Antigravity Academy Screenwriters Camp
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About
Are you a first-time filmmaker ready to share your story?
The Antigravity Academy Screenwriters Camp is a program designed to help up to six emerging filmmakers (or writing teams) develop and package their first features.
What is Screenwriters Camp?
The program will be run by Abiram Brizuela, former Director of Artist Community at the Sundance Institute. It will consist of a week-long residential intensive in May, followed by five virtual workshops and a period of industry exposure. Upon completion, participants will have a new draft of their screenplay, a first-look deal for production financing from Unapologetic Projects and a commitment from Antigravity Academy to help them usher their projects into the market. The program will be produced by Antigravity’s Head of Production, Valerie Bush, with creative development led by Antigravity founder, Carlos López Estrada, and Head of Film & TV, Winsor Yuan.
“Our first year at the Antigravity Academy Screenwriters Camp was nothing short of transformative, not just for our fellows but also for our mentors and staff, who grew alongside them. The energy and passion from everyone involved created an environment where creativity thrived and boundaries were pushed. I’m incredibly excited for our second year as we welcome new fellows into this dynamic community. They’ll have the chance to experience this unique growth, learn from our dedicated team, and be part of building something truly special—a community of bold, fearless storytellers who are ready to shape the future of cinema.” - Abiram Brizuela
The 2025 edition will be the second edition of this program.
Who are we?
Antigravity Academy is a multi-hyphenate creative home for emerging artists across mediums. We develop and produce projects for film, television, short form and beyond. Additionally, Antigravity's various educational and community initiatives aim to make filmmaking accessible to all. Antigravity’s debut film, DÌDI (弟弟), written and directed by Sean Wang, premiered at the 2024 Sundance Film Festival, winning the Audience Award and opening globally later that summer via Focus Features.
What happened at last year's Camp?
Last year, we selected 6 amazing filmmakers from all over the country who joined us in Lake Arrowhead in May.
At the in person intensive, the filmmakers participated in individual and group development sessions with mentors and Antigravity staff, exclusive screenings and panels, and developed lifelong friendships through bonding camp activities. Mentors and speakers included Marcus Gardley (THE COLOR PURPLE), Greg Kwedar (SING SING), Pam Ribon (MOANA, RALPH BREAKS THE INTERNET), Sean Wang (DÌDI (弟弟)), and multi hyphenate artist George Watsky.
After the Camp, aside from the monthly workshops, we continued to develop the projects and helped the filmmakers package their projects to take them out to market. Additionally, the screenwriters have been selected for different screenwriting programs, competitions, and some have also gotten representation.
Benefits
What will each filmmaker (or filmmaking team) earn from going through this program?
Each filmmaker (or filmmaking team) will enter a 7 month development deal with Antigravity Academy starting with the intensive in May and concluding with the period of industry exposure/project presentation. Each filmmaker (or filmmaking team) will be paired with industry mentors and the development team at Antigravity Academy for the duration of the program. Each filmmaker (or filmmaking team) will have around-the-clock development support from our team and will be able to schedule check-in meetings on an as-needed basis.
Announcements
No announcement dates listed.
Rules
Can anyone apply?
Only filmmakers with no previously produced feature films can apply. All applicants must be over 18 years old and current residents of the United States or Canada. A finished draft of a feature screenplay is required to apply.
Who do you consider an emerging filmmaker?
We consider an emerging filmmaker anyone who is looking to break through into the industry and has yet to have the chance. We encourage you to apply regardless of your age.
Do applicants need to be US citizens?
Citizenship is NOT a requirement to apply.
Is there a page limit for screenplays?
Screenplays must not be over 125 pages of length. It must be presented in traditional screenplay format. Please do not submit short film scripts. This program is for feature film screenplays only.
Can writing teams apply?
Yes! Writing teams of up to two people are welcome to apply.
Any genre?
Yes
Can I resubmit a script I applied with previously?
You can only resubmit if there have been substantial draft changes to your script.
Television pilots?
Not accepted at this time - sorry!
Any language?
Yes, but an English translation will be required in order to be considered.
