Screen Ireland in collaboration with Stowe Story Labs and the Galway Film Fleadh are delighted to offer subsidised placements for ten writers based in Ireland for this year's Connemara Writers' Retreat taking place at the Renvyle House Hotel, Co. Galway from 13-17 October 2025.
The writers' retreat will invite 20 participants (10 from Ireland and 10 based internationally) for a 5-day programme featuring one-on-one script note sessions with industry mentors; panel discussions and artist Q&As; structured peer group sessions; and structured social time and meal time to help develop new contacts and colleagues in film and television. Additionally, one participant will be chosen as a Stowe Launch Fellow, to further develop the work brought to the lab and then participate in the Galway Film Marketplace at the 2026 Galway Film Fleadh.
Mentors attending come from both Stowe’s established mentor pool and include several mentors from the island of Ireland as well. These mentors will include UK- based script consultant, Karol Griffiths; UK-based Screenwriter Olivia Hetreed (Girl with a Pearl Earring, Wuthering Heights, Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris); Greek-based Producer Amanda Livanou, Founder of Athens-based Neda Film; US-based Writer/Actor, Brandi Nicole, who was recently a staff writer and recurring character on season two of Your Honor; and US-based showrunner/executive producer, Sanjay Shah, known for Apple’s critically acclaimed animated musical Central Park among others. Irish mentors include Ciara Appelbe, Creative Director at O'Sullivan Productions; Conor Barry, Creative Producer at Savage Productions and Wild Atlantic Pictures; Ali Doyle, Head of Development/Development Producer at Newgrange Pictures; Aaron Farrell, Head of Production at Shinawil; Jessie Fisk, Producer and Founder of Feline Films; Tim Loane, Writer/Director/Actor; and Ruth Meehan, Writer/Director.
Selected participants will have their programme fees waived and accommodation and meal costs covered for the duration of the retreat.
*Please note that that the subsidised placement excludes a €10 application fee and travel costs to and from Renvyle.
This programme is supported by Screen Ireland through the Screen Stakeholders Funding Scheme.
This writers' retreat is aimed at Irish writers presenting a story idea with a well- developed first draft of a film or TV script. Applications are open to screenwriters resident in Ireland or Irish writers abroad working with the Irish screen industries
Experience in the film and television sectors is not required, but a demonstrable capacity to do the work, an understanding of the fundamentals of screenwriting and filmmaking, and a collaborative nature are critical.
Please apply on the Stowe Story Labs website HERE by Thursday, 14th August 2025, 4.59am, IST.
For technical enquiries, please contact info@stowestorylabs.org
