Reel Work Filmmaking Initiative
BIPOC TV & FILM / Vinay Virmani
INFO: In partnership with BIPOC TV & FILM, actor, writer, and producer Vinay Virmani announces Reel Work Filmmaking Initiative, a $25,000 fund for two short films to be awarded to BIPOC creatives.
PROGRAM GUIDELINES: We are in search of two short films from BIPOC-identifying creatives that can be springboards for a future feature film or TV series. These short films will act as their creators’ calling card.
We are also paying close attention to the feasibility of the films. For example, the closer to camera a project is, the better. We are aware that physical distancing measures related to COVID-19 have complicated productions. As such, we are in search of projects that propose effective and attainable measures to maintain the safety of their cast and crew members.
Eligibility
Primary applicants must be:
BIPOC identifying
18 years old or older
Canadian citizens or permanent residents only
The writer, director, and/or producer of the submitted project. Primary applicants can hold more than one title on the project (e.g. writer & director)
Creative Team Requirements:
Canadian citizens or permanent residents only
2 out of the 3 of the key above-the-line creative positions (i.e. writer, director, producer) must be filled by BIPOC-identifying folks
At least 2 of the 3 key above-the-line creative positions (i.e. writer, director, producer) must be filled at the time of submission, one of which must be a producer.
Must have full ownership of underlying rights
DEADLINE: October 1, 2020
https://www.bipoctvandfilm.com/reel-work-filmmaking-initiative
WRITERS & ARTIST RESIDENCY
Millay Colony for the Arts
INFO: Each year Millay Colony for the Arts invites up to 62 individuals (including writers, poets, playwrights, screenwriters and visual artists) for residencies through the colony's application process.
Residency sessions are held each month from April through November, usually lasting around 3 1/2 weeks, with 2 twelve-day sessions also available in June & September. In each discipline, decisions are made by juries of artists, critics and academics.
Your work is presented anonymously to the jury and is considered solely on the merit of your artist statement and work sample. Please keep these factors in mind as you prepare your application. It is very important that you do not include your name anywhere on your artist statement or work samples as you may be disqualified if they are within the body of work shown to the jurors. Your application will instead be assigned a number by the administration.
DEADLINE: October 1, 2020
https://millaycolony.submittable.com/submit
Diverse Voices 2021 Screenwriting Lab
WeScreenplay
INFO: WeScreenplay’s MOST EFFECTIVE talent-discovery screenwriting lab is back, and we’re excited to unveil this season’s judges and mentors. Grand Prize winners will be offered a flight to Los Angeles for a Diverse Voices Four-Day Screenwriting Lab.
Managers and agents are signing writers from underrepresented backgrounds in record numbers as the industry is finally taking strides to become more inclusive and diverse. All readers for this program come from diverse backgrounds, and all entrants will receive a page of written feedback on their script from their first round’s judge.
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.
PRIZES:
Grand Prize Winners
Top 3 – 4
Cash value of $2,500
Includes
Los Angeles Mentorship Trip | Flight and lodging for four nights in Los Angeles with mentors to develop your work
Project Distribution to Producers, Agents, and Managers
Three (3) Free Classic Coverages to be used before the Lab Experience
Free entrance to any WeScreenplay Competition
Finalists
Top 25
Cash value of ~$85
Includes
Free entrance to any WeScreenplay Competition
JURY:
Joy Ganes, President of Tracy Yvonne Productions
Joy is the President of Tracy Oliver’s (GIRLS TRIP, FIRST WIVES CLUB) production company, Tracy Yvonne Productions, which is committed to championing diverse voices of all genres, across TV, film, and digital media.
Kesila Childers, Vice President of Development for Paul Feig’s Powderkeg
Powderkeg is Paul Feig’s digital content company that aims to champion new voices with a commitment to female and LGBTQ creators and filmmakers of color.
Jess Burkle, TV Writer
Jess is a TV writer currently staffed on the CW show IN THE DARK — and he happens to be blind himself.
Louisa Minghella, Literary Agent at Blake Friedmann Lit Agency
Louisa is a literary agent at Blake Friedmann Literary Agency in the UK who focuses on representing diverse talent responsible for top projects including THE BEACH HOUSE, THE SECRET, WORLD WAR Z, and more.
SUBMISSION FEE: $75
DEADLINE: October 15, 2020
https://www.wescreenplay.com/diverse-voices/
CAPE NEW WRITERS FELLOWSHIP
Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment (CAPE)
INFO: The CAPE New Writers Fellowship (CNWF) discovers and nurtures emerging writers launching their careers in television and film. Founded and co-chaired by Emmy Award-winning creator and Showrunner Leo Chu and veteran film and TV executive Steve Tao, CNWF is one of few programs created by a creative and an executive. This immersive Fellowship arms each writer with the practical and business knowledge they need to succeed as a professional writer in the entertainment industry.
Over several weeks, CAPE brings in top television and film writers, producers, agents, managers, and executives for a series of intimate panels, workshops, and discussions. The Fellowship also features a Writing Lab where each Fellow is matched with a high-level industry mentor to help them revise their original script into professional level writing samples to get them noticed and land that all-important first staff job.
