Palmtrees launches screenplay incubator for African, Caribbean writers
Palmtrees announces inaugural screenplay incubator for writers from Africa, Caribbean, Oceania and other underrepresented regions. The three-week program offers mentorship, funding and residency through partnership with NEON. Writers at all career levels can apply with a treatment and first 15 pages of a feature-length genre screenplay.
Selection based on project strength and voice clarity—no advantage for prior credits. Applications open March 31, 2026, at palmtrees.dev with deadline June 1, 2026. Selected participants work one-on-one with dedicated story analysts and receive compensation throughout the residency.
Founded by Funa Maduka (first Nigerian director to premiere at Sundance), Palmtrees aims to support exceptional writers in regions lacking adequate resources. "There are extraordinary writers in these regions. What they lack is not talent," Maduka stated. NEON CEO Tom Quinn added, "Some of the most vital voices in cinema today are emerging from historically underrepresented regions."
Writers seeking global infrastructure should apply now—this opportunity addresses the gap between talent and market readiness.