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Fellows /
Emil Stern & Sigmund Stern
Screenwriters Lab
2023-2024 Fellow
FUN
Inspired by a true story, FUN tells the story of the two brothers who ended up inventing the American fun industry. After a family crisis, the Hassenfeld brothers came together to invent Mr. Potato Head, a silly idea that would eventually burgeon into the global toy giant Hasbro. FUN explores what it means to play, as well as what it means to be American, eventually charting an epic family story — but in a fun way.
Brothers Emil and Sigmund Stern, originally from Sydney, Australia, have established themselves as accomplished writers across different media, with both individual achievements and collaborative projects. Emil's screenwriting credits include the thriller LIFE BEFORE HER EYES (directed by Vadim Perelman, starring Uma Thurman and Evan Rachel Wood), which was based on his Black List script IN BLOOM, and TENDERNESS (directed by John Polson, starring Russell Crowe). Sigmund Stern has built his reputation as a longtime contributor to renowned satirical publications The Onion and McSweeneys. Together, they were co-creators of comedy noir audio series KING OF THE EGG CREAM with Justin Bartha, starring Richard Kind, Michael Stuhlbarg and Melanie Lynskey, among many others. Emil has also written for Tablet, Jewish Review of Books, and the Washington Post.
Screenwriters Lab 
