The Seattle International Film Festival (SIFF) has introduced a feature-length screenplay competition as part of its Catalyst Program. The new competition will give emerging writers a chance to gain industry exposure through SIFF’s Catalyst Program alumni network as well as a chance to have their work read live during SIFF’s 2016 Catalyst Weekend.
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“Expanding our Catalyst First Draft program into a screenplay competition aimed at connecting up and coming filmmakers with emerging writers is a great way for SIFF to both deepen and expand our relationships with the most exciting, and, in many cases, as yet undiscovered, new voices in U.S. independent cinema,” said Carl Spence, SIFF’s Artistic Director, in a statement.
The SIFF Catalyst Screenplay Competition will connect strong scripts with independent directors and producers who are alumni of the SIFF Catalyst Festival Program.
“Knowing the struggle that all unrepresented writers face to get their script noticed, we’ve focused our prizes on helping make connections in real, tangible ways, while also taking steps to further cultivate and nurture the growing community of SIFF Catalyst filmmakers around the country,” said J. Brad Wilke, SIFF Catalyst Programmer and Screenplay Competition Manager.
Each submitted screenplay will receive at least one page of written feedback from SIFF’s team of trained screenplay readers. Finalist scripts will be read (and further adjudicated) by a panel of film industry members, with the semifinalist and grand prize-winning scripts handed over to Catalyst alumni (filmmakers, actors, and producers), all of whom have screened feature films at SIFF in the past and maintain an active and engaged presence in the indie film community.
The Grand Prize Winner will receive a live script reading during SIFF 2016 Catalyst Weekend and an invitation to SIFF 2016 (including domestic airfare and two nights hotel).
The early bird deadline is November 15, 2015 and the late deadline is January 16, 2016. Visit the SIFF Catalyst Screenplay Competition page on the SIFF website for additional details and script submission information.
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