SWA launches first script lab for feature films

The Screenwriters' Association has announced its first ever script lab for feature filmmakers looking to get their scripts and stories vetted and turned into professional products.

The association announced that it is welcoming entries to the lab which has six prominent screenwriters as mentors — Vikramaditya Motwane, Sujoy Ghosh, Abhishek Chaubey, Alankrita Shrivastava, Sudip Sharma and Smita Singh.

Zama Habib, honorary general secretary of the SWA, said, “It all starts with a script, which is the blueprint. Everything else comes later. The script needs to be strong. SWA Script Lab will be a great step towards nurturing emerging talent in the industry and helping it learn more about the screenwriting craft.”

The process will begin with screenwriters submitting their first completed drafts to the lab. The drafts can be literary adaptations or original screenplays. The mentors will then go through the entries and over two rounds select six of the best as finalists.

The finalists will have an opportunity to have their scripts vetted and polished according to the needs, trends and technicalities of the SWA panel. They will also receive one-on-one feedback online from the mentors. In addition, the finalists will have the chance to win a licensed copy of the screenwriting software, Final Draft 12.

Registrations opened on 8 September and will remain open till 25 October. Writers have to submit their drafts with an entry fee of Rs1,000. Click here to register.

Robin Bhatt, president of the SWA, said, “Every great film begins with the first draft and there is nothing bigger than getting your script read, analysed and mentored by masters from the industry. SWA’s first ever script lab for feature films brings emerging screenwriters one step closer to their goal."

Dev.D (2009), Udaan (2010), Bhavesh Joshi Superhero (2018) and AK Vs AK (2021) writer Vikramaditya Motwane said, "I’m honoured and delighted to be chosen as a mentor for the SWA Script Lab 2022. I’m looking forward to assisting in the grooming of the next generation of Indian screenwriters along with my fellow mentors."

Writer-director Sujoy Ghosh (Jhankaar Beats, 2003; Kahaani, 2012; Badla, 2019) said, “Writers are the foundation on which our industry stands. The SWA Script Lab will produce more such writers and I’m excited to be a part of this journey.”

Abhishek Chaubey, who wrote Omkara (2006), Kaminey (2009), Udta Punjab (2016) and Sonchiriya (2019), added, “I’m really happy to be a part of the SWA Script Lab as a mentor. I’m looking forward to the opportunity of working with a new generation of writers and to the process of learning together with them.”