Six participants will complete the program over the course of one month. Every writer will receive four mentorship sessions with Jordan Morris.

Session format:

• 2 hours per session
• 1 session on the same day and time per week
• Interactive workshopping and development
• tailored “homework” assignments between each session

Total of 8 hours of 1:1 story & pagecraft development + additional email support between sessions.

Participants may enter the program with:

• A finished short script
• A partial script draft
• A developed concept
• A simple story idea

The goal is to ensure that by the end of the program, each participant has developed a strong draft of an 8–12 page short screenplay.

PARTICIPANT COMMITMENT

Participants should expect to complete meaningful work between mentorship sessions.
Over the course of the four-week program, writers will be expected to dedicate a total of approximately 16 hours of focused writing and development time outside of the scheduled mentorship meetings.
This independent work is essential to the success of the program. The mentorship sessions are designed to guide and refine the writing process, but participants will be responsible for actively developing their scripts between meetings.
Writers who commit to the program should be prepared to treat this as a focused creative sprint toward completing a strong draft of their short screenplay.

WHAT WRITERS WILL LEARN

During the mentorship process, participants will receive instruction and guidance in the following areas:

• Concept Development: Identifying strong story ideas and shaping them into compelling film concepts.
• Theme & Narrative Voice: Clarifying what the story is truly about and why it matters.
• Storycraft: Developing characters, dramatic tension, and emotional impact.
• Screenplay Pagecraft: Writing visually and economically for the screen.
• Production Awareness: Learning how to design stories that are achievable for independent productions.
• Commercial Awareness: Understanding the difference between creative ambition and practical filmmaking.

Writers will be encouraged to create stories that showcase their voice, minimize unnecessary production barriers and that can realistically be filmed locally with a modest budget.

PRODUCTION CONSIDERATIONS

Participants must have an address in London or the surrounding area.

Participants will be encouraged to consider the practical realities of filmmaking. Projects that demonstrate strong creative ideas with manageable production requirements will be strongly encouraged.
Examples of considerations include:
• Limited locations
• Small cast sizes
• Zero visual effects requirements
• Zero stunts or action elements
• Practical production logistics

Stories are unlikely to be selected if they rely on the following:
• excessive violence
• large action sequences
• complex visual effects
• explicit sexual content

LOCAL LOCATIONS

As an optional creative opportunity, writers may choose to set their stories in locations featured on the Film London location database.
This is not required, but scripts that highlight interesting local environments may offer additional opportunities for future production partnerships.

POTENTIAL PRODUCTION OPPORTUNITIES

While participation in the program does not guarantee production, strong projects may be considered for:
• future Film London initiatives
• local training programs
• independent production partnerships

Additionally, individual scenes from selected scripts may be used as training material for other filmmaking disciplines, such as:
• cinematography
• lighting
• directing
• acting
• background performance

CANDIDATE SELECTION

Six participants will be selected through a two-stage evaluation process.

Stage One – Written Application (below)

Applicants will submit a brief questionnaire designed to help assess:
• creative voice
• storytelling instincts
• thematic awareness
• production thinking
The questionnaire is not an exam. Its purpose is simply to provide insight into the applicant’s thinking and creative interests. Applicants are encouraged to answer honestly and simply.
Using AI assistance will only hurt your chances at selection. We want to hear your unique voice and vision reflected in your answers.

Stage Two – Interview

Applicants who demonstrate strong potential will be invited to participate in a short interview with Jordan Morris. The interview is an essential part of the selection process.
Its purpose is to:
• understand the writer’s perspective
• assess their passion for storytelling
• explore their ideas in conversation
• evaluate their openness to collaboration and mentorship
Applicants do not need to have a finished script to apply. A strong idea, point of view, or personal voice can be just as valuable.

Important Note About the Questionnaire

The written questionnaire is only a starting point. Applicants who do not yet have a fully developed idea are still encouraged to apply.
In these cases, the interview process will play a larger role in evaluating the applicant’s potential and creative voice. The purpose of the program is to support emerging storytellers, not just polished writers.

By the end of the mentorship program, each participant will complete an 8–12 page short film screenplay. These scripts will represent:
• the writer’s voice
• a producible story concept
• a strong example of narrative craft

Participants will leave the program with:
• a completed short screenplay
• a stronger understanding of professional storytelling
• practical experience working within a development process

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

This initiative is designed to strengthen the local film ecosystem by:
• Developing new writing talent
• Encouraging producible short film concepts
• Creating opportunities for cross-disciplinary training
• Preparing emerging filmmakers for professional productions
By helping writers develop strong, achievable short films, the program supports the long-term growth of London’s filmmaking community.

Scroll down and click “Apply Here” to continue with your application.