Hamptons International Film Festival’s The Lab Gives Up-And-Coming Talent Chance To Broaden Skills

“The Screenwriters’ Lab is a highlight of the year-round work that our organization does as it brings together a diverse range of talent from the industry and pairs them with a new wave of writers and filmmakers that are just beginning to make their mark,” noted David Nugent, Artistic Director of Hamptons International Film Festival (HIFF).

On Friday, April 10th through Sunday, April 12th, HIFF is matching up-and-coming screenwriters with notable screenwriters, directors and producers during the 14th annual Screenwriters’ Lab. Co-sponsored by the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, The Lab gives raw talent the opportunity to fine-tune their work during one-on-one mentoring sessions throughout the weekend at c/o The Maidstone Hotel in East Hampton.

“Developing bold new work from fresh voices is at the heart of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation’s mission,” said Anne Chaisson, Executive Director of HIFF.

Nicole Perlman, co-writer of “Guardians of the Galaxy,” is also taking part in the Lab. (Photo: www.facebook.com)

2015 mentors include Alexander Dinelaris, writer and producer of the Academy Award winning “Birdman: Or the Unexpected Virtue of Being”; Nicole Perlman, co-writer of the Academy Award nominated hit, “Guardians of the Galaxy”; Evan Hayes, President of Production at Parkes+MacDonald/Image Nation; and Helen Schulman, a renowned author and co-screenwriter of the film “P.S.” starring Laura Linney.

This year’s screenplays are Kendell Kline’s “Jane,” Jared Goodman’s “European Zero,” Ísold Uggadóttir’s “And Breathe Normally,” and Philip Aceto’s “The Gloaming.”

“We are delighted to partner with HIFF for the 14th year of this great lab and to support two wonderful new screenplays by two exciting young screenwriters Kendell Klein’s Jane and Jared Goodman’s European Zero,” said Doron Weber, Vice President, Programs at the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation. “In a year that saw acclaimed, Oscar winning science films such as The Imitation Game and Theory of Everything, these two scripts—about the pioneering primatologist Jane Goodall who upended our notions of chimpanzees, and of ourselves, and about tracking the first European AIDS patient—demonstrate yet again how science and technology are an inexhaustible source of compelling stories and fascinating characters for the cinema.”

Brie Larson and Keith Stanfield in “Short Term 12.” (Courtesy Photo)

Since its start, over fifty screenplays have been featured in the Lab. Over the past few years, four projects have gone on to be produced. They include Destin Cretton’s “Short Term 12,” which took home both the South by Southwest Film Festival’s Audience Award and Grand Jury Prize in 2013; Justin Schwartz’s “The Discoverers,” which debuted at HIFF and was released in 2014; Sara Colangelo’s “Little Accidents,” which starred Elizabeth Banks and debuted at the 2014 Sundance Film Festival, and was released earlier this year; and Claudia Myers’ “Fort Bliss,” which starred Michelle Monaghan and was released last year.

For more information, visit hamptonsfilmfest.org.