SeriesFest and Shondaland are honored to partner on our fifth cycle of the Women Directing Mentorship, a competition designed to discover aspiring female directors with a unique voice and provide a launchpad for their careers. Founded in 2019, The Women Directing Mentorship is anchored by the prestigious opportunity to shadow a director on an episode of a Shondaland original series.
KEY DATES & FEES
| Regular Deadline OCT 18, 2023 | Final Deadline DEC 19, 2023 | |
| Standard | $30 | $50 |
PRIZES & AWARDS
The director selected for as the Winner for Cylcle 5 (2024) will shadow a director for an episode of a Shondaland production. Additionally, the Cycle 5 Winner will also receive a $5,000 stipend to be used over the duration of their mentorship.
Cycle 5 winner and Semi-Finalists will receive an all-access badge and round-trip domestic flight (up to $400) to Denver for SeriesFest: Season 10 (May 1-5, 2024).
2023 Cycle 4 Winner: Gia-Rayne Harris
Click here to learn about Cycle Four (2023) winner, Gia-Rayne Harris, and explore media coverage on this opportunity here.
“Shondaland has long been known to defy industry standards through dynamic female characters, but we have also always felt it was important to have equal representation behind the camera. To have talent and sets that reflect the world we live in has always seemed natural. We’re happy to partner with SeriesFest on this mentorship initiative to continue providing opportunities for women directors.”
Shonda Rhimes
ENTRY MATERIALS
Work Sample
A short film or a feature
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! (see examples below)
Reel
Reel under 15 minutes or a short film showcasing your directing work. This reel can include student work.
**Reels and Personal Introduction Videos should be uploaded or hyper linked to “Files & Attachments” on FilmFreeway
CV/Resume
FilmFreeway Entry Fee
Please note, entry materials will not be returned
EXAMPLES OF PERSONAL VIDEO ESSAYS:
ELIGIBILITY
- To qualify, you must have 3 years of professional experience in any professional role, not just Director). This can include having experience directing independent shorts, series, and films.
- Applicants who have previously directed a network series are ineligible.
- Must be 21+ years of age.
- Applicants should to be based in the United States or the United Kingdom
SeriesFest does not want the cost of entry to be a barrier to applying for this mentorship program. If the price of submission would prevent you from participating, please fill out this form to request a waiver code.
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.
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