Meryl Streep Funds Lab for Women Screenwriters Over 40 

Meryl Streep has funded a screenwriters lab for women writers over 40, to be run by New York Women in Film and Television and IRIS, a collective of women filmmakers.

The creation of the lab, and Streep’s involvement in its founding, was announced Sunday at a panel discussion presented as part of the Tribeca Film Festival.

Called the Writers Lab, the screenplay development program aims to increase opportunities for female screenwriters over the age of 40. This year the initiative will accept submissions May 1-June 1, with eight winning scribes named Aug. 1.

Among the mentors to participate in the Lab’s inaugural year are writer-director Gina Prince-Bythewood (“Beyond the Lights”), producer Caroline Kaplan (“Boyhood”), and writers Kirsten Smith (“Legally Blonde”) and Jessica Bendinger (“Bring It On”).

According to NYWIFT, Streep ponied up a “significant” contribution to fully fund the Lab. The actress has been a longtime supporter of NYWIFT.

The Writers Lab will take place at a retreat in upstate New York.

NYWIFT, which presents the annual Muse Awards as well as the Designing Women honors, is an entertainment industry association that supports female leadership in film, TV and digital media. Collective IRIS was founded by a trio of women with the goal of championing the female voice in narrative film.

Further information about the Lab, including how to enter, can be found on NYWIFT’s website.

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I have publications, novels titled Suzanna and Poor People’s Flowers, part one and two of a trilogy set in 1920’s New Mexico. I am excited to ask if they program can help someone who has no screenplay in hand but willing to work her fingers raw to write one.

120 page screenplay, no problem … first I have to admit I’m over 40 …

…….Meryl….how about us guys (men) Screenwriters Over 40?…..I think 1st time Screenwriters should be the criteria in order to be eligible for the fund….whether Female or Male or an It…..I am a tough Screenplay judge and would be available for the job….also Meryl, I have a self written screenplay that will knock the socks off you……might even have a small part in it for you to sing an aria……contact me if your looking for work……Michael Walters….

Thank you all, for this amazing opportunity. I write novels and do not have enough experience at screenwriting to enter. However, I feel that the baby boomer surge is in full power. I am starting a new line of women’s fiction for readers 40 and older. I’m 61 and I now have more time to write exactly what I want to read. I believe we have a whole country of woman who are demanding a higher quality in all areas of our work. Meryl is helping writers in her field of expertise. When I have the money I will help women in my area. We can pay this forward in every area of our lives. It’s time we find the hidden nuggets in the minds of women who have been silenced too long. I can just imagine the power that will flow through the workshop. Damn, Damn, I would love to be there! Lyn Austin

Great, thanks so much Meryl! Now female writers won’t have to have pay their daughters to show up for the pitch meeting!

What a wonderful idea, I have a book to get published it is called, “A Heavenly Gift”, its a true interesting story of the start of my life as a Medium at 40 years old and what led up to it all.

Wonderful news. Thank you, Ms. Streep! In a perfect world, you will discover the NEXT Nora Ephrons. We NEED them.

After admiring her as a fabulous actress almost my entire life, now I like her more than ever.

I wrote the story of my life. Meryl Streep if you are interested. It is called “PROMISES” and is on inktip.com. Please read the logline ,synopsis and the manuscript is also listed. Or anyone else who would be interested. Thank you. Maureen

See, this is more along the lines of what activism actually is. Giving people the opportunity to help themselves instead of demanding someone else do the work for you. I see far too many people going around demanding “more of x working in [insert job]” but they should be trying to help people break into whatever field of job they are focussing on by giving them the tools and education they need for it.

I attended 2 writing retreats this fall and I have been looking for another opportunity to learn and grow as a writer. Thank you for releasing this information, I will definitely apply! As a 59 year old woman I am inspired that someone sees the value of our life experiences and that talent does not fade with each passing year. Thank you, Ms. Streep!

Thank you, Meryl Streep! There is wonderful untapped substance in older women that needs to be mined and supported.

What an absolutely fabulous thing for Meryl Streep to do, and what an awesome opportunity for women.

Such a great opportunity, now I regret divorcing my husband, going back to my home country and losing my green-card.

Why restrict this opportunity to only American female script writers? Why tell only American based or biased narratives when the world has a bigger platform , a more spectacular spectrum of talented female scriptwriters whose stories never get told or appreciated?

Because Meryl Streep is American – she is a rich, successful actor because of the opportunities the American Film industry gave her. Now she is in a position to give something back to the industry that has been so good to her. In other words, don’t hold your breath for Meryl Streep to fund opportunities for Swedish or French or any other non-American female scriptwriters. It’s not going to happen.

OMG! Thank You! Thank You! Thank You So Much!

Thank you Meryl for showing us the way! I hope more women will follow in your foot steps!! I’m thrilled to see this happening! Ladies, let’s keep it up!

Its about effin time women start funding their own. First Emily’s List in politics & now the Writers Lab for film. Can’t wait to see the first productions of film out of this lab.

Sounds good. I’m glad to see a prominent woman in the industry helping out her sisters. This may begin to level the playing field a bit.

ELISA steel from Australia, I write Biographical stories depicting horrific and touching events. Please I sludge me on your mailing list.

This is a miracle. I went back to the University of Washington at age 47 and finished a bachelor’s degree culture, literature and arts that I had started ages ago. Then I went for my MFA in creative writing at UW. This is an amazing opportunity! The biggest obstacle at my age isn’t talent, new ideas or anything like that, it’s being heard over forty, thank you Meryl Streep and IRIS. I’m going to submit. I’ll have to figure out to pay to get to New York if I am accepted. VERY EXCITED!

At the very end of the article it says, “for further information about the Lab, including how to enter, can be found on, NYWMFT’s website.

Women helping Women! Wow what an inspiration. My creative wheels are turning…FADE IN:…

seems a good idea…Too long Hollywood films only bring in women as decor…as “window dressing”…as moveable “toys”..

Too few substantial female parts,(with thinking females), female directors, writers, etc. etc.

Recently saw “Unbroken”…which is a fine WW 2 film directed by Angeline Jolie!

Figures, I’m in L.A., so I can’t be a part it. Ironic, since I’ve been trying to get my Susan B Anthony script to Meryl Streep for ages.

Still, it’s a great thing for her to do. She’s really amazing.

Submissions open in less than two weeks, and yet there’s no information about how to actually submit?

At the very end of this article it tells you where to get further information about how to enter the Lab. It’s the very last sentence of the article.

Yes, exactly… Post the Info please…. however, if there is a will, there is a way… pretty sure googling the info given you will find out how… there is also IMBD Pro and contact info for all involved, I am sure a question posed to an assistant and one of the offices ill render the info. Good luck!

Nooo!!! What about the ones over 19 O_O fmL.

At least someone’s putting their money where their mouths are.

Many complain and do nothing but complain and some try to force or bully their way in.

I can respect someone who’s actually putting forth the effort to give others a shot.