STARZ #TakeTheLead Award

 
 

The STARZ #TakeTheLead Award will be awarded to a New Voices Fellowship alum at the 2024 Humanitas Prizes Award Show and Toast on September 12 at Avalon Hollywood.

About the STARZ #TakeTheLead Award

STARZ President and CEO Jeffrey Hirsch created this award to celebrate those who exemplify the STARZ #TakeTheLead commitment to amplifying narratives by, about and for women and underrepresented audiences.

The alum selected to receive the award will show a dedication to improving representation through their storytelling.

The award recipient will receive:

  • A blind script deal with STARZ. (A Blind Deal, or Blind Script Deal, is a deal in which a studio or network (STARZ) pays you for a pilot script you will develop with studio execs and write for them.)

  • Mentorship and professional development for one year from STARZ executives.

  • At STARZ’s discretion, the award recipient may also participate in:

    • Pitch meeting with STARZ executive(s)

    • Professional development meeting with STARZ executive(s) every quarter

    • Be invited to STARZ #TakeTheLead events

Selection Process

The application process, designed by Humanitas, will allow applicants to highlight their experiences, their accomplishments, and how their work and creative vision aligns with STARZ #TakeTheLead’s mission so that informed recommendations can be made to the STARZ #TakeTheLead Team.

The selection process will consist of two steps.

  • STEP 1: Complete the application form on Humanitas’s Award Force portal by no later than July 3, 2024. This will require the registration of an account if you do not already have one. This application will require:

    • A bio, a resume/CV, and an artist statement.

    • A video statement, no longer than 5 minutes in length in which you:

      • 1: Introduce yourself and examples of your dedication to improving representation through storytelling (mentioning a past project you’ve completed writing).

      • 2: Describe a project you wish to work on with the STARZ #TakeTheLead team.

      • 3: Explain why you want to work on that project specifically.

    • Two to three loglines for scripts which you have completed.

    • Upload no fewer than 10 but no more than 15 pages of a completed script discussed in your video statement.

    • Complete a series of demographics questions which you may answer to the degree you are comfortable.

  • STEP 2: Up to five applicants will be asked to participate in a follow-up interview to discuss the materials included in the application.

Applications will be accepted until 11:59pm PT on July 3

STARZ #TakeTheLead Award Calendar:

  • June 21, 2024: Application opens on Award Force

  • July 3, 2024: Deadline to submit applications

  • Week of July 22, 2024: Follow-up interviews

  • Week of July 29, 2024: Awardee notified

  • September 12, 2024: Award presented at the Humanitas Prizes Award Show & Toast

Eligibility & Additional Details:

  • All applicants for this award must be alums of the New Voices Fellowship, defined here as any participant from 2009 to the present who was selected for the program and completed all its components.

  • Participants and beneficiaries of Humanitas programs other than the New Voices Fellowship are not eligible for this award. Previous semifinalists and finalists for the New Voices Fellowship are not eligible for this award.

  • The assessment to determine the award recipient weighs the quality of the applicant’s submitted materials and its alignment with STARZ #TakeTheLead’s mission. Up to five writers will be asked to complete a follow-up interview.

  • Adaptations or re-imaginings of true events or fictional stories are acceptable, but by submitting you acknowledge you have secured all rights needed to adapt any material. 

  • Applicants for Humanitas programs may not submit literary material created through the use of generative AI. Humanitas distinguishes itself among artistic organizations by celebrating stories that explore the human experience, because we believe that the act of acknowledging our common humanity is transformational. 

QUESTIONS?

Please direct all questions to Daniel Plagens (daniel.plagens@humanitasprize.org) and Angie Lee (angie.lee@humanitasprize.org).