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 the residency 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 20 – 27, 2025
APPLICATION DEADLINE & FEE
- March 3, 2025, 5 pm PT
- Application Fee – $25
RESIDENCY FEE
- The alumni residency fee for 2025 is tiered according to housing size and location:
- $3,750, which includes main campus housing in a larger king or queen room (10 rooms available at this rate); or
- $3,500, which includes off campus housing in a king or queen room (11 rooms available at this rate); or
- $3,250, which includes main campus housing in a smaller queen room (3 rooms at this rate).
- Housing at each residency fee level is limited and will be assigned on a first come, first serve basis. See the FAQs below for additional information.
- The residency fee covers 3 meals per day, air conditioned, private rooms with private baths, parking at all residency locations, 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 up to 24 spots available for the 2025 residency.
Admission is based on an application that includes an artist statement about the writer’s creative process. Writers accepted into the residency may work on any project at the retreat, including the one discussed in their application.
What’s Included
Residents stay in air-conditioned, private rooms with private bathrooms. Wi-Fi is available in all rooms as well as on the main campus, where all meals and group events will be held. There is ample communal writing space on 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 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 places to take 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.
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, creative directors, and residency coordinator at their sole discretion.
When are applications due and when will accepted writers be notified?
Applications are due on March 3, 2025. Accepted writers will be notified by late March 2025.
If I’m accepted into the residency, do I have to work on the project I included on my application?
No. Residents may work on any project they’d like.
Will there be mentors at the residency?
There will not be 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.
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.
What is included in my residency fee?
The residency fee covers three meals per day, housing, parking, and all residency events (including group writing exercises, story breaking sessions, games, and socializing).
Breakfast on the opening and closing mornings of the retreat will be catered. Continental breakfasts will be served on all other mornings. All lunches and dinners are catered, and wine and beer will be served at the opening and closing dinners. Residents are welcome to bring their own alcohol to other dinners and evening events.
Residency fees are tiered according to housing size and/or location:
- $3,750, which includes main campus housing in a larger king or queen room (10 rooms available at this rate); or
- $3,500, which includes off campus housing in a king or queen room (11 rooms available at this rate); or
- $3,250, which includes main campus housing in a smaller queen room (3 rooms available at this rate).
Please note that not all rooms have desks, but most rooms are big enough to accommodate a folding chair and a small folding table or writing desk, which residents are welcome to bring. There are also inside and outside group writing spaces on campus.
The residency fee does not cover transportation to and from Idyllwild or transportation while in Idyllwild. Residents are responsible for getting to and from the residency and for getting themselves around Idyllwild. Please note that Idyllwild is a small town and very walkable, and off campus housing is located close by.
Where will I stay and how is housing determined?
Residents will stay on the main campus and at off campus inns within easy walking distance of the main campus.
Housing location and general size are determined by residency fee rate, which residents choose at the time they make their deposit. Housing is then determined on a first come first serve basis in the order in which residency deposits are received. All other aspects of housing are determined by CineStory staff at their discretion.
Do I need a car at the residency?
All housing for the residency is within walking distance of the main campus, as is the town center.
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. You will be able to coordinate rides with other writers via Slack.
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. Residents may want to bring a small folding table or writing desk and a folding chair since not all of the rooms have desks in them.
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?
All residents must pay a $500 nonrefundable deposit to reserve a spot at the residency. The rest of the residency fee is refundable until six weeks before the start date of the residency, after which the entire residency fee becomes nonrefundable.
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.