Events Diary for Screenwriters – updated May 2013

Here’s a list of international events that might be of interest to screenwriters. Let me know in the comments if there are others worth a mention or you’ve got a view on any of those listed below. Also, scroll to the bottom for a list of regular writer meet-ups in London, Los Angeles and New York.

BAFTA Television Awards: London, UK – 12 May 2013

Cannes Film Festival: France – 15-26 May 2013

The Great American Pitchfest & Screenwriting Conference: Los Angeles, USA – 31 May-2 June 2013

Banff World Media Festival: Canada – 9-12 June 2013

Los Angeles Film Festival: USA – 13-23 June 2013

Edinburgh International Film Festival: UK – 19-30 June 2013

BBC Television Drama Writers’ Festival: Leeds, UK – 26-27 June 2013

Melbourne International Film Festival: Australia – 25 July – 11 August 2013

Hollywood Pitch Festival: Los Angeles, USA – 2-4 August 2013

Edinburgh Fringe Festival: UK – 2-26 August 2013

Media Guardian Edinburgh International Television Festival: UK – 22-24 August 2013

The Emmy Awards: Los Angeles, USA – usually August

Venice International Film Festival: Italy – 28 August – 7 September 2013

Toronto International Film Festival: Canada – 5-15 September 2013

Raindance Film Festival: London, UK – 25 September – 6 October 2013

Inktip Pitch Summit: Burbank, USA - 20-21 September 2013

The American Film Market: Santa Monica, USA – 6-13 October 2013

Warsaw Film Festival: Poland – 11-20 October 2013

Austin Film Festival & Conference: USA – 24-31 October 2013

Hamptons International Film Festival: New York, USA - 1-14 October 2013

BFI London Film Festival: UK – 9-20 October 2013

Screenwriters’ World Conference:  Los Angeles, USA – usually October

London Screenwriters’ Festival: UK – 25-27 October 2013

Leeds International Film Festival: UK – 8-22 November 2013

The Golden Globe Awards: Los Angeles, USA – usually January

Totally Serialized (British & French TV Series Festival): London – usually January

Sundance Film Festival: Utah, USA – usually January

The London Comedy Film Festival: UK – usually January

Berlin Film Festival: Germany – usually February

TV Writers’ Summit (Final Draft): Los Angeles – usually February

BAFTA Film Awards: London – usually February

SXSW Film Festival: Texas, USA – usually March

Atlanta Film Festival: USA – usually March

National Screenwriters Conference: Australia – usually February – biennial (next one 2015)

Screenwriters World Conference East: New York, USA – usually April

Toronto Screenwriting Conference: Canada – usually April

London Independent Film Festival: UK – usually April

Tribeca Film Festival: New York, USA – usually April

Sci-Fi London Film Festival: UK – usually April

Plus… regular screenwriter meet-ups in USA and UK:

NYCscreenwriter

Script Magazine L.A Meet-Up

Script Magazine New York Meet-Up

The North Hollywood / Los Angeles Screenwriters’ Meet-Up

The Scriptwriters Network (Los Angeles)

London Writers’ Cafe

London Comedy Writers

Off The Page Writing Group (London)

Scriptchat Tweetups (London & Los Angeles)

Enjoy!

Script Angel / LSF Mentoring Competition – WINNER

Congratulations to REBECCA HANDLEY who wins 6-months of script development and mentoring.

I was hugely impressed by Rebecca’s writing. The opening ten pages of her script combined exciting action and edge with strong characterisations and poignancy.  I’m very much looking forward to working with Rebecca to help develop her projects.

In addition, I have decided to offer runners-up DANIEL SUNLEY and KRISTINA DAY free feedback on a project (script or treatment) of their choosing.

The standard of entries was incredibly high and I was impressed by the strong writing style demonstrated by both Daniel and Kristina. I’m delighted to be able to offer my help to both writers.

