GEFO Short Screenplay Competition

Objective

The Greater Erie Film Office and the Greater Erie Arts Rental at Penn State Behrend Short Screenplay Competition is open to all Pennsylvania residents. This year’s screenwriting and filmmaking competition is themed immigration. Entry scripts must be the original work of the writer(s). The Greater Erie Film Office Screenwriting Competition is the first part of an annual two-contest combo. The Short Film Competition will be announced officially on June 8, 2016.

Deadline/Entry Fees

Rules

Qualifications: Open to amateurs only: Screenwriters who have not earned more than $25,000 writing fictional work for film or television. Entry scripts must be the original work of one writer, or of two writers who collaborated equally, and must be written originally in English. Adaptations and translated scripts are not eligible.

• One entry per applicant(s)
• All genres are accepted. Highly original material is a must.
• Screenplays must be submitted in English.
• Length (not including title page): Max 25 pages.
• Screenplays must be properly formatted, adhering to screenplay industry standards.
• Digital submissions in PDF format only to info@filmerie.com. Subject must state “Screenplay Competition [Your Name]”. Body of message must list entrants first and last name, phone number, email address, and title of script.
• Please include ONLY the title on the submitted manuscript to prevent reader bias.
• Rewritten/corrected pages WILL NOT be accepted once the entry has been received.

• No entry fee refunds.
• Script must not have been previously optioned, purchased, currently in production or previously produced.
• Scripts written as adaptations of other works must have secured rights before being submitted.
• Film Society of NWPA and Greater Erie Film Office board and committee members and Greater Erie Arts Rental at Penn State Behrend, Penn State, and Erie Reader employees are ineligible to participate in this contest.

• Visa, MasterCard, American Express and Discover credit and debit cards accepted for submission payment through PayPal at FilmErie.com.
• Please DO NOT send cash or checks.

Awards

• $500 (USD) Cash Prize.
• Winning script will be used by all entrants in the Short Film Contest where the Top 3 films will be screened at a November 2016 event.
• Presentation as winner during June 8th screening – FILM at the Erie Art Museum
• Recognition in the Erie Reader

• Recognition on the website and through a press release.
• Invitation for you and a guest to June 8th screening – FILM at the Erie Art Museum.
• Judging notes from each judge.