What will each filmmaker (or filmmaking team) earn from going through this program?
Each filmmaker (or filmmaking team) will enter a 7 month development deal with Antigravity Academy starting with the intensive in May and concluding with the period of industry exposure/project presentation. Each filmmaker (or filmmaking team) will be paired with industry mentors and the development team at Antigravity Academy for the duration of the program. Each filmmaker (or filmmaking team) will have around the clock development support from our team and will be able to schedule check-in meetings on an as-needed basis.
As projects approach their presentational stage, Antigravity Academy will assist filmmakers in preparation that includes, but is not limited to: pitch deck construction, pitch practice sessions, and personalized support based on the individual project needs. During the industry exposure period, Antigravity will facilitate meetings with potential producing partners, financiers, talent and reps with the goal to get each project set up to go into production. While the development period with Antigravity will be for 7 months, mentorship for the filmmakers from the Antigravity Academy team will continue indefinitely - You will be a part of the Antigravity crew.
Who will be the program mentors?
Top industry filmmakers will be paired with projects based on themes, genre, and style. Mentors will be announced in the Spring of ‘25
Where/When will the camp happen?
A private resort in Lake Arrowhead, California from May 23rd to May 28th, 2025.
Do I need to pay for anything?
Lodging, travel, program activities and meals at the intensive are covered by Antigravity Academy.
For the residential intensive, if I require ADA accessibility accommodations, will these be provided?
Yes!
What will happen during the intensive?
You will work with your mentors and the Antigravity Academy development team to elevate your material through workshops, panels, screenings, activities and story-crafting exercises.
What will the subsequent meetings look like?
Online virtual check-ins via Zoom with the Antigravity Academy development team and advisors. There will be a total of 5 virtual sessions happening once a month.
What will happen during the exposure period at the end of the program?
By that time, all projects will have a new draft of their screenplays completed. The scripts and filmmakers will be presented to reps, producers and financiers with the aim to get the projects off the ground.
Will I give away the rights to my screenplay if I participate in the program?
No.
If Unapologetic Projects considers financing your project, you will enter a conversation with them about the potential optioning of your material.
What does the first look financing deal entail?
All filmmakers participating in the Screenwriters Camp will get a First Look Financing deal with Unapologetic Projects (an independent financing company and frequent collaborator of Antigravity Academy), who will determine, at their own discretion, if they will fully or partially finance each of the films. If they decide not to support a project, the filmmaker will be able to find financing elsewhere..
Will I be required to produce my film with Antigravity Academy?
You will not be required to produce your project with Antigravity regardless if Unapologetic Projects decides to finance your film (partially or fully). If the filmmaker decides to have Antigravity Academy become a production partner on the project, a producer attachment deal will be negotiated in good faith. If a filmmaker wishes to bring on other production companies onto a project, they may.
Ultimately, the decision will be yours.
If Unapologetic Projects decides to NOT finance a project, what happens then?
If a project is financed by a third party and moves into production, with Antigravity as lead producers, Antigravity Academy will negotiate contingent compensation and fees negotiated in good faith.
If a project is financed by a third party and moves into production, without Antigravity’s attachment, Antigravity Academy will receive 1% of the contingent compensation.
Okay so what does that actually mean though? Let's break it down.
1% of 100% contingent compensation refers to the film's points. A 'Point' is an industry term signifying 1% ownership of the film. This ownership isn't related to creative control or decision-making in the film. Instead, it means that if the film becomes profitable upon its sale, whoever holds a point also profits. For instance, if someone owns 1 point and the film earns $100, that person would make $1.00 - aka 1% of the profit. Therefore, in this scenario that Antigravity Academy is not involved in producing your film, Antigravity Academy would need to be granted 1 point in your project's profit.
What happens if you decide not to pursue making this film? What if your film doesn't get financed?
Nothing would be owed to Unapologetic or Antigravity Academy in this case.
What happens if your film is produced but does not make any profit?
Nothing is owed to any members who own points in a film if it does not make any profit.
Do you have more questions that aren’t answered here?
Please email contact@antigravityacademy.co and we’ll be happy to respond promptly!