WeScreenplay Diverse Voices
WeScreenplay Diverse Voices
Contact
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Web:
Click here
Email:
support@wescreenplay.com
Contact: Sarah , Director of Contests
Report Card |
||
Overall: |
|
(4.7/5.0) |
Professionalism: |
|
(4.4/5.0) |
Feedback: |
|
(3.8/5.0) |
Signficance: |
|
(4.1/5.0) |
Report Cards: |
|
|
Have you entered?
Submit a Report card
|
Related Contests
Categories
Objective
There’s no doubt about it — Hollywood has a growing interest in stories from different perspectives. Managers and agents are signing writers from underrepresented backgrounds in record numbers as the industry is finally taking strides to become more inclusive and diverse.
Diverse Voices is a dynamic screenwriting lab with a proven track record of helping move the needle for stories that are told from perspectives that are often underrepresented in Hollywood today. This includes writers of color, women writers, writers with disabilities, writers over 40, writers in the LGBTQ+ community, and any other voices that have historically been ignored by Hollywood.
Over a dozen past winners have been signed, staffed, and optioned as a direct result of their Diverse Voices Lab meetings. Show More
Deadline/Entry Fees
Deadline | Date Days till: |
Entry Fee |
---|---|---|
Early | September 16, 2024 | $49.99 |
Regular | October 15, 2024 6 |
$64.99 |
Final | November 15, 2024 37 |
$74.99 |
All entries include 1 page of written feedback FREE
Notification: Quarterfinalist: Jan 10, 2025; Semifinalist: Jan 31, 2025; Finalist: Feb 28, 2025; Winner: Mar 28, 2025.
Rules
Please see https://www.wescreenplay.com/diverse-voices for full list of updated rules.Awards
CAREER-CHANGING LAB
The Diverse Voices Lab is a one-of-a-kind experience. Writers chosen for the lab have a long weekend PACKED with workshops to hone their craft, mentorship calls with working writers, and general meetings with studio execs, literary reps, and more.
This is not a “sit back” passive webinar experience. It is a “get your questions answered, find the right literary representation, and meet potential collaborators” busy several days. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for any emerging screenwriter.
This lab has directly led to writers getting staffed, signing with their dream reps, and more! Want more info? You can read about the Diverse Voices Lab experience here: https://www.wescreenplay.com/blog/virtual-event-real-success-why-you-should-enter-the-diverse-voices-lab/.
Additionally, the winners get access to ongoing mentorship from WeScreenplay including an initial phone call, guidance for drafting query letters, research methods for finding the right representation, prep before big meetings, and strategic planning for next steps in their careers — all based on the writer’s specific goals.
JUDGING: Our judges are all industry-leading professionals. The final round of judging will be read internally by the WeScreenplay team as well as by our industry jury.
JURY:
Gisselle Ruiz
Head of Diversity & Inclusion for WME. Gisselle Ruiz Ed.M is the current Head of Diversity & Inclusion for the William, Morris, Endeavor (WME) agency where she is on a mission to #CHANGEHOLLYWOOD. She leads WME’s commitment to be an anti-racist and ally-oriented company, and she works across WME guiding and bolstering efforts in recruitment, retention and strategic partnerships to achieve the agency’s diversity, equity, and inclusion goals. She has led talent acquisition and DEI at top companies and organizations including NBC Universal, The Walt Disney Company, Creative Artists Agency, Google, Facebook, and most recently was the global talent acquisition leader and spearheaded diversity and inclusion initiatives at TikTok. Gisselle holds a bachelor's degree from Clark University in Urban Development and Social Change and a masters degree in Policy, Planning, & Administration from Boston University. She is a proud first generation transnational bilingual Afro-Latina with a deep connection to her Dominican heritage. She coaches individuals and teams on owning their power, story, and journey to amplify and unlock their potential to achieve personal and professional growth.
Katrina Mathewson
TV Writer, Co-Chair of the WGA's LGBTQ+ committee
Katrina (Katie) Mathewson - and her writing partner Tanner Bean - got their start on Fox's critically acclaimed / tragically cancelled drama PITCH. They went on to create VERSUS, a coming-of-age limited series produced by AwesomenessTV. Katie and Tanner most recently wrote on Marvel Studios' HAWKEYE — while simultaneously writing CHRISTMAS EVER AFTER, a Lifetime movie starring Tony winner Ali Stroker. Originally from the Pacific Northwest, Katie is a tattooed motorcyclist who's not nearly as cool as that description sounds. Her passion for LGBTQ+ activism has led her to serve as the co-chair of the Writers Guild of America's LGBTQ+ Committee, as well as on the Guild’s Inclusion and Equity Group. Katie is a co-founder of the Rainbow Pages, an independent database of queer WGA writers.
Kelly Garrett
Executive Director of Original Programming for Freeform
As Executive Director of Original Programming for Freeform, Kelly oversees ratings hit CRUEL SUMMER, critically acclaimed and fan favorite GOOD TROUBLE, and EVERYTHING'S GOING TO BE OK as a Current Executive. In the past, Kelly was the covering exec on such programs as the critically acclaimed series THE FOSTERS, SIREN, PARTY OF FIVE, THE BOLD TYPE, sci-fi family drama BEYOND, FAMOUS IN LOVE, multi-cam comedy YOUNG & HUNGRY as well as the series BUNHEADS. She also ran point on Peabody Award winning series SWITCHED AT BIRTH and procedural drama STITCHERS. On top of original series, Kelly oversees Original Movies including Freeform’s THE THING ABOUT HARRY, GHOSTING, SAME TIME NEXT CHRISTMAS, TURKEY DROP, LIFE-SIZE 2, NO SLEEP 'TIL CHRISTMAS, and THE TRUTH ABOUT CHRISTMAS\, along with a growing original movie development slate.
