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Richmond International Film Festival Screenplay Competition
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About
The Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF) screens more than 150 cutting edge film premieres plus six full days of panels, events, mixers, conferences and music making it one of the Mid-Atlantic's largest international competitive festivals.
About RIFF
RIFF is well known for its annual mandate that at least 97 percent of its festival line-up comes from submissions. Over the six days, the festival also provides a series of industry panels, the FLOW Collective conference, industry mixers, Q & As, fellowship programs, red carpet parties, and more than 25 music performances, all of which usher the spirit of Hollywood into the beautiful historic city of Richmond, Virginia.
Multiple venues host throughout festival week including Bow Tie Movieland and Criterion Cinemas and the historic Byrd Theatre which USA Today has called the 1,300-seat theatre, "One of the top 10 places to still see a movie in splendor in the United States."
Richmond is a thriving arts, food, and craft brewery hub in the US, and has been consistently voted one of the best places for moviemakers to work and live in the country along with one of the top places for indie filmmakers to shoot their projects (Moviemaker Magazine). For more info on RVA: http://hipgreenscene.com/2015/06/richmond/
An inclusive and spirited festival designed to honor cutting edge filmmakers, the festival welcomes films of all genres and niches (features & shorts) plus music videos and episodic projects. RIFF also accepts screenplays (features & shorts) of all genres through its annual screenplay competition. The winning screenplay selection receives honors during the same week of the film festival. RIFF also overlaps music during festival week and offers opportunities for filmmakers and musicians to forge new working relationships.
With the aim of recognizing both award-winning veteran filmmakers and up-and-coming emerging talent, the festival gives a platform for all and works to promote its participating filmmakers and writers through various media outlets and partners.
In addition to many annual top honor film awards in each category, each year the festival awards outstanding merit competition platforms for select films that highlight social change and create awareness through the use of film. RIFF is well known for championing independent filmmaking year-round and providing a collaborative platform for filmmakers, writers, musicians, and fans to engage. *Note: If due to the pandemic the festival dates are impacted, the festival will not cancel the festival, but instead postpone or proceed with a hybrid model according city and state protocols. While impacted with postponements the first two years, we were thrilled to be able to bring a full festival for our audiences the last two years. Submissions are now open for the upcoming festival.
Prices & Deadlines
Sep 21st
Early
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Oct 15th
Regular
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Nov 15th
Late
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Dec 15th
Winter
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Jan 15th
Extended
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Mar 10th
Final
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Feature Screenplay
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$55.00
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$65.00
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$75.00
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$80.00
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$85.00
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$95.00
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Teleplay
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$50.00
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$60.00
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$70.00
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$75.00
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$80.00
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$89.00
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Short Screenplay
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$50.00
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$60.00
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$70.00
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$75.00
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$80.00
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$89.00
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Benefits
In addition to industry networking, and the many opportunities available festival week, several awards and prizes are also given out annually including Grand Jury Awards, Outstanding Merit Awards, Best of Fest awards, and Individual Merit Awards. All Access Badges are provided for the Official Selection screenwriters and filmmakers. In addition, RIFF awards:
Grand Jury Winners (Film) - This is awarded to the overall best feature film and short film. The best feature film receives $500 cash and the best short film receives $250 cash and special recognition trophy at the annual red carpet awards.
Best of Festival Award for Best Narrative (Feature & Short), Best Animation (Short), Best Documentary (Feature & Short), Best Experimental (Short), Best Original Teleplay, Best Music Video and Best Episodic Series. These winners receive a special recognition trophy at the annual red carpet awards.
Grand Jury Winners (Screenplays) - This is awarded to the overall best feature screenplay and best short screenplay. The best feature script receives $500 cash and the best short screenplay receives $250 cash and each receives a special recognition trophy at the annual red carpet awards. Additional top genre winners are awarded certificates in each main category.
Audience Choice Awards (Best Feature film and Short film) – These winners are voted upon by the festival audience. Each winner receives special recognition at the red carpet awards ceremony and an award certificate.
Individual merit awards are given and include Best Director, Best Actress/Best Actor, Best Ensemble Cast, Best Original Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Music/Score, Best Casting, and the annual Rising Star Award.
