Lab

Philip LaZebnik is a screenwriter, playwright and a screenwriting consultant. Originally associated with Disney Studios and DreamWorks. His screenwriting credits include “Mulan” and “Pocahontas” for Disney, and “The Prince of Egypt” and “The Road to El Dorado” for DreamWorks, among many others.

He has written the book for the theatrical musical “The Prince of Egypt” with songs by Stephen Schwartz, which opened at the Dominion Theatre in London’s West End in February, 2020.

Philip has considerable experience in film teaching: Bridging the Dragon (Mentor, China), North by Northwest (Tutor, Bornholm), Animationhus (Workshop, Viborg) and worked as a Film/Story Consultant for: “Antz” and “Shrek” (Story consultant, DreamWorks Feature Animation and PDI), “Lion King 1 ½” and “Mulan II” (Disney Television Animation), and numerous other films.

Philip’s goal is to foster a positive, supportive environment in the room, where we can discuss the screenwriting tools which are useful not only for developing the project in the workshop but also future scripts. These tools include analyzing story structure, understanding character motivations, and knowing what questions to ask when writing a script.

Within the programme we aim to help you develop your treatment into the first or second draft of the script depending on the stage you enter the workshops and your individual engagement.

Young Horizons Lab programme is based on:

• group work during the on-site sessions,
• individual on-site and online consultations with tutor,
• individual work of the participants between the sessions.

During the on-site sessions you will be working on the best structure of your project. You will also take part in discussions about the other projects selected for the workshops and masterclasses with experts about audience development, distribution strategy, production and promotion.

Before each session, we will ask you to read all the materials provided by the organisers and participants.

The programme ends with a pitching training and project presentation in front of Polish and international producers.

Scriptwriters from Poland who are working on the script of live-action or animated films for young audiences.

Both emerging storytellers and experienced writers are welcome to submit projects.

You can apply individually or in a team of 2 or 3 people*. Example: scriptwriter + scriptwriter, scriptwriter + producer, scriptwriter + director.

Producer attached to the project is not obligatory.

*If you would like to take part in the workshop as a group of 3 people, please contact: magda.wylezalek@nowehoryzonty.pl. 

Submissions start: 17 November 2026
Submissions end: 9 January 2026, 16.00

Preselection: 12-16 January 2026
Online meeting with preselected creators: 19-23 January 2026 (only selected applicants will be invited to the online meeting)
Selection announcement: 23 January 2026

Sessions dates:
1st session: 18-20 March 2026
2nd session: 10-12 June 2026
3rd session: September 2026 

Location:
Warsaw

• Live-action feature films (minimum 60 minutes) at early stage of development (with treatment)
• Animated feature films (minimum 60 minutes) at early stage of development (with treatment) 

If you are not sure that your project is eligible, please contact: magda.wylezalek@nowehoryzonty.pl.

• Project description / synopsis (max. 4 pages)
• Short bio (max. half page)
• Motivation letter (max. 1 page)

All submitted documents need to be in English.

The working language of all workshop sessions is English.

Participants are also obliged to deliver all materials, such as treatments, drafts in English. 

Submission fee: PLN 250 excl. VAT (PLN 307,50 incl. VAT).

Participation fee: PLN 1800 excl. VAT (PLN 2214 incl. VAT). For team max. 2 people*. Paid after the project has been selected.

*Participation for a team of 3 is PLN 2700 excl. VAT (PLN 3321 incl. VAT). 

Prepare all the required documents listed above (SEE: Required documents) and fill in the online application before 9 January 2026, 16.00.

Link to online application [CLICK]

After submitting the form, you will receive a payment link within 2 working days. Please complete the payment for the submission.

IMPORTANT: We will inform all applicants about the preselection results via email. Only selected applicants will be invited to the online interview.

Interview with Philip LaZebnik and workshop organisers: 19-23 January 2026 (online).

This is a chance for us to ask you some questions about your project and get to know each other better. During the meeting, you can also ask us questions about the workshop.

We will inform you about the final selection results in 23 January 2026 via email.

Once your project is accepted for the Young Horizons Lab programme, you will have 10 days to sign an agreement and pay the participation fee.