A new accelerator by Future of Film
Opportunities to create are expanding, but turning creative work into a sustainable career has never been harder.
Story Founders is an 8-week accelerator for writers, directors and storytellers who want to build work that lasts.
30 Founders
8 Weeks
1 Blueprint
Story Founders is an 8-week accelerator by Future of Film for ambitious storytellers ready to take greater control of their work.
Participants arrive with a project they believe in. They leave with the clarity, structure and commercial foundations to take it forward on their own terms.
The programme combines creative development with strategic thinking. Over eight weeks, participants build their story world, define their audience and develop an ownership strategy designed to protect and grow the value of their work.
Everything comes together in the Story Founder Blueprint: a practical, commercially grounded plan for how a project can evolve, reach audiences and build lasting creative momentum.
All brought together in your Story Founder Blueprint.
At the centre of your work is your voice. It is the perspective that defines what you make and why it matters.
Story Founders helps you develop that voice through three interconnected pillars.
Designing story worlds that can expand, renew and sustain creative momentum.
Understanding who the work is for and how that relationship evolves.
Structuring projects so creators retain agency, leverage and long term value.
Your unique voice sits at the centre of the system.
Technology accelerates how stories are created, tested and shared.
Over eight weeks, you will build your project through the Story Founder system.
You will work on:
The focus throughout is practical and project-led.
Every concept is applied directly to your story, and every step contributes to your Story Founder Blueprint.
The goal is not simply to move one project forward.
It is to build the foundations for a body of work that can evolve and endure.
Across the programme, you will build your Story Founder Blueprint.
This is the commercial and creative foundation for your work. It is a practical document that defines your storyworld, audience and ownership strategy, and maps a clear path for how your project moves forward.
Your blueprint defines:
By the end of the programme, you leave with something you can act on: a commercially grounded plan for your project that works in the real world.
Apply for the 2026 cohort.
And receive founding cohort pricing and the Story Founders framework.
Contributors and speakers have included leading voices across film, television, games and emerging media.
Story Founder Advisor. Worldbuilding and transmeida storytelling pioneer.
Ex Creative Development and Franchise Producer Lucasfilm. World-leading expert in story-based IP.
Story Founder Advisor. Strategist and producer focused on audience, creator sustainability and new business models.
Story Founder Advisor. Creator working across film, games and emerging technologies.
Story Founders is designed for ambitious storytellers working across screen and narrative media who want greater control over how their work moves into the world.
Participants typically arrive with a project at concept or early development stage and a desire to strengthen both the creative and commercial foundations around it.
Participants may include:
Most participants will already have experience creating and releasing work.
What matters most is a willingness to challenge assumptions and take greater ownership of how your work evolves.
Story Founders is not designed for:
The programme is selective and works best for creators ready to engage deeply with their project and practice.
The accelerator runs over 8 weeks, part-time and fully online.
Each week includes:
The programme concludes with a private showcase where selected projects are presented to invited industry guests and collaborators.
Future cohorts will be priced higher.
Applications require a £40 fee, credited toward the programme if accepted.
All applicants receive a copy of the Story Founder Framework brief, outlining the core methodology behind the programme.
Payment plans are available.
A limited number of bursary places are available.
Weekly live sessions take place twice per week, typically around 18:30 BST.
The programme is conducted in English
No. Projects at concept or early development stage are welcome. You should arrive with a clear idea or story you want to develop during the programme.
No. Story Founders is format-neutral and open to storytellers working across film, television, games, XR, interactive media and digital narrative.
Yes. Participants are welcome from anywhere in the world.
You do. Participants retain full ownership of their projects and ideas.
Yes. A limited number of bursary places are available for exceptional applicants requiring financial support.
Yes. The programme explores how emerging technologies can support storytelling, development and experimentation. These tools are integrated where useful but are not the focus of the programme.
Yes. All core framework sessions and masterclasses will be delivered live online, with opportunities for discussion, feedback and cohort interaction.
Sessions will also be recorded for participants where possible.
Apply for the 2026 cohort.
Only 30 places available
Early access, founding cohort pricing and programme updates.