New Voices Fellowship for Screenwriters (NVFS) 2015-16 | Asia Society

• This program aims to recognize, encourage and support 7 talented independent screenwriters to build up their feature film scripts by working in a dynamic and creative environment with guidance of filmmakers and writers.
• By the means of this fellowship, 7 candidates will be selected which will be provided with stipend, guidance and industrial insight through 2 workshops and 8 months program.
•  New Voices Fellowship for Screenwriters is a part time fellowship and there is no application fee.
• Theme for the Third edition of New Voices Fellowship for Screenwriters is "Making Heroine The New Hero".
• The application forms can be emailed or sent by post for completing the application process.
• The fellowship has been made possible by a grant from Time Warner Foundation.
• The goal of the Fellowship is to encourage and support new talent that is passionate about screenwriting.

NVFS 2015-16 Rewards

The following benefits will be provided to the 7 selected fellows in regards to the fellowship:

• Stipend: A stipend of Rs.2,00,000 which will be disbursed in 3 instalments.
• Guidance: Regular guidance from the mentors who are renowned screenwriters and writer-directors over the eight-month program.
• Workshops: Two five-day-long intensive workshops conducted by Anjum Rajabali, with the active participation of mentors, advisors and other industry professionals.
• Industry Insight: Recommendations on how to approach production houses and studios, how to pitch, and other professional and legal aspects like contracts, copyright and safeguards.
• Travel and Accommodation Cost: The travel and accommodation costs for Fellows coming from out of Mumbai for the second workshop in May 2014, will be borne by Asia Society

Note: In case of collaborative participation, the second collaborator can attend the workshops, but no expenses of the second collaborator will be borne by Asia Society.

NVFS 2015-16 Application Process

In order to make application for New Voices Fellowship for Screenwriters, the interested candidates need to follow the below mentioned process:

• Theme: "Making Heroine The New Hero".
• Mode of Application: Applicants may download the application form and send it along with other required documents to the Society either by mail or by post.
• Application Fee: There is no application fee.
• Language: The fellowship is open to all Indian languages. However, all the submissions must be made in English or Hindi.
• Documents Required: Along with the form the applicant must attach the following documents:

1. Covering Note:  A short note on your reasons for applying to this fellowship. Please mention if you have done any screenwriting–related work, written for newspapers, magazines, etc. Please mention other creative work you may have undertaken. No more than 1 page.
2. The Story: Word limit: 3000-4500 words. (If you use Courier new font, size 12, it will roughly come to 8-12 pages.) While it can be of any genre, do remember that it has to have enough dramatic potential to expand into a feature-length screenplay. Also, the story has to be either entirely original, or if you're adapting it from another source like a novel, short story, play or any other form, the original source has to either be copyright free, or else you need to attach a document from the copyright holder assigning you the right to write and sell a film script of it. >> Story definition
3. Synopsis and Objective: A 300-word summary of the story. Additionally, 150-200 words on what it is that you find interesting about the story, and what the story is trying to say.
4. First Three Pages of the Script: Develop the beginning of your story as a three page script.>> Sample Script

• Submission of Application: Completely filled form along with documents mentioned above can be emailed to newvoicesfellowship@asiasociety.org or post it to the below mentioned address (Do mention NVFS 2013-2014 on the envelope):

Asia Society India Centre,
2nd Floor, Ramon House, HT Parekh Marg
169, Backbay Reclamation, Churchgate
Mumbai - 400020 Maharashtra, India

Asia Society will send acknowledgements to all applications received by them

Registration of Story and first three pages of the proposed script

It is compulsory to register before submitting the story to NVFS. Applicants must register both the story and the first three pages of the proposed script of the story with either the

• Film Writers Association (FWA) Mumbai,
• Indian Copyright Office
• Writers Guild of America or any association for film writers in India.

(The FWA website www.fwa.co.in will give you all the details of their membership procedures, fees, etc. If you aren’t already a member of FWA, you will have to become one, if you want your work to be registered there. If you apply for FWA membership, do write ‘Asia Society’s New Voices Fellowship for Screenwriters, 2015-16’ on top of the form.)

NVFS 2015-16 Selection Process

As a part of selection process 14 finalists will be shortlisted and called for interview, on the basis of the interview only 7 fellows will be selected for the award of the fellowship:

Asia Society India Centre, 2nd Floor,Ramon House
HT Parekh Marg
169, Backbay Reclamation,Churchgate
Mumbai - 400020 Maharashtra, India

E-mail: fellowship@asiasociety.org.in
Tel: 91 22 6610 0888
Fax:91 22 6610 0887