Film Academy Awards Five Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting

Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting

AMPAS program founded in 1986

The Don and Gee Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting is a fellowship program founded in 1986 to aid screenwriters. It is administered by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, under the governance of the Academy Foundation Board.

Academy

Institution of higher learning

An academy (Attic Greek: Ἀκαδήμεια; Koine Greek: Ἀκαδημία) is an institution of tertiary education. The name traces back to Plato's school of philosophy, founded c. 386 BC at Akademia, a sanctuary of Athena, the goddess of wisdom and skill, north of Athens, Greece. The Royal Spanish Academy defines ...

Award

Something given to a person or a group of people to recognize their merit or excellence

An award, sometimes called a distinction, is given to a recipient as a token of recognition of excellence in a certain field. When the token is a medal, ribbon or other item designed for wearing, it is known as a decoration. An award may be described by three aspects: 1) to whom it is given to 2) wh...

Screenwriting

Art and craft of writing screenplays

Screenwriting or scriptwriting is the art and craft of writing scripts for mass media such as feature films, television productions or video games. It is often a freelance profession. Screenwriters are responsible for researching the story, developing the narrative, writing the script, screenplay, d...

Film

Visual art consisting of moving images

A film, movie, or motion picture is a work of visual art that simulates experiences and otherwise communicates ideas, stories, perceptions, emotions, or atmosphere through the use of moving images that are generally, since the 1930s, synchronized with sound and sometimes using other sensory stimuli....

Why It Matters

The Nicholl Fellowships represent one of the most prestigious early-career opportunities for screenwriters, directly impacting the pipeline of talent entering the film industry. This matters because it identifies and supports emerging voices who may shape future cinematic storytelling, potentially influencing what audiences see in theaters for years to come. The program affects aspiring screenwriters seeking recognition, production companies looking for fresh material, and ultimately audiences who benefit from diverse and innovative films. By providing financial support and industry validation, these fellowships can launch careers that might otherwise struggle to gain traction in a competitive industry.

Context & Background

• The Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting were established in 1986 through a bequest from Gee Nicholl to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
• The program awards up to five $35,000 fellowships annually to promising screenwriters who have not earned more than $5,000 from screenwriting
• Past Nicholl fellows include writers who went on to work on films like 'The Princess and the Frog,' 'The Last King of Scotland,' and 'The Middle of Nowhere'
• The Academy receives thousands of submissions each year for the competition, making it one of the most competitive screenwriting contests globally
• Unlike many writing contests, Nicholl focuses specifically on feature-length screenplays rather than short films or television scripts

What Happens Next

The five fellowship recipients will receive their $35,000 awards in staged payments over the coming year while completing their fellowship year requirements. They will participate in the annual Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting awards ceremony and reception, typically held in November at the Academy's headquarters. Throughout the fellowship year, recipients will have opportunities to meet with industry professionals, agents, and producers to advance their careers. Many past fellows will see their awarded scripts enter development or production phases within 2-3 years following their fellowship.

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