Sundance Institute Unveils 2025 Screenwriters Lab and Intensive Fellows

©sundance

The Sundance Institute has officially announced the fellows for the 2025 Screenwriters Lab and Screenwriters Intensive, reaffirming its commitment to nurturing emerging filmmakers and their unique voices. The announcement highlights 10 groundbreaking projects selected for the Screenwriters Lab, taking place January 18–22 at the Sundance Mountain Resort in Utah, and 10 transformative projects for the Screenwriters Intensive, set for an online workshop from March 6–7.

The Screenwriters Lab, led by Michelle Satter and Ilyse McKimmie, will bring 11 talented fellows together with accomplished creative advisors, including Walter Mosley, Nicole Perlman, and Virgil Williams, for an immersive development experience. The projects span diverse genres and cultures, from Leo Aguirre’s Verano, exploring themes of identity and belonging, to Diffan Sina Norman’s Sitora, a unique horror story set in a Malay village.

The Screenwriters Intensive focuses on first-time fiction feature filmmakers, with fellows like Bethiael Alemayoh, Karishma Dev Dube, and Ward Kamel crafting poignant narratives that push boundaries and represent underrepresented voices.

These programs continue a legacy of excellence, counting filmmakers like Ryan Coogler and Chloé Zhao among alumni. With projects such as Rashad Frett’s Ricky and Isaiah Saxon’s The Legend of Ochi premiering at this year’s Sundance Film Festival, the tradition of fostering transformative storytelling is stronger than ever.

The 2025 fellows exemplify the power of storytelling to connect audiences to untold narratives and perspectives. Keep an eye on these rising stars and their compelling projects as they reshape the landscape of independent cinema.