Manish Mundra’s film production company, Drishyam, in partnership with Sundance Institute, is organising Dhrishyam – Sundance Institute Screenwriters Lab 2015 to be held in Goa April 12-16.

The Lab is inviting applications as a part of its Open Submission Process. The deadline for submission of scripts is March 5, 2015.

The Lab is for filmmakers making their first or second narrative feature; we will consider co-writers, writer/directors, or writer/director teams, and the scripts should be independent in terms of story and spirit and also in terms of budget.

The Drishyam Sundance Screenwriters Lab will provide an opportunity for writers to develop their work under the guidance of accomplished international advisors in an environment that encourages storytelling at the highest level.

In order to apply, filmmakers must submit a complete draft of a screenplay as well as supporting materials (cover letter, artistic statement, bio, synopsis, and directing sample if applicable).  Interest and inquires should be directed to drishyamsundancelab@sundance.org

Srinivasan Narayanan, the former Festival Director of Mumbai Film Festival, MAMI who will be heading this initiative says, “With our rich tradition of storytelling, the effort is to hone the skills, open new perspectives in narration and usher in the international idiom in film making to our own tales. To goal is to help Indian films and film makers to find their rightful place in the global space.”

Manish Mundra, the chairman of Drishyam says, “The idea behind Drishyam’s collaboration with the Sundance Screenwriters Lab in India, is to promote and nurture the new breed of young and talented writers and directors and give them an opportunity to be mentored by the finest International filmmakers.”

“The lab will be very beneficial for Indian Cinema in the long run. It goes well with our idea of promoting content driven cinema. Films like Margarita with A Straw, Umrika and Masaan have come out of Sundance Screenwriters Lab,” he adds.