Screenwriting competition
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Dallas International Film Festival, Event Horizon Films, and Torfoot Studios have come together for the DIFF 2023 Screenplay Competition.
Among the prizes, award-winning filmmaker Johnathan Brownlee at Torfoot Production will produce and direct the winning short script for film festival screenings. Previous winning short scripts screened at Dallas Noir Fest, Dallas International Film Festival and ATX Short Film Showcase, and many others.
**The winner will receive writing credit and 10% on the backend from net profit, and finalists will receive Star Passes to the 2024 Dallas International Film Festival. Every submission will receive written feedback from our agency readers.
* Short script submissions should feature limited set locations.
* Stories featuring an adult only cast are encouraged.
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Click here to view the contest Rules & Eligibility and Terms & Conditions.
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A harsh Hollywood reality is that most scripts are lost in the slush pile. Those who are lucky to have their scripts read by a producer, agent, manager or studio head may never know whether it was given the infamous pass, consider, recommend rating. We break the mold by providing these ratings on ever feature, pilot or short submitted to our team of readers, as well as offering detailed feedback to improve overall marketability.
Advancing scripts are read and judged by Oscar winners, Emmy winners and/or blockbuster screenwriters.
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FINAL DEADLINE IS JUNE 18, 2023
WINNERS ANNOUNCED FALL 2023
All scripts are reviewed by readers currently working at top representation companies with the potential to get signed at any time.
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- William Morris Endeavor (WME)
- Creative Artists Agency
- Zero Gravity
- Artist First
- Innovative Artists
- Authentic Talent + Literary Management
- GVA Talent Agency
- And more
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judges
Each reader is an experienced industry professional (award-winning writers, producers, managers and agents) who will evaluate each script based on the strength of plot, characterization, conflict, originality, style, dialogue, pacing and current market potential. Scorecard will be provided after winners are announced.
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Aaron Rahsaan Thomas
Thomas Dean Donnelly
Producer, director, and award-winning TV and film Screenwriter
(S.W.A.T., Numb3rs and CSI:NY on CBS, Southland on TNT, Sleepy Hollow on FOX, The Get Down on Netflix, and Friday Night Lights on NBC)
Writer, producer
(Conan the Barbarian, Sahara, and A Sound of Thunder)
Brenda Chapman
Kelsey Scott
Academy Award winning writer, animated director, animator
(Beauty and the Beast, The Lion King, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Fantasia 2000, Brave, The Prince of Egypt)
Two-time Emmy nominated actress, and screenwriter
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(How to Get Away with Murder, 12 Years a Slave, Fear the Walking Dead: Passage)
Johnathan Brownlee
James Faust
Director, producer, writer, actor and Founder of Torfoot Studios
(Three Days In August, The Standoff at Sparrow Creek, Decoding Annie Parker)
Artistic Director
Dallas International Film Festival
Harry Hunsicker
Writer, producer, winner of the 2022 Script to Screen Competition
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((S)hit Squad, The Devil's Country)
Jessica Sharzer
Three time Emmy-nominated writer, producer, director
(American Horror Story, Nerve, Speak)
Prizes
GRAND PRIZE
FEATURE Luxury Oscar Party in LA 2024 Celebrity Shout Out DIFF Star Passes 2024 InkTip Membership _________________________ TV PILOT Luxury Oscar Party in LA 2024 Celebrity Shout Out DIFF Star Passes 2024 InkTip Membership _________________________ SCRIPT TO SCREEN optioned, Produced & Premiered Film DIFF Star Passes 2024 InkTip Membership
RUNNER UP
FEATURE Professional Feedback DIFF Star Passes 2024 _________________________ TV PILOT Professional Feedback DIFF Star Passes 2024 _________________________ SCRIPT TO SCREEN Professional Feedback DIFF Star Passes 2024
FINALIST
FEATURE DIFF Star Passes 2024 _________________________ TV PILOT DIFF Star Passes 2024 _________________________ SCRIPT TO SCREEN DIFF Star Passes 2024
Winners will receive a 4-month InkTip Pro Membership. As an InkTip Pro Member, thousands of filmmakers can find and read your scripts, and you'll be able to pitch directly to production companies every week. With over 3,000 options and 400 movies made, InkTip is the place for independent film.
Features
Early Deadline - January 15, 2023
Regular Deadline - February 26, 2023
Late Deadline - May 30, 2023
Final - June 18, 2023
From:
$105
Script to Screen
Final Deadline - To be determined...
From:
$85
TV Pilots
Early Deadline - January 15, 2023
Regular Deadline - February 26, 2023
Late Deadline - May 30, 2023
Final - June 18, 2023
From:
$105
what people say
Reader,
The Gersh Agency
Reading for the DIFF competition was all-around an experience I'd be happy to repeat--I read scripts from a myriad of voices and calibers. I felt like I was playing a part in helping some talented, budding screenwriters.
Screenwriter,
Nafi Ayvaci
It was my pleasure being a part of this competition. Being a Semifinalist in DIFF made me realize that even though the journey is indeed long and difficult, at least I'm on the right path.
Reader,
A3 Artist Agency
It was an honor and such a fun experience getting to review scripts for this festival. It was extremely organized from beginning to end and a great experience overall. Looking forward to working with everyone again in the future!
Script to screen 2022
winner
