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NOMINATION PERIOD FOR FOURTH ANNUAL "FOX WRITER'S INTENSIVE" BEGINS TODAY

Initiative Enters Fourth Year Creating Staffing Pipeline of Experienced Writers With Diverse Voices, Backgrounds and Life Experiences for Fox

Fox Audience Strategy today announced that it is now accepting nominations for its fourth annual Fox Writer's Intensive (FWI), which is designed to nurture the careers of experienced writers with diverse voices, backgrounds and life experiences and create a strong pipeline of well-rounded talent for potential staffing on Fox productions. The deadline for nominations and applications for this year's Fox Writer's Intensive is October 10, 2014.

Nominations can be submitted by one of the FWI's partnering organizations or through submission by talent agents and management companies. Candidates must have demonstrated a command of their craft through published and/or other accomplished presentations of their work that demonstrate their writing experience. Fox encourages experienced writers from across all entertainment media, including television, features, literature and theater or other published writers to apply. For more information about the Fox Writer's Intensive and a list of referring organizations, please visit http://www.foxaudiencestrategy.com/fox-writers-intensive/.

This summer, writing partners Ed Gonzalez and Jeremy Haft were selected as the third annual Fox Writer's Intensive (FWI) Fellows. Following their participation in the program, Gonzalez and Haft inked a script development deal with Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX) and 20th Century Fox Television. In addition, Gonzales and Haft have been staffed on FOX's new drama, EMPIRE, co-created by Academy Award nominee Lee Daniels ("Lee Daniels' The Butler," "Precious") and Emmy Award winner Danny Strong ("Lee Daniels' The Butler," "Game Change"), and starring Academy Award nominee Terrence Howard ("Crash," "Hustle & Flow") and Academy Award and Emmy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson ("The Curious Case of Benjamin Button").

The Fox Writer's Intensive seeks both to elevate the craft of participating writers and further establish deeper connections with a wide range of Fox staff writers, showrunners, screenwriters, filmmakers and creative executives across television, feature films and digital entertainment. Curated in collaboration with Film Independent, the intensive offers trained writers a rigorous, four-month curriculum focused on 1) developing original material; 2) learning and honing writing skills for multiple mediums; and 3) exploring the business of media and entertainment. Selected writers will have the opportunity to receive detailed feedback and guidance on their scripts through interactive "master classes" and will engage in intimate guest speaker sessions with experienced writers, showrunners, executives and directors to discuss case studies of their films and television shows, and learn about their writing processes. Upon successful completion of the program, Fox will work to staff participating writers on Fox projects and provide each writer with a first look on his/her original script(s).

At the conclusion of the intensive, Fox will select one outstanding finalist as the Fox Writer's Intensive Fellow, whose submitted original script will be purchased and developed by Fox Broadcasting Company. The Fox Writer's Intensive Fellow will be announced across all Fox entertainment businesses and will receive one-on-one meetings with network and studio heads, as well as priority staffing efforts across Fox properties.

In addition, Fox will award the referring 501(c)(3) charitable organization of the winning Fellow a financial grant to be earmarked for its writing program.

Fox Audience Strategy is a department within The Fox Group designed to identify programming and operational opportunities that reflect diverse perspectives across all of its entertainment platforms.

Film Independent is a non-profit arts organization that champions independent film and supports a community of artists who embody diversity, innovation and uniqueness of vision. Film Independent helps filmmakers make their movies, builds an audience for their projects and works to diversify the film industry. Film Independent's Board of Directors, filmmakers, staff and constituents are comprised of an inclusive community of individuals across ability, age, ethnicity, gender, race and sexual orientation. Anyone passionate about film can become a member, whether you are a filmmaker, industry professional or a film lover. For more information, please visit http://www.filmindependent.org/.