Script Angel / LSF Mentoring Competition – Top 3

We’re delighted to announce that the top 3 writers are:

Daniel Sunley

Kristina Day

Rebecca Handley

We’ve been hugely impressed by the standard of entries so thank you to everyone who entered and congratulations to the top 3.

The winner, who will receive 6-months script development and mentoring with Script Angel’s Hayley McKenzie, will be announced later today.

Script Angel / LSF Mentoring Competition – Top 25

A big thank you to all the writers who entered the competition. It was great to see entries from across the world – as well as many from the UK we had writers from Switzerland, Canada, France, Australia and the US.

We’re delighted to announce that the top 25 writers are:

Amanda Duke

Annas Eskander

Carys Davis

Claire Yeowart

Craig Donaghy

Daniel Sunley

Dee Chilton

Gareth Meredith / James Merigan

Jason King

John Morrison

Jon Ryan

Katia Hadidian

K T Parker

Kristina Day

Leon Metcalfe

Liz Holliday

Maggie Innes

Mary Evans

Philip Miles

Rebecca Handley

Richard James

Simon Underwood

Stephan Burn

Tracey Flynn

Trina Grosvenor

The standard of writing was extremely high and many who didn’t make the top 25 still showed a lot of promise – so don’t give up!

Congratulations to the top 25 writers. I’ll be reading all those entries again and will announce the winner on Tuesday 7^th May.

Screenwriting Contests – updated May 2013

Check out these screenwriting contests and don’t forget to subscribe to the Script Angel blog to receive regular updates to this list:

Writers’ Couch (Cascade Pictures) – Deadline: 20 May 2013 – Screenplay 80-140pp. UK residents and unrepresented writers only.

BAFTA Rocliffe Comedy Forum – Deadline: 22 May 2013 (regular) – Comedy sitcom or comedy sketches.

Disney/ABC Writing Fellowship – Deadline: 31 May 2013. Applicants must be able to prove US employment eligibility.

Austin Film Festival Screenplay & Teleplay Competition – Deadline: 1 June 2013 (late) – Feature scripts 90-120pp, teleplays (original pilot or spec of existing show) 45-70pp, sitcom scripts 22-40pp.

Just Effing Entertain Me Screenwriting Competition - Deadline: 1 June 2013 (regular) / 15 June 2013 (late) / 1 July 2013 (extended) – Screenplays 90-120pp.

Screamcraft Horror Script Contest - Deadline: 1 June 2013 (regular) – Feature screenplays up to 140pp in Horror genre.

Warner Bros’ Writers’ Workshop – Deadline: 1 June 2013 (submissions accepted from 1 May 2013). Submit writing sample for one of their listed current shows. Successful applicants must be able to attend regular workshops in LA.

Fox-NYTVF Comedy Script Contest – Deadline: 3 June 2013 (submissions accepted from 20 May). TV scripts 25-35pp. US residents only.

The Quest Initiative - Deadline: 8 June 2013 – Opens for submissions 20 May 2013. Submit logline only.

The Industry Insider Television Writing Contest - Deadline: 15 June 2013 (regular) – complete their tv pilot kit.

Blue Cat Screenplay Competition – Deadline: 15 June 2013 (Early Promo Features Only) / 1 September 2013 (Early) / 15 October 2013 (Regular) / 15 November 2013 (Late). Accepting shorts and feature length scripts.

Slamdance Writing Competition -  Deadline: 25 June 2013 / 2 July 2013 – TV pilots up to 80pp, feature screenplays 90-150pp.

London Independent Film Festival Screenplay Contest - Deadline: 29 June 2013 (early) / 30 November 2013 (regular) / 1 March 2014 – short & feature length scripts.

Shoreline Scripts Feature Screenplay Competition – Deadline: 30 June 2013 - Feature screenplays 80-120pp, short screenplays 3-20pp.

Sir Peter Ustinov Television Scriptwriting Award – Deadline: 1 July 2013 – Submit 30-60 minute television drama script. Applicants must be under 30 and non-US residents.

