WSF
Frequently Asked Questions
Answers about eligibility, the application and the programme.
For dates and requirements, see the application page.
Applications open
Thu, 1 October 2026
Applications close
Thu, 15 October 2026
23:59 SAST
01
Eligibility
Yes. No prior screenwriting experience is required. We are looking for creativity, voice and commitment.
You must be 18 or older on the date you apply. Priority is given to applicants aged 18 to 35 and those from historically disadvantaged backgrounds.
No. Great storytellers come from every background.
WSF is intensive, and the work takes up the full working week. In earlier cohorts, participants who were working or studying found it hard to keep up. Full-time availability gives every writer a fair chance at the work.
No. WSF is open only to South African citizens and permanent residents.
Yes. The programme is fully online. You will need a computer or laptop with a webcam and an internet connection.
Selected participants receive data support where needed.
Yes. WSF is designed for writers at the start of their screenwriting journey, so if you have substantial prior training, a more advanced programme may suit you better.
02
The Application
No. The application is free.
Enter your email address, and you’ll receive a one-time code. Enter the code to verify your email and open your application. There is no password to remember, and a new code is sent each time you sign in.
Check your spam or promotions folder, then request a new code.
Yes. Your progress saves automatically. To continue, open the form, sign in with the same email address and choose Resume submission. Choosing New submission clears everything you’ve entered.
No. We only receive your application once you click Submit and see the confirmation screen. You’ll also receive a confirmation email.
No. Each person may submit one application. Always sign in with the same email address, because a different email address starts a new application. Group applications are not accepted.
Yes. Sign in with the same email address, update your answers and submit again any time before applications close at 23:59 SAST on Thursday, 15 October 2026. After the deadline, applications can no longer be edited.
No. The form closes at 23:59 SAST on Thursday, 15 October 2026.
Submit everything in English, the language of the course. You are welcome to develop projects in your home or preferred language after the programme.
Yes. Tell us whether you used AI in any part of your application, and how. For example: “I used ChatGPT to check my grammar. All ideas and writing are my own.”
Using AI won’t disqualify you. WSF is robust and collaborative, built around live table reads, workshops and feedback, and past participants who relied heavily on AI found it harder to keep up. Your application is the best place to show us your voice.
No. Any tool works, including Word or Google Docs, as long as your script follows standard screenplay layout and is exported as a PDF.
Between 2.5 and 5 pages. Pages beyond page 5 will not be read.
No. Use the day as a starting point and fictionalise as much as you like. Only share what you are comfortable sharing.
Clear and compelling is enough. Your idea will change during the programme.
No. Record it on your phone, face a window for natural light and speak in one uninterrupted take. We are interested in you, and production quality plays no part in assessment.
Only the WSF evaluation panel.
We use your information only to assess your application, and we handle it in line with POPIA. Read our privacy policy for more.
03
Selection and the Programme
Shortlisted applicants will be notified in late October and final selections in early November. All decisions are sent by email.
Shortlisted applicants are invited to a short online interview about their application and their writing. Details, including the date and platform, are sent with your invitation.
You’ll be asked to submit documents that verify your eligibility and to sign a participation agreement for the duration of the programme. Your place is confirmed once both are complete.
Every applicant will hear from us by email, whether or not they are shortlisted. Because of the number of applications we receive, we are unable to give individual feedback.
The programme runs for 10 weeks, starting in early November. Sessions take place on Mondays and Wednesdays, with masterclasses on Saturdays. There is a break from Sunday, 20 December 2026 to Sunday, 3 January 2027.
Yes. Full attendance at all sessions and masterclasses is required.
Join our informational webinar on Thursday, 8 October 2026, 19:00 to 20:00 SAST. A recording will be shared on the application page afterwards. You can also explore our free Resources page. If you still need help, contact us.