NEW DELHI: After its three-year association with the Sundance Institute for the Mumbai Mantra – Sundance Screenwriters’ Lab has come to an end; Mumbai Mantra has now launched ‘The Mumbai Mantra CineRise Screenwriting Programme’, an 8-step lab for screenwriters.
In the first stage of submission, screenwriters need to submit a story on which the script will be based, in six to eight pages. This will be followed by the writer’s statement in just two pages outlining details of the project is about. Thirdly, the writer’s biodata will also have to be submitted with contact details.
Among the submitted applications, 100 stories will be selected for a two day screenwriting workshop which will be held in different cities across India. The finalists will have intensive interactions with experienced writers and directors at the workshop. The selected participants can choose the center closest to their homes.
After the workshop, the screenwriters will have two months to submit the first draft of their screenplays.
After intensive evaluation, twelve to fifteen or more deserving screenplays will be shortlisted for the final selection. These screenplays will be sent to the mentors and other experts, for detailed evaluation and notes.
The finalists will have intensive interactions with experienced writers and directors at the workshop. The selected participants can choose the center closest to their homes. The convenor for this programme will be Anjum Rajabali.
After receiving notes from the mentors, the writers will have one more month to send in the second drafts of their screenplays. The finalists will be invited to a five-day workshop at a resort destination with renowned writers and directors to help them revise their screenplays and then get them ready for a pitch event in Mumbai with studio heads, independent producers, directors, financiers, distributors, film festival directors and curators.
Aspiring script-writers for films can apply till 20 August for the ‘The Mumbai Mantra CineRise Screenwriting Programme’.
