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, Tom McCarthy, Michael Arndt, 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

    Alongside our Featured Screenwriters, you’ll join a community of peers to dive deep into the essential elements of storytelling: theme, character, plot, and dialogue. This five-session program offers inspiration and guidance through engaging conversations and Q&A sessions with acclaimed screenwriters, paired with hands-on group workshops featuring targeted writing exercises.

    Whether you’re looking to develop a project already in progress or spark a breakthrough idea for your next screenplay, this course is designed to fuel your creativity and strengthen your craft.

    Sessions will take place each week throughout February.

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

  • COURSE FEE

    FEE: $750.00

    DATES: February 4-25, 2025 (Feb 4, Feb 10, Feb 18, Feb 20 and Feb 25)

    This online course consists of intimate LIVE online sessions (via Zoom).

    Enrollment covers all sessions; we do not offer enrollment for individual sessions, only for the course as a whole. We will provide recordings of all sessions to participants.

Scholarship Opportunities

A third of our slots are given in scholarship thanks to the generous support of Bank of America®. Underrepresented communities are nominated by partner organizations including CAPE, Native American Media Alliance, PANO, National Hispanic Foundation for the Arts, Ghetto Film School, and The Future of Film is Female.

 

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