11th Annual Native American TV Writers Lab Call For Applications
December 18, 2025 @ 8:00 am - February 16, 2026 @ 5:00 pm
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The 11th Annual NATIVE AMERICAN TV WRITERS LAB call for applications is now open!
“Entering our second decade, the impact of this lab is undeniable. With our alumni now working on major series across every major network and streaming platform, the 11th annual lab is about scaling that success.” Announced Ian Skorodin, Director of Strategy. We are providing a rigorous professional environment where Native American writers can sharpen their craft and gain the direct industry access required to launch long-term, sustainable careers in television.”
The NATIVE AMERICAN TV WRITERS LAB is an online multi-week intensive scriptwriters program that prepares Native Americans for writing careers at major television networks. The lab takes place April through May of 2026 and offers approximately 10 Native American writers an opportunity to participate. Each selected fellow completes an original pilot during the multi-week program and receives feedback from peers and an experienced writing instructor. Application can be found here.
Past lab fellows include numerous staffed television writers highlighted by Noah Keeling (Choctaw); staffed on a series at UTV/Amazon, Tom Hanada (Cherokee); story editor on Netflix’s Little House on The Prairie and Carlee Malemute (Athabaskan); story editor on FOX’s The Great North. During the virtual lab, fellows meet with executives and literary representation from several of our industry partners.
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About the Program
The NATIVE AMERICAN TV WRITERS LAB was created in accordance with the Barcid Foundation’s mission to improve media portrayals of Native Americans and to increase the number of Native Americans employed in all facets of the media industry.
The NATIVE AMERICAN TV WRITERS LAB is designed to familiarize participants with the format, characters and storyline structure of television. The multi-week, total immersion workshop is mentored and guided by an experienced writer with industry credits. The lab is conducted virtually with a minimum of 7 writers accepted.
The multi-week lab consists of group discussions, one on one meetings and creative development workshops. One of the main components introduced is the television writers room. This is an opportunity to have each participant’s script offered up in a professional capacity as a new television script. All of the writers will participate in offering ideas, suggestions and thoughts on making each script a stronger piece. The goal is that the writers garner the skills necessary to obtain employment in the industry. Application can be found here.
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Application Process
How it Works:
If accepted into the program you must be willing to make a commitment to meeting online evenings on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, and in the day on Saturdays and Sundays.
Who Should Apply:
The NATIVE AMERICAN TV WRITERS LAB is for seasoned writers who are capable of writing at least a one half-hour comedy or a one-hour dramatic television script in English within a five-week period of time. Each selected participant is expected to complete at least one script by the end of the scheduled session.
When to Apply:
The submission period for the 11th Annual NATIVE AMERICAN TV WRITERS LAB is open now.
How to Apply:
Fill out and submit a completed application below. This includes a completed release form, one writing sample that can include a feature film, play, television pilot or television spec in PDF format. Television scripts are preferred. Please note that writing teams are ineligible. You must be 18 or over to apply. All submitted material must be original and all rights must be wholly owned by the writer.
Application can be found here.
Application Deadline:
Early Deadline January 5th, 2026 11:59pm PST $50
Regular Deadline January 26th, 2026 11:59pm PST $60
Final Deadline February 17th, 2026 11:59pm PST $70