Screenwriting competition
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.
Click here to view the contest Rules & Eligibility and Terms & Conditions.
All scripts are reviewed by readers currently working at top representation companies with the potential to get signed at any time.
- William Morris Endeavor (WME)
- Creative Artists Agency
- Zero Gravity
- Artist First
- Innovative Artists
- Authentic Talent + Literary Management
- GVA Talent Agency
- And more
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.
FINAL DEADLINE IS JUNE 18, 2023
WINNERS ANNOUNCED FALL 2023
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, format, originality, style, dialogue, pacing and current market potential. Scorecard will be provided after winners are announced.
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
(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
((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
Finalists
Feature
DIFF Star Passes 2024
TV Pilot
DIFF Star Passes 2024
Script to Screen
DIFF Star Passes 2024
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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.
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