Nantucket Film Festival® and  Almanack Screenwriters created Screenwriter Sessions in 2021 to provide uniquely enriching experiences for screenwriters of all backgrounds. 

These LIVE – not pre-recorded – online sessions provide one-of-a-kind intimate conversations and guidance from some of the foremost screenwriters working today. The Sessions include interactive writing workshops and feedback from a rich community of peers. Throughout the program, participants generate new screenplay ideas, develop works in progress, and hone their craft with personalized tips and inspiration from the best screenwriters in the world.

Our eminent guest speakers have included Charlie Kaufman, Nancy Meyers, Ken Burns, Lulu Wang, Nicole Holofcener, Sian Heder, Patty Jenkins, Stella Meghie, and many more. 

Each year’s Session brings together an intimate cohort of participants, encompassing a wide range of emerging to mid-career screenwriters. Since the very beginning of this initiative, we have promised a rich, diverse, and inclusive community of writers and speakers.

Hear from our past participants

  • COURSE DETAILS

    Together with our Featured Screenwriters, a community of peers will explore elements of story, theme, character, plot, and dialogue. The program includes five sessions featuring inspiration and guidance from expert screenwriters through a mixture of conversation and Q&A, and small group workshops with writing exercises for participants. The course is geared towards helping you develop a project you are working on or inspiring the discovery of a new undeniable idea for your next screenplay.

    Sessions will take place this coming February on
    Tuesday evenings each week, 6:30 - 9:00 PM EST.

    These two-hour sessions each week will begin with a one-hour Q&A led by Marina Michelson with our Featured guest, followed by an hour of writing and sharing time facilitated by Bill Gullo of Almanack Screenwriters.

  • COURSE FEE

    FEE: $750.00

    DATES: FEBRUARY 6 - MARCH 5 2024

    This online course consists of five sessions (via Zoom). Enrollment covers all five sessions; we do not offer enrollment for individual sessions, only for the course as a whole. Enrollment is first come, first serve.

    Check back this winter for info about our 5th annual Screenwriter Sessions set for 2025!

Scholarship Opportunities

We are proud to gift 50% of our participant slots in scholarship thanks to the generous support of Bank of America® and Starz® to writers from underrepresented communities. These participants will be nominated by partner organizations including The Blackhouse, National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts, Ghetto Film School, and WGA East.

If you are interested in being considered for a scholarship slot or have any questions about enrolling please email us at screenwritersessions@nantucketfilmfestival.org