MACRO and The Black List have launched the MACRO x The Black List Screenwriter Incubator, powered by Warner Bros. Pictures.
The two organizations are working in partnership with Warner Bros. to give screenwriters of color an opportunity to develop and pitch a film idea to a Warner Bros. executive. People interested in applying can send a feature screenplay for consideration to the Black List. One screenwriter will garner $10,000 to develop their pitch, with the winner announced this fall. If Warner Bros. accepts the pitch, the writer will get a two-step WGA minimum deal.
“By providing development and financial support, the mission of the program is to discover and empower the next generation of writers in the studio system with creative tools, resources and the access needed to help launch their careers,” states the press release.
MACRO’s founder and CEO Charles D. King said in a statement that he is excited to work with The Black List’s Franklin Leonard and Niija Kuykendall, Warner Bros.’ executive vice president of film production, to give screenwriters of color new opportunities.
“Providing access and opportunity for new voices is part of the foundation on which I launched MACRO,” King said. “I’m thrilled to be able to do that with Franklin Leonard and The Black List again and our new partners, Niija Kuykendall and Warner Bros., to open doors for more undiscovered and incredibly talented storytellers.”
Leonard, who founded The Black List, also said how he and King’s shared history means a lot about changing the tide in Hollywood.
“Charles King and I have long been two Georgia kids on a similar mission in Hollywood, and it’s a real joy to join our two companies, MACRO and the Black List–with Warner Bros., and Niija Kuykendall specifically–in this specific endeavor,” he said in a statement. “We’re incredibly excited about the many writers we’ll discover through the process, and the movie we’ll get to develop with one of them.”
“I truly respect and admire Charles King and Franklin Leonard and the work they do,” said Kuykendall. “I’m excited to partner with MACRO and the Black List to give fresh and talented voices the opportunity to tell their stories at Warner Bros.,” said Kuykendall in her statement.
Learn more and enter your submission here. Submissions end August 1.
