Last summer, our retreat was held in Harlem where we wrote in the historic Langston Hughes House! This summer we're heading south for another writing experience! Revise and write your screenplay in New Orleans — a city that has captivated musicians and artists worldwide. Reel Sisters is offering our second scriptwriting retreat in the Big Easy! Our New Orleans Retreat will offer you a chance to work passionately while enjoying moments to explore an enchanting city best known for its music and food. NOLA writers will experience a unique “staycation” and serve as hosts to visiting filmmakers. Resilience is the theme for this summer’s retreat as New Orleans represents the epitome of renewal and restoration. From the opening night dinner at Willie Mae’s to writing sessions at the Contemporary Arts Center, you will enjoy moments to feed your creativity and spirit. Highlights of our retreat include a Treme Walking Tour that will tap into New Orleans rich history as a cultural icon that has defined America’s musical traditions. Once experienced, New Orleans stays in your soul forever — it is a source of inspiration that fuels your muse. Let our retreat be the place where your characters come alive and your journey to revise your script begins. Award-winning producer/director/writer Jennica Carmona will lead you in your goal to refine and prepare your script for production. “New Orleans makes it possible to live your life with your heart open” — Nina Simone “Where every street sings a story” — Anonymous Reel Sisters New Orleans Scriptwriting Retreat A MEDITATION ON RESILIENCE July 30-Aug. 2, 2026 Registration: $725, plus Eventbrite fees ($650 before 6/30/26, Code: NOLA2026) Master Class & Retreat Registration: $850 ($775 before 5/5/26, Code: BIGEASY2026) Bring A Pal Discount: $1,200 ($600 per pal) or $1,325 with Master Class ($725 per pal) Eligibility + Application: Writers must submit a synopsis (1 page maximum) and short sample of their screenplay (10 pages maximum) with a short bio (2-3 sentences). At the end of the retreat, several screenwriters will have an opportunity to showcase an excerpt of their work at a staged reading hosted by Reel Sisters and BRIC in the fall. Writing teams are welcome. Slots are limited, Register ASAP! Our writing retreat will be held in several different venues! Our venues and schedule will be announced shortly! NOPSI HOTEL is the official hotel for Reel Sisters Screenwrit Retreat! Rooms are $115 per night, plus taxes! You must book your room by 6/30/26 to receive discount. INSTRUCTOR'S BIO Jennica Carmona is a New York City based Puerto Rican film maker, actor, and activist. Born in Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico and raised in Rochester, NY she is a graduate of the Tisch School of the Arts at NYU. She is a proud co-founder of Si Se Puede Productions, a theatre and film production company that creates material with a social justice theme. From 2008-2009, Jennica worked with director Lee Daniels on the Academy Award winning film, ‘Precious”, where she gained hands on experience with filmmaking and production. She later went on to write, direct, and produce her first feature film, “Millie and the Lords”. The film was the recipient of several film festival awards and it was sold to HBO/Cinemax shortly after its release. Jennica is currently in post-production of her new short film, “The Corito Project”, which she developed and worked on as part of the 2024 Third World Newsreel Program. She also has a feature film in development titled “The Fellowship”, which is a narrative film that explores issues of class, privilege, and race in an elite private college. As an educator, Jennica has worked as an Adjunct Professor at the University of the Arts Undergraduate Film Program, with the Philadelphia Latino Film Festival, and with the Montclair Film Festival’s Education Department.  Currently, she works as the Documentary Programmer for the Atlanta Film Festival.