The 2026 Cassian Elwes Independent Screenwriting Fellowship
An annual program designed to encourage and identify new talent in independent cinema!
Each year one screenwriter is awarded an all-expenses-paid trip to the Sundance Film Festival and an opportunity to meet with producer Cassian Elwes (MUDBOUND, LEE DANIELS' THE BUTLER, DALLAS BUYERS CLUB).
The Cassian Elwes Independent Screenwriting Fellow will receive a festival pass to attend the 2026 Sundance Film Festival, which will take place January 22–February 1, 2026, with Mr. Elwes. In addition to screenings, the recipient will attend various meetings and events during the festival with Mr. Elwes.
This opportunity is open to unrepresented feature writers with an independent sensibility who have made less than $5,000 in aggregate in their film or television writing careers.
Timeline
After submissions close on December 1, 2025, the Black List will choose ten screenplays imbued with an independent spirit by unrepresented screenwriters, which will be sent on to Mr. Elwes for his consideration. One fellowship recipient will be selected by Mr. Elwes by calendar year's end.
Explore more about this program below.