Additional Awards (Screenplays) - The following receives heavy industry promotion to A-list companies and various other agents and producers we work with, plus receive an award certificate if present at the annual red carpet awards, and free entry into all festival events: Top script in each of the main four genres (Horror/Thriller/Fantasy, Drama/Family, Comedy, Action/Adventure)
Official Selection and Top Screenplays - All Official Selection filmmakers and the top Official Selection 12-15 scripts (feature & short) receive complimentary entry into all festival events, VIP mixers, and more.
Outstanding Merit Awards – Given out each year at the festival's discretion. These awards are given to a writer or filmmaker who best utilizes film as a medium to create awareness, social impact/change, or bring a unique perspective to any one topic. These winners will receive: a Special Recognition Trophy. The Social Impact/Global Xchange Award – Given to the produced short film or script that highlights the use of film to create a positive social impact in the community or alternatively, the use of film to promote entrepreneurship as a means to create, synergize or maximize social capital in the community. This award acknowledges the efforts of those who are leveraging film to solve real community issues. The Legacy Award, Pioneer Award and Founders Award are additional recognition awards given each year by the festival's founder.
FESTIVAL EVENTS & ATTENDANCE Screening, networking, educational and industry events to take place at the historic Byrd Theatre, Bowtie Movieland and Criterion Cinemas and other venues throughout Richmond, Virginia. All entrants are highly encouraged to attend the festival. Official Selection films and Official Selection writers receive a complimentary All Access VIP Badge, and are invited to participate in various events throughout the week, panel discussions, and Q&As. If not selected as Official Selection, RIFF also offers discounted admission to the festival and FLOW Collective creative conference for all entrants who have submitted to the festival.
Announcements
Rules
RIFF accepts feature screenplays (over 40 minutes/pages), short screenplays (under 40 min/pages), original teleplays (75 pages or less), music videos, and episodic series (television or web). Please check appropriate length entry upon checkout and ensure you submit your project in the correct category.
Works in progress are accepted at the time of entry, however, a final must be uploaded to FilmFreeway no later than the final entry deadline and an email must be sent to our office alerting us at info@richmondfilmfestival.com. If a work in progress, please also notate that in your cover letter on the submission.
All entrants must submit their entry form and payment online then submit your film or script electronically through the submission site. If mailing, you must include your submission entry number, film title, and contact information. Address: Richmond International Film Festival, 3126 W. Cary Street, #605, Richmond, VA 23221. The festival is not responsible for submissions that are lost, stolen, or damaged in transit. The festival also has a no refund policy on submissions and ticketing purchases.
*The festival reserves the right to alter the dates at its own discretion due to seen or unforeseen reasons such as a pandemic or other necessary reasons. In the rare case any dates are altered, all submitters and Official Selection will be notified of the new festival dates once the adjustment has been made through the email address that the submitter provided to RIFF via their FilmFreeway application. Please note: the festival does not provide any refunds for any reason, including any changes made to festival dates, the schedule, ticketing, badge purchases, travel, or otherwise. In the case of inclement weather in Richmond, Virginia or any state of emergency due to ensuing or unforeseeable events or otherwise, the festival may also consider a hybrid model or postpone the festival to a later date but it would be within the same year permitting state and city approval.
All applicants (s) testify to be at least 18 years or older and warrant as the author of submitted material that they are the sole and exclusive owner(s) of all legal and equitable rights thereto with the full and exclusive rights to submit material to the competition.
If submitting to more than one category, you must fill out a separate entry form and submit the appropriate entry fee for each. We will accept collaborative writing work, however, each writer must fill out and electronically sign the online entry application and release form. If selected as a winner, it is up to the winners to split the prize money equally between them.
SCREENERS & DCP. RIFF must receive all submission material electronically through the submission platform. All preview media must be labeled with your entry number, film title, running time, and personal contact information including email address. If selected as Official Selection, most festival venues require a DCP and you will be notified as to what formats will be accepted for your respective venue.
If mailing any materials, please label the outside of your package: FOR PREVIEW ONLY – NO COMMERCIAL VALUE. Your preview material will not be returned, so please do not send master copies. When possible, please include your full press kit electronically through your submission. Do not send printed media kits or other marketing material via mail.
Submissions may not be withdrawn once completed, and entry fees are non-refundable. The competition is not responsible for submitted materials that are lost, stolen, or damaged in transit.
