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Screenwriters submitting a script to the Catalyst Short Screenplay Award 2026 may be considered for a place on the Catalyst Screenwriting Lab, an intensive development programme designed to support promising short screenplays at a crucial stage of their development.
Writers whose submitted scripts are judged to show strong potential — and who would benefit from targeted, professional support — will be shortlisted for this opportunity.
The Catalyst Screenwriting Lab offers selected writers the chance to work closely with leading script editors and industry professionals to develop their screenplay to its strongest possible version.


The Catalyst Screenwriting Lab is a professional development initiative supporting emerging and established writers to refine short screenplays through structured feedback, mentorship, and industry engagement.
The Lab takes place at Catalyst 2026 in Limerick City.
We are delighted to welcome back Lena Byrne and Sam Atwell as Script Editors for the 2026 Lab. Both bring extensive experience in developing short and feature-length screenplays for screen.
The Lab is facilitated by Jennifer Davidson, Chair of the Writers Guild of Ireland, whose leadership and industry insight underpin the programme’s supportive and professional approach.
Building on the success of the Catalyst Screenwriting Lab in 2025, the programme focuses on:
The Lab is designed to be practical, focused, and writer-centred, offering participants meaningful guidance in a supportive creative environment.
There is no separate application for the Screenwriting Lab.
Writers are automatically considered when they submit a script to the Catalyst Short Screenplay Award 2026.
The Catalyst Screenwriting Lab is supported by the Screen Ireland Stakeholders Fund