Academy Nicholl screenwriting competition
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
DEADLINES / FEES:
Early: March 3, 2021 by 11:59pm PT ($48)
Regular: April 3, 2021 by 11:59pm PT ($63)
Late: May 3, 2021 by 11:59pm PT ($88)
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, receive individualized Academy member mentorship and are expected to complete at least one original feature film screenplay during their Fellowship year.
QUALIFICATIONS: Up to five $35,000 fellowships are awarded each year to promising new screenwriters. From the program’s inception in 1986 through 2020, 181 fellowships totaling $4.75 million have been awarded.
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
https://www.oscars.org/nicholl/about
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CALL FOR EMERGING SCREENWRITERS
Impact / Imagine Entertainment
DEADLINE: March 7, 2021 at 11:59 PST
INFO: Imagine Entertainment is teaming up with Impact to use Impact’s innovative system to find an emerging screenwriter to write the first draft of their original PG-13 family basketball comedy feature film.
Similar to Impact’s content accelerators, applicants from all over the world can submit for the opportunity, and after an extensive review process, top candidates will ultimately land an interview with the Impact Team, before the best candidates are presented to the producers.
What is the movie about?
Logline: When an NBA legend enrolls his superstar son at a local STEM academy, the washed-up basketball coach must team up with an enthusiastic math teacher to implement an unusual coaching system capable of transforming a bunch of brainy misfits into a contender.
This movie is a fresh take on a timeless underdog story that will explore competitiveness and compromise, while poking fun at different coaching and parenting philosophies. It’s a comedy about friendship, challenging the status quo, and the power of daring to dream the improbable.
We want to combine the odd couple fun of School of Rock with the out-of-the-box sports strategizing of Moneyball. Other comps are: The Bad News Bears, The Sandlot, Hoosiers, and Easy A (for its clever but still grounded comedy).
More information about the film will be included in the application.
ELIGIBILITY & LEGAL:
What requirements do I need to meet to apply?
We encourage writers from all backgrounds and experiences to apply: from beginner writer to seasoned professional. You must be 18 years or older and legally capable of entering into a writing services agreement.
Do I have to be a US citizen to apply?
No. Anyone from and living in any country can apply.
How much experience do I need to have to apply? Do I need to have been hired to write a film before?
No, you do not need to have any prior feature writing experience to apply.
Can I apply even if I have been hired to write a film before?
Yes, writers of all experience levels may apply.
If I'm selected and the movie gets made, will I get a credit at the end?
Professional film credits for WGA signatories are determined by the Writers Guild of America. Find out more about credits on their website here.
Do I maintain the rights to my ideas and sample script in my application?
The submission release form, which you can read here, sets forth rights and obligations with respect to your submission.
https://impactcreativesystems.com/imagine-basketball
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MGM + THE BLACK LIST FEATURE PARTNERSHIP
DEADLINE: March 15, 2021
INFO: The Black List and MGM have partnered to discover new voices with unique perspectives from historically underrepresented communities over the next two years. Every six months, The Black List will deliver a shortlist of new feature writers to MGM for consideration. MGM seeks to provide one writer from each six month cycle with a two-step Guild minimum blind deal, over a continuous period of two years.
MGM seeks to work with creative partners who want to tell original stories with universal, all audiences appeal for the big screen. The studio is genre-agnostic and aspires to work with great talent to join the ranks of MGM’s historic studio. Only feature film samples will be considered for this opportunity - no pilots or webseries, please.
If you wish to purchase an evaluation for consideration in this partnership, we strongly recommend doing so no later than January 23, 2021 in order to guarantee that it is received by the partnership’s close. Information about the next partnership submission period will be shared as soon as available.
MGM can offer the agreed upon deal to any number of or none of the shortlist candidates. Shortlist candidates may be asked to provide a resume and personal statement by MGM.
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DIVERSE VOICES SCREENWRITING LAB
WeScreenplay
DEADLINES:
Regular: Mar 15, 2021
Final: Apr 15, 2021
INFO: Diverse Voices is a screenplay competition and lab that strives to encourage stories that are told from perspectives that are often underrepresented in Hollywood today. This includes writers of color, womxn writers, writers with disabilities, writers over 40, writers in the LGBTQ+ community, and any other voices that have historically been ignored by Hollywood.
