Calling all Peace Region filmmakers! Announcing the Reel Shorts Screenwriting Competition! Write a script and win a production package of $2,500 to make your short film!
In an on-going effort to develop filmmaking in the region and to showcase more Peace Region films in the festival, we are proud to present this opportunity to Peace Region residents, current or past, who submit a screenplay (maximum 20 pages) by noon on Monday, April 29. There is no fee to enter. Only 1 script may be entered per person. Applicants must be 18 years of age as of April 29, 2013.
The winning writer must finish production of the film by December 31, 2013 to receive the $2,500 as reimbursement of production costs. Applicants are encouraged to use the $2,500 towards rental of professional camera and gear, as well as other costs that will increase the production value of the film.
Production must take place in the Peace Region. Post-production must be completed by February 28, 2014 so that the festival can include it in the 2014 program. Therefore, how producible the script is within these limitations will be considered in the judging.
For our purposes, the Peace Region is defined as the northwest watershed of the Peace River, encompassing an area as far south as Grande Cache and Fox Creek, as far north as High Level and Ft. Nelson, as far west as Chetwynd, and bordered on the east by the highway between Fox Creek and High Level.
Scripts will be judged on 4 criteria:
- is it a good story
- is it well written
- is it memorable
- does it offer insight into an unfamiliar world or a fresh perspective on a familiar one
The winner will be announced at 8:30 pm, Sat, May 4 before the Criminal Minds film package (party to follow).
The Reel Shorts Film Festival is a production of Grande Prairie Live Theatre. By awarding this prize, Grande Prairie Live Theatre does not acquire any rights to the script nor to the short film. Copyright of the script is retained by the writer. Creative control of the film is retained by the director.
Submission Rules
- The screenplay must be the original work of the applicant. If it is based upon another person’s life story, the applicant must attach a statement attesting to his/her right to make such an adaptation. Neither the Festival nor its judges investigate or attest to the authenticity of an applicant’s statement of authorship or rights.
- The screenplay must be formatted in standard screenwriting style. Consult any popular screenwriting text for assistance, or use a screenwriting software package such as Final Draft. Font size must be 12 point and in Courier type.
- Pages must be numbered in the top right-hand corner.
- The screenplay must be a maximum of 20 pages including cover page and be submitted as a PDF document by email to terry@reelshorts.ca by noon on Mon, April 29, 2013.
- The author’s name must not appear anywhere in the script in order to preserve anonymity in the judging process.
- The application form can be downloaded as a Word document here or as a pdf document here. Please fill it out and sign it, and submit a signed copy as an attachment to the same email as the screenplay.
Judging
Gordie Haakstad will judge the competition. He is a feature film writer and director who was born in Grande Prairie and now lives in Los Angeles. As well as judging the screenwriting competition, he will be presenting a workshop at 1:00 pm on Sat, May 4 called Editing for Filmmakers – Exploring the Final Rewrite.
Prize Rules
- The shooting script should remain true to the fundamental story contained in the submitted script notwithstanding that it is recognized and encouraged that the script should continue to be developed after winning this award.
- If a production budget is presented before principal photography begins, a cheque for $2,500 may be issued at that time. Receipts for expenses should be retained and provided if requested.