Wonder Project is proud to partner with Stand Together Trust, a philanthropic community that helps America’s boldest changemakers tackle the root causes of our country’s biggest problems, to establish the inaugural Wonder Project | Stand Together Trust Writing Fellowship (the “Program”).
This year-long paid opportunity will pair emerging, passionate, and talented screenwriters who have distinct points of view and unique lived experiences with true stories from Stand Together’s vibrant philanthropic community to create meaningful, inspirational, and hopeful feature screenplays. Examples of comparative titles include: The Pursuit of Happyness, Erin Brockovich, Miracle, and The Blind Side. Together, we will create screenplays that reflect an intrinsic hope in humanity and the power of resilience. These screenplays will be considered for development at the Program’s conclusion.
During the Program, Fellowship winners will be mentored and will have the opportunity to participate in workshops on the process of development– including pitching, hearing from writers and other industry professionals on the craft, and discussing the business of writing. This Program will be predominantly remote, and may include expenses-paid travel for research and in-person Program events.
DETAILS & APPLICATION DATES:
The Program will begin on approximately August 1, 2025 and run for one calendar year. Four writers total will be selected, with three starting as per the dates above, and one being selected through the Austin Film Festival with the AFF fellow’s program running from approximately November 1, 2025 and running for one calendar year.
General Program applications will be accepted from June 4, 2025 to June 18, 2025 (11:59pm PST). Only the first 500 submissions will be considered. Applications received after 500 screenplays have been submitted will be notified via email with the encouragement to apply again with our next cohort.
The Program hosts will notify semifinalists by late June / early July 2025 and hold remote interviews shortly thereafter. Fellowship winners will be announced in late July 2025.
The Fellowship Application is live.
FORMAT & ELIGIBILITY:
- Applicants must be at least 18 years of age before the program start date and must be authorized to work in the United States.
- Applicants must complete the application form and agree to Program rules, terms & conditions, and sign the Program release.
- Applicants must be available for all Program dates outlined in the timeline, and have no significant barriers to work, such as full-time employment or a full-time educational program. The Wonder Project | Stand Together Trust Writing Fellowship may not be held concurrently with other fellowships or any other similar award, while otherwise employed full-time, or while completing a formal course of study.
PROGRAM RULES, TERMS & CONDITIONS:
- The Program is for the benefit of the Fellowship winners.
- The screenplay materials created through the Program will be the property of Stand Together Trust and Wonder Project, who retain all rights; however, Fellowship applicants retain all rights to their submitted screenplays.
- Submitted screenplays must be the original work of the applicant(s) and may not be based, in whole or in part, on any other material, published or unpublished, produced or unproduced. Entries may be adapted from the applicant’s original work, which should be noted in the summary. If the screenplay is based on a true story, historical or contemporary, please include “based on a true story” in your summary. By entering the Program, you affirm that your entry is an original creative work, and does not violate the copyright, trademark or other intellectual rights of any third party. You agree that the Program receives numerous submissions of ideas, stories, and scripts / screenplays, and that your entry, and the ideas and stories embodied in it, may be similar or identical to other material already received and/or developed by the Program hosts.
- Screenplays written by up to two people may be submitted. List the writer who will be the primary contact first, and include contact information for that person only. By clicking Submit, all writers authorize the submission. If such a screenplay is one of the winners, all awards will be split equally between writers.
- By agreeing to these Rules, Terms & Conditions you agree that you have read them and that you have the authorization to submit this screenplay to the Wonder Project | Stand Together Trust Writing Fellowship.
- VOID WHERE PROHIBITED. All federal, state, and local laws, and regulations apply.
- The applicant shall indemnify and hold harmless Stand Together Trust and Wonder Project, its employees, contractors, and agents from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney’s fees, or court costs) which may be incurred by any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, and/or publicity to the Screenplay submitted.
- Applicants acknowledge that any form of abuse or harassment towards staff is prohibited. Abusive, discourteous, and/or harassing language and/or conduct will result in applicant’s disqualification and banning from future entry at the Fellowship’s discretion.
- Providing false or misleading information on this application, using AI, or failing in any other way to comply with the rules, will subject the applicant to disqualification, forfeiture of winning seat, and/or other penalties.
- Due to the volume of submissions, only applicants who are selected to participate in the semifinals or the Program itself will be notified. Selections will be announced before the Program commences.
