• Must be at least 21 years of age.
• Open to all applicants who are U.S. citizens or Permanent Residents (with valid Permanent Resident Card) and must reside and work in the United States or its territories during the workshop period.
• All participants are required to maintain up-to-date health insurance throughout the program.
• Applicants must have a minimum of five (5) years’ professional experience working in film, television, performing and/or visual arts.
• Applicants must have directed a narrative project where they are credited as the director.
• Applicants must apply with strong script material (whether written by the applicant or another writer) that can be successfully developed and produced through the program parameters.
• Applicants must possess a willingness and ability to fundraise and network in support of their productions and are responsible for raising the funds for their projects.

Applicants with professional credits as narrative directors – defined as a directing credit on a nationally broadcast or nationally distributed narrative non-documentary feature film or television program – are not eligible to apply.

• Commitment to all Workshops including;
  • January Workshop (VIRTUAL)
  • February Workshop (IN-PERSON ON AFI CAMPUS)
  • March Workshop (VIRTUAL)
• Full-time commitment to the IN-PERSON DWW+ Intensive program (3–4 weeks) held on the AFI Campus in April/May, which includes weekend and evening participation.
• Commitment to the individual production shoot window and post-production timeline. Summer production windows will be assigned in March.
• Participation in the 2028 DWW+ Showcase held in Los Angeles.

While DWW+ is a tuition-free program, participants must have the financial means to dedicate full-time concentration to the workshop and the production of their films.

• This will preclude participants’ ability to work full-time for approximately four months (May-August).
• Participants may raise up to $50,000 in support of their productions. With a minimum requirement to raise at least $25,000 to remain in the program.
• All participants must be fully funded for production by the start of the DWW+ Intensive.
• Funds raised for an individual production are considered a donation to the American Film Institute, and a letter regarding the donation to a nonprofit arts organization will be provided to each donor.
• We welcome participants from outside the Los Angeles area, but AFI does not provide housing or transportation to participants.
• Many of our participants reach their funding goals through a combination of crowdfunding, matching grants, and individual donations. DWW+ provides guidelines and conversations on fundraising in January.
• Meals are provided for in-person workshops and classes.

Application fee – $100, utilized to support our rigorous admission process. Please contact DWWinfo@AFI.com for questions.

Professional Materials

• Director Intro Video (2 minutes maximum) – Create up to a two-minute video telling us who you are, why you are a good candidate for DWW+ and your motivation for joining the program.
• Bio – a brief overview of your educational and/or professional background (200-word limit).
• Narrative Questions:
  • Why are you pivoting into directing narrative episodic and/or feature film? What experiences—personal, professional or creative—have shaped this journey toward becoming a director? Describe how your background informs your voice, perspective, and storytelling approach. (500 word limit)
  • Why do you need the DWW+ program at this moment in your career? What specific skills and insights do you hope to gain through the core educational aspects of the program and how will these learnings help you address current gaps or challenges in your directing career? (500 word limit)
• Résumé – a CV detailing your related professional work and education (no more than two pages).
• Letter of Recommendation – One letter is required. The letter must be dated within six months of the application deadline. Additional letters will not be considered.

Creative Materials

• Directing Visual Sample(s) – Applicants must submit at least one sample — and are welcome to submit two — of a moving image project where you are uniquely credited as the sole director. Directing teams must apply as a team. This is your opportunity to show us your point of view as a visual storyteller and to present a sample that demonstrates individual talent, ability and potential.
  • Required: First sample must be narrative. Candidates who do not submit one narrative sample will not be considered. Samples should be in English or subtitled in English.
  • Optional: The second sample may be any genre or format, including narrative, experimental, documentary, trailer, commercial, music video, immersive, animation or other, OR you may submit a reel.
• Script (10-page minimum, 15-page maximum) – This is the movie you are submitting to make within the DWW+ program. Submitted scripts must follow the industry standard for formatting: Courier font, 12-pt type, standard margins. Scripts will be evaluated on artistic merit, and ability to be produced within the parameters of the workshop.
• Logline (100 words maximum)
• Pitch Deck (10 slides maximum) – Must include visual style, tone, logline, synopsis, director’s statement, key collaborators,
• Project Status (350-word limit) – Please describe the current stage of the project you are applying with. Include any confirmed key collaborators, anticipated production or creative challenges, and specific resources or support you hope to gain through this program.
• Fundraising Status (350-word limit) – While DWW+ is a tuition-free program, you will be required to raise between $25,000-$50,000 to make your short film. Please confirm any existing funds or grants you have in place, and your plan for fundraising upon acceptance. If accepted into the program, AFI will serve as the fiscal sponsor; therefore, any donations may be tax deductible.
• Releases – The screenplay does not have to be written by the applicant. However, if an outside writer’s material is used, all necessary rights must be obtained from the author and submitted with the application, including the rights to adapt previously existing material. Releases will be requested upon acceptance into the program.
  • Literary Release: If your screenplay was not written by you, please have the other writer(s)/rights-holder(s) sign the AFI Literary Release and submit it below. Submissions not written by the applicant that do not have the accompanying signed document will not be considered.
  • Underlying Rights Agreement: If your script is based on existing material, the rights-holder must sign the Underlying Rights Agreement. Submissions based on underlying material without the accompanying signed document will not be considered.
  • Outside Writer’s Agreement: If a writer that is not the applicant or a co-writer has written the script, they will need to sign the Outside Writer’s Agreement.

SEMI Foundation Grant Opportunity – AFI is proud to announce the SEMI Foundation Grant, awarding between $10,000 and $20,000 to an AFI DWW+ film that explores the science, technology, innovation or societal impact of semiconductors. Open to all genres, grant recipients will also be paired with an industry expert from the SEMI Foundation’s global network — from physicists and nanotechnologists to data scientists and AI specialists — to support authenticity in their storytelling.

If you have any questions regarding your application, or if you are having technical issues with the application portal, please email DWWinfo@AFI.com.