Alumni residencies are designed to give writers the time and space to write and build community in a uniquely CineStory way. The residencies take place over eight days in the beautiful mountains of Idyllwild, California. Participants enjoy private rooms with private baths and three meals per day, plus places to write, meet in small groups, and socialize as a community.
Every day includes structured time for generative writing exercises, story breaking sessions, and social time. Residents devote most of their time to writing, away from the demands of everyday life.
Residencies are open to anyone who has attended one or more CineStory retreats (feature or TV) as a writer.
Residency Dates & Deadlines
RESIDENCY DATES
- June ____ — ___, 2025
DEADLINE & APPLICATION FEE
- February 1, 2025, 5 pm PT
- Application Fee – $25
RESIDENCY FEE
- The retreat fee for the 2025 alumni residency is as follows:
- $____________, which includes main campus housing; or
- $____________ , which includes off campus campus housing.
- The retreat fee covers 3 meals per day, air conditioned, private rooms with private baths, individual and group writing space, group writing exercises and story breaking sessions, and social gatherings. Residents are responsible for their transportation to and from the residency. See below for additional information.
Attending a Residency
Residencies are open to anyone who has attended one or more CineStory retreats (feature or TV) as a writer. There are 24 spots available for the 2025 residency.
Admission is based on an application that includes an artist statement about the writer’s creative process and the project the writer plans to work on during the residency. Writers accepted into the residency may work on any project at the retreat, including the one discussed in their application.
What You Get
Residents stay in air-conditioned, private rooms with private bathrooms. Wifi is available in all rooms as well as at the main campus, where all meals and group events will be held. There is ample communal writing space at the main campus as well.
Idyllwild itself offers numerous coffee shops and other locations for those who prefer writing in public spaces, as well as numerous hiking trails for residents looking for contemplative outdoor time.
In addition to having plenty of unstructured writing time, residents meet daily in small groups led by experienced CineStory staffers to do writing exercises and story breaking sessions aimed at helping residents develop the project they’ve brought to work on. There are also short, unscheduled breaks throughout the day for those who need a quick breather before diving back into their work. Finally, residents and staffers also gather for meals, games, and socializing.
What to Expect
DAY 1
- Afternoon Check-in
- Introductions
- Dinner
- Games and Socializing
DAY 2
- Group Breakfast/Daily Goal Setting
- Small Group Story Sharing Session
- Individual Writing Time
- Group Lunch
- Individual Writing Time
- Small Group Story Breaking Session
- Group Dinner/Reading of the Daily Group Story
- Games and Socializing
DAYS 3 – 7
- Group Breakfast/Daily Goal Setting
- Small Group Writing Exercise
- Individual Writing time
- Group Lunch
- Individual Writing Time
- Small Group Story Breaking Session
- Group Dinner/Reading of the Daily Group Story
- Games and Socializing
DAY 8
- Final Small Group Meetings
- Closing Brunch/Final Thoughts
FAQs
Who can apply for a residency?
Currently, residencies only are open to writers who have attended one or more CineStory retreats, either feature or TV, as a writer or staffer.
How are residents selected?
Residents are selected through an application process that includes an artist’s statement about the writer’s creative process and the project the writer will pursue while at the residency.
Applications are reviewed and acceptance decisions are made by CineStory’s executive director and creative directors.
When are applications due and when will accepted writers be notified?
Applications are due on February 3, 2025. Accepted writers will be notified by ___________.
Will there be mentors at the residency?
There are no mentors at the residency. Residencies are different from our retreats, which focus on mentorship, community building, and education. Residencies focus on generative writing and community building.
What is included in my residency fee?
The residency fee covers three meals per day, housing, and all residency events (including group writing exercises, story breaking sessions, games, and socializing).
Residency fees are tiered according to housing locations as follows:
- Main campus housing: $_________
- Off campus housing: $___________
The residency fee does not cover transportation to and from Idyllwild. Residents are responsible for getting to and from the residency.
Where is the main campus for the residency?
All meals and group events will be held at Strawberry Creek Inn, where there are various indoor and outdoor communal writing and meeting spaces.
Where will I stay and how is housing determined?
Residents and staffers will stay on the main campus and at off campus inns close by.
Once residents are accepted, they will fill out a preference form that allows residents to indicate a housing location preference. This preference also determines the residency fee the resident will pay, as noted above.
We will do our best to accommodate housing preferences, but housing in a particular location is not guaranteed and will be determined on a first come first serve basis.
Do I need a car at the residency?
All housing for the residency is within walking distance of the main campus.
Please keep in mind, however, that there is no public transportation in Idyllwild, and it is extremely difficult to get to Idyllwild without a car.
If you do not plan to drive to the retreat, we highly recommend that you carpool with another writer.
Is parking available?
There is ample parking available on the main campus as well as at all housing locations.
What should I bring with me?
Please bring with you all supplies you need to write. In addition, the weather in Idyllwild can vary widely, so please bring layers. Also, Idyllwild is located at a high altitude, so please bring any medication or supplements you may need to deal with potential altitude sickness.
Does CineStory accommodate special dietary needs?
We can accommodate many special dietary needs including vegetarian and vegan diets. Residents submit a dietary needs form in advance of the residency. However, residents should bring specialty items since Idyllwild is a very small town and grocery stores have limited selections.
Can I bring a guest or pets with me?
Meals and housing are limited to CineStory residents working on creative projects. To minimize disruptions for the full cohort of residents, there are no provisions for guests or pets. Service animals are allowed with documentation.
What is the residency cancellation policy?
CineStory is not able to provide refunds for any missed residency days due to illness, work, family, travel commitments, or any other reason beyond CineStory’s control. In rare cases, a residency may be deferred to the following residency. All adjustments to residencies are at CineStory’s discretion.
How much of a refund will I receive if I have to cancel my residency?
We will make adjustments to the best of our abilities within the timeframe shown below:
Percent of balance refunded (minus $100 deposit):
- 45+ days before residency start date: 100%
Balance due = 0% of residency fee. - 44 days before residency start date: 50%
Balance due = 50% of residency fee. - 14 days or less before start date: 0%
Balance due = 100% of residency fee.
If I’ve been a resident before, when can I apply again?
The most a writer may be awarded a residency is every other year.
CineStory is solely a nonprofit educational organization. It is not a talent representation service of any kind. It does not, nor does it seek to, manage and/or direct the development of writers’ careers in any way. Additionally, it does not, nor does it seek to, procure representation and/or employment of any kind for writers. Its sole purpose is to educate emerging writers about the craft and business of writing for the screen.