Screencraft Comedy Script Contest – Deadline: 1 July 2013 (early) / 1 October 2013 (late) – Feature screenplays up to 140pp.

Screenplay Festival – Deadline: 1 July 2013 (regular) / 1 September 2013 (late). Feature length screenplays and teleplays over 60pp (no max).

Tracking B Feature Script Contest – Deadline: 28 July 2013 (early) / 1 September 2013 (regular) / 27 October 2013 (late)

Underwire Film Festival Short Script Competition – Deadline: 16 August 2013. Short film scripts only. Female screenwriters only. Entrants must be British or residing in the UK.

BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Forum: November Forum  – Deadline: 20 August 2013 (early) / 20 September (regular)

One In Ten Screenplay Contest – Deadline: 1 September 2013. Screenplays 90-125pp. Must feature at least one primary character who is gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender.

The Writers Place Screenplay Contest – Deadline: 15 September 2013 - Feature length scripts up to 130pp, teleplays/short script up to 45pp.

To look out for at a later date:

The Red Planet Prize – Deadline: usually May

Coming Up 2014 (Channel4 & Touchpaper Television)  – Deadline: usually July

BBC Writersroom Script Call - Deadline: usually Autumn

American Zoetrope Screenplay Contest - Deadline: usually September (opens for entries 1 June 2013) –  Screenplays 82-145pp.

Guiding Lights Mentoring Scheme – Deadline: usually October

The Launch Pad Competition (Tracking Board) – Deadline: usually November

4Screenwriting (Channel Four) – Deadline: usually November

Cinequest Screenwriting Competition  – Deadline: usually November

Fresh Voices Screenplay Competition – Deadline: usually November

L.A Comedy Shorts Screenplay Competition – Deadline: usually January – categories for short film script, feature film script and tv sitcom pilot script.

Hamptons International Film Festival Screenwriters’ Lab – Deadline: usually January

Writers Revolution Screenplay Competition – Deadline: usually January

Cinestory Screenwriting Contest - Deadline: usually February – Screenplay 85-130pages.

United Film Festival Screenwriting Contest – Deadline: usually February – Drama or Comedy or Horror/Thriller as Short screenplay under 45pp or Feature screenplay over 45pp (no max).

Comedy Central/NYTVF Pilot Competition – Deadline: usually March - Sketch/narrative/single camera sitcom and animated comedy. USA residents only. Pilot script plus 4-11′ pilot presentation DVD.

Scriptapalooza -  Deadline: usually March - Screenplays 80-140pp.

European Independent Film Festival Script Competition – Deadline: usually March – Short scripts 5-50pp & feature length scripts 80-130pp. Looking for scripts NOT aimed at mainstream Hollywood film markets.

Scriptwriter Contest from Overbrook Entertainment & ANA Alliance for Family Entertainment - Deadline: usually March – Comedy scripts 30″ & Drama scripts 60″. US residents only.

NBC/NYTVF Drama Challenge - Deadline: usually March. Looking for original tv drama series. Submit series overview, pilot script & produced pilot scene.

BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Forum: TV Drama May Forum – Deadline: usually March – Single dramas, mini-series, comedy drama and continuing drama.

Sitcom Mission – Deadline: usually March - Submit 15 minute sitcom script for tv, radio or stage.  Aimed at UK residents.

The Sitcom Trials: So You Think You Write Funny? – Deadline: usually March- Submit 10 minute sitcom script for tv, radio or stage. Aimed at UK residents.

The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards – Deadline: usually April - Short scripts up to 40pp, feature screenplays 80-120pp, TV drama pilots 50-70pp, TV comedy pilots 25-45pp.

Big Bear Screenwriting Competition – Deadline:  usually April -Screenplays 90-130pp.

Beijing International Screenwriting Competition – Deadline: usually April – Submit proposal for feature film, which must prominently feature Beijing as location. Open to anyone living in US.

