The Writer's Lab Unveils 2025 Picks for Women & Nonbinary Screenwriters Over 40; Natalie Portman's MountainA Supports Initiative

A New Era for Women and Nonbinary Screenwriters Over Forty

The Writer’s Lab, a groundbreaking initiative focused on empowering women and nonbinary screenwriters over the age of forty, has announced its 2025 selections. This year's program will take place in New York City from early November, offering participants an immersive five-day experience. The program continues to attract support from industry leaders, including Meryl Streep and Nicole Kidman, who have been long-time advocates. Additionally, MountainA, the production company co-founded by Natalie Portman and Sophie Mas, has joined as a new supporter.

Fostering Growth and Advocacy

The Writer’s Lab is designed to equip writers with the tools and strategies needed to navigate the ever-changing landscape of the entertainment industry. Participants will work closely with accomplished female creatives who serve as mentors, helping them refine their craft and expand their professional networks. With MountainA’s involvement, the program is launching an Industry Advocacy Program, which aims to create a direct pipeline for Lab participants to connect with industry executives, secure employment opportunities, and bring their projects to life.

Expanding Reach Through Strategic Partnerships

The Writer’s Lab has partnered with Roadmap Writers, a platform that provides screenwriting education and training, to promote this year’s 12 winners and other top scorers. Other key partners include The Writers Guild of America East, New York Women in Film & Television, The Black List, Film Fatales, the Alliance of Women Directors, Firecracker Department, the Female Eye Film Festival, and Untamed Stories. These collaborations help ensure that the program remains a vital resource for emerging talent.

Global Impact and Success

The Writer’s Lab is now active in the U.S., the U.K., Europe, and Canada, accepting scripts from writers around the world. To date, the program has facilitated over 400 meetings between writers and industry professionals. Three of its projects have been produced and released, with another three currently in pre-production. Among the program’s 201 alumni, 49 have secured representation, and 34 have been hired to write.

Co-founder’s Vision

Nitza Wilon, co-founder of The Writer’s Lab, emphasized the importance of the program in today’s challenging industry climate. “The industry’s contraction has been tough on all writers,” she said, “but we continue to advocate fiercely for women and nonbinary writers over 40, who bring sophisticated skills, distinctive POVs, and exciting new stories for audiences in this turbulent world.”

2025 Participants

This year’s cohort includes a diverse group of writers working on a variety of projects:

• Susannah Bohlke – Help Yourself (Half-Hr, Comedy)
• Roni Brown-Byrd – 40 Acres (Half-Hr, Comedy)
• Cylin Busby – Extremophile (Feature, Horror)
• Lisa Cole – She Presents Well (One-Hr, Drama)
• Zsofia Darida – Aryana (Feature, Drama)
• Sara Hallowell – Lady M (One-Hr, Drama)
• Marty Johnson – Public Way to Water (Half-Hr, Comedy)
• Jaime Kawamoto – Pickled (One-Hr, Dramedy)
• Tamika Lamison – Superman Doesn’t Steal (Feature, Historical Drama)
• Deb McCurdy – The Waters and the Wild (Feature, Dramedy)
• MK McGhee – The Re-Education of Jane Brown (Feature, Horror)
• Veronica Reyes-How – American Doctor (One-Hr, Drama)

2025 Mentors

The program also features an impressive list of mentors, each bringing years of experience and expertise to the table:

• Anne Carey (Nightbitch, Dead Ringers)
• Susan Cartsonis (What Women Want, The Duff)
• Anya Epstein (The Affair, In Treatment)
• Amy Fox (The Connors, Equity)
• Pamela Gray (Megan Leavey, A Walk on the Moon)
• Jenny Halper (Unicorns, American Honey)
• Rita Hsiao (Mulan, The Monkey King)
• Meg Lefauve (Inside Out, 1 & 2, My Father’s Dragon)
• Amenya Makuku (FilmNation, Madeline’s Madeline)
• Mary Jane Skalski (Hello I Must Be Going, The Visitor)
• Shelby Stone (The Chi, Bessie)
• Robin Swicord (The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Memoirs of a Geisha)
• Pat Verducci (Disney/Pixar, True Crime)
• Tracey Scott Wilson (The Americans, Respect)
• Jamie Zelermyer (Focus Features, Boys Don’t Cry)

Looking Ahead

As the program continues to grow, it remains committed to supporting underrepresented voices in the industry. With its strong network of partners and mentors, The Writer’s Lab is setting a new standard for inclusivity and innovation in screenwriting.