THEWHALEandMINNOWSScreenwritingLabs

OBraveNewStory Institute is pleased to invite members to apply for the latest editions of THE WHALE Screenwriting Lab and MINNOWS, taking place in Paris this September.

THE WHALE is an intensive development programme for emerging and established screenwriters looking to elevate bold, original projects with strong artistic and social impact. Alongside this year’s Paris edition, OBraveNewStory Institute is launching MINNOWS for the first time — a new foundation strand designed specifically for beginner screenwriters.

Led by BAFTA and Sundance-nominated filmmaker and Directors UK member Tina Gharavi, alongside LA-based screenwriter Matt Graham, both programmes offer writers the opportunity to develop projects in a collaborative international environment.

THE WHALE takes place in Paris from Monday 7 – Wednesday 9 September 2026, while MINNOWS runs from Sunday 6 – Thursday10 September 2026.

Directors UK members can receive an exclusive 50% discount on applications to both programmes using the code OBNSxDirUK2026.

Learn more and apply via OBraveNewStory Institute.