Bennington College Establishes Screenwriting MFA Program With Industry-Leading Faculty

Bennington College announced the launch of a two-year, low-residency Master of Fine Arts program in screenwriting designed for aspiring writers seeking professional development. The program features faculty including David Hemingson from The Holdovers and Janet Lin from Bridgerton, along with established television and film writers, and will combine four ten-day residential sessions with online coursework. Students will produce multiple screenwriting projects culminating in an industry showcase in Los Angeles.

Bennington College has established itself as a training ground for literary fiction authors, counting among its alumni several bestselling novelists. The institution is now extending its educational mission into the screenwriting sector by creating a structured graduate program that balances intensive in-person instruction with remote learning components. The curriculum emphasizes practical output, requiring students to complete multiple screenplay projects across different formats before concluding with a professional networking event in Los Angeles designed to facilitate industry connections.

The faculty roster represents active professionals currently working on acclaimed television and film productions, bringing contemporary industry expertise directly into the classroom. By limiting the inaugural cohort to six students, the program positions itself as an intimate, high-touch educational experience rather than a large-scale operation, potentially allowing for substantial mentorship and individualized feedback on student work.