THE CAPE LIST 2020
CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment)
INFO: CAPE and The Black List are partnering once again to create a call for submissions for the 2020 CAPE List, which will include 10 feature screenplays and 10 original pilots. Filmmakers and content creators are invited to submit a script for consideration by uploading it to The Black List website during the month of March 2020.
Requirements:
Scripts should feature a protagonist of Asian and/or Pacific Islander heritage.
Scripts must include authentic, accurate and inclusive Asian and Pacific Islander representation that if removed, it would significantly alter or affect the story.
The lead or at least two characters are of Asian or Pacific Islander descent. At least one Asian Pacific Islander character has a narrative arc distinct from helping or revolving around the main character.
Any kind of story is eligible and will be considered.
Features, half-hour pilots and one-hour pilots considered, no web series please.
All levels of experience considered for submitting writers
Please note: Paid Black List evaluations are not required to be considered. However, writers must opt-in at time of registration.
DEADLINE: April 3, 2020 by 11:59PM PT
https://www.capeusa.org/capelist2020
CINEODYSSEY FILM FESTIVAL
INFO: The CineOdyssey Film Festival showcases diverse, contemporary films from around the world, featuring cutting edge works by filmmakers of color from the African, Caribbean, Latino, Asian, and Native American diasporas, as well as the U.S.
It serves to bring together diverse audiences, bridge cultural understanding, and encourage the artistic development of aspiring filmmakers. Through workshops, panel discussions, celebrated guest speakers, and educational programming throughout the year, the festival's intent is to entertain, enlighten, empower, and engage. The impressive lineup of films boldly address the multicultural issues of today, which meet at the intersection of race, class, and gender, as well as celebrating the creative craft of the art form.
AWARDS CATEGORIES:
Best Feature Film
Best Actor
Best Actress
Best Short Film
Best Student Film
Best Regional Film (North Carolina or South Carolina, short or feature)
Best Documentary Film
Best Animated Film
Best Smartphone Film
Best Web Series
DEADLINES:
Late: April 3, 2020
Extended: May 22, 2020
ACADEMY NICHOLL SCREENWRITING COMPETITION
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
INFO: Each year, the Academy Nicholl screenwriting competition awards up to five $35,000 fellowships to amateur screenwriters. To enter, submit a feature length screenplay and entry fee via the online application when the competition is open for submissions. Fellowship winners are invited to participate in awards week ceremonies and seminars and expected to complete at least one original feature film screenplay during the Fellowship year.
QUALIFICATIONS: Screenwriters who have not earned more than $25,000 writing fictional work for film or television. Entry scripts must be the original work of one writer, or of two writers who collaborated equally, and must be written originally in English. Adaptations and translated scripts are not eligible.
PRIZES: Up to five $35,000 fellowships are awarded each year to promising new screenwriters. From the program’s inception in 1986 through 2019, $4.58 million has been awarded to 176 writers.
FELLOWSHIP OBLIGATIONS: Up to five fellows in the Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting competition will be invited to participate in awards week ceremonies and seminars in November. Fellowship recipients will be expected to complete at least one original feature film screenplay during the fellowship year. Fellowship payments will be made quarterly subject to satisfactory progress of the recipient’s work, as judged by the Academy Nicholl Fellowships Committee. The Academy reserves the right to grant no awards if, in the opinion of the Academy Nicholl Fellowships Committee, no entry is of sufficient merit.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
Original feature film screenplay (no shorter than 70 pages and no longer than 160 pages) in PDF format only
Completed online application form
Early entry fee of US$48 (by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on March 6) or regular deadline entry fee of US$63 (by 11:59 p.m. PT on April 9) or late deadline entry fee of US$88 (by 11:59 p.m. PT on May 1).
DEADLINES / SUBMISSION FEES:
Regular: April 9 ($63 entry fee)
Late: May 1 ($88 entry fee)
Full-time students at an accredited college/university are eligible for a discount on their entry fee in 2020. Indicate your status in the demographic section of your online application. The discount will be offered in the payment section.
https://www.oscars.org/nicholl/about
DIVERSE VOICES 2020 SCREENWRITING LAB
We Screenplay
INFO: Diverse Voices is a screenplay contest and lab that strives to encourage stories that are told from perspectives that are often underrepresented in Hollywood today. This includes writers of color, women writers, writers with disabilities, writers over 40, writers in the LGBTQ+ community, and any other voices that have historically been ignored by Hollywood.
The Diverse Voices competition includes an in-person Screenwriting Lab experience in Los Angeles. The selected winners will be flown out to LA for mentorship, meetings, and hands on development with industry executives, professional writers, WeScreenplay’s team, and each other.
DEADLINE & FEE: April 15, 2020 ($79.99)
https://www.wescreenplay.com/diverse-voices/
CineStory Feature Retreat
INFO: The CineStory Feature Retreat takes place over four days in the beautiful mountains of Idyllwild, California. Attendees receive three 90-minute one-on-one sessions with CineStory mentors. During these sessions, attendees can discuss anything from the script(s) they submitted for feedback to jump-starting their writing careers.
When not meeting in one-on-one sessions, attendees participate in “informal rooms,” which are interactive sessions run by two to three mentors. Informal rooms cover topics ranging from pitching like a pro to the state of filmmaking in the digital age. In addition, attendees and mentors gather for meals, drinks, film screenings, and other special events.
IMPORTANT DATES:
Deadline: April 19, 2020 ($85 submission fee)
Retreat: October 17 – October 20, 2020
https://cinestory.org/retreat-fellowship-contests/feature-retreat-fellowships/
BBC Writersroom Script Room COMEDY 2020
INFO: BBC Writersroom's annual window for unsolicited comedy scripts (TV, film, radio, stage or online) is currently open. We look for what the script tells us about the writer. We see all scripts as a calling card to showcase a writer’s talent, ability and sense of humour.
We are especially looking for distinctive voices - and scripts that express those voices. We do not look for more of the same – we look for the writer’s ability to pull an audience into a world and hold them in it. It’s not necessarily about finding precincts or situations that have ‘never been done before’ but having an original take on stories that have the potential to have wide breadth of appeal.
Characters who are well rounded and consistent and who drive the comedy rather than serve it. A sense of storytelling ability - handling of pace, climax, mood.
We want to see the best possible draft you can achieve. We are not looking for early/first/rough drafts of scripts. Only submit to the Script Room when your script is ready, even if it means waiting for a later Script Room submission window.
We are looking to unearth the treasures, the page-turners, the new perspectives, the engaging dialogue and the surprising character creations.
We want to find that special, funny something that makes us want to read more.
Before considering making a submission, you will need to read the following information carefully. Submissions which do not meet the criteria or are in breach of the terms and conditions will be subject to disqualification without discussion.
DEADLINE: April 20, 2020
https://www.bbc.co.uk/writersroom/opportunities/script-room
Islamic Scholarship Fund Film Grant
INFO: The Islamic Scholarship Fund Film Grant is the first American Muslim film grant supporting Muslim filmmakers to change the narrative and tell their own stories.
ISF initiated the film grant program in 2014 to create a stronger narrative of Muslim stories and supporting Muslim filmmakers. The program has continued to grow and since it’s founding has awarded $220,000 dollars to promising filmmakers.
The Islamic Scholarship Fund Film Grant specifically aims to facilitate and support Muslim emerging and professional filmmakers, who are creating artistic, engaging and positive stories about Muslims.
The grant is split into two categories: narrative and documentary. In addition to funding, grant recipients will also receive mentorship and/or networking opportunities from an industry professional to help further the advancement of their script and film.
APPLICATIONS OPEN: April 27, 2020