Sports Movie Fellowship

30 Jun 2026, posted by Brad Miller

Writers Boot Camp continues our support of fresh voices this month by providing three $2500 full scholarships to writers in the Saturday, August 1st Basic Training. Candidates must be available to write 10 hours per week for 10 weeks during the Basic Training process that has supported more than 12,000 writers and filmmakers since 1989. While we celebrate our anniversary each October, the first session conducted by JG was in his living room in March 1989 during his last semester of his MFA at USC’s Peter Stark Producing Program.

This month’s theme of “Sports Movies” is our first offering in this category of creative material that supports the voices of artists, writers, and filmmakers in honor of the incredible soccer (or fútbol for our Non-American community) bringing the world together in the 2026 World Cup, as well as the general building of bridges as sports are becoming more international– From Wemby’s looming presence in the NBA to Shohei’s dominance in the MLB.

Pertinent professional experience combined with cogent answers will complement the project idea to determine the three winners.

Eligibility Notes

Writers Boot Camp alumni who have applied to a prior fellowship within the past six months–or who have won before–may apply for fun yet are not eligible to win.

Winners must confirm their availability to participate in Basic Training, along with 10 hours per week for creative exercises and writing for 10 weeks without risk of dropping due to outside conflict or work opportunity. Only winners will be notified individually. All non-winners will be notified by email within a few days of the selection of winners.

Our Remarkable Track Record and Diversity Emphasis

There are few places in society for artists to seek and receive personal support. No one does what we do and with as much depth of process. Writers Boot Camp’s tools are meant to empower your own authority. The tools and materials are more a language for collaboration and for describing your creative goals than a formula to fit your story.

Writers Boot Camp’s remarkable success of supporting diversity and a range of creative voices is unparalleled in the business. Over the nine years Fox Diversity sponsored writers through Basic Training, 50% of the writers attracted staff television jobs, including top showrunners today.

In fact, women represent a higher percentage of our overall alumni success stories—and through the years we’ve awarded nearly half a million dollars in fellowship awards to writers and filmmakers of diverse heritage, highlighting opportunities for women of color.

You can see countless other movie and TV credits by Writers Boot Camp alumni on our A-List Credits page.

The Fellowship Application

Please complete only one application per person. Partners working together may apply via separate applications utilizing the same project. Keep every answer to only one single sentence, including your answers to the four topical questions combined into one four-sentence paragraph. Again, alumni who have applied to a fellowship in the past six months–or who have won before–are not eligible to win. Please Don’t Wait Until The Last Minute to Apply!

Fellowship Application Deadline: Tuesday, May 19th, 5pm, LA time.

Name:

Mailing Address:

City, State & Zip Code:

Phone Number:

Email Address:

How You Heard About Writers Boot Camp:

Name of Personal Reference & Relationship to You:

Reference Contact (Phone & Email):

Your Occupation or Job Title:

Your Entertainment Industry Background and Experience:

Prior Writing and Filmmaking Experience:

Are you currently working--and can you comment on your employment situation?

Please answer these four topical questions in order in only one sentence each within one paragraph--and without including the questions: How has a specific sports moment in your own life—-personal or professional-- shaped and informed your perspective as an artist? Tell us about a time sports let you down. Who's the most compelling person you've encountered through sports and what made them stand out? What sports story (real or fictional) do you think Hollywood has gotten wrong and how would you specifically revise it?

If you win a Writers Boot Camp scholarship, please state the title and format of the project you will write, and share the premise in a single sentence only. A Premise Line is more than a typical logline and may include up to 50 words, focusing more on the middle of the story and what characters actually do along the 2nd-Act Adventure. If your project is for television, then the A-Story of the first episode will be more relevant than a general series description.

Please include above: Title, Format (Movie, TV Pilot, Book, etc.), and Premise Line (One Sentence Only).

For the purposes of announcing winners, please provide a single-sentence bio about yourself written in third person, including where you're from and where you live, your educational accomplishments, your professional background and entertainment industry goals.

My name below certifies that all my answers on the above application are true. I understand that my email submission will be kept confidential and not shared with anyone outside Writers Boot Camp's staff without my permission. I understand that if I win an award, it is not transferable and if I cannot fully utilize it, then it will be offered to the the next eligible writer. I understand that due to the short timeframe until the fellowship process that only the winners will be notified of their standing by telephone. All applicants will be notified by email with the results and guidelines for additional benefits, if applicable. My name below acknowledges Writers Boot Camp’s pledge of confidentiality regarding my application, answers and project details. I understand that all internal staff discussion of my project idea is in the interest of determining winners. I understand that I am sharing my ideas and answers to be eligible for a fellowship award and that submission of this application does not guarantee me receipt of conceptual notes or story services. I understand that I can protect my material by registering and/or copyrighting my written materials prior to submitting them. I give permission to Writers Boot Camp to verify my information and answers with the above reference and understand that this verification, if necessary, is only for the finalists and only to determine award eligibility.