Story Camp Aotearoa is a residential development lab for feature film that fosters craft, voice and exceptional storytelling. The programme is designed to meet the development needs of each writer and project. It provides a framework and environment that enables films to be rigorously developed, elevated and supported. Over the week, the participating writers and their collaborators workshop their feature film projects with exceptional local and international advisors.
The selectors had an incredibly difficult job in assessing the feature films submitted. We thank and value all the filmmakers who took the time to apply for this opportunity. Thank you for sharing your stories and aspirations with us.
Script to Screen is delighted to announce the filmmakers and their projects selected for Story Camp Aotearoa 2025. Huge mihi to our funders Te Tumu Whakaata Taonga New Zealand Film Commission for continuing to support this unique development kaupapa.
This year, we are excited to announce that through Script to Screen’s partnership with VicScreen in Australia, we will have a ninth team, Melbourne-based film Scorpio writer/director Allanah Avalon and producer Gabrielle Pearson attending Story Camp. This welcome addition will add another aspect of collaboration and community within the programme, and we hope to bring more international collaborations to this kaupapa in the future.
The team at Script to Screen is humbled by the mahi that has already taken place across the selected projects, and we look forward to helping to support and uplift them and their filmmakers during this residential development lab.
Congratulations to the filmmakers whose feature film projects will be developed through Story Camp Aotearoa 2025:
READ MORE ABOUT THE TEAMS HERE
Script to Screen is working in partnership with VicScreen in Australia, for Melbourne-based film Scorpio writer/director Allanah Avalon and producer Gabrielle Pearson to attend Story Camp.
Story Camp is made possible thanks to funding from the New Zealand Film Commission.
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📸 Photo by Evie Mackay
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📸 Photo by Evie Mackay
Applications open: Tuesday 20th August 2024
Applications close: 1 PM, Monday 23rd September 2024
We will notify shortlisted applicants at the end of October. Selected applicants will be contacted in early December and announced soon after.
The residential development lab will take place in Auckland from 24-28 February 2025
Travel costs for participants who live outside Auckland will be covered as part of the programme.
Story Camp Aotearoa is a residential feature film development lab run by Script to Screen that fosters screenwriting craft, voice and vision through a rigorous interrogation of story. The lab is designed to meet the development needs of each selected writer, filmmaking team and project. Selected screenwriters, filmmakers and creative teams workshop their projects with exceptional international and local advisors through a bespoke developmental process designed specifically to meet the development needs of their feature film project. Story Camp supports the development of feature films, both narrative and documentaries.
WHAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
Stage of Development
Although we recognise the development process for feature films is as individual as the stories they are telling, Story Camp is designed to deep dive into the development process. Therefore, scripts or projects that are early in their journey may not benefit as much as others from this process. So, although we are not prescriptive about what draft your project should be at, we highlight that it is unlikely a first or early draft script or project would be selected.
We are keen to hear from writers, writer/directors, and filmmaking teams who have a feature film in development that they are ready to go deeper into their development process. These could be in the story development phase, the structural re-drafting phase or even at an advanced stage and getting close to production ready. We are happy to discuss the stage you are at and whether this is an appropriate route for you and your project prior to applying. Please contact info@script-to-screen.co.nz to arrange a time to have a kōrero.
Your voice
Story Camp Aotearoa is all about supporting unique screen stories from Aotearoa. We are open to all genres. We are passionate about supporting stories that reflect who we are and the rich diversity of our communities and country. We encourage applications with scripts in Te Reo Māori, and those from our Pacific Island, Asian and other culturally diverse communities. We also encourage applications from other underrepresented communities like, but not limited to, those who identify as LGBTQi, *gender diverse, *disabled or neurodivergent.
If you have any access support needs to help you apply, please get in touch so we can help. info@script-to-screen.co.nz
SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Please apply via our online form: https://form.jotform.com/Script_to_Screen_NZ/story-camp-2025-application-form
Eligibility:
Provide the following via this form:
Upload
Please provide one submission PDF document (no more than 10 pages) with the following:
Please ensure ALL uploaded attachments are page-numbered and include a header with the applicant’s name and the project title.
The following statements:
If you are applying with a feature documentary, please also provide (if you have it) a link to some footage from/about the documentary you are applying with
Application Fee
We have a nominal application fee of $25. If this is a barrier to you applying, please get in touch with us.
Please make your payment of the $25 application fee by midnight on Monday 23rd September 2024.
Account Name: Script to Screen Te Tari Kupu A Whakaahua
Account Number: 03 0255 0178775 00
Reference: StoryCamp – Applicant Name
*Gender diverse is the umbrella term for the variation of gender identities in the gender spectrum (i.e. it encompasses gender identities such as transgender, agender and non-binary).
*A disability is defined as a long-term physical, mental, intellectual or sensory impairment which in interaction with various barriers may hinder full and effective participation in society on an equal basis with others.
This definition comes from Article 1 of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities
📸 Photograph captured by Evie Mackay
Script to Screen is delighted to award the creators of eight projects intensive development time at Story Camp Aotearoa 2024. Story Camp is a residential feature film development lab that fosters craft, voice and vision, with a programme designed to meet the development needs of each writer and project. Over the week, the participating writers and their collaborators workshop their feature film projects with exceptional local and international advisors.
This year, Script to Screen received 66 applications. Three experienced independent practitioners underwent a rigorous marking process, compiling a shortlist of 17 and ultimately selecting the eight projects to be developed at Story Camp in May.