A couple of cool things about this program: since it started in 2015, Diverse Voices has raised over $35,000 for various nonprofit organizations and over a dozen past winners have been signed, staffed, and optioned. All readers for this competition come from diverse backgrounds, and all entrants will receive a page of written feedback on their script from their first round’s judge.
PRIZES: The Diverse Voices Lab is a one-of-a-kind lab experience. Those chosen for the lab will have a long weekend PACKED with workshops to hone their craft, mentorship calls with working writers, and general meetings with studio execs, literary reps, and more. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience for any emerging screenwriter.
Additionally, the winners get access to ongoing mentorship from WeScreenplay including an initial phone call, guidance for drafting query letters, research methods for finding the right representation, prep before big meetings, and strategic planning for next steps in their careers — all based on the writer’s specific goals.
JURY:
Talitha Watkins - Head of the Management for Issa Rae's company, ColorCreative
Charlie Swinbourne - Screenwriter focused on Deaf Culture
Jen Ray - Literary Manager at Heroes and Villains Entertainment
https://www.wescreenplay.com/diverse-voices/
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My Time: A Writer's Fellowship for Parents
The Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow
DEADLINE: March 15, 2021
INFO: The Writers’ Colony at Dairy Hollow is pleased to announce the My Time fellowship funded by the Sustainable Arts Foundation. Writers who are also parents of dependent children under the age of 18 are invited to apply. Work may be any literary genre: fiction or nonfiction, poetry or prose, scripts or screenplays. The successful application will demonstrate literary merit and the likelihood of publication however, prior publication is not a requirement.
The fellowship winner will receive a one-week residency to allow the recipient to focus completely on their work. A $400 stipend is available to cover childcare and/or travel costs. Each writers’ suite has a bedroom, private bathroom, separate writing space, and wireless internet. We provide uninterrupted writing time, a European-style gourmet dinner prepared five nights a week, and served in our community dining room, the camaraderie of other professional writers when you want it, and a community kitchen stocked with the basics for breakfast and lunch.
Fellowship applications must be accompanied by a writing sample and a non-refundable $35 application fee. There is a limit of one submission per application. The winner will be announced no later than March 31, 2021. Residency may be completed at any time during 2021. This may be extended up to twelve months for extenuating circumstances including COVID-19 concerns.
https://www.writerscolony.org/fellowships
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Black Film Space Mentorship Program
DEADLINE: March 19, 2021
INFO: Relationships are currency in the film industry. Black filmmakers are often shut out which affects our ability to obtain vital information, form relationships, and garner career-changing opportunities.
We're proud to launch our inaugural mentorship program and offer promising filmmakers an opportunity to build relationships with creditable professionals.
The Black Film Space Mentorship Program will pair 13 mentees and mentors for six months starting in May 2021.
Mentees will have one, 45 minute virtual discussion with their mentor per month to discuss their work and how to navigate their careers as it pertains to their short and long term goals.
Mentors will give one round of feedback on the mentees work over the course of the program.
Mentees are selected based on: Quality of prior work, resume, a one page letter of intention, career objectives and virtual interviews. Mentees must work towards a short term goal over the course of the program.
We are looking for mentees who are committed to developing their craft. All experience levels are welcome.
You must be a Black Film Space Gold Member to apply and remain one throughout the duration of the program. If you are Silver Member, e-mail us to upgrade your membership.
Mentees are matched with mentors based on their expertise.
**Before applying, read our mentors full biographies here.**
Mentees Selected: Mid April
Mentorship Program Begins: May
Mentorship Program Ends: October
https://www.blackfilmspace.com/mentors
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2021 British urban film festival
BUFF
DEADLINE / FEES:
Regular Deadline: March 29, 2021 (£99)
Late Deadline: March 30 – June 28, 2021 (£109)
Film Freeway Gold Members get 25% off
INFO: We are now in our 16th year and want to give clarity to our reclaiming of the word “urban”. For so long, “urban” has been seen as an extension of “black”, “underground”, “other”, “unworthy”.
We know that in every walk of life urban culture, more than ever, is revered as trend setting, forward-thinking, inclusive and innovative.
This is the reason why BAFTA, BIFA, AMAA and our industry festival partners (including Iris Prize) have officially recognised BUFF – giving our filmmakers direct opportunities to qualify for film awards. BUFF is the longest standing black-owned film festival in the United Kingdom. Founded by Emmanuel Anyiam-Osigwe MBE, filmmakers that have exhibited at our festival are now household names. Join the legacy and explore new worlds at BUFF.
