Training body AristaDevelopment has launched a new development programme for MA Screenwritinggraduates.

The new Adept 3 scheme isfunded by Skillset's Film Skills Fund (partly funded by the UK Film Council),the European Union's MEDIA Programme, and Arista's own Writer Scholarship Fund.

The nine-month Adept 3programme will concentrate on industry mentoring and project development. Eachof the seven selected participants will be assigned a mentor that will meet todiscuss the writer's screenplay being developed. Participants will also haveaccess to dinners, workshops, seminars, training courses in Europe, and tripsto industry events including the the Rotterdam International Film Festival.

Mentors will includeproducers, directors, writers, and film industry executives. At the end of thenine months, mentors will be encouraged to set up meetings for mentees withrelevant producers, funders, and agents.

Eligible applicants are MAscreenwriter graduates living and working in the UK. Arista said that it is"particularly interested in applicants who feel that for whatever reason, theyare disadvantaged in their efforts to advance their career in the UK industry."Application information is available at www.aristadevelopment.com andapplications must be received by October 5. Participants will pay a fee of £500although Arista said that potential applicants shouldn't be deterred byfinancial hardship.

Arista previously ran twoother versions of the Adept programme. Arista and Adept alumni include directorDamien O'Donnell (East is East), writer Johnny Ferguson (Gangster No.1), producer Sally Hibbin (Carla's Song), writer Andrea Gibb (DearFrankie), and director Gavin Hood (Tsotsi).