HOW IT WORKS
SeriesFest and Shondaland are proud to have partnered for the past two years on the Women Directing Mentorship — a competition designed to discover aspiring female directors with a unique voice and provide a launchpad for their career. The Women Directing Mentorship is anchored with the prestigious opportunity to shadow a director for an episode of a Shondaland original series and a $5,000 stipend to use during the duration of their mentorship. The recipient of the inaugural mentorship, Rachel Myers, shadowed director Tessa Blake on Episode 306, “Ice Ice Baby” of the Shondaland series Station 19.
Read more about our latest winner, Gia-Rayne Harris!
Submissions for this cycle are currently closed. Check back for updates.
PRIZES & AWARDS
The creator selected for the Grand Prize will shadow a director for an episode of a Shondaland production and will receive a $5,000 stipend to use during the duration of their mentorship.
We do not want the cost of entry to be a barrier to participating in this program. If the price of submission would prevent you from participating, please fill out this form to request a waiver code.
KEY DATES & FEES
| Earlybird | Regular | Final Deadline | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | $35 | $50 | $65 |
ENTRY MATERIALS
Personal Introduction Video
3-5 minute video introducing yourself, your unique voice and style, and why you think you’re the right fit for the Women Directing Mentorship. Be creative!
Reel
Reel under 15 minutes or a short film showcasing your directing work. This reel can include student work.
CV/Resume
FilmFreeway Entry Fee
ELIGIBILITY
To qualify, you must have three years of professional experience (that can be in any professional role, not just Director) and can have directed shorts and up to two features. If you have previously been a Director on a network series, you are ineligible to participate. Must be 21+ years of age.
2022 Recipient Gia-Rayne Harris: “Thank you Shondaland and SeriesFest for this amazing opportunity. This next step towards my future feels incredibly surreal. Thank you all for believing in me and for reminding me that making great work with great people is entirely attainable. I’m looking forward to learning from and growing with all of you!”
Sponsored by Shondaland
Founded by prolific storyteller Shonda Rhimes, Shondaland is the pioneering storytelling company behind many groundbreaking television series including Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, and How to Get Away with Murder. Over the last decade, Shondaland’s television series have earned numerous awards including a Golden Globe, the Peabody Award, GLAAD Media Awards, NAACP Image Awards, and eight Emmys. The company recently created a new home for Shondaland storytelling with media innovator Netflix. In the Fall of 2017, Shondaland entered into the digital space with the launch of Shondaland.com. The website expands the award-winning Shondaland brand by providing a home for complex articles and honest conversations beyond the fictional space.
Need more information? Questions?