At the British Urban Film Festival, we have been a pioneering platform for all facets of diversity since our formation in 2005.
Long before diversity quotas and terminology such as BAME and non-binary, we have always welcomed, showcased, given coverage to and awarded films which embrace diverse storytelling, celebrating filmmakers from diverse backgrounds representative of the 9 diversity strands:
age. disability. gender reassignment. marriage and civil partnership. pregnancy and maternity. race. religion or belief. sex.
The final shortlist of 3 scripts (in addition to receiving a British Urban Film Festival award) will be considered for development through our industry partners.
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2nd Scriptwriting Competition
Reel Sisters
DEADLINE:
Early Bird: March 31, 2021
Regular: May 21, 2021
Final: May 31, 2021
Extended: June 18, 2021
INFO: Reel Sisters is hosting our 2nd Scriptwriting Competition and giving screenwriters a chance to win cash awards including the top prize of $1,000 with opportunities to get featured in African Voices magazine, our website, a table read and one-on-one script consultation with an industry professional!
Scripts must be written by women of color. Feature length films, television pilots, short films and web series are eligible. Reel Sisters is the first Oscar qualifying film festival in the nation for women filmmakers.
The Reel Sisters of the Diaspora Film Festival & Lecture Series is a two-day annual film festival founded by African Voices magazine and LIU's Media Arts Dept., Brooklyn Campus. Established in 1997, Reel Sisters (www.reelsisters.org) is dedicated to providing opportunities for women of color to advance their careers in the film industry. Reel Sisters accepts films written, directed, or produced by women/non-binary filmmakers of color. Reel Sisters is the first Academy Qualifying Film Festival for short narratives devoted to women of color across the globe. Reel Sisters is an IMDb qualifying film festival.
APPLICATION INFO: YOU MUST SUBMIT PRODUCTION STILLS/PHOTOS and a TRAILER for your submission to be ELIGIBLE AND COMPLETE. You can screenshot photos from your film if you were unable to hire a photographer.
PLEASE NOTE: Reel Sisters is scheduled to be held Oct. 23-24, 2021 at the Alamo Cinema Drafthouse and other NYC venues but due to the pandemic the festival may be held virtually to keep our audience safe. Join our mailing list & visit our website for updates: www.reelsisters.org.
Reel Sisters is a competitive festival and films are selected by an independent jury. Please submit films early as deadlines are final. The festival provides quality customer service and does not offer fee waivers. The fee covers a small fraction of the administrative costs for running a professional Oscar qualifying film festival.
Reel Sisters accepts all genres and formats with a special interest in submissions from animated and web series producers. Send us films that will make our audience “cry, dance, laugh, sing and explore." The festival curates events throughout the year so all entries will be considered for Reel Sisters Tea & Cinema series. Join our worldwide community of film professionals in celebrating stories produced, directed and written by women of color!
https://filmfreeway.com/ReelSistersoftheDiasporaFilmFestival
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The Writers Lab 2021
DEADLINE: March 31, 2021
INFO: The Writers Lab is a four-day script development workshop that gives writers identifying as women over the age of 40 the opportunity to work intensively on their feature film scripts with the support of established writers, directors, and producers. Until this year, the retreat has been held near NYC, in the countryside: beautiful and private locations that minimize distractions and promote creativity and confidence. Through one-on-one meetings, panel discussions, guest speakers, and group meals, Mentors and Writers engage in a rigorous process that provides support in both the craft and commerce of screenwriting.
ELIGIBILITY:
Applicants must identify as women and be at least 40 years old: born on or before October 1, 1981.
We will be accepting scripts internationally.
Submissions must be feature-length narrative scripts and/or pilots in English. (No script fragments, treatments, synopses, shorts, stage plays, book excerpts, or documentaries.)
Scripts by more than one writer will be considered, but all writers must identify as women and be over 40, and only one writer can attend The Lab.
Applicants may submit up to three (3) scripts, with a separate application for each script submitted.
The Lab seeks a broad selection of scripts across all genres of fiction (drama, comedy, horror, action, thriller, science fiction, animation, musical, etc.). Scripts may be about any topic and do not specifically need to be about women.
The Lab seeks submissions from all racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and cultural groups.
