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Fund Fund Open CultureThriller

Thriller Lab

Fuelling bold new thrillers, powered by real-world expertise.
The OKRE Thriller Lab is a funded three-month development programme for writers and producers. It supports duos to create bold, gripping thrillers grounded in real-world science and expertise.
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The OKRE Fund: Thriller Lab, a genre development programme designed to turbocharge thriller storytelling in film, TV, video games and social (e.g. vertical dramas).

The programme will support writers and producers, and nurture their ideas through inspiring collaborations with world-class expertise drawn from academia and the charity sector. They’ll also benefit from creative support and networking opportunities through OKRE’s industry-leading approach to knowledge-driven entertainment.

What each successful duo will receive

Backed by £75,000 in funding, the Lab will kick off in January 2026 and support a cohort of 10 writer–producer duo teams to develop their early-stage ideas. Freshness of the idea, potential for collaboration to shape the project and ability to deliver on the ambition will be considered in the selection process.

1

An award of £7,500 to cover time, travel expenses, and collaborator fees

2

Entry into the three-month cohort programme (mix of in-person and online)

3

Two workshop days, collaborator matchmaking and coaching

4

Development support with your chosen expert(s)

5

Peer-to-peer learning within the cohort

6

The opportunity to pitch projects to OKRE and partners

“If you pitched a joke about an interfering mother-in-law, tiny in-flight snacks, or three Brits from different nations entering a bar, the only laughs you’d expect would be those accompanying your rapid exit from the writer’s room.”

Matt Nida

Laughing Matters Lead, BAFTA-winning comedy producer
Key Dates

Application open date:

  • 9am 26th September 2025

Application deadline:

  • 11:59pm 7th November 2025

Online Q&A sessions:

  • Wednesday 15th October 2025 & Monday 3rd November 2025 (links available here)

Decision notification:

  • By Monday 15th December 2025
  • This enriched the film’s narrative, making the characters’ experiences and interactions feel even more real and relatable.

Project start/end dates:

  • January 2026 - March 2026

FAQs

For any additional queries, please contact a member of the team below.

Get in touch

What is the OKRE Thriller Lab?

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Who can apply?

The Lab is open to:

  • Writers with agent representation or demonstrable writing credits for TV, film, games or digital first content (links to IMDB, MobyGames or personal website).
  • Producers attached to a production company
  • You must apply as a duo (writer + producer).
  • You must be UK based.
  • You must apply as a duo (writer + producer).

What kind of projects are you looking for?

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What makes a strong application?

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What support will selected duos receive?

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What are our rights to our ideas and work?

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Can I use existing IP?

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Apply for funding

Have an idea you want to talk to us about?