Applying to IWL

Become an IWL Fellow

Ready to elevate your scriptwriting career? Join IWL's creative accelerator and pursue new storytelling heights globally. Shape the future of storytelling across Africa and abroad.  Be part of our next cohort in your country.

IWL Screenwriting Fellowship Eligibility

The IWL Fellowship is open to accomplished and experienced screenwriters born and living in specific countries within Africa who are ready to showcase their exceptional talent and projects to international audiences.

  • Must be at least 18 years of age at the time of application.

  • Must be both a citizen and a current resident of the designated African country.

  • Must have professional writing credits in either narrative feature film or narrative episodic television. 

  • Please do not submit or apply as a nonfiction storyteller or with a nonfiction story.

  • International credits are a plus.

  • Only individual writers. No writing “teams”.

IWL Screenwriting Fellowship Selection Process

  • Each submission will be reviewed by members of the IWL Selection Committee;

  • The top fifteen (15) applicants will be invited for a “live” interview by video with the Selection Committee;

  • The top five (5) applicants will be determined after the interview and invited to participate in the Lab.

IWL Screenwriting Fellowship Application Requirements

  • A fully completed application form (available through this website at the beginning of each cohort recruitment period);

  • A completed narrative feature-length film script in the English language saved in PDF format;

    • Scripts must be the original work of the applicant and the applicant must be the sole writer. We strongly suggest that applicants copyright their materials with the appropriate authority in the territory (legal consultation recommended);

    • If the script is based upon another person’s life or a book or other underlying work, applicants must secure any necessary rights to make such adaptations. However, it is not necessary to submit the adaptation or rights agreements to the Lab. Neither the Lab nor its partners investigate or attest to the authenticity of an applicant’s statement of authorship or rights secured. By applying, you are acknowledging that you have secured all necessary rights;

    • Scripts cannot be spec scripts for existing programs or have been submitted to other fellowship programs for either grants or development;

    • Scripts must be unencumbered by option agreements, distribution agreements, co-production agreements, or any other limitations;

    • No script fragments, treatments, synopses, stage plays, book excerpts, digital series, shorts, animated projects, or documentaries are eligible and will not be accepted.

Please do not submit any additional documents or information not specifically requested. The selection committee will only consider the items requested.

All materials submitted remain the intellectual property of the applicant.

Please submit any questions to admin@iwlafrica.com or click the Contact Us link in the footer below.

Thank you in advance for your consideration. We look forward to your application!