There are a lot of screenwriting contests out there, so how do you know which contest is right for you?
Before entering any contest, consider asking yourself these questions:
- Who is the contest geared towards?
- Is the contest reputable?
- Does the contest have a demonstrated history of success?
- Do the prizes offered match what I most need to take my career to the next level?
- Does the contest have a panel of judges who are knowledgeable, experienced, and eager to discover new talent?
- Does the contest offer feedback on my work?
Who is the contest geared towards?
Our Short Film Fund is geared towards writers who are looking to have their short screenplays professionally produced.
We accept submissions from writers, directors, and producers worldwide for narrative short films (live-action & animation), web series pilots, and proof-of-concept shorts for TV series and features.
Is the contest reputable?
Our Short Film Fund has operated since 2016, and since then, it has funded 24 short films. The Shore Scripts team consists of writers and filmmakers with experience ranging from executive and assistant positions at production companies, studios, and agencies; to filmmakers who consistently work above and/or below-the-line on a variety of productions; to repped and produced screenwriters and writer/directors; and more.
Our Short Film Fund Manager, Julia Morizawa, has over 20 years of experience in film, television, new media, theater, and fiction podcasting. Her most recent project, DRAGONFLY (animated short film), premiered at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival, was awarded Best Animation at the Maryland Int’l Film Festival, Best AAPI-Directed Film at the Phoenix Film Festival, and the Audience Award for Best Animation at DisOrient in 2024.
Does the contest have a demonstrated history of success?
Many of our winning films have screened at some of the top film festivals in the world, including Sundance, Tribeca, BFI London, Austin, Cannes, Encounters, and Palm Springs. One even won a BAFTA!
Several of our winners have gone on to gain representation, sell screenplays, and develop their shorts into features and TV shows.
Do the prizes offered match what I most need to take my career to the next level?
Our Short Film Fund offers prizes in two categories: production and finishing funds. Prize packages for each winner have been carefully curated to help support the writer’s vision for taking their script from page to screen. Prizes include:
- $15,000 cash production grant
- $4,000 in finishing funds
- Free camera rental from ARRI Rental
- Mentorship with two-time Oscar-nominated producer Maria Gracia Turgeon
- Film festival strategy package with Tribeca-programmer Kimberley Browning
- Feedback from our esteemed judges
- And more!
Does the contest have a panel of judges who are knowledgeable, experienced, and eager to discover new talent?
Our panel of Award-Winning Judges for the production grant includes filmmakers, festival programmers, and former Fund winners. The Finishing Funds Winner will be chosen by members of the Shore Scripts team.
Does the contest offer feedback on my work?
Every script submission (for the Production Grant) will receive feedback from one of our readers detailing what is working in their script and one area for potential improvement.
The Top 5 Finalists for the Production Grant will receive feedback on their scripts from one of our esteemed judges. Finalists for the Finishing Funds will receive feedback on the rough cut of their film from an award-winning producer.
Writers may also elect to add coverage to their entry for an additional fee.
Learn more about our Short Film Fund to see if it’s right for you!
