SCREENWRITING LAB 2022 FELLOWS

Created in 1997 as a screenwriting contest, the Outfest Screenwriting Lab has since become the cornerstone of Outfest’s artist development programs. For the past 25 years, the Outfest Screenwriting Lab has supported over 150 LGBTQ+ writers.

JAMES ACKER HE/HIM

Sadboi (Feature)

Thrown out of the house, an emotionally-stunted high schooler must revisit old friends and repair burnt bridges all in the name of finding a place to sleep.

KATIE HEANEY SHE/HER

My Ex-Wife’s Wedding (Feature)

When a recently divorced lesbian learns her ex-wife is (already!) getting married again, she has to scramble to find a date she can present as her girlfriend to prove SHE’S doing just fine, too, thanks.

VERNON JORDAN, III

Lavender Boy (Feature)

HE/THEY

Lavender Boy is a semi-autobiographical coming of age feature film about a young boy who is queered by his ancestral ability to see ghosts. But when his Pop Pop passes away, the young boy is left to figure out this gift on his own and help a queer spirit on the journey to reconnecting in love.

PALOMA RIOJAS SHE/HER

Shepherd (Episodic)

Dr. Luz Garza is a brilliant scientist wrongfully accused of murder who becomes a fugitive when she discovers her twin, who died ten years ago, is still alive. On a mission to find her sister, Luz and her loyal allies are pulled into a compelling conspiracy connected to Luz’s past, present, and future.

RIYA SAXENA SHE/HER

Matchmakers (Episodic)

Heartstopper meets Never Have I Ever when a chaotic South Asian teen trio accidentally turns matchmaker for their community and must navigate outdated traditions, growing friendships, and modern day love.

The 2022 Screenwriting Lab provided craft support, industry insight, mentorship, and financial support to a diverse cohort of ten screenwriting fellows. From indie dramas, to sci-fi rom-coms, action thrillers, and comedies, the 2022 Screenwriting Lab featured a broad array of stories, the most dynamic group to date!

ESTEVAN HE/HIM

Elote Preparado (Episodic)

This semi-autobiographical dramedy follows a Chicano and his husband who return to Arizona for a quinceañera, but when his conservative mother discovers PrEP in his luggage he must come clean about his open relationship as family secrets are exposed.

BRI J. HERNANDEZ THEY/THEM

Boys in Bands (Feature)

A closeted teenage transgender boy must keep his secret life as a male garage band singer away from his traditional Latino family.

RUBÉN MENDIVE HE/HIM

Little Village (Episodic)

A documentary crew follows the misadventures of an openly queer, Latino on the Chicago City Council as he tackles personal and old school politics.

JOSEPH SACKETT HE/HIM

Cross Pollination (Feature)

A queer sci-fi rom-com about an alien who falls in love with a human.

DONOVAN TOLLEDO HE/HIM

Fat Lip (Feature)

Nerdy Asian-American middle schooler, Benjie, falls for a rebel sk8er boi. To gain his attention, Benjie must ditch his immigrant geek persona and transform into a radical, emo, all-American teen.