Juan He
Literary Manager at Housefire Management
Juan started his career in Universal Pictures Creative Development where he was involved in the development of feature films such as JURASSIC WORLD, MUMMY (2017), NIGHT SCHOOL etc. He later joined the world’s biggest talent agency Creative Artists Agency (CAA) in their Motion Pictures department where he worked in representation, with a strong focus on directors and writers. After CAA, Juan joined Good Fear Content as a junior manager/producer. As a junior manager, he consistently grow Good Fear’s writers and directors clients roster by scouting talents from all over the globe. In late 2018, Juan found a British horror director Alberto Marina and successfully set up his short film BAGHEAD at StudioCanal with Picture Co producing. In early 2019, Juan submitted his client’s project HICKAM to Julia Roberts, Sandra Bullock and Steven Spielberg through CAA for production considerations. Recently, Juan joined Housefire Management where he continues to advocate for the voices he believes in.
The Diverse Voices Lab is a one-of-a-kind lab experience. Those chosen for the lab will have a long weekend PACKED with workshops to hone their craft, mentorship calls with working writers, and general meetings with studio execs, literary reps, and more. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for any emerging screenwriter.
WeScreenplay Diverse Voices
Contact
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Web:
Click here
Email:
support@wescreenplay.com
Contact: Sarah , Director of Contests
Report Card |
||
Overall: |
|
(4.7/5.0) |
Professionalism: |
|
(4.4/5.0) |
Feedback: |
|
(3.8/5.0) |
Signficance: |
|
(4.1/5.0) |
Report Cards: |
|
|
Have you entered?
Submit a Report card
|
Related Contests
Categories
Contest Comments
You must login to post a comment.
First-time user? Register now to receive FREE email contest updates, news, results, deadline reminders and more. Rest assured, information submitted here is held in strict confidence. MovieBytes never sells or in any way distributes email names or addresses. We promise!
WeScreenplay Diverse Voices
Contact
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Web:
Click here
Email:
support@wescreenplay.com
Contact: Sarah , Director of Contests
Report Card |
||
Overall: |
|
(4.7/5.0) |
Professionalism: |
|
(4.4/5.0) |
Feedback: |
|
(3.8/5.0) |
Signficance: |
|
(4.1/5.0) |
Report Cards: |
|
|
Have you entered?
Submit a Report card
|
Related Contests
Categories
Contest News
Diverse Voices Names Semifinalists
The Diverse Voices Screenwriting Competition has announced 175 semifinalists from among an entry pool of more than 900 submissions. [Updated: 05/16/2017]
Interview with Diverse Voices Feature Screenplay Winner Lillian Wang
Lillian Wang was recently named the Feature Screenplay Winner of the 2016 Diverse Voices Screenplay Competition for her script P.O. Box 1142, a story inspired by true, historical events about a Jewish interrogator stationed in a U.S. Nazi POW camp who learns that she must extract information from the high-ranking Nazi responsible for the death of her parents. [Updated: 01/26/2017]
Diverse Voices Names Fall, 2016 Contest Winners
The Last Bookstore, by Brook Purdy and Colette Freedman, has been named the Grand Prize Winner of the Fall, 2016 Diverse Voices Screenwriting Competition. Lillian Wang's P.O. BOX 1142 was the Feature Screenplay Winner, while Phoenix by Natasha M. Hall won the TV Category. The Short Screenplay category winner was In One Split Second by Chloe Owens. [Updated: 01/17/2017]
Diverse Voices Names Contest Finalists
Diverse Voices, presented by WeScreenplay and focused on promoting and encouraging diverse voices and stories, has named their Screenplay Contest Finalists for 2016. [Updated: 06/15/2016]
WeScreenplay Announces Diverse Voices Semifinalists
WeScreenplay has announced the Semifinalists for their Diverse Voices Screenplay Competition, which raised $1,437 for the Books for Kids Foundation. [Updated: 05/17/2016]
Interviews
MovieBytes Interview:Screenwriter J J Hillard
An interview with screenwriter J J Hillard regarding the Diverse Voices Writing Competition. [Updated: 07/20/2016]
WeScreenplay Diverse Voices
Contact
Los Angeles, CA 90017
Web:
Click here
Email:
support@wescreenplay.com
Contact: Sarah , Director of Contests
Report Card |
||
Overall: |
|
(4.7/5.0) |
Professionalism: |
|
(4.4/5.0) |
Feedback: |
|
(3.8/5.0) |
Signficance: |
|
(4.1/5.0) |
Report Cards: |
|
|
Have you entered?
Submit a Report card
|
Related Contests
Categories
Submit Report Card
You must login to read or submit report cards.
First-time user? Register now to receive FREE email contest updates, news, results, deadline reminders and more. Rest assured, information submitted here is held in strict confidence. MovieBytes never sells or in any way distributes email names or addresses. We promise!