer, Actress & Producer

Eligibility

The M Film Lab Spring 2023 Program welcomes American and Canadian writers who identify as South Asian or South Asian Descent.

To be considered South Asian, you or your ancestors must have come from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, The Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, or Sri Lanka.

Applicants must be 18 years of age or older.

Application and participation in the film lab is free of charge.

To apply, you must complete the application process outlined below, including submitting a completed short film screenplay based on the guidelines provided below.

Applicants must confirm their full availability for the dates of the film lab workshops and events.

Applications must be completed and submitted before the deadline of March 15, 2023 at 11:59 PM EST.

All applications must be completed through the process outlined below.

Applications

Applications are to be submitted using the Open Screenplay platform.

Applications are comprised of the 2 parts:

Applicant questionnaire.

15 page first draft short film screenplay based on the guidelines below.

Short-listed applicants may be asked to conduct a short video interview prior to confirmation.

Applications must be completed before March 15th, 2023 at 11:59 PM EST.

Judging Criteria

In addition to compliance with the film lab’s eligibility requirements, submitted applications will be evaluated on a variety of factors including but not limited to originality, creativity, and structure. Applications are judged by a select committee of lab partners and mentors.

IMPORTANT RESTRICTIONS

No excessive use of CGI / animation

No remote or difficult to reach locations, or federal or private attractions like The Statue Of Liberty, Mt. Rushmore, The Empire St. Building, CN Tower, Eiffel Tower, famous museums, etc.

No using of trademarks that belong to other people or companies

No use of existing characters, songs, logos, brands, etc.