Stowe Launch

Second Pilot year announced / includes directed development funds

Read below for details

current stowe launch projects and Filmmakers

 
 
 
 

Pilot of stowe launch continues into second year

two new projects to be selected through COMPETITIVE selection process

New participants to be aided by curated development funds

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS AND PROCESS TO APPLY

WHAT IS STOWE LAUNCH?

Stowe Launch is Stowe Story Labs' advanced development program for top emerging screenwriters and filmmakers. Launch incubates and develops feature films and television projects and is aimed at achieving our mission to bring screenwriters, filmmakers, and creative producers together with seasoned, working industry professionals to get work made and seen. The program was first piloted in 2021. We will continue the pilot of the project in 2022, and will add two projects for curated guidance, including $8,500 each of Curated Development Funds to support development activities.

HOW DOES A PARTICIPANT GET SELECTED FOR THE PROGRAM?

Launch participants are chosen through the annual general application to all programs, and from our alumni through the same application process. Any questions reach out to info@stowestorylabs.org.

To be accepted into Stowe Lauch, and applicant must be:

  1. An alumni of Stowe labs and retreats;

  2. Admitted and enrolled in a lab or retreat for the year they seek admission into Launch or,

  3. A semi-finalist, finalist, or recipient of a fellowship for the year in which they seek admission into Launch.

Finalists will be interviewed by Stowe team members.

We will select finalists based on the quality of their work, an assessment of our ability to help advance the work, and a dedication to inclusivity and nurturing new and typically underrepresented voices. Projects selected will be in need of script development, pitch training, packaging of cast and creative time, visual materials, grant-writing, and connections to producers, production companies, and equity investors. Projects will likely have minimal or no financing secured.

Our 2021 Stowe Launch selections were selected from Stowe’s rich and diverse pool of past participants.

HOW DOES LAUNCH WORK?

Participants and projects in the program will be guided through the development process. Each project will get a tailored program of up to one year of curated support to improve scripts and prepare a project for production. Ultimately, Stowe will introduce the participants and their projects to potential partners in the wider industry, and thereby help get the projects made.

Projects will receive a set of benchmarks and a budget created individually for their specific needs. These activities may include rounds of script draft feedback from Stowe, pitch-building and market preparation, market attendance, financing strategy and script review from producers and production companies, casting lists, top-sheet budgets, and other elements of development as necessitated by the project.

Curated Development Funds, through oversight of the Stowe team, may be used toward activities that support the writing and producing process. These include, but not limited to, writer’s stipend, lookbook/pitch deck costs, budget one-sheet consultation, casting consult, travel to festival and markets, support for a teaser/proof-of-concept costs. Decisions will be made in collaboration with Stowe, and funding will be dispersed in stages by Stowe as required and documented. 

New applicants to Stowe must be admitted to and attend a Stowe Lab or Retreat before being admitted to the Stowe Launch program.

Projects will also enter into a participation agreement, which includes credit on a single card as “Development Producer”, or similar title. There is no fee charged is selected to be part of the Stowe Launch program. 

Best of luck to all who apply.