Story Camp evolves from our 2014 and 2015 writing labs, which have seen talented local writers workshop their feature film scripts with exceptional international and local mentors.   

This year each selected writer or writing team will have a rigorous five-day residential experience tailored specifically to meet the development needs of their feature film project. At the heart of the programme remains exceptional and experienced practitioners working with NZ’s exciting writers and filmmakers to foster voice and vision.    

The process for each participant will be made up of some or all of the following development techniques: one-on-one script sessions, project-based group workshops, read-throughs, and workshopping with actors. The writers’ key collaborators will be invited in to parts of the process in instances where that will be of additional benefit to the process and project.

Story Camp Aotearoa is brought to you with financial assistance from the New Zealand Film Commission.

Applications open: Monday, 2 October 2023

Applications closed: Monday, 13 November 2023, 11:59PM

We will notify shortlisted applicants in early December. Selected applicants will be contacted in February 2024.

The residential development lab will take place 6-9^th May 2024.

Story Camp Aotearoa is a residential feature film lab that fosters craft, voice and vision. Eight selected screenwriters or creative teams workshop their projects with exceptional international and local advisors in a rigorous four-day experience designed specifically to meet the development needs of their feature film project. Story Camp can also serve feature documentaries depending on the stage of the project and the teams’ requirements.

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SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS

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Eligibility: 

• You must be a NZ citizen or permanent resident to apply.
• Copyright ownership.
  When you apply for Story Camp one of your team will need to own the copyright of the project you apply with. It is important to note that there has been no establishment of copyright for any works written by an AI programme. You will be putting your Chain of Title at risk when you use material generated by AI.
  It is unfair for our limited funding to be spent on developing a project that may never be able to prove Chain of Title. Therefore, AI-generated stories are ineligible for Story Camp. 

We accept applications for feature films projects in both Script Development and Advanced Development. The submission requirements are different for the two stages.

Advanced Development means the film is nearly production-ready: the script is well-developed, there is a writer, director and producer attached, there is a realistic plan in place for financing your film, and you are very close to market-ready or already have market partners attached.

If you are not at this stage, then you are in Script Development. If you are a writer without other team members attached, you are eligible to apply under Script Development.

Who applies?

• Script Development: writers developing a feature film
• Advanced Development: the team’s writer, director or producer can apply

Who attends?

• Script Development: the writer(s) must attend. Other key creatives will attend on a case by case basis depending on their role within the process and the needs of the project.
• Advanced Development: the writer(s), director and producer must attend. Other team members such as additional producers, the DoP, lead actor, or editor may join some or all of the process on a case by case basis depending on the needs of the project.

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Submission requirements – Script Development

• 1-2 pages on what it’s about and why you want to tell this story
• 1-2 page synopsis or outline of what happens in your film
• The full script OR a treatment (10-30 pages) and a scriptwriting sample (up to 20-pages). Your writing sample could be the first 20 pages of the script or of a different feature film script, first 20 pages of a play you’ve written, a short film script)
• Up to a page on what development your project has been through already
• A short biography of you and of the director and/or producer (if attached)
• A link to your prior work – film or other art form (please choose one link to a piece of work that you think best represents you as an artist)
• Who in your team owns the copyright of the project

If you wish to preview the Script Development application questions click here. 

We will notify shortlisted applicants in early December. You will need to provide within 48hrs of being notified:

• Up to 2 pages on what you think you and the project needs from Story Camp.

If you are shortlisted for Story Camp, you will have the opportunity to resubmit your draft if it has progressed since submission.

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Submission requirements – Advanced Development

• 1-2 pages on what it’s about and why you want to tell this story
• 1-2 page synopsis
• Script
• 1 page
• Up to a page on what development your project has been through already and include finance attached and key team and/or talent secured
• A short biography of the writer, the director and the producer
• Links to the director’s prior screen work
• Who in your team owns the copyright of the project

If you wish to preview the Advanced Development application questions click here. 

We will notify shortlisted applicants in early December. You will need to provide within 48hrs of being notified:

• Up to 2 pages on what you think the project, the writer and/or team, and the individual team members need from Story Camp
• Director’s treatment
• Finance plan

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📸 Photograph captured by Evie Mackay