Maison des Scenaristes – Deadline: usually April – Submit synopsis & first 5 pages of feature film (English or French language) project to win chance to pitch to producers at Cannes.

Edinburgh International Film Festival Talent Lab – Deadline: usually April. Open to screenwriters, producers & directors. Feature films only. Lab takes place June 2013.

Nick Darke Award – Deadline: usually April – Submit 750 word pitch for film, radio or stage play idea plus 20pp writing sample.

Sundance Screenwriters Lab – Deadline: usually May – Feature film scripts. US residents only.

Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting – Deadline: usually May - Screenplays 90-120pp.

Script Pipeline Screenwriting Contest – Deadline: usually May – Feature length screenplays.

Script Pipeline TV Writing Contest – Deadline: usually May – Any length script, pilot of original or spec of existing show.

Screenwriting Goldmine Competition  - Deadline: usually May – Film & TV scripts 45-120pp.

Save Our Scripts – Deadline: usually May - Pitch for project to be developed plus sample of previous work (feature script or two short film scripts).

Good luck!

Bold Reimagining or Pale Imitation?

Having read thousands of scripts and watched hundreds of films and television dramas I’ve found that classic stories appear over and over again. And that’s not necessarily a bad thing. We’re always hearing that audiences and producers want films and screenplays that are ‘the same but different’. So how do you deliver on the expectations of your genre, produce something recognisable and familiar enough to engage an audience and yet make your script feel fresh and original?

For me it comes down to your own personal take on any given story and being true to your view of the world. Lucy Hay recently wrote an interesting piece on Vanilla Screenplays which really rang true for me. You could give the same basic story (mythic hero or boy meets girl) to Quentin Tarantino, Nora Ephron, Joss Whedon and Diablo Cody and get back four very different screenplays. That’s not just down to differences in genre but in their world-view and strong sense of writing style.

The other key to making sure your screenplay isn’t just a pale imitation is to know what’s in the market now and what has gone before. If you’re going to pitch a television drama about a magician’s apprentice at least try to make it substantially different from ‘Merlin’. If you’ve got an idea for a film about a prostitute falling in love with a rich guy, make sure it isn’t just a pale imitation of ’Pretty Woman’.  Trying to make your idea feel different from what’s already out there is sometimes easier said than done and the first solution you come up with may not be the best. John Cleese gave a talk about Creativity and the advice that stuck with me the most was to give yourself as much thinking or pondering time as possible. Keep coming back to the problem and thinking of new solutions.

If you can’t find a ‘take’ on your story that feels distinctive and original, then maybe it’s not the right story for you. Don’t bin it, just put it away in that handy bottom drawer and maybe in the future you’ll find a very personal take on the idea that you and only you could write. In the meantime, be bold and imaginative not just in your concepts and ideas but in how you execute them.

 

Want free professional help with your script?

I love helping writers to develop their scripts, be it a feature film or a television show, and I know I’m really lucky to do it for a living. I don’t apologise for charging for my services and I think my testimonials and CV speak for themselves. However, I often get  approached by writers who want me to give them feedback on their script for free. If I said ‘yes’ to everyone who asked I’d have a full-time job earning no money and I just don’t have that luxury. But I won’t pretend it’s easy to write those replies – I feel bad when someone asks for help and I can’t give it.

So, a few months ago I got to thinking about how I could help someone who can’t afford to pay for my services. That’s when I teamed up with the London Screenwriters’ Festival and we decided to offer my services for six months as a prize to one LSF 2013 delegate. I could of course just pull a name out of a hat but I want to offer my help to a writer who I feel has the most to gain from it. We’re asking writers to submit a ten-page writing sample and a one-page outline of the project they want to develop. Check out the London Screenwriters Festival Mentoring Competition page for information on the submission process and what’s on offer.

So, if you want professional help developing one script over multiple drafts plus several other projects to treatment and advice on your screenwriting career then get your entries in quick. Deadline is just one week away – Friday 19 April.  Good luck!