The selectors were intrigued, moved, surprised, and made to laugh by the stories submitted and said it was a privilege to enter the writers’ worlds and walk in their characters’ shoes. We thank and value all the filmmakers who took the time to apply for this opportunity.
Script to Screen is excited by the depth and breadth of the work selected and looks forward to supporting the filmmakers to take their work further.
Congratulations to the filmmakers whose feature film projects will be developed at Story Camp Aotearoa 2024:
(Teams pictured from left to right)
READ MORE ABOUT THE TEAMS HERE
Story Camp is made possible thanks to funding from the New Zealand Film Commission.
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📸 Photo by Evie Mackay
Script to Screen is delighted to announce the nine projects awarded places at Story Camp Aotearoa 2022, a residential feature film lab that fosters craft, voice and vision. The programme is crafted to meet the development needs of each writer and project. Over the week, participating writers and their collaborators workshop their feature film projects with exceptional local and international advisors.
This year Script to Screen received 60 applications. Three experienced independent practitioners underwent a rigorous process, compiling a shortlist of 20 and ultimately selecting the nine projects to be developed at Story Camp in November. We would like to thank all the filmmakers who applied.
“It is always an enormous privilege to be invited in to people’s stories. The selectors and I were intrigued by many wonderful characters and worlds, and the final decisions were not easy. We are delighted with the breadth of exceptional stories coming to Story Camp”, says Story Camp Programme Director Esther Cahill-Chiaroni.
Congratulations to the filmmakers whose feature film projects will be developed at Story Camp Aotearoa 2022:
(Writers pictured from left to right)
Story Camp is made possible thanks to funding from the New Zealand Film Commission.
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Script to Screen is delighted to announce the projects and filmmakers awarded places at Story Camp Aotearoa 2021, a residential feature film lab that fosters craft, voice and vision. The lab, which takes place in Port Waikato, is tailored to meet the specific development needs of each project. Nine selected projects with 12 writers and their collaborators will workshop their feature films over the week with exceptional local advisors, and international advisors who are attending virtually.
This year Script to Screen received 76 applications. Three experienced independent practitioners from here and offshore went through a rigorous process compiling a shortlist of 19 and ultimately selecting nine projects to be developed at Story Camp. We would like to thank all the filmmakers who applied.
“Throughout the process, the selectors were intrigued and inspired by the multitude of incredible worlds and stories. The final decisions were tough to make. Script to Screen is delighted with the breadth of exceptional projects selected, and to see some wonderful new voices making it to Story Camp.” says Story Camp Programme Director Esther Cahill-Chiaroni
Congratulations to the filmmakers whose feature film projects will be developed at Story Camp Aotearoa 2021:
(Writers pictured from left to right)
Story Camp Aotearoa is a nationwide programme. This year participants will attend from Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Nelson and Christchurch. If delivery of the workshop is not possible due to Covid-19 restrictions, a part of the workshop will be delivered online in November with the residential component moving to February 2022.
Story Camp is made possible thanks to funding from the New Zealand Film Commission and additional support from the US Embassy.
– Nayheon Lee (2020 participant)
Story Camp Aotearoa is a residential feature film workshop that cultivates exceptional filmmaking by fostering voice, honing craft, and clarifying vision and kaupapa. Talented storytellers workshop their film project with esteemed advisors from here and abroad.
Story Camp 2021 seeks feature film projects from a well-developed treatment through to an advanced development stage. Up to eight selected writers or teams will participate in a rigorous five-day experience designed specifically to meet the development needs of their project.
Story sessions between advisors and participants form the backbone of the week. As the programme is tailored to each project, the process can also include project-based group workshops; workshopping with actors; strengthening and clarifying the director’s vision, and making good decisions together under pressure.
“Overall I think the entire Story Camp was a huge success, for me personally and for us as a team. I think the varied sessions provide a great mix of the creative and professional development for the advancement of any script.”
Past advisors have included Mexican screenwriter Guillermo Arriaga (Amores Perros, 21 Grams, Babel), producer Philippa Campbell (Top of the Lake, Rubbings from a Live Man), director and writer Jane Campion (Top of The Lake, The Piano), producer and director Ainsley Gardiner (Cousins, Boy, The Breaker Upperers),filmmaker & Artistic Director of the Sundance Directors’ Lab Gyula Gazdag, poet and academic Anahera Gildea, Hollywood writer & longstanding Sundance mentor Michael Goldenberg (Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix), renowned painter Star Gossage, playwright, screenwriter and director Briar Grace-Smith (Cousins, The Strength Of Water), NZ-based Korean installation artist Yona Lee, EP and producer Andrew Mason (The Matrix Trilogy, Tomorrow When The War Began), writer/actor Bret McKenzie (Flight of the Conchords), dramaturg and story consultant Brita McVeigh, choreographer Moss Te Ururangi Patterson (Atamira, Black Grace, Footnote), New Zealand International Film Festival Director Marten Rabarts, Australian producer Kath Shelper (Samson & Delilah, Tender), actor/writer/director Loren Taylor (Eagle vs Shark), legendary US screenwriter Joan Tewkesbury (McCabe & Mrs. Miller, Thieves Like Us, Nashville), emerging technologies artist and filmmaker Lynette Wallworth (Awavena, Collisions) and veteran NZ film producer and EP Tim White (The Luminaires, I Am Mother, The Dark Horse).
Don’t miss this opportunity to propel your film closer to production with expert support.
APPLICATIONS OPEN NOW
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 11:59 PM, 09 August 2021
STORY CAMP AOTEAROA DATES: 22 – 27 November 2021