NYWIFT Blog

WWFC launches pilot accelerator for writers to pitch women-centric content to HBO and more

Applications are now open for a new accelerator to launch the careers of women in television

This October, six to eight emerging TV writers — selected out of hundreds of expected applicants — will have the opportunity to pitch to studios and production companies including HBO, HBO Max, Warner Horizon Television, Jax Media, Berlanti Productions, Broadway Video, Element Pictures, Fabel Entertainment, Tornante and more as part of Women’s Weekend Film Challenge’s (WWFC) inaugural pilot accelerator program.

WWFC was founded by NYWIFT Member Katrina Medoff and Tracy Sayre in 2017 to address the lack of women’s representation behind the camera and on screen. The organization, best known for its signature film challenge that has produced 30 short films with more than 700 professional female filmmakers, launched a popular virtual workshop series as a response to COVID-19. 

Tracy Sayre and Katrina Medoff at Good Day LA.

Now, WWFC is announcing its brand-new pilot accelerator designed both to help emerging writers advance their careers and to increase the representation of women and non-binary people in television. This program is geared toward writers with strong, completed pilot scripts who lack the industry connections to sell their series or break into the writers room.

“So many members of our community have pilot scripts ready to go but no one to pitch to,” WWFC co-founder Tracy Sayre said. “This gap became especially apparent over the last year as we’ve hosted weekly virtual workshops; far and away, the most popular events have centered around how to pitch and how to break into the writers room. This accelerator is a natural response to the career goals of our community.”

(Photo by Image Taker Studios)

WWFC will be accepting applications for the accelerator from June 17 to July 21, 2021. The six to eight selected fellows will be vetted by our panel of prestigious judges including Nicole Mirante-Matthews (co-executive producer, “The Walking Dead”), Elle Johnson (co-showrunner of Netflix’s “Self-Made”), Charise Castro Smith (screenwriter of Disney’s upcoming “Encanto”), Obehi Janice (staff writer for Hulu’s “Castle Rock”) and Kristina Thomas (staff writer for the upcoming Bad Robot/HBO “Demimonde”). 

Fellows will attend a three-week intensive training on pitching, where they’ll learn directly from industry insiders, including public speaking coach Samara Bay, best known for dialect work with clients Gal Gadot and Rachel McAdams; Elle Johnson, co-showrunner of Netflix’s “Self Made”; and entertainment lawyer Anuj Gupta. The program will culminate with a week of pitching to studios, production companies and producers who are looking for new material and/or new writers.

On board to hear pitches are HBO, HBO Max, Warner Horizon Television (“Queen Sugar,” “Pretty Little Liars,” “You”), Jax Media (“Younger,” “Broad City,” “Russian Doll,” “Emily in Paris,” “A Black Lady Sketch Show,” “Search Party”), Element Pictures (“Normal People”), Berlanti Productions (“Riverdale,” “The Flash”), Broadway Video (“Shrill,” “30 Rock,” “Portlandia”), Fabel Entertainment (“Bosch”), Tornante (“NOS4A2”), Kevin Fox (co-EP, “Law & Order: SVU”; supervising producer, “Lie to Me”), and Clifton Campbell (EP, “Sleepy Hollow,” “The Glades”).

“We have seen firsthand how much talent is out there, but many underrepresented writers lack the opportunity to get their work in front of industry decision-makers. Without programs like our new pilot accelerator, audiences will continue to miss out on so many amazing stories and voices,” WWFC co-founder Katrina Medoff said. “That’s what WWFC is all about — breaking down the barriers to women and non-binary people progressing in the industry.”

The program will take place entirely online. Interested writers can apply on FilmFreeway. Applications open on June 17. The regular deadline is July 1, and the late deadline is July 21. For more information, visit womensweekendfilmchallenge.com/accelerator-program.