Diverse Voices presented by WeScreenplay

Objective

Deadline/Entry Fees

Notification: Quarterfinalists – November 15th, 2021 – Top 20%. Semifinalists – December 15th, 2021 – Top 5%. Finalists - January 15th, 2022 - Top 25. Winners – February 15th, 2022 – Top 3-4.

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.