Black, Indigenous, POC Sci-Fi Screenwriting Lab

Dear donors, 

We just wrapped another cohort of BIPOC Sci-Fi Screenwriting Lab where 22 screenwriters wrote their Afro-Futuristic and Indigenous-Futuristic pilot scripts with mentorship through Justice for My Sister. Nine of these screenwriters went through phase two of the program where they received one-on-one mentorship and script consultation. 

We had a great turnout for the culminating event in August, which was a table-read of six scripts written during our lab. Over a hundred community members and industry professionals attended this event where our participants showcased their work with performances by professional actors and made meaningful connections with peers and industry professionals alike. 

One of our participants is now in pre-production for a short film based on the script they wrote in the lab and is collaborating with another participant of our program who has taken the role of the producer. Other participants connected with industry professionals to receive script notes and possible representation. It was an event that best represents what we strive to do: to create a community that uplifts one another and provides pathways into the film & TV industry for early-career filmmakers of color. 

When introducing a participant, one of our mentors mentioned: “I feel like we are a family now. How blessed are we to be able to be a part of this space… It’s not easy to put yourself out there and I’m just blown away with this cohort and all the amazing work.”

We have opened the application process for our 2025 screenwriting lab and can’t wait to welcome a new cohort of screenwriters! We are proud to be able to support screenwriters of color in establishing careers they have historically been denied and we are only able to do so with the support of generous donors like you. 

Please consider heading to our campaign page to double your impact. 

Warm regards, 

Justice for My Sister’s team.

Dear Donors, 

The fourth successful cohort of BIPOC Sci-Fi Screenwriting Lab is underway at Justice for My Sister. This lab provides a supportive environment, mentorship and peer-support to 20 screenwriters of color so that they are able to write a pilot script for television in the Afro-Futuristic and Indigenous-Futuristic subgenres. 

The first phase of 2023-2024 cohort of this sought-after program was made up of 22 participants. They met weekly with their mentors in sessions that consisted of lectures and writing practices, and got feedback in breakout sessions on the progress of their writing. 

Phase 2 of the cohort is currently underway with 9 participants who progressed to this phase. Each participant meets with their own mentor and works on their individual script. The culminating event for this Lab will be a table-read of select scripts and will be held in summer 2024. 

In the words of one of our participants “This lab FAR exceeded my expectations and hopes. By and large the single most valuable aspect of this lab was the ability to be in community not only with fellow screenwriters, but with other people of color with shared values of telling stories rooted in transformation, community care, spirituality, ancestor work, growth, healing, and self-care. The stories that my classmates were working on inspired me beyond belief. Knowing that there are other writers working on stories such as these filled me with so much hope and inspiration.”

At Justice for My Sister, we are able to continue offering our programs due to our generous donors. Thank you for your continued support of this lab!

Sincerely, 

Justice for My Sister team