Next Edition: Paris, 6-10th September 2026
MINNOWS Screenwriting Foundation Course
From the margins to the mainstream…
“Until the lions can tell their stories, tales of hunting will always glorify the hunter.”
MINNOWS is a five-day immersive foundation program designed for beginners and first-time screenwriters who wish to develop the skills to craft their own stories. We specifically seek out voices, identities, and experiences that actively challenge and disrupt dominant narratives within the film and television landscape.
This unique, cross-European course travels to the striking creative environment of one of the stunning European capitals, providing an inspiring backdrop for intense development and collaboration. Each edition partners with established European film festivals, allowing the participants to immediately start crafting their first industry network.
MINNOWS offers a safe and supportive space for new writers to acquire the essential tools of the craft. Participants will work under the direct, hands-on guidance of experienced mentors, established showrunners, and accomplished filmmakers who specialise in innovative storytelling.
As part of the course objectives, you will:
Master the Foundations of Storytelling: Gain a comprehensive command of the ‘rules of the game,’ from dramatic structure and character arcs to industry-standard script formatting.
Refine Your Creative Vision: Receive dedicated guidance to translate your initial creative spark into a professional project outline, supported by in-depth feedback from mentors and peers.
Navigate the Industry Landscape: Decode the script-to-screen process through professional talks and workshops, bridging the gap between an aspiring writer and a focused, industry-ready creator.
The lab culminates in a clear roadmap for the next steps in your writing career, providing the confidence and connections needed to move from the margins to the centre of the screen industry.
UPCOMING EDITIONS
MINNOWS Screenwriting Foundation Course September 6-10, in collaboration with New Image Film Festival, Paris
Sun, Sep 6, 2026 - Thu, Sep 10, 2026
Our Family of Mentors
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Tina Gharavi
SCRIPT MENTOR
Tina is a screenwriting professor with over 20 years training experience who has taught from Oxford to Arvon to Stowe and now to Paris and Iceland. She is also an award-winning filmmaker, and artist trained in the United States and France. Her work has been broadcast internationally, and she is noted for innovative cross-platform work on migration as well as issues related to equality and diversity.
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Matt Graham
SCRIPT MENTOR
Matt is a professional screenwriter based in LA with over 20 years of experience. His background includes participation in several Hollywood projects and a significant collaboration with established filmmaker Oliver Stone on the documentary miniseries, The Untold History of The United States. He serves as a visiting Professor of Writing at prestigious international workshops.
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Joy Gharoro Akpojotor
SCRIPT MENTOR
Joy is a producer, writer, and director, founder of Joi Productions, a company championing Queer, Black, and female-led stories. Her works include the hit film Blue Story (2019), the first all-Black Christmas film out of the UK, Boxing Day (2021), and her directorial debut Dreamers, an immigration story centered around queer love. She was named a Screen International Star of Tomorrow and a BAFTA Breakthrough in 2020.
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Kas Graham & Rebecca Pollock
SCRIPT MENTOR
Kas and Rebecca are a successful screenwriting duo known for high-profile, character-driven projects. Their joint feature screenplay about Betty Ford was featured is set for production with Ryan Murphy directing and Sarah Paulson starring. Rebecca's individual credits include the writers' room for the Apple series Lessons in Chemistry, while Kas is writing The Book of Ruth and adapting Kill the Father for eOne.
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Meg Thomson
INDUSTRY MENTOR
Meg Thomson is EVP of Globalgate Entertainment. In her career she has guided countless screenplays from early development through production and release, helping them navigate the complexities of international financing and packaging. Amongst her many credits are Virginia Woolf’s Night & Day, Freud’s Last Session ( with Anthony Hopkins), and Do The I (Tom Hardy).
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Pippa Lambert
INDUSTRY MENTOR
Pippa Lambert is a renowned television agent and packaging expert at WME, specializing in international series and global sales. She previously ran the London TV division for ICM Partners, where she was key in securing major global remakes like Wilfred (FX) and Secrets & Lies (ABC). Her background provides vital expertise on script packaging, financing, and the global market.
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Wendy Mitchell
INDUSTRY MENTOR
Wendy is a highly respected journalist, editor (Screen International, Close-up), and film festival consultant. She offers screenwriters unparalleled expertise in global film trends and marketplace viability, drawing on her advisory roles for top events like San Sebastian and Rotterdam. Her experience ensures writers receive guidance that is both creatively sharp and practically market-oriented.
FAQs
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It’s for the ‘new fish.’ MINNOWS is our brand-new foundation program launched in 2026. It’s a five-day intensive designed specifically for beginners and first-time screenwriters. If you have little to no professional screenwriting experience but possess a unique voice and have a story to tell but aren't sure how to structure a scene or format a script, you belong here. We especially champion voices from the margins.
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Absolutely. That is the whole point of MINNOWS! We don’t require a professional track record. We are looking for potential, passion, and a perspective that the industry hasn't heard yet.
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All submissions are managed thorugh the FilmFreeway platform.
You’ll need to submit a single PDF (max 10 pages) including:
A personal bio (500–2000 words).
A statement on what you hope to gain from the lab.
A creative track record (if you have one—don't sweat it if you don't!).
A short sample of creative writing (this could be a short story, a poem, or a scene).
All submissions must be in English.
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No. These are two distinct programs with different entry requirements. MINNOWS is a foundation course for beginners, while THE WHALE is an advanced lab for emerging and mid-career writers with existing projects in development. Please review the guidelines for each and apply to the one that best fits your current experience level.
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By the end of the five days, you’ll have a solid grasp of the "rules of the game", from dramatic structure and character arc to industry-standard formatting. You’ll also be part of a community of fellow creators starting their journey at the same time.
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You can only apply once to each edition of MINNOWS, but there is no limit to the number of editions you can resubmit to.
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Yes. To ensure our mentors and international participants can collaborate effectively, all workshops and submissions must be in English.