A new opportunity for those of you writing independent films. Announced this week, producer Cassian Elwes (The Butler, The Paperboy, Blue Valentine, Ain’t Them Bodies Saints) has partnered with The Black List script hosting service to provide one independent screenwriter with a chance to attend the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and receive professional mentorship from Elwes.
Writers opt into consideration by registering their scripts on the Black List site. More details from the press release below:
Producer Cassian Elwes and Black List founder Franklin Leonard jointly announced the creation of the Cassian Elwes Independent Screenwriting Fellowship, wherein one unrepresented writer with lifetime earnings not exceeding $5,000 with a screenplay of indie sensibility will receive an all-expense paid trip to the 2014 Sundance Film Festival and mentorship from Elwes himself.
Writers with scripts on the Black List or who have had scripts on the site since their October 15, 2012 launch will be able to opt into consideration for the opportunity until December 1, at which time a short list of writers will be shared with Elwes who will decide on one writer to make the trip. The Black List and Elwes plan to award the fellowship annually.
Said Elwes, the force behind 2013 awards contenders DALLAS BUYERS CLUB, ALL IS LOST, AIN’T THEM BODIES SAINTS, and LEE DANIELS’ THE BUTLER, “Behind every great independent film is a great writer. While it’s been my honor to work with some of the greatest filmmakers ever I have never lost sight of the fact the words were as important as the images. I love what the Black List is about, and I’ve been privileged to work on a number of films that have appeared on it. My hope is that Franklin and I will find the next wave of new voices that are the lifeblood of independent cinema.”
“Just two weeks ago, we celebrated the website’s first birthday, and it’s difficult imagine a better way to continue the celebration. At this point, I’ve lost track of how many great independent films Cassian is responsible for over the last two decades,” said Black List founder Franklin Leonard. “His contribution of money and time in alliance with our work is an honor and yet another reason to be hopeful about the state of American independent cinema. One writer is likely to have an amazing experience in Park City this January, and hopefully many more will be inspired to write great human stories without an explicit focus on their commercial viability, though every year I think we’re reminded this time of year that great human stories are explicitly commercial.”
