About the Writers' Retreat

About the Writers' Retreat

About the Writers' Retreat

About the Writers' Retreat

The X'a Kum-Bé Writers'Retreat is a cross-platform team which seeks out and develops new writing talent, with a strong emphasis on developing young Mexican talent, while also championing more experienced writers.

We work with a wide range of production parters such as Netflix, Apple Studios, Amazon MGM Studios, and HBO, and post houses like Monkeys with Pistols and Arsenal FX Color. We also collaborate with Independent production companies across Mexico, Latin America and Hollywood.

The X'a Kum-Bé Writers'Retreat is a cross-platform team which seeks out and develops new writing talent, with a strong emphasis on developing young Mexican talent, while also championing more experienced writers.

We work with a wide range of production parters such as Netflix, Apple Studios, Amazon MGM Studios, and HBO, and post houses like Monkeys with Pistols and Arsenal FX Color. We also collaborate with Independent production companies across Mexico, Latin America and Hollywood.

The X'a Kum-Bé Writers'Retreat is a cross-platform team which seeks out and develops new writing talent, with a strong emphasis on developing young Mexican talent, while also championing more experienced writers.

We work with a wide range of production parters such as Netflix, Apple Studios, Amazon MGM Studios, and HBO, and post houses like Monkeys with Pistols and Arsenal FX Color. We also collaborate with Independent production companies across Mexico, Latin America and Hollywood.

The X'a Kum-Bé Writers'Retreat is a cross-platform team which seeks out and develops new writing talent, with a strong emphasis on developing young Mexican talent, while also championing more experienced writers.

We work with a wide range of production parters such as Netflix, Apple Studios, Amazon MGM Studios, and HBO, and post houses like Monkeys with Pistols and Arsenal FX Color. We also collaborate with Independent production companies across Mexico, Latin America and Hollywood.

X'A KUM-BÉ | DECEMBER 2-8th, 2024

X'A KUM-BÉ | DECEMBER 2-8th, 2024

X'A KUM-BÉ | DECEMBER 2-8th, 2024

X'A KUM-BÉ | DECEMBER 2-8th, 2024

CALL FOR 2° EDITION

CALL FOR 2° EDITION

CALL FOR 2° EDITION

CALL FOR 2° EDITION

Sign up for the 2° Edition, taking place December 2-8th, 2024! Set in a collaborative environment with leading industry professionals. Writers of all experience levels are welcome. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to develop your skills and connect with fellow creatives!

Sign up for the 2° Edition, taking place December 2-8th, 2024! Set in a collaborative environment with leading industry professionals. Writers of all experience levels are welcome. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to develop your skills and connect with fellow creatives!

Sign up for the 2° Edition, taking place December 2-8th, 2024! Set in a collaborative environment with leading industry professionals. Writers of all experience levels are welcome. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to develop your skills and connect with fellow creatives!

What is the Open Call opportunity for script submissions?

What is the Open Call opportunity for script submissions?

What is the Open Call opportunity for script submissions?

Instead of accepting scripts year-round, we have specific submission periods announced on our website throughout the year. Each Open Call comes with a set deadline, after which our team thoroughly reviews the submitted scripts and compiles a shortlist. Writers selected for the shortlist are then offered opportunities to participate in our Scripted and Voices development programs.

The submission window for the next Open Call will be open from 12 noon on Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024, to 12 noon on Friday, September 27th, 2024.

Instead of accepting scripts year-round, we have specific submission periods announced on our website throughout the year. Each Open Call comes with a set deadline, after which our team thoroughly reviews the submitted scripts and compiles a shortlist. Writers selected for the shortlist are then offered opportunities to participate in our Scripted and Voices development programs.

The submission window for the next Open Call will be open from 12 noon on Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024, to 12 noon on Friday, September 27th, 2024.

Instead of accepting scripts year-round, we have specific submission periods announced on our website throughout the year. Each Open Call comes with a set deadline, after which our team thoroughly reviews the submitted scripts and compiles a shortlist. Writers selected for the shortlist are then offered opportunities to participate in our Scripted and Voices development programs.

