STORYHOUSE LAB
Created to champion bold, original storytelling, STORYHOUSE LAB offers emerging screenwriters the opportunity to develop their projects through dedicated mentorship, meaningful industry connections, and rigorous creative and professional development.
This year’s cohort represents a dynamic range of voices and perspectives, with stories that are daring, distinctive, and deeply personal.
The writers will be mentored by acclaimed screenwriter Malcolm Campbell (What Richard Did, Herself).
In Malcolm’s words: “I'm really looking forward to meeting this year's group. Their projects are fresh and bold, and I can’t wait to see how they’ll develop”
2026 STORYHOUSE LAB
We are thrilled to reveal the talented participants selected for STORYHOUSE LAB, a groundbreaking initiative supported by Fís Eireann/Screen Ireland, Fremantle, Element Pictures, Coimisiún na Meán, and Cultural & Creative Industries Skillnet.
After receiving over 581 applications, the 15 chosen participants represent a diverse group of voices and fresh perspectives, all with narratives set to captivate and inspire.
Meet the Full List of Participants:
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Aisling Corristine
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Anna Rodgers
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Seán Connolly
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Eimear Reilly
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Dolapo Agunbiade
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Eve Connolly
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Jeda de Brí
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Megan Haly and Shannon Haly
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Rachel Carey
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Sam Baxter
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Ellius Grace
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Olivia McLaughlin and Emma Yardley
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Dara Fennema – Irish Language Participant 2026
2025 STORYHOUSE LAB
Aisha Bolaji, Alan Hopkins, Ali Hardiman, Catherine McGrotty, Clare Monnelly, Emma Foley, John Mark Fitzpatrick, Kit Hui, Louise Nesbitt, Meadhbh Mchugh, Rian Smith
Rosaleen Cox and Shannon Welby
TESTIMONIALS & GALLERY
Storyhouse has been one of the best experiences of my career to date. Just being in the room with such talented writers, gave me confidence as a new writer, that this could become a real career path. The whole team really made me feel welcome, and I really can't overstate how beneficial I've found the entire experience. One that continues long after the event itself through their wonderful aftercare. I have spent the last year telling anyone who will listen that they should apply. My only regret is that I can't do it again this year. Finally, since taking part, I have received feature development funding for the first time and I can confidently say that this was in no small part down to the Storyhouse lab experience."
Alan Hopkins, STORYHOUSE LAB 2025
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I cannot recommend the Storyhouse Lab highly enough. As writers it can be rare to meet, collaborate and learn from each other – this Lab not only supports that, but gives you incredible opportunities to have so many brilliant, sparkling brains offer suggestions and advice on your ideas – turbocharging them into development. I woke up buzzing, I went to sleep buzzing, and each day I was inspired by the outrageous talent I got to share a room with.”
Rosaleen Cox, STORYHOUSE LAB 2025
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As a screenwriter who didn’t attend film school or the like, Storyhouse felt like
an education in itself. The speakers, the labs and my fellow participants provided
insights and community that have positively impacted my career ever since. As a participant, it provided me with a grounded confidence to trust myself and go
deeper in my craft.
Tom Moran, STORYHOUSE LAB 2024
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As a writer and a director, I feel privileged to have taken part in the first
Story House project, everyone of us left the lab buzzing and inspired. The setting
was intimate, the curation was exceptional- speakers were diverse in genre and style but consistent in their generosity and willingness to share their insight and
experience— all in all Storylab 2024 was an invaluable learning experience.
Kim Bartley, STORYHOUSE LAB 2024
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