The Fellowship typically runs each year in early spring. Each Fellowship session and Writing Lab meeting takes place on weekday evenings - Pacific Time - for approximately 3 hours, twice a week.
The 2021 CAPE New Writers Fellowship will take place virtually via Zoom.
DEADLINE: October 30, 2020
SHORT FILM FUND 2
Shore Script
INFO: The Shore Scripts Short Film Fund offers an opportunity for emerging screenwriters and filmmakers to have their short film financed and produced. The Fund welcomes submissions from screenwriters and filmmakers from around the world. The fund is open to new and previous entrants.
We accept short scripts, animations, and proof of concept shorts for TV pilots and features.
Our writers have gone onto gain representation, sold screenplays, and been staffed on TV shows as a direct result of entering the fund.
Our 8 funded short films have played at some of the top film festivals in the world. During these difficult times, we are excited to commission two more stand out short scripts for production.
DEADLINE / FEE: October 31, 2020 ($50)
https://www.shorescripts.com/shortfilmfund/
SCREENWRITING FELLOWSHIP
ScreenCraft
INFO: Past ScreenCraft-winning writers have been hired by producers, optioned their projects to major studios, and signed with top representatives at CAA, WME, 3 Arts Entertainment, United Talent Agency, Anonymous Content, Paradigm Talent Agency, Untitled, ICM, Writ Large, Bellevue Productions, Romark Entertainment, Lit Entertainment and many others.
The chosen Fellowship recipients will receive ongoing professional support and a special trip to Los Angeles for meetings, mentorship and personal introductions to key entertainment studio executives, producers, literary managers and agents. To apply, simply submit your feature film script or original television script, along with an optional cover letter that expresses your vision and background as an emerging writer.
Apply now and join a thriving community of talented screenwriters with meaningful connections to industry mentors.
2020 Fellows will meet with the following Hollywood manager mentors:
Adam Kolbrenner, Lit Entertainment, renowned boutique literary management company known for such clients as Nicole Perlman, Aaron Guzikowski, Justin Marks, Greg Russo, Jonathan Mostow and many more
Kailey Marsh, Brillstein Entertainment Partners, the management company behind such stars as Brad Pitt, Amy Adams, Rachel Brosnahan, Rachel Weisz, Adam Sandler, Vin Diesel and many more
Ari Lubet, 3 Arts Entertainment, the management and production company behind such shows as Orange is the New Black, Brooklyn Nine-Nine, Silicon Valley, Parks and Recreation, 30 Rock, The Mindy Project, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Saint George and more. Clients of 3 Arts Entertainment include such legends as Tina Fey, Amy Poehler, Aziz Ansari, Maya Rudolph, Kevin Hart, Mindy Kaling, George Lopez, Matt LeBlanc, BJ Novak, James Franco, Charlie Day, and many more!
Scott Stoops, Good Fear, the management company behind such notable talent as Evan Daugherty, James Duval, Tiffany Dupont and Billy Brown
Jake Dellman, Verve Talent and Literary Agency, the agency behind many great writers, directors and actors as Colin Trevorrow (Jurassic World), Greg Russo (Mortal Combat), Emily Carmichael (Pacific Rim: Uprising, Jurassic World 3) and many more!
Tracy Kopulsky, MXN Entertainment, the management company behind such celebrated filmmakers as Diablo Cody, Melina Matsoukas, Jesse Andrews and Amanda Marsalis
Alex Platis, Untitled Entertainment, the management company behind such stars as Jared Leto, Penelope Cruz and Naomi Watts
DEADLINES:
Early - October 31, 2020
Regular - January 31, 2021
Final - February 29, 2021
https://screencraft.org/fellowship/
Barbara Hammer Lesbian Experimental Filmmaking Grant
INFO: The Barbara Hammer Lesbian Experimental Filmmaking Grant is an annual grant that will be awarded to self-identified lesbians for making visionary moving-image art. Work can be experimental animation, experimental documentary, experimental narrative, cross-genre, or solely experimental. Applicants must be based in the U.S. This grant was established by Hammer in 2017 to give needed support to moving-image art made by lesbians. The grant is supported directly by funds provided by Hammer’s estate and administered through Queer|Art by lesbians for lesbians, with a rotating panel of judges.
What information does the application require?
Contact info, narrative bio, and headshot
Synopsis of project and strategy for exhibition
Budget
Work samples (2 samples, no more than 7-10 minutes total)
2 professional references
CV
What is required in the synopsis and budget?
Synopsis:
Description of the project and the process by which it will be made. (Up to 300 words) *Required
What is your timeline for completing the work and strategy for its exhibition? (Up to 125 words) * Required
Are there any additional aspects of this work you would like the panel to be aware of? (Up to 125 words) *Not required
Budget (one page, uploaded as PDF):
Your budget should account for how the work will be made (you do not need to include presentation costs). If the cost of production exceeds the grant amount, please indicate within the budget any confirmed funding you have received or additional funding you anticipate that will enable you to complete this project.
AWARD: This year Queer|Art is pleased to announce the grant has increased to $7,000.
APPLICATION FEE: $6
DEADLINE: November 1, 2020