The submission window for the next Open Call will be open from 12 noon on Tuesday, September 3rd, 2024, to 12 noon on Friday, September 27th, 2024.

Why do we run an Open Call for script submissions?

Why do we run an Open Call for script submissions?

Why do we run an Open Call for script submissions?

Our Open Call is not a competition, but an opportunity for X'a Kum-Bé to discover exceptional writing talent. We're on the lookout for writers with the highest potential to be developed and produced for broadcast with partners like Netflix, Apple Studios, Amazon MGM Studios, HBO, and more. We recognize that building a writing career takes time, and each writer's development journey is unique. While we receive thousands of scripts each year, our focus is on those writers who show the greatest promise.

Our Open Call is not a competition, but an opportunity for X'a Kum-Bé to discover exceptional writing talent. We're on the lookout for writers with the highest potential to be developed and produced for broadcast with partners like Netflix, Apple Studios, Amazon MGM Studios, HBO, and more. We recognize that building a writing career takes time, and each writer's development journey is unique. While we receive thousands of scripts each year, our focus is on those writers who show the greatest promise.

Our Open Call is not a competition, but an opportunity for X'a Kum-Bé to discover exceptional writing talent. We're on the lookout for writers with the highest potential to be developed and produced for broadcast with partners like Netflix, Apple Studios, Amazon MGM Studios, HBO, and more. We recognize that building a writing career takes time, and each writer's development journey is unique. While we receive thousands of scripts each year, our focus is on those writers who show the greatest promise.

What do we look for?

What do we look for?

What do we look for?

In our Open Call, we aren’t seeking projects to commission or produce. Instead, we're focused on discovering writers to develop, rather than specific ideas. What matters most is what the script reveals about the writer. Every script serves as a showcase of a writer’s talent, creativity, and unique voice.

We’re particularly interested in distinctive voices—scripts that truly capture and express them. We aren’t looking for the usual; we want writers who can immerse an audience in a world and keep them captivated. It’s not about inventing entirely new settings or scenarios, but offering fresh perspectives on stories with broad appeal.

We seek well-rounded, consistent characters who drive the narrative, rather than just serve it. We're looking for storytelling prowess—how a writer handles pacing, builds climaxes, and sets the mood. We're after the hidden gems, the page-turners, the new angles, compelling dialogue, and unexpected character creations.

Ultimately, we’re looking for that special spark that makes us eager to keep reading.

In our Open Call, we aren’t seeking projects to commission or produce. Instead, we're focused on discovering writers to develop, rather than specific ideas. What matters most is what the script reveals about the writer. Every script serves as a showcase of a writer’s talent, creativity, and unique voice.

We’re particularly interested in distinctive voices—scripts that truly capture and express them. We aren’t looking for the usual; we want writers who can immerse an audience in a world and keep them captivated. It’s not about inventing entirely new settings or scenarios, but offering fresh perspectives on stories with broad appeal.

We seek well-rounded, consistent characters who drive the narrative, rather than just serve it. We're looking for storytelling prowess—how a writer handles pacing, builds climaxes, and sets the mood. We're after the hidden gems, the page-turners, the new angles, compelling dialogue, and unexpected character creations.

Ultimately, we’re looking for that special spark that makes us eager to keep reading.

In our Open Call, we aren’t seeking projects to commission or produce. Instead, we're focused on discovering writers to develop, rather than specific ideas. What matters most is what the script reveals about the writer. Every script serves as a showcase of a writer’s talent, creativity, and unique voice.

We’re particularly interested in distinctive voices—scripts that truly capture and express them. We aren’t looking for the usual; we want writers who can immerse an audience in a world and keep them captivated. It’s not about inventing entirely new settings or scenarios, but offering fresh perspectives on stories with broad appeal.

We seek well-rounded, consistent characters who drive the narrative, rather than just serve it. We're looking for storytelling prowess—how a writer handles pacing, builds climaxes, and sets the mood. We're after the hidden gems, the page-turners, the new angles, compelling dialogue, and unexpected character creations.

