Storyhouse Lab 2026

Course Profile

Ireland’s smash hit screenwriting festival, STORYHOUSE, will return to Dublin’s Light House Cinema for its third edition on Thursday 16th & Friday 17th April 2026, along with the pioneering script development initiative, STORYHOUSE LAB.

Emerging and established screenwriters are invited to apply now for STORYHOUSE LAB with a specific feature length film or TV project they want to develop.

STORYHOUSE LAB is an inclusive professional development programme for up to 12 emerging screenwriters. This week-long intensive programme will run from Monday, 13th April to Friday, 17th April 2026 in Dublin city centre, including attendance at the main festival. In addition to this week-long intensive course, the writers will also have a follow-up one-to-one with creative mentor, Malcolm Campbell (Bad Sisters, Shameless, What Richard Did) and a one-day concluding group session in Autumn 2026.

Now in its third year, there is a strong alumni group and there will be networking opportunities for alumni throughout the year.

STORYHOUSE is a not-for-profit initiative founded by Academy Award nominated Producer and Element Pictures Co-CEO Ed Guiney (Poor Things, The Favourite, Normal People, Room). STORYHOUSE 2026 is supported by Fís Éireann/Screen Ireland through the Screen Stakeholders Funding Scheme, Fremantle and is produced by Lara Hickey and Charlene Lydon, in association with the Light House Cinema

What is the objective?

STORYHOUSE LAB aims to empower its participants to develop their own creative voice and screenwriting practice. It provides expert guidance and support as they approach the next phase of their career as screen storytellers. The goal is to provide a dedicated space for the exchange of ideas, to encourage and inspire them, and to deepen their understanding of the collaborative process.

What will Storyhouse Lab entail?

The content of the LAB sessions focus mostly on the two aspects of screenwriting: nurturing the creative process and the development of craft. The LAB takes place in the context of the STORYHOUSE Festival, which will play host to a variety of top international screenwriting talent. The lineup for the 2026 Festival will be announced in full in March 2026, but previously the participants in STORYHOUSE LAB engaged in private breakout sessions with the speakers in attendance, including Kenneth Lonergan (Manchester By The Sea), Peter Straughan (Conclave, Wolf Hall), Nia DaCosta (The Marvels, 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple), Tony McNamara (The Favorite, Poor Things, The Great), David Nicholls (One Day, Starter for Ten), Sarah Phelps (Dublin Murders, The Sixth Commandment) and Ali Abbasi (The Apprentice, Border).

STORYHOUSE LAB will start with group work with the creative mentor, where the participants will share and work on their submitted projects, honing their ideas and sharing feedback with each other. The participants will then take part in workshops and talks, including meeting the visiting speakers in breakout sessions where they can learn from the wealth of experience of the lineup and other industry professionals. Finally, they will attend all public sessions at the festival and be invited to screenings, keynote talks and networking events as part of the main programme. A full running order of the week will be issued in advance of the LAB.

The goal is that STORYHOUSE LAB participants benefit from shared insights from the other participants, in addition to one-to-one follow up sessions with the creative mentor and ongoing support from the alumni and growing STORYHOUSE community and mentors.

What skills will be developed?

• Ideas development in a writers' room format
• Communication of ideas
• Building confidence in pitching Meeting with and pitching to producers/commissioners
• Assessing the marketplace and realistic positioning of projects
• Practical career development advice
• Balancing authentic voice and marketplace demand.

Testimonials

What a privilege to have taken part in the STORYHOUSE LAB 2025. I loved every single minute of it. Malcolm was amazing – insightful, generous and so supportive – as were all my peers. I loved learning about their projects and hearing the pitches. Not to mention the mentors and speakers we got to meet and learn from their experiences both during the LAB and the festival. What an inspirational week. I didn’t want it to end!

- Kit Hui, 2025

STORYHOUSE LAB was a complete joy from start to finish. Working with Malcolm, Charlene, Aoibhín and all the team at Element was so inspiring, enriching and challenging. And getting to spend time in the company of such generous, talented and lovely other writers was a gift. Can I do it every year???

- Clare Monnelly 2025

I cannot recommend STORYHOUSE LAB highly enough. As writers it can be rare to meet, colLABorate and learn from each other – this LAB not only supports that, but gives you incredible opportunities to have so many brilliant, sparkling brains offer suggestions and advice on your ideas – turbocharging them into development. I woke up buzzing, I went to sleep buzzing, and each day I was inspired by the outrageous talent I got to share a room with.

- Rosaleen Cox, 2025

Participant Profile

• STORYHOUSE LAB is open to all screenwriters working in both English and Irish language. Irish language applications will be facilitated and are greatly encouraged.
• Applicants should have demonstrable experience of screenwriting. We do not require a professional credit but, if shortlisted, we may ask for a sample of work to aid in the application process.
• Applicants should bring a specific project they wish to nurture by partaking in the LAB. This can be a feature film or television show and can be at any stage of development.
• On selecting the successful applicants, there will be a focus on the quality of fresh, original ideas with clarity of vision and while ideas can be at any stage of development, there should be a keen eye on the marketplace and audiences when submitting.
• Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate their passion for screenwriting craft and express why the LAB programme would help them to learn, grow and develop at the current stage of their career.
• Please note that successful applicants must be available to travel to Dublin from 13th – 17th April 2026 to partake in the LAB.
• STORYHOUSE LAB is committed to being an inclusive and open space for creative development of stories from all backgrounds. We can support those in need of additional access requirements and/or travel, accommodation needs and carers who might need support to attend the Lab.

Application Procedure

We ask for the following from each applicant:

1. Personal Statement - Please outline why this programme is important for you at this particular time in your career and what you would like the outcome to be. (300 words max)
2. Idea - Briefly outline the film or television idea you would like to submit. This idea can be at any stage of development - from the seed of an idea to draft stage. (300 words max)
3. Audience - Help us understand who you see as the audience for your idea. (300 words)

Interested candidates are invited to apply by completing the online application form, which can be found HERE.

Please note: if you would prefer to submit via video or audio, please contact us on info@storyhouseireland.com

The deadline for applications is 5pm, Thursday, 15th January 2026.

Successful applicants will be notified of decisions on or before Friday, 25th February 2026.

There will be an online information session on Zoom at 6.30pm on Thursday, 27th November. Please register HERE

For any queries, please contact info@storyhouseireland.com