Features Lab
Applications open in May
Participate in our signature impact program
The 1497 Features Lab consists of an in-person Retreat and additional professional development opportunities all intentionally designed to elevate screenplays by writers who will further 1497's mission to change South Asian representation in the American entertainment market, while providing career support.
We want to empower writers in our community to write whatever stories they feel compelled to tell, unbounded by genre, cultural content, geographic location, or any other stereotypical expectation. Then we want to challenge the gatekeepers in the American film and television industry to bring those stories to light.
Review our Terms of Service
Our approach
We believe in a holistic approach to foster writers' creative and career journeys. As a result, three selected Mentees move through a multi-tiered process during the 1497 Features Lab.
Script development
Mentees' scripts undergo a rigorous development cycle during the Lab Retreat, consisting of feedback from multiple perspectives and guidance from a Script Consultant who focuses on the emotional and psychological journey of the screenplay.
Mentorship
Mentees are each assigned a Mentor pod (comprised of an established filmmaker, producer, industry rep, and 1497 Features Lab Alum) with whom they meet 1:1 during the Lab Retreat to continue interrogating their scripts and receive advice and insights to launch or further their careers.
Industry connection
During the Lab Retreat, Mentees also participate in engaging masterclasses and fireside chats to provide additional professional development opportunities and creative inspiration. In the spring following the Lab Retreat, 1497 hosts an in-person, curated "Meet the Mentees" event with producers, development executives, financiers, and other industry guests to allow for organic connection and relationship building.
Application process
If named one of the 10 Finalists, applicants will have the opportunity to submit an updated draft for round 3 scoring.
Eligibility
Must be 18 or older at the time of application.
Must be eligible to be in the United States for the duration of the Lab.
Must have a completed draft of a narrative feature screenplay that furthers 1497’s mission to change South Asian representation in the American entertainment market with an anticipated budget less than $5 million.
We HIGHLY recommend reading the full 1497 Features Lab Terms and Submission Agreement before applying.
Application details
All applications must be submitted through our partner Coverfly, which requires applications to be completed in one sitting.
Mandatory: Basic contact and demographic information, artistic statement, logline, and script synopsis (in one PDF) as well as a full draft of a narrative feature screenplay.
Optional: Letter of recommendation, links to past work, and any additional information you’d like us to know.
Costs
Early Bird Deadline: Application fees waived
First Deadline: $25 Application fee
Second Deadline: $50 Application fee
Final Deadline: $75 Application fee
Review our Terms of Service
“Writing is often done in solitude and can be isolating. And, in what can be quite a lonely and challenging industry at times, participating in 1497's lab felt like a warm hug. It provided a real sense of continuing community support, a lot of peer-to-peer love, and was an inspirational experience overall.”
Iesh Thapar
2022 Features Lab Mentee
Selection process
Selected mentees are invited to attend the Features Lab Retreat; an intensive, in-person gathering in the Fall in Malibu, California.
Round 1
Submissions will be blinded, then read (including first 10 pages) and scored by at least 2 members of the R1 Selection Committee.
Semi-Finalists announced in July
Round 2
Semifinalists' submissions will be unblinded, then read (including first 10 pages and optional materials) and scored by at least 2 members of the R2 Selection Committee.
Finalists announced in August
Round 3
At this stage, the 10 selected Finalists will have the opportunity to submit an updated draft for round 3 scoring.
Finalists' submissions and full drafts will be read and scored by 5 members of the R3 Selection Committee and 1497, while Finalists participate in remote interviews with members of Team 1497.
All Finalists will receive feedback from those who scored their scripts.
Mentees announced in September
Mentees
3 Mentees - Announced September
At this stage, selected mentees will be assigned a Mentor Pod (comprised of an established filmmaker, producer, industry rep, and 1497 Features Lab Alum) with whom they meet 1:1 during the 1497 Features Lab Retreat to continue interrogating their scripts and receive advice and insight to launch or further their careers.
Before and during the Lab Retreat, mentees scripts undergo a rigorous development cycle consisting of feedback from multiple perspectives and guidance from a Script Consultant who focuses on the emotional and psychological journey of the screenplay.
Features Lab: Retreat
Fall 2026. Malibu, California.
Mentees
During the Lab Retreat, mentees attend masterclasses and fireside chats on various professional development topics in addition to script development and feedback.
1497 will reimburse 50% of airfare (RT, economy) and cover 100% of all accommodations, food, and other costs.
Lab Alums
Lab alums whose screenplays are produced are required to include 1497 in a credit line, logo placement in the end credits, and provide a producer fee tied to the production budget on a sliding scale.
Meet The Mentees Day
Spring 2027
Following the Lab Retreat, mentees join Lab Alums for a daylong Pitch Day to pitch their films to a slate of producers, financiers, and other industry professionals.