Ultimately, we’re looking for that special spark that makes us eager to keep reading.

What should you submit?

What should you submit?

What should you submit?

For our Open Call, we accept the following:

• Drama or comedy-drama scripts for film, TV, radio, stage, or children’s TV/radio, with a minimum length of 30 pages (excluding title and character pages).

• Scripts will be read anonymously, meaning your name will not be attached until after the full-read stage. Please ensure that any personal information (name, address, contact details, etc.) is removed from both the cover page and the script itself.

• A short paragraph (up to 250 words) about your writing background. No professional credits or produced works are required—we're simply interested in your passion for writing.

• A brief paragraph (up to 250 words) on what you hope to gain from our writer development program.

For our Open Call, we accept the following:

• Drama or comedy-drama scripts for film, TV, radio, stage, or children’s TV/radio, with a minimum length of 30 pages (excluding title and character pages).

• Scripts will be read anonymously, meaning your name will not be attached until after the full-read stage. Please ensure that any personal information (name, address, contact details, etc.) is removed from both the cover page and the script itself.

• A short paragraph (up to 250 words) about your writing background. No professional credits or produced works are required—we're simply interested in your passion for writing.

• A brief paragraph (up to 250 words) on what you hope to gain from our writer development program.

For our Open Call, we accept the following:

• Drama or comedy-drama scripts for film, TV, radio, stage, or children’s TV/radio, with a minimum length of 30 pages (excluding title and character pages).

• Scripts will be read anonymously, meaning your name will not be attached until after the full-read stage. Please ensure that any personal information (name, address, contact details, etc.) is removed from both the cover page and the script itself.

• A short paragraph (up to 250 words) about your writing background. No professional credits or produced works are required—we're simply interested in your passion for writing.

• A brief paragraph (up to 250 words) on what you hope to gain from our writer development program.

FACILITATORS

FACILITATORS

FACILITATORS

FACILITATORS

J. MANUEL BORBOLLA

J. MANUEL BORBOLLA

J. MANUEL BORBOLLA

J. MANUEL BORBOLLA

PRODUCER

PRODUCER

PRODUCER

PRODUCER

Producer & Entertainment Executive, ex Warner Bros. Pictures Mexico's managing director. Recent work includes Bandidos and Cada Minuto Cuenta.

GUILLERMO ARRIAGA

GUILLERMO ARRIAGA

GUILLERMO ARRIAGA

GUILLERMO ARRIAGA

WRITER

WRITER

WRITER

WRITER

Mexican novelist, screenwriter, director and producer. Best known for his Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay nomination for Babel.

SCOT EVANS

SCOT EVANS

SCOT EVANS

SCOT EVANS

POST-PRODUCTION

POST-PRODUCTION

POST-PRODUCTION

POST-PRODUCTION

30+ years in film, television, and digital media. Founded and Directed several successful and highly profitable post-production and VFX facilities.

OT HIGHT

OT HIGHT

OT HIGHT

OT HIGHT

COLOR & VFX

COLOR & VFX

COLOR & VFX

COLOR & VFX

Partner & VFX Artist at ArsenalFX Color in L.A. Known for Star Trek: Insurrection (1998), Species II (1998) and Mortal Kombat: Annihilation (1997).

FILM TREATMENTS FROM 1° EDITION

FILM TREATMENTS FROM 1° EDITION

FILM TREATMENTS FROM 1° EDITION

FILM TREATMENTS FROM 1° EDITION

Apply Here

Start by sending a brief introduction about you and why you want to further develop your writing skills at X'a Kum-Bé's Writers' Retreat.

Questions?

+22-2130-1122

+22-2130-1121

Log in to your account now to unlock special features and access exclusive content tailored just for you.

Log in to your account now to unlock special features and access exclusive content tailored just for you.

Log in to your account now to unlock special features and access exclusive content tailored just for you.

Log in to your account now to unlock special features and access exclusive content tailored just for you.