By Kim Voynar Voynar@moviecitynews.com
Upcoming Fellowships and Contests for Screenwriters and Directors
If you’re a would-be screenwriter or filmmaker, chances are pretty good you’re either also holding down a day job to pay the bills, or constantly struggling to make ends meet … or both. Everyone’s waiting for that break that makes it easier. Here are some upcoming opportunities that you might want to check out:
FIND Fast Track
Deadline: February 27
Application Fee: $40
What it is: Access to three days of intense meetings with financiers, producers, agents and managers during the Los Angeles Film Festival.
Must have: Completed feature-length script (narratives) or detailed feature-length documentary proposal. No treatment-only for narrative submissions.
Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting
Deadline: Early Bird – March 15; Regular – May 1
Application Fee: Early Bird – $35; Regular – $52
What it is: Up to five $35,000 fellowships awarded; fellows are expected to complete a feature-length screenplay during their fellowship year.
Must have: Completed feature-length narrative screenplay.
Sundance Institute Screenwriter’s Lab
Deadline: Open now – May 1
Application Fee: $35
What it is: 12 projects selected for participation in the January Screenwriters Lab (the only open-entry point into the Sundance Labs). First or second feature films only.
Must have: Completed feature-length narrative screenplay.
PAGE International Screenwriting Awards
Deadline: Regular — March 1; Late — April 2
Fee: Regular — $49; Late — $59
What it is: Screenwriting competition with $50,000 in cash and prizes
Must have: Completed feature-length screenplay. Animation and musical scripts are accepted for this contest.
American Zoetrope
Deadline: Early — August 1; Final — September 4
Application Fee: Early — $35; Late — $50
What it is: Francis Ford Coppola’s screenwriting competition. Winner and finalists have access to studios and agents reading their script. Winner gets $5,000.
Must have: Completed feature-length narrative screenplay.
Hammer to Nail Short Film Contest
Deadline: Monthly
Application Fee: $30
What it is: Short film contest judged by a rotating panel of judges. Monthly winner gets fee waivers to a slew of major fests.
Must Have: Completed short film