From September 11 to 14, 2026, writers for this year’s East Coast vs. West Coast competition gathered in Tarrytown, New York, for a four-day retreat.

East Coast vs. West Coast is our annual filmmaking competition, where mentor-and-student teams swap scripts across coasts and the finished films are judged by young people. The retreat gave writers time away from everyday life to develop, workshop, and sharpen the scripts that teams on the other coast will bring to the screen.

Tarrytown sits in the heart of the Hudson Valley’s storytelling country, a short walk from the setting of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Plan your own visit with Sleepy Hollow Country and Historic Hudson Valley.

Want to be part of what’s next? Volunteer or partner with us, explore our programs, or support young filmmakers.