25/11/2021 - The streaming giant and the entertainment tech startup Impact are offering a mentoring programme to young DACH region writing talent

Budding writing talent in Austria, Germany and Switzerland can potentially count on the support of one of the big players in the international film and streaming landscape for their future career. Netflix and the tech startup Impact are picking five writers in an open application procedure, who will undergo the Impact x Netflix DACH accelerator programme, an eight-week mentoring programme. At the end of the programme, their developed script for a series pilot or a feature film will receive an honorarium from Netflix and the participant, a writing agreement.

The programme is split into two tracks. One is the personal mentoring programme, in which the writers will be paired with a ‘Shaper’ (world-class showrunner or screenwriter) to help develop their feature film script or TV pilot. The other track will see participants partake in weekly seminars and Q&As with industry executives and talent to get a crash course and a better glimpse into the day-to-day business of the industry.

Both companies have cooperated previously on a similar project in the U.S. The programme is now being continued in Europe for the first time, starting in Germany, Austria and Switzerland, going in line with Impact’s mission statement to “cultivate and empower creative storytellers from around the world.” Since launching in 2018, the company has set out “to democratize access to opportunities in Hollywood.” Impact claims that their mentorship helps promising authors to get their break within a few months while making the process an equal opportunity for everyone and transparent. 

According to the company, since 2018, Impact has developed 71 projects from 86 diverse writers, with the majority of the talent having been signed at top tier agencies and management companies, such as Verve, CAA, WME or UTA. 41 of the 71 projects that were developed in an eight-week accelerator mentoring programme have been set up at Netflix, Sony, FX, Warner Bros., Amblin, Chernin, eOne, Village Roadshow, Legendary or Scott Free. 

Writers of all levels are encouraged to apply until January 1 through Impact’s open submission process with a well-thought-out idea and a writing sample. The mentoring will take place virtually from 2 May to 24 June 2022. Further information and the application form are available here.