BFS Screenwriting Accountability Group

HOW IT WORKS

The Black Film Space Screenwriting Accountability Groups are structured writing sessions designed to help screenwriters build consistency and complete drafts. This is not a workshop or feedback group — the purpose of these sessions is simple: focused time to write.

From March 30 through May 22, writers meet on Zoom Monday through Friday for two hours of silent writing. Sessions begin with a brief check-in to share writing goals, followed by focused writing time and optional connection afterward.

Writers are not assigned to a single group or schedule. Members can join any writing session that fits their availability and attend as often as they like throughout the week.

Participants work independently on their own scripts while writing alongside other committed writers. Many use the program to complete a specific milestone, such as a final draft of a short, a pilot, or a first draft of a feature.

This cohort is designed for writers who want structure and accountability, not instruction. Writers are encouraged to participate consistently and attend sessions regularly throughout the cohort.

The Screenwriting Accountability Groups are exclusive to Black Film Space members. If you are already a member, sign in to access the application in the community portal.

New this session: flexible participation across all writing sessions, community access inside our membership portal, and a simple weekly check-in to track attendance and progress.

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We are also looking for volunteer group leaders to help facilitate sessions.

Group leaders are not instructors or experts—they are simply members of the community helping keep the space organized and focused. Leaders are expected to arrive 10 minutes early, welcome participants, invite writers to briefly share their goals, start the writing session exactly on time, encourage cameras on and microphones muted, help close the session with a short debrief, and attend all—if not most—of the writing sessions; each leader will be co-leading with 1 to 3 other leaders so you can coordinate coverage if someone is unavailable.

GROUPS

All options are in Eastern Time

A - 7am to 9am

B - 10am to 12pm

C - 7pm to 9pm

D - 10pm to 12am

DEADLINE TO JOIN: March 29

The Accountability Cohort is exclusive to
Black Film Space Members. IF YOu’re a Member Click HERE TO FIND the SIgn UP FORM IN OUR PORTAL.

For just $75 per year, Black Film Space membership includes access to our Screenwriting Accountability Groups, applications to mentorship programs and grants, free monthly virtual screenwriting workshops and panels, weekly matchups, exclusive member discounts, and more.

Click here to learn more about our membership. If you are already a Member, sign in to access the program on the community sidebar.

Virtual Orientation (after you sign up): Wednesday, March 25, 9PM ET

Questions? E-mail programs@blackfilmspace.com

This cohort is being facilitated by Melissa QuinONES, Black FILM SPace’s PROGRAM MANAGER.

As the facilitator, MELISSA will send
bi-weekly UPDATES that include Screenwriting tips, group updates, and motivational content to keep you inspired and on track.

To learn more about MELISSA, read her bio under her headshot below.

OUr Facilitator

  • Melissa Quinones is a Filmmaker and Producer who started her career shortly after graduating from Lincoln University in 2014. She has worked on hit shows such as; She's Got It Too, Gotham, FBI, Severance, White Collar, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Madam Secretary and more. She is also the Founder of Black Legacy Film Festival.

Voices

  • Honesty T.

    The Black Film Space Writers Accountability Group gave me no excuses for why I wasn’t tending to my writing. This accountability group helped me complete two short film scripts and a treatment for a feature film.

  • Antawnd P.

    This group help me so much it allowed me to get more then half of my script done. I met some great people, learned from them and shared with them.

  • Robert B.

    "In a lot of ways. The most productive 8 weeks of writing I've ever had."

  • Lee E.

    “Community, accountability, the diversity in our groups interests, methods, topics, made it a unifying experience against the monster that is writers block and low self esteem.”

  • Davon C.

    “Accountability, I don't know if I can emphasize that enough. While no one is holding you hostage, as we progressed as a group, we began to learn more about one another's goals each day. The check-ins prior to the session and reflections after were extremely helpful, even if I didn't vocally speak, the space was always inviting and open.”

  • Washington K.

    “I made fresh contacts with other black writers and expanded my community. This was/is an important goal for me in 2024 and beyond.”

  • Cleopatra S.

    "The screenwriting accountability group forced me to finally dedicate time to my writing in an intentional way. Because of this, I am now more confident in my abilities as a storyteller and in my writing journey."

  • Janine C.

    "The Accountability Sessions did just that -- make me accountable for setting aside dedicated time for writing. I was able to make progress on several different small screen projects and writing assignments rather than one specific project."

  • Kyvon E.

    “Writers write, and I think sometimes life can get in the way of finding the time to do precisely that. The screenwriting accountability group provided the ideal space to challenge myself to commit time towards writing. It was a vibrant community where I was to develop my writing skills, moreover building a consistent habit of 'showing up' to write. After the program, those habits have stuck and now I'm proactive when it comes to finding time to dedicate to writing. Thank you BFS!”

FAQs

  • No. Writers are welcome to join sessions whenever they are available.

    However, we encourage participants to attend at least 4 days a week to build momentum and get the most out of the program. The sessions are most effective when writers show up on time, with cameras on, ready to focus.

  • We encourage participants to stay for at least the first 90 minutes of each session so the group can maintain a focused and consistent writing environment.

    If you know you’ll regularly need to leave much earlier than that, this program may not be the best fit.

  • Yes. Writers are not assigned to a single group.

    Members can join any writing session that fits their schedule and are welcome to participate as often as they like throughout the week.

  • Group leaders are not instructors or experts—they are simply members of the community helping keep the space organized and focused.

    • Arrive 10 minutes before the session begins

    • Welcome participants before the session begins

    • Invite writers to briefly share their goals before the session begins

    • Start the writing session on time--to the minute

    • Encourage writers to keep their cameras on and microphones muted 

    • Help close the writing session and spark a debriefing conversation

    • You do not have to track attendance

    • You can not switch groups. Meaning you are expected to show up to all if not most of the sessions you are assigned to.

    • You will be paired with 1 to 3 other group leaders--this allows you to coordinate for sessions you may not be available to lead.

  • 10 minutes before the session begins.

    This gives you time to set up your writing materials and briefly share your writing goal before the writing block starts.

  • You can connect with other writers before and after each writing session.

    We also encourage you to set up virtual 1:1 with participants in your group and share your work with each other for feedback.

  • After you join the program, you can access the virtual orientation in our membership portal.

  • After logging into the Black Film Space community portal, you can find the program registration in the community sidebar under PERKS.

  • Yes. Cameras are expected to be on during writing sessions. Seeing other writers working helps create a stronger sense of focus and accountability for the group.

    We understand that many sessions happen early in the morning, and you may still be waking up or easing into the day. You don’t need to be camera-ready — just present. If you need to briefly turn your camera off to step away, that’s completely okay.

  • Is this a feedback group or workshop?

    No. These sessions are not workshops and do not include script feedback.

    The purpose of the program is to create dedicated writing time where writers can focus on their work and build a consistent writing practice.

    Participants are welcome to connect with other writers outside of sessions if they would like to exchange feedback.

    We also host monthly virtual screenwriting workshops on Thursdays, separate from this program. Visit blackfilmspace.com/events
    to learn more and RSVP.

  • Yes. Members are welcome to attend multiple writing sessions in a single day if their schedule allows.

    Some writers participate in one session per day, while others join several sessions throughout the week depending on their goals and availability.

  • Participants should arrive ready to work on their screenplay.

    This may include your script, outline, notes, or writing software. At the beginning of the session, writers briefly share what they plan to work on before the writing block begins.