Black, Indigenous, POC Sci-Fi Screenwriting Lab

Dear Generous Donors,

I’m extending my gratitude for your support of the BIPOC Sci-fi Screenwriting Lab that I had the pleasure to participate in as part of the 2022-23 Cohort. 

I’m a huge fan of Sci-Fi and fantasy, and I’m passionate about advocating for more diverse stories centering heroes and heroines from communities I was born and raised in. Previous to taking the BIPOC Sci-Fi lab, I had an idea for a series based on a short screenplay I wrote years ago. But I hit a writer’s block and felt I had to shelve the script until I find more time to work on it. I knew I needed guidance, so it became the story I worked on during the Lab. What I learned was more profound. The lab helped me realize there was a fundamental piece of the puzzle that was missing in my story.

My story had interesting elements and characters, but I was not quite clear on what the engine would be to drive the story forward. Thanks to the BIPOC lab guest speakers who imparted their knowledge, including my group’s mentor Adesola Thomas, I figured out what the engine in my story actually is. Understanding that, made the writing process much easier for me.

I plan to continue working on this story and see it finished and for it to be one of many great works of fantasy and sci-fi coming out of the woodworks at JFMS. My experience at the lab affirmed for me why it’s important to have resources like these for more storytellers in our communities to learn and grow and I have since started serving at JFMS. We hope to have everyone’s continued support, and see more people come out to support as well.

Thank you everyone! 

Julissa Villatoro,

BIPOC Sci-Fi Lab fellow, 2022