The Michael Collyer Memorial Fellowship in Screenwriting is a prestigious one-year opportunity for emerging screenwriters aged 18 to 25 as of December 31, 2024. Established in partnership with the Writers Guild Initiative (WGI) and the King Family Foundation, the fellowship provides a $10,000 stipend and personalized mentorship from an experienced screenwriter. The goal is to support the recipient in writing a new original screenplay, distinct from the one submitted for application. The program, now in its 17th year, is hosted on blcklst.com and seeks to nurture diverse voices and character-driven storytelling.

To qualify, applicants must submit a full-length feature screenplay hosted on blcklst.com for at least one week during the submission period, which runs from September 30, 2024, to January 10, 2025. Only U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents who are not currently represented by an agent or manager in the film or television industry are eligible. Applicants must be the sole authors of their screenplays, and the submissions must be feature-length scripts. Shorts, plays, TV pilots, or fiction manuscripts are not accepted.

The selection process involves The Black List nominating ten standout screenplays to the WGI selection committee, which will choose the final recipient by March 2025. The winner will be announced in Spring 2025 and invited to the 2025 WGI Gala. In addition to the stipend and mentorship, the fellowship provides valuable professional guidance and the opportunity to focus on developing a new screenplay during the fellowship year. The program emphasizes original, personal, and character-focused narratives.

Applicants may be required to submit supplementary materials, including a personal statement, professional resume, logline and synopsis of the submitted screenplay, and a two-page pitch for the screenplay they intend to write during the fellowship. A signed Submission Agreement is also part of the application process. Ratings and feedback from the hosted screenplay on blcklst.com will play a role in the selection process, even if the ratings predate the submissions period.

This fellowship provides an invaluable platform for emerging screenwriters to develop their craft while receiving mentorship and financial support. Writers are encouraged to bring forward unique perspectives and compelling stories as they apply for this transformative opportunity. For detailed information, including guidelines and requirements, applicants should refer to the resources provided on blcklst.com.