Screenplay Competition
Open Call Film Fest is dedicated to the discovery of new voices. We are inclusive in our programming, embracing and uplifting a wide range of identities, cultures, genres, aesthetics, and perspectives.
This competition includes scripts for Features, Shorts, and Pilots (1hr and 1/2 hr). Each section has submission categories to include, Narrative, Comedy, Thriller/Suspense, and LGBTQIA+.
Screenplay entries are reviewed by readers who have had experience in either one or more of the following areas: screenwriting, directing, film production, creative writing, film festival programming, film and/or screenwriting review and analysis, film, screenwriting, and/or creative writing education.
Screenplay Categories:
- Feature Scripts: 130 pages or under
- Short Film Scripts: 30 pages or under - 1-Hr Pilots: 75 pages or under
- 1/2 - Hr Pilot: 45 pages or under
Submission Deadlines
The following deadlines are the dates by which we must receive a completed application for your project via FilmFreeway.
Submissions open on Monday, 8th April 2024. Early deadline is Friday, 28th June 2024Regular deadline is Friday, 27th September 2024 Late deadline is Friday, 27th December 2024Extended Late deadline is Friday, 7th February 2025Early entry is encouraged but in no way guarantees acceptance. Awards and Prizes
Screenplay Winners in each category (Narrative, Comedy, Thriller/Suspense, & LGBTQIA+) receive monetary prizes. They will be recognized during the film festival.
Feature Script Winner in all categories - $100Short Script Winner in all categories - $501-Hr Pilot Script Winner in all categories - $751/2-Hr Pilot Script Winner in all categories - $50
Announcements will be made by Feb 5, 2024. OCFF SCREENPLAY RULES & TERMS - ALL SUBMISSION FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE - Please be sure to read all Rules and Regulations, Terms & Conditions prior to submitting your project. www.opencallfilmfest.org/thelegalstuff - All writers of submitted material must be 18 years of age or older - Entries must be in English - Submissions via PDF file only - All submitted materials must be the original work of the author(s) - Adaptations of prior works must give source material credit - Entrants need not reside in the U.S. - Decisions of judges are final - All material should be in standard screenplay format, set in 12-point Courier font. Pages should be numbered. - Submitting writers agree to hold harmless against claims of any and every kind, each and every employee, independent contractor, reader, analyst, system administrator, or officer of the company in perpetuity. - Writers may submit as many screenplays as they’d like to the competition, however, each script requires a separate application and payment. - Submissions must include the title, and author(s) - All screenplays are considered complete once they are received by the Open Call Film Fest. No revisions or updated copies will be accepted. - Except where legally prohibited, each participant grants permission to OCFF competition to use the participant's name, photograph, voice, likeness, and prize information for advertising, promotional, or other purposes in all forms of media, known now or developed later, worldwide, without further compensation, notice or permission. Anyone who submits to our competition is giving permission to OCFF to promote the writer whether they have won a prize or not. - By entering the Competition, the participant represents and warrants that (a) except for elements that are in the public domain, all elements of the script are wholly original and are not a copy or imitation of other material; (b) the Participant has the right to grant all rights granted to OCFF in these official rules and OCFF may exercise such rights without obligation or liability to any third party; (c) the script will not defame nor infringe the rights of any third party, including, without limitation, copyright, privacy rights, false light; (d) the script is not the subject of any threatened litigation or dispute that could give rise to litigation.; (e) Participant has not previously sold or transferred rights to the Script to any third party; (f) Participant has satisfied all eligibility requirements in these rules at the time of entry into the competition and will notify competition if circumstances change which would make participant ineligible. - By entering the competition, the participant consents to the use of any information submitted in connection with the competition as described in these official rules. - Please note that our festival may be filmed and pictured for commercial purposes; by attending the festival you give consent for your image and/or picture to be taken.
Submissions open on Monday, 8th April 2024. Early deadline is Friday, 28th June 2024Regular deadline is Friday, 27th September 2024 Late deadline is Friday, 27th December 2024Extended Late deadline is Friday, 7th February 2025Early entry is encouraged but in no way guarantees acceptance. Awards and Prizes
Screenplay Winners in each category (Narrative, Comedy, Thriller/Suspense, & LGBTQIA+) receive monetary prizes. They will be recognized during the film festival.
Feature Script Winner in all categories - $100Short Script Winner in all categories - $501-Hr Pilot Script Winner in all categories - $751/2-Hr Pilot Script Winner in all categories - $50
Announcements will be made by Feb 5, 2024. OCFF SCREENPLAY RULES & TERMS - ALL SUBMISSION FEES ARE NON-REFUNDABLE - Please be sure to read all Rules and Regulations, Terms & Conditions prior to submitting your project. www.opencallfilmfest.org/thelegalstuff - All writers of submitted material must be 18 years of age or older - Entries must be in English - Submissions via PDF file only - All submitted materials must be the original work of the author(s) - Adaptations of prior works must give source material credit - Entrants need not reside in the U.S. - Decisions of judges are final - All material should be in standard screenplay format, set in 12-point Courier font. Pages should be numbered. - Submitting writers agree to hold harmless against claims of any and every kind, each and every employee, independent contractor, reader, analyst, system administrator, or officer of the company in perpetuity. - Writers may submit as many screenplays as they’d like to the competition, however, each script requires a separate application and payment. - Submissions must include the title, and author(s) - All screenplays are considered complete once they are received by the Open Call Film Fest. No revisions or updated copies will be accepted. - Except where legally prohibited, each participant grants permission to OCFF competition to use the participant's name, photograph, voice, likeness, and prize information for advertising, promotional, or other purposes in all forms of media, known now or developed later, worldwide, without further compensation, notice or permission. Anyone who submits to our competition is giving permission to OCFF to promote the writer whether they have won a prize or not. - By entering the Competition, the participant represents and warrants that (a) except for elements that are in the public domain, all elements of the script are wholly original and are not a copy or imitation of other material; (b) the Participant has the right to grant all rights granted to OCFF in these official rules and OCFF may exercise such rights without obligation or liability to any third party; (c) the script will not defame nor infringe the rights of any third party, including, without limitation, copyright, privacy rights, false light; (d) the script is not the subject of any threatened litigation or dispute that could give rise to litigation.; (e) Participant has not previously sold or transferred rights to the Script to any third party; (f) Participant has satisfied all eligibility requirements in these rules at the time of entry into the competition and will notify competition if circumstances change which would make participant ineligible. - By entering the competition, the participant consents to the use of any information submitted in connection with the competition as described in these official rules. - Please note that our festival may be filmed and pictured for commercial purposes; by attending the festival you give consent for your image and/or picture to be taken.
