Deadline: Early deadline 31 March 2011, Regular deadline: 30 April 2011, Extended deadline: 31 May 2011
Open to: anyone who wants to submit scripts of 15 pages or less
Fee: depends on the deadline (between $40 and $75)
Award: $2.000
DC Shorts presents a different competition, a panel of judges consisting of filmmakers, screenwriters, and critics will review and provide condensed coverage (feedback) for scripts of 15 pages or less. A set of finalists (5–7) will be selected to be featured during ScriptDC — a weekend of screenwriting events and classes for DC regional writers and filmmakers.
Finalists are invited to attend ScriptDC (all registration fees are waived) and, with the assistance of local directors and agents, cast a live table reading of the script from a bank of actors. Finalists will have ample time to rehearse their table reading with optional guidance from a theater director. The readings will be performed in front of an audience, who will vote on their favorites. These votes, along with the scores of the judges, will determine a competition winner.
Eligibility
* Screenplays must have been completed after January 2009
* It must not exceed 15 pages in length, excluding cover page
* All non-English language screenplays must be translated and submitted in English
* A separate entry form and additional entry fee must be submitted for each script
Application
Send your script, as a PDF file, to scripts@dcshorts.com (files must be named in the following format: “WAB Confirmation Number”_“Last name of writer”.PDF (Sample: 85020_SMITH.pdf)
Each submission requires a separate entry form and fee.
Films can only be previewed on DVD (NTSC or PAL).
Fees
Standard Fee Student Fee
Early Deadline – March 31, 2011 40.00 (35.00*) 30.00 (25.00*)
Regular Deadline – April 30, 2011 50.00 (45.00*) 40.00 (35.00*)
Extended Deadline – May 31, 2011 75.00 (70.00*) 65.00 (60.00*)
Selection Procedure
- Scripts, submitted as PDFs, are stripped of their cover pages, and sent with 10-12 others to a local screenwriter or film director.
- Each script is read in its entirety and scored by each judge for strength of plot, originality, writing proficiency, ability to be produced on a budget of less than $10K, ability to be successfully read, performed, and understood by a live audience, and other values.
- Judges are encouraged to leave a substantial comment.
- The top 3 scripts from each judge are sent to the second round and reviewed by an additional judge and the festival director who may opt to make programming notes .
- At the end of the second round, a final lineup is chosen based on scores and comments.
Award
One script will receive $1,000 up front plus a $1,000 upon completion of the final film. The final film is also guaranteed entry into DC Shorts 2012.
