Do you have a story idea and want to see it come to life in film but don’t quite know where to begin?
As part of the 2026 Timehri Film Festival, to be held in Georgetown, Guyana Nov 6-8, we will be hosting our first annual Narrative Story Development Lab from November 9-13. The Lab will run after the Festival ends and after the participants have been immersed in a weekend of Caribbean cinematic storytelling. From an open call, three emerging Guyana-based screenwriters, will be selected to develop and workshop their story ideas.
There will be 3 components to the Lab, through which participants will develop their story ideas into short film scripts:
A five-day, in-person workshop in Georgetown where participants will work closely with the facilitator to interrogate and develop their story ideas to create a solid story outline—plot, story, conflict, and character development.
Following the workshop, participants will enter an extended guided writing period, developing their story outlines into full narrative scripts. This phase will allow participants to put the tools explored during the workshop into practice while receiving ongoing guidance and feedback as their stories take shape.
Completed scripts will move into casting and a table read, giving writers the opportunity to hear their work performed and experience how it lives beyond the page. Participants will then use what they learn through this process to revise their scripts, with the goal of completing a shoot-ready draft.
Through close instruction, guided exercises, individual feedback, and sustained development of their own projects, participants will deepen both their stories and their understanding of the screenwriting process. The Lab is designed not simply to help writers complete a script, but to give them practical tools for interrogating their own work, making intentional creative choices, receiving feedback, and approaching revision with greater confidence.
Over the course of the Lab, participants will work closely with the facilitator and one another to develop their ideas into fully realized stories. Participants will:
This Lab is ideal for emerging writers who have a unique story they think would be great as a film, but who may still be working through how to shape that idea for the screen. Prior screenwriting experience is not required, but participants should arrive ready to interrogate their ideas, engage thoughtfully with feedback, rewrite their work, and commit themselves fully to the development process.
Submit one PDF document containing the materials below. The document should not include visuals—black text on a white background only—submit below, using our google form.
The story idea package must have a clean cover page. This means only the title of the story if there is one, and no author’s name/contact information.
A one-page description of the story you want to develop.
A brief description of the central theme or themes you want the story to explore.
Share what inspired the story and where the idea came from.
Tell us why you believe this story needs to be told, and why you want to be the person to tell it.
The author’s name must not appear anywhere within the body of the story idea package. Body pages must be numbered. No additional materials, artwork, illustrations etc. should be submitted unless requested.
Submissions are FREE and open to everyone. We welcome and encourage submissions from people of all backgrounds and experiences, including members of the LGBTQIA+, Indigenous, and elder communities, as well as people with disabilities, and others who have historically had limited access to filmmaking opportunities.
This Lab is committed to supporting writers in developing their own voice and craft. Submissions evidencing the use of AI will not be considered.
Other Important Terms: You must read and agree to the participant “Terms and Conditions” on the google submission form, for your submission to be accepted.