Objective

We are looking for innovative and compelling storytelling, for characters that surprise and challenge you, for words that pop off the page, and for narratives that twist and turn like a country back road. This year we’re accepting both feature scripts and pilot scripts; you’re more than welcome to submit in both categories.

Deadline/Entry Fees

See website for short screenplay and pilot entry fees.

Notification: February 6, 2020

Rules

The Atlanta Film Festival Screenplay Competition is open to any writer from anywhere in the world.

Feature scripts and television scripts must be the original work of the writer(s). If the script is based on another person’s life, writer(s) must also attach a signed statement acknowledging and approving of adaptation.

No revisions or updated copies will be accepted once entry has been received.

Awards

QUARTERFINALISTS, SEMIFINALISTS, & FINALISTS

The ATLFF Screenplay Competition includes the top screenplay submissions in Quarterfinalists, Semifinalists, and Finalists lists. This practice is meant to honor those screenplays of merit that show promise and skill in the medium, but may not advance to the winning round.

SHORT FILM SCREENPLAY WINNER

ONE WINNER will be chosen in the short film category. This winner will receive:

• A cash prize of $250
• Travel stipend and 2 nights of accommodation to the 2020 Atlanta FIlm Festival
• A mentoring meeting with a short film filmmaker who has extensive experience with production and the festival circuit. This opportunity is designed to give our winners the chance to sit down and talk about the next steps for their script, discuss paths for jump starting or furthering their career, and develop a connection with someone who can serve as a mentor on future projects.
• An All Access Badge to the 2020 Atlanta Film Festival
• An Elite Badge to the 2020 Screencraft Writers Summit (please note that the summit is separate from the film festival and we do not provide lodging or travel to attend.)
• The opportunity to take part in a staged reading of a section their winning screenplay for the festival attendees. This reading will be conducted by Atlanta SAG/SAG-Aftra actors, which provides the invaluable experience of hearing your words brought to life in front of an audience of filmmakers, industry members, and general movie lovers.

PILOT SCREENPLAY WINNER

ONE WINNER will be chosen in the short film category. This winner will receive:

• A cash prize of $350
• Travel stipend and 2 nights of accommodation to the 2020 Atlanta FIlm Festival
• A mentoring meeting with a writer working in either the television or web series industry. This opportunity is designed to give our winners the chance to sit down and talk about the next steps for their script, discuss paths for jump starting or furthering their career, and develop a connection with someone who can serve as a mentor on future projects.
• An All Access Badge to the 2020 Atlanta Film Festival
• An Elite Badge to the 2020 Screencraft Writers Summit (please note that the summit is separate from the film festival and we do not provide lodging or travel to attend.)
• The opportunity to take part in a staged reading of a section their winning screenplay for the festival attendees. This reading will be conducted by Atlanta SAG/SAG-Aftra actors, which provides the invaluable experience of hearing your words brought to life in front of an audience of filmmakers, industry members, and general movie lovers.

FEATURE SCREENPLAY WINNERS

THREE WINNERS will be chosen in the feature film category. These winners will each receive:

• A cash prize of $500
• Travel stipend and 3 nights of accommodation to the 2020 Atlanta FIlm Festival
• The opportunity to participate in our annual Atlanta Film Festival Feature Screenwriter’s Retreat. This exclusive, all expenses paid program, offers our winners the chance to sit down with industry members and workshop their screenplay one-on-one during a two day retreat. Our mentors are all screenwriters who have worked in the industry, had festival success with their work, and earned major academic qualifications. This workshop is one of our most lauded successes and gives our winners invaluable experience that will help bolster not only their current screenplay but their future work as well.
• An All Access Badge to the 2020 Atlanta Film Festival
• An Elite Badge to the 2020 Screencraft Writers Summit (please note that the summit is separate from the film festival and we do not provide lodging or travel to attend.)
• The opportunity to take part in a staged reading of a section their winning screenplay for the festival attendees. This reading will be conducted by Atlanta SAG/SAG-Aftra actors, which provides the invaluable experience of hearing your words brought to life in front of an audience of filmmakers, industry members, and general movie lovers.