In 2021, Nyx Horror Collective, fresh off their successful 13 Minutes of Horror Film Festival 2021 featured on the Shudder Channel, still had gas in the tank to elevate and celebrate horror creatives working in the genre. Film was a first focus and then came it’s foundation: the script. Stowe Story Labs and NYX Horror Collective team up again to offer a groundbreaking fellowship for women-identifying horror writers.

This incredible fellowship not only covers the cost to attend a Stowe Narrative Lab but also includes incredible perks like working with industry mentors in structured small group table top pitching sessions designed to help filmmakers develop film/TV projects and gain industry skills.

Stowe Story Labs, a renowned nonprofit supporting top emerging screenwriters, filmmakers, and creative producers globally, is joining forces with NYX Horror Collective, a community of diverse women creators, including BIWOC, LGBTQ+, disabled women, and nonbinary individuals. NYX champions women-led horror content for film, TV, and new media, transforming the genre through stories that explore race, gender, sexuality, mental illness, body image, and more.

Co-Founded by Melody Cooper and Kelly Krause, NYX made waves with their 2021 and 2022 micro short film festival, 13 Minutes of Horror, winning the Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Award for Best Short Film in 2022. Stowe Co-Founder David Rocchio said, “When Melody approached us about this fellowship, I was thrilled. Supporting genre writers and women artists is essential to our mission. This fellowship is the perfect fit.”

Now celebrating their upcoming 13th year, Stowe Story Labs continues to offer labs, retreats, mentoring, and development support, helping participants gain the skills and connections to bring their projects to life.

Stowe Story Labs are deeply immersive programs designed to help you think through what you are working on and how best to advance it. Lab mentors will work with you on elements of story, development, and how to advance the work (TV or Film). You will work on table-top sessions with mentors to master how to talk about the story when seeking collaborators or finance, and to brainstorm how to advance the work, as well as getting specific script notes through peer-to-peer review processes, and we spend time on suggested approaches to getting and giving notes.

This year, Stowe will offer a dedicated number of Fellowships with industry partners like the NYX Horror Collective, SAGindie, The Black List, and the Writers Guild of America East.

WHAT can you expect from attending a Stowe Story Lab as a creative?

• Work with industry mentors in structured small group table top pitching sessions. Past Narrative Lab mentors include Aaron Janus (Director of Original Film at Netflix), Blake Avery (Manager of Original Film at Netflix), Audrey Knox (Literary Manager at The Cartel), and Ellie Foumbi (Director/Writer of award-winning indie OUR FATHER, THE DEVIL). Mentors do not read scripts at the narrative labs.
• Receive script notes from other participants in your peer group
• Skill development and focus on story structure, character, and theme; conversation about story; packaging; elements of creative production; casting; adaptation; and finance and distribution
• Build knowledge, skills, and insights to navigate the film industry
• Network with talented peers, vital in this collaborative art and business
• Workshop, roundtable, and social time
• A beautiful setting to develop your craft

WHEN can you expect to attend?

June Stowe Narrative Lab | Stowe, Vermont

• June 6 – 9, 2025
• Joint reception with Producers’ Lab participants and mentors

August Sidewalk Narrative Lab | Birmingham, Alabama

Stowe Story Labs is proud to partner with the Sidewalk Film Festival, a nationally recognized festival based in Birmingham, Alabama, to deliver a Narrative Lab integrated with the Festival. 

• Lab participants receive a VIP Badge, access to screenings, and joint receptions.
• August 20 – 23, 2025 (tentative, dates subject to change slightly)

HOW will I know when to submit?

• Early Bird Deadline ($45): Oct. 1, 2024 (ends midnight US Pacific Time)
• Regular Deadline ($50): November 11, 2024 (ends midnight US PT)
• Late Deadline ($55): November 25, 2024 (ends midnight US PT)

APPLY FOR STOWE STORY LABS’ NARRATIVE LABS HERE!