Filmmaker Ron Howard is helping aspiring writers achieve their dreams in partnership with Netflix. EPA
Filmmaker Ron Howard is helping aspiring writers achieve their dreams in partnership with Netflix. EPA
Filmmaker Ron Howard is helping aspiring writers achieve their dreams in partnership with Netflix. EPA
Filmmaker Ron Howard is helping aspiring writers achieve their dreams in partnership with Netflix. EPA

Want to see your idea made into a film by Ron Howard for Netflix? Here's how to do it


Katy Gillett
  • English
  • Arabic

Aspiring writers from across the world could get the opportunity to have their feature film ideas turned into actual productions and aired on Netflix.

The global streaming giant has teamed up with Imagine Impact, an offshoot of the production company by filmmaker Ron Howard (A Beautiful Mind, Apollo 13) and producer Brian Grazer (Arrested Development, Empire), to develop original content by emerging screenwriters.

"Over the course of the next year, Impact will source projects globally across four film genres and then develop select projects chosen by Netflix," says a statement on the website.

The first of the four genres is large-scale action-adventure films for all audiences, for which submissions are now open until Monday, July 6. The chosen project will be in the English language and run at about 90 to 120 minutes long.

The other three genres are being kept under wraps for now, but will be announced in July, September and November, and each will allow a month for the application process.

Anyone in the world, and writers of all levels, are invited to apply, as long as they have a "well-thought out idea and writing sample".

Applications will then be vetted before a number of entrants are interviewed by Impact. From there, a group of finalists will be selected and will have their proposed project presented to Netflix.

What is Imagine Impact?

Imagine Impact launched in 2018 as a way to democratise the script development process, allowing writers' voices to be heard regardless of their location, demographic or status. More than 14,000 writers have applied for the company's accelerator programmes to date.

We are looking forward to being a part of this new way stories and talent are discovered and mentored

“Brian and Ron run one of the most creative and forward-thinking production companies in the business,” said Tendo Nagenda, vice president of Netflix Films, in a statement.

"Having worked with them and Imagine Entertainment on the upcoming Hillbilly Elegy and Tick, tick…Boom!, we were excited to extend our partnership to Imagine Impact on this new endeavour.

"We are looking forward to being a part of this new way stories and talent are discovered and mentored."

So, if you think you have a brilliant idea for a new Netflix flick, then it's time to get pen to paper.

More information on the application process is at www.imagine-impact.com/netflix-faq

The full list of 2020 Brit Award nominees (winners in bold):

British group

Coldplay

Foals

Bring me the Horizon

D-Block Europe

Bastille

British Female

Mabel

Freya Ridings

FKA Twigs

Charli xcx

Mahalia​

British male

Harry Styles

Lewis Capaldi

Dave

Michael Kiwanuka

Stormzy​

Best new artist

Aitch

Lewis Capaldi

Dave

Mabel

Sam Fender

Best song

Ed Sheeran and Justin Bieber - I Don’t Care

Mabel - Don’t Call Me Up

Calvin Harrison and Rag’n’Bone Man - Giant

Dave - Location

Mark Ronson feat. Miley Cyrus - Nothing Breaks Like A Heart

AJ Tracey - Ladbroke Grove

Lewis Capaldi - Someone you Loved

Tom Walker - Just You and I

Sam Smith and Normani - Dancing with a Stranger

Stormzy - Vossi Bop

International female

Ariana Grande

Billie Eilish

Camila Cabello

Lana Del Rey

Lizzo

International male

Bruce Springsteen

Burna Boy

Tyler, The Creator

Dermot Kennedy

Post Malone

Best album

Stormzy - Heavy is the Head

Michael Kiwanuka - Kiwanuka

Lewis Capaldi - Divinely Uninspired to a Hellish Extent

Dave - Psychodrama

Harry Styles - Fine Line

Rising star

Celeste

Joy Crookes

beabadoobee

The President's Cake

Director: Hasan Hadi

Starring: Baneen Ahmad Nayyef, Waheed Thabet Khreibat, Sajad Mohamad Qasem 

Rating: 4/5

The specs

Engine: Turbocharged four-cylinder 2.7-litre

Power: 325hp

Torque: 500Nm

Transmission: 10-speed automatic

Price: From Dh189,700

On sale: now

Timeline

2012-2015

The company offers payments/bribes to win key contracts in the Middle East

May 2017

The UK SFO officially opens investigation into Petrofac’s use of agents, corruption, and potential bribery to secure contracts

September 2021

Petrofac pleads guilty to seven counts of failing to prevent bribery under the UK Bribery Act

October 2021

Court fines Petrofac £77 million for bribery. Former executive receives a two-year suspended sentence 

December 2024

Petrofac enters into comprehensive restructuring to strengthen the financial position of the group

May 2025

The High Court of England and Wales approves the company’s restructuring plan

July 2025

The Court of Appeal issues a judgment challenging parts of the restructuring plan

August 2025

Petrofac issues a business update to execute the restructuring and confirms it will appeal the Court of Appeal decision

October 2025

Petrofac loses a major TenneT offshore wind contract worth €13 billion. Holding company files for administration in the UK. Petrofac delisted from the London Stock Exchange

November 2025

180 Petrofac employees laid off in the UAE

Silent Hill f

Publisher: Konami

Platforms: PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, PC

Rating: 4.5/5

GIANT REVIEW

Starring: Amir El-Masry, Pierce Brosnan

Director: Athale

Rating: 4/5

Dhadak 2

Director: Shazia Iqbal

Starring: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Triptii Dimri 

Rating: 1/5

Real estate tokenisation project

Dubai launched the pilot phase of its real estate tokenisation project last month.

The initiative focuses on converting real estate assets into digital tokens recorded on blockchain technology and helps in streamlining the process of buying, selling and investing, the Dubai Land Department said.

Dubai’s real estate tokenisation market is projected to reach Dh60 billion ($16.33 billion) by 2033, representing 7 per cent of the emirate’s total property transactions, according to the DLD.