John S. Johnson founded Almanack Screenwriters (formerly Screenwriters Colony) in 2002 because he recognized a need to support the most influential storytellers of our time -- writers for the screen. He envisioned a space where screenwriters could take creative risks and access their purest artistic instincts, free from the commercial pressures of traditional film development.

From that vision, the October Colony was born. Part residency, part mentorship program, the Colony brings together talented emerging screenwriters for a month of focused time and dedicated space to develop their work, engage with peers, and receive guidance from industry professionals. The October Colony, and the programs that followed, remain rooted in Johnson’s founding belief that bold, innovative screenwriters deserve a framework that nurtures their craft and expands their potential to reach wide audiences.