Writers Lab

Designed to champion womxn & non-binary voices in genre filmmaking.

Scream Queens
is our latest lab.

A short horror script development lab for a selected cohort of 6 womxn and non-binary writers. Co-run by Cariad Productions and Terror Arcade, supported by BFI Network.

The next Genre lab set to open late 2026, with future genre labs to be announced in 2027.

How to apply →

Meet the Scream Queens

Our first cohort of six brilliant writers →

  • "This is an excellent lab, led by two brilliant women who understand both the craft of writing a brilliant script and the business of getting that script out into the world. I learned and achieved so much across the month-long programme.”"

    — Participant, Scream Queens Lab

  • "Jess & Jen created an amazing and supportive space to develop your idea. In the space of 4 weeks I went from logline to completed script that I'm really happy with. After every session I came away with inspiration and ideas that I could implement straight away. Thank you!"

    — Participant, Scream Queens Lab

  • "Scarily supportive! No seriously Jess and Jen are so kind and helpful and are really interested in future writers and future horror for women/non binary screenwriters! Be bold and be scary!"

    — Participant, Scream Queens Lab

  • "Being a Scream Queen has totally reinvigorated my excitement and passion for writing. Getting my teeth stuck into a new genre and understanding how much fun there is to be had has totally been a joy. Working with Terror Arcade and Cariad Productions, both lead by such knowledgeable, upbeat and supportive women has been inspiring and they really helped me to realise the potential of my initial idea."

    — Scream Queen, 1st Co-hort

How to apply

We are now executive producing 50% of film scripts written by our first cohort! Future genre labs to be announced in soon!


Participants must be aged 18 or over, not in full-time education, and based in the South West of England.

All participants receive:

• An intro session, in-person at the Watershed in Bristol, including a tour of The Bottle Yard Studios.
• Access to exclusive online industry sessions.
• Weekly writing workshops, with creative development support from Terror Arcade and Cariad Productions, alongside peer feedback from fellow participants.
• A polished short film script by the end of the lab (max. 16 pages).
• A new network of writers and creative peers.
• A final showcase event (online or in-person), including a table read with professional actors for up to three selected scripts.

Applications are currently closed.

Interested in joining our next coven of Scream Queens? Or interested in our other genre labs?

Follow @cariadproductionsand @terrorarcade to be the first to hear when applications open.

For any questions, you can get in touch with us.