The Sundance Institute has announced the 13 writers selected for its 2022 Screenwriters Intensive.
Now in its 10th year, the Screenwriters Intensive is an annual two-day workshop that invites emerging creators from historically marginalized backgrounds to develop their first feature film scripts under the guidance of the Institute’s Feature Films Program. The workshop is led by Michelle Satter, Founding Director of Artist Programs at Sundance Institute, as well as Ilyse McKimmie, Associate Director of the Feature Film Program.
“We are thrilled to bring together such a dynamic and memorable group of storytellers who develop work with bold vision and unique and necessary perspectives,” McKimmie said in a statement. “We look forward to continuing our creative and strategic support as they develop their first feature films, and we are thrilled to welcome them to Sundance’s vibrant artist community.”
The scholarship recipients selected for this year are:
Marissa Chibaswho was selected for her screenplay “72”, about a Cuban-American girl celebrating New Year’s Eve in Manhattan in 1972.
Walé Oyejide for her screenplay “Chiaroscuro”, about a trafficked West African woman who uses dance to escape from the Sicilian town in which she is trapped.
Glenn Kaino for his “Fox & Stork” screenplay, about a Chinese-American family imprisoned in a Japanese concentration camp.
Mamoudou N’Diaye for his “Freelancers” screenplay, about four friends who work as freelancers and try to rob a billionaire.
Gaby Rivera for her screenplay “Juliet Takes a Breath”; about a Puerto Rican girl who comes out of the closet and travels across the country to intern with her favorite author.
Nuhash Humayun for his screenplay “Moving Bangladesh”, a film based on the true story of Pathos co-founder Elius Hussain.
Tania Taiwo for his screenplay “Pharmacopeia”, about a black pharmacist who becomes a drug trafficker.
Andre Muir and Jake Huton for their screenplay “The Predicament”, about a man arrested for a crime he did not commit.
Tommy Pico and Tazbah Rose Chavez for their screenplay “Sometimes”, about a native man from a reservation living in Brooklyn.
Ramzi Bashour for his “Tomahawk Springs” screenplay, about a 17-year-old who gets kicked out of school and goes on a trip with his mom to drop him off with his dad in New Mexico.
AK Espada for her screenplay “This is Our Home”, about a vegan who struggles to cope with the rats infesting her apartment.
In addition to being selected for the Screenwriters Intensive, Espada is also a recipient of the Sundance Institute Horror Fellowship, and Humayun received a $15,000 grant through the 2022 Sloan Development Fellowship.
During the intensive, fellows will receive guidance from several advisors, including Andrew Ahn, Lucy Alibar, Julia Camara, DeMane Davis, Nisha Ganatra, John Gatins, Tanya Hamilton, James Ponsoldt, Jon Raymond, Jessica Sharzer, Dana Stevens, and Ligiah Villalobos . Ahn, who directed the feature films “Spa Night” and “Driveways”, is a former intensive scholarship holder. Other former Fellows include Adamma Ebo (“Honk for Jesus, Save Your Soul”) and Reinaldo Marcus Green (“Monsters and Men”).
The 2022 Screenwriters Intensive will take place virtually from March 2-3.