Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility
- We are looking for 8 emerging queer and trans writer-directors from India, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Maldives, representing a wide range of lived experiences, identities, and artistic voices. South Asian diaspora storytellers are also encouraged to apply.
- Applicants must be over 18 years of age, hold a valid passport, and be proficient in English to ensure smooth communication throughout the Lab.
- For projects with more than one writer, only one representative – ideally the lead writer – may apply and participate in the Lab.
- We accept original fiction feature scripts (first or second) in early development. Adaptations, documentaries, shorts, and TV/web series are not eligible.
- Projects must have a clear connection to South Asia – through themes, characters, language, or setting – and meaningfully explore queerness in ways that are integral to the storytelling, not incidental.
- All submissions must be in English. While your film can be in any language, the logline, synopsis, and script must be provided in English.
- While not mandatory, we strongly encourage applicants to register their scripts with relevant local bodies, wherever possible, for their own protection.
Application Process
Your application should include the following materials:
- Basic contact and demographic information
- Artist Statement (400 words max): Share your motivation for applying, relevant background, experience, and creative influences
- Note of Intention (200 words max): Share your creative vision and personal connection to the story you want to tell
- Logline (30 words max): A concise one or two-sentence description of your project
- Synopsis (750 words max): A detailed summary of your script’s plot, including major characters, key story points, and the ending
- Screenplay Sample: A complete draft of your fiction feature script, or the first 20 pages if a full draft is not yet ready
- Previous Work Samples: Links or files showcasing past creative work, such as short films, writing samples, or visual projects
The application process consists of two stages: a written submission, followed by video interviews for shortlisted candidates.
Submissions will be reviewed by a panel of QueerFrames team members and external industry experts. Applications will be evaluated based on:
- Robust and Engaging Storytelling: We are looking for fresh and compelling narratives that can resonate with wider audiences.
- Strong Creative Vision: We value emotionally resonant, original voices that explore queerness with depth, nuance, and authenticity. We are seeking artists with a clear creative drive and a long-term commitment to a career in film.
- Technical Skills: A clear understanding of screenwriting fundamentals, along with prior experience in filmmaking or visual storytelling – such as a short film or similar project – is strongly preferred.
Due to the high volume of applications, we are unable to provide individual feedback on unsuccessful submissions. We appreciate your time and interest in the Lab, and we strongly encourage applicants to reapply in the future.
Lab Timeline & Participation
Applications open on June 10, 2025, and close on July 13, 2025 (11:59 PM IST). Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in August, with final selections made by the end of the month.
The in-person residency will take place from October 3-12, 2025, followed by an online program running from October 2025 to March 2026. Core sessions will be held virtually every Friday, with additional craft sessions and masterclasses scheduled on select weekdays between 5:30-8:00 PM IST.
A detailed agenda and timetable will be provided to selected Fellows ahead of the Lab.
Attendance is mandatory for both the in-person residency and the full online program, including weekly sessions, masterclasses, peer feedback, and writing assignments. Please apply only if you can commit the time and energy required – not just for your own growth, but to support the learning and development of your peers.
Selected Fellows will be requested to sign an agreement confirming their full participation in all in-person and virtual Lab sessions.
Financial Support
There is no participation fee for the Lab. Accommodation, meals, and local transport during the in-person residency (in a South Asian city) are fully covered. The exact location will be shared with selected participants.
Flights and visa costs are not covered, but limited travel scholarships (full or partial) are available based on financial need for participants from India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Maldives. Please indicate your need clearly through the application form available here.
Applicants outside South Asia should seek external funding (e.g., arts councils, cultural institutions, or LGBTQIA+ organizations). We will support selected participants in exploring additional resources where possible.
Intellectual Property & Credit
You retain full ownership of your script. The QueerFrames Screenwriting Lab does not claim any IP rights unless a separate production or financing agreement is made.
If your screenplay is produced after the Lab, you are required to include a credit line and logo placement for the QueerFrames Screenwriting Lab in the film’s end credits.
Advanced Development & Proof-of-Concept Support
All Fellows leave the Lab with a polished draft, clearer story direction, and a supportive creative network. A small number of standout projects will receive extended support beyond the 2025 Lab, including expert mentorship, pitch coaching, proof-of-concept funding, and potential festival exposure.
Selections are made by a jury of QueerFrames team members and industry advisors, based on script progress during the Lab, creative strength, originality, production feasibility (including collaboration with a director or producer if the writer is not leading the project), and overall readiness for next-stage development. Projects from the 2024 cohort may also be considered.
We will support one or two 8-12 minute proof-of-concept short films that compellingly demonstrate the vision and potential of their corresponding feature scripts. Fellows selected for advanced development support may pitch for this funding with their collaborators. Selected teams must commit to a defined production timeline and submit a script, treatment, budget, director and producer statements, and visual references. Projects will be evaluated on the strength of the writing, the short film’s strategic value to the feature, and the team’s overall readiness to deliver.