REQUIREMENTS:
The following materials are required for your application and must be submitted electronically:
Basic Biographical Information (name, email address, contact phone number, mailing address, birth date)
Script Genre
Log line
PDF of a feature-length narrative screenplay and/or pilot (Name removed)
http://thewriterslab.nyc/apply/
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Marble House Project
DEADLINE: April 1, 2021
INFO: Marble House Project is a multidisciplinary artist residency program that fosters collaboration and the exchange of ideas, by providing an environment for artists across disciplines to live and work together. The residency integrates sustainable practices, including small-scale organic food production and waste conservation. Residents sustain their growth by engaging with the grounds while working on their artistic practice. Marble House Project is founded on the belief that the act of creating, whether in the studio or in nature, is how human potential expands and community thrives.
Marble House Project accepts approximately 60 residents and is open to artists living in the United States and abroad. You must be at least 21 years old. Residencies run from April through October, scheduled into six three-week residencies and one two-week family-friendly residency for artists with children. Please note that if you apply to the family friendly residency, it is a specific date within the artist in residency application. Each session accommodates eight artists and is specifically curated to bring together a diverse group of creative workers, to maximize potential for collaboration and dialogue while in residence and beyond.
All residents live together in the historic, eight-bedroom Manley-Lefevre house, a communal space organized around responsibilities-sharing systems which highlight sustainability and community. All residents will be paired and asked to cook for shared dinners three times over the course of their residency, Monday-Friday. A substantial amount of the food we provide comes from our organic garden, which also serves as a space for gathering and an educational tool. Residents are invited to help with planting, harvesting, and maintenance. While not required, our hope is that you will spend some time in the garden alongside your studio practice. Each session culminates with ART SEED, our public open house weekend event. Artists are invited to share their work with our community through artist talks, readings, performances, and open studios.
Marble House Project provides private bedrooms, food, private studio space, and artist support. We are not able to cover costs related to travel or materials. There is no fee to attend the residency.
Applications are accepted in all creative fields including but not limited to writing, dance and choreography, performance, music composition and sound, film and video, visual arts, and culinary arts. Applications are reviewed by a jury of alumni, staff, and outside experts, and artists are selected based on quality of work, commitment to practice, and project description. Please choose the application that best describes your work. Two artists may apply together as a collaborative, and should complete one application. Within each application you will be asked to select the session dates best for you. You may choose the family friendly residency only if you will be bringing your children. Family friendly applicants may select additional dates if willing to attend without your children.
Marble House Project does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations. For exact dates, more information or questions about the residency, visit our FAQ page. If you still have questions you may contact info@marblehouseproject.org.
APPLICATION FEE: $35
https://marblehouseproject.submittable.com/submit
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New Voices
Humanitas
DEADLINES / FEES:
Regular Deadline: April 1, 2021 ($75)
Extended Deadline: May 17, 2021 ($85)
INFO: In 2010, Executive Director Cathleen Young created NEW VOICES with the vision of discovering, developing and launching a new generation of talented writers under the mentorship of Hollywood showrunners and studio partners.
Every year, NEW VOICES selects up to six writers through a rigorous selection process. Candidates are asked to submit a script and participate in personal interviews. Once matched with a mentor, the writers have three months to further develop their script under their mentors’ supervision. After the script is honed, HUMANITAS sends it to a partnering studio or network executive. The winning writers are given recognition at the annual awards ceremony and are awarded with a $7,500 grant.
We are looking for well-written scripts with compelling stories and developed characters. Any genre is accepted as a 30-minute pilot, 60-minute pilot, or feature film screenplay. We accept only one application and script per year. To be eligible a TV writer can have experience up to and including "Executive Story Editor", and feature writers cannot have earned more than $25,000 writing fictional work for film.
TIMELINE
Announcement of semi-finalists and finalists: August 2021
Annual awards event: September 2021
A SIGNATURE HUMANITAS NEW VOICES STORY MUST:
Challenge us to use our freedom to grow and develop.
Confront us with our individual responsibility.
Examine the consequences of our choices.
REQUIRED MATERIALS:
One original 30-minute pilot, 60-minute pilot, or feature film screenplay (name redacted)
Logline
Brief synopsis (1 paragraph)
Depending on what deadline you submit your entry by, there is a different fee to submit to NEW VOICES. Candidates will submit payment with their application.
If you are selected as a Semifinalist, you must prepare:
Letter of interest (1 page, double-spaced)
Resume (no more than 2 pages)
Bio (1 page, double-spaced)