Overview

Chicago Screenwriters Network (CSN) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1995 to promote education and foster community among aspiring & established screenwriters in the greater Chicago area. It counts thousands of writers (and other media production professionals) among its local and social media communities. CSN holds a meeting the 2nd Sunday of each month; this meeting is open to the public (with a nominal admission charge) and attendance is free-of-charge for paid annual members in good standing. The monthly meetings feature presentations by accomplished industry professionals speaking on various aspects of the craft and business of screenwriting. Additionally, CSN holds member-only, hands-on screenwriting craft workshops on Saturday mornings (generally toward the end of most months). Every 3-4 months, CSN will present a day-long or two-day workshop/seminar taught by a leading industry expert. Since 2009, CSN has conducted an annual screenplay competition (on hiatus in 2014 and being relaunched in 2015). CSN also promotes a member-to-member Script Exchange wherein writers can receive feedback on works-in-progress from their peers. CSN occasionally joins forces with allied industry organizations (such as Chicago Filmmakers, IFP/Chicago, SAG-AFTRA) in presenting jointly-hosted networking events to encourage collaboration among our respective member communities. CSN's board of directors, its management, and its administrators are all volunteers.