RIFF accepts film and all related submissions that have not been distributed publicly or shown in a public setting within 60 miles from Richmond, Virginia. A world premiere is not required. Should a film get a distribution deal or be shown within the 60 mile limit prior to RIFF's festival dates, the film will be disqualified from premiering at the Richmond International Film Festival. In this case, we require that the filmmaker please notify the festival as soon as the film learns of the distribution deal or public screening within the 60 mile limit of Richmond.
ONLINE SCREENER FORMAT. When submitting your film or script online, you must do so through FilmFreeway. For scripts, we also accept entries through Coverfly. All other sites are ineligible.
Non-English language films must have English subtitles. Final exhibition exports must be in a DCP format for all theatres.
Scripts submissions must be submitted in a PDF, preferred format. Other formats that will be accepted are Final Draft or Microsoft Word file. If submitting by mail, it must be typed in English, and printed on single or double-sided paper; it must be 3-hole punched with pages numbered; be headed by the title page, which includes title of work and WGA registration number if applicable; font must be 12-point Courier, Courier New or Courier Final Draft (please no exceptions). If the script is based on a true story, it should be noted on the title page. The festival reserves the right to disqualify the entry if the above procedures are not followed.
Applicant understands that it is their sole responsibility to copyright and protect their own submitted material. Submissions must be the original work of the applicant(s). We do not accept adaptations. Submissions may not be based, in whole or in part, on any other fiction or nonfiction material, published or unpublished, produced or un-produced that is not already in public domain. If it is in public domain, it is eligible for the contest.
Multiple entries are permissible but each entry must be accompanied by a separate signed entry form and a separate entry fee.
RIFF does not require a world or U.S. premiere, but the films that do may receive priority consideration in some cases. However, films must not have received distribution or a Richmond premiere of any kind prior to the 2025 RIFF.
Screenplay entrants must not have already received a prize that includes a 'first look' clause, an option, or any other quid pro quo involving the writer's submitted entry to the Richmond International Film Festival. If a screenplay becomes optioned or purchased between the time of submission and the end of the festival judging period, the applicant must notify us and that entry will no longer be eligible for an award. Entry fees will not be refunded.
All submission forms must be submitted electronically via FilmFreeway (films and screenplays) on or before the Early, Regular, Late, Final or Extended entry deadline, and the entry fee paid in full in order to qualify for the respective submission rate. Online entries may be submitted up until midnight Eastern Time on the final or extended deadline date. Any entries submitted or payments postmarked after the extended deadline will be disqualified. RIFF reserves the right to extend the entry deadline.
All entrants understand and agree that there are a diverse amount of story contexts and ideas, and in no way is RIFF or The Moving Image Xchange LLC responsible not now or in the future of borrowing or stealing from an idea, copy written concept, or storyline from an entry.
Entry fees are payable through FilmFreeway.
Each applicant will receive an e-mail notifying them of the competition results. It is the filmmaker and writer's responsibility to keep their personal contact information that is on file with us and the submission service updated and current. RIFF has no responsibility for correspondence that is misdirected as a result of writer(s) failure to provide us with current contact information. We also encourage entrants to add RIFF to your email address list to ensure email correspondence is not sent to spam or bulk mail.
All winners are responsible for their own U.S. income tax withholding. The festival is not responsible for withholding any taxes or payments to any government agency, at any level, be it state, local or federal.
Should an entrant win an award at RIFF, they will receive the award when present at the annual red carpet awards. If not present, it is up to the recipient to arrange their own shipping and/or creation of the physical trophy award via Fed Ex or another carrier.
Contest applicants must accept without reservation the decisions rendered by the Jurors.
RIFF does not provide exhibition screening fees. If entering the festival, you understand that if selected as Official Selection, the festival has the right to screen your project during the festival. Official Selection are responsible for their own personal travel and accommodation expenses, however, hotel discounts and VIP Access badges are provided to the Official Selection (up to 2 complimentary badges to features and 1 to shorts). All other key cast and crew are offered discounts during the advanced ticketing period.
RULES & LICENSING AGREEMENT Please read and understand the Festival Rules, Guidelines, & Licensing Agreement. By submitting your entry to the Richmond International Film Festival, you expressly acknowledge and agree to be bound by these terms. Failure to adhere to these guidelines or rules & licensing agreement will result in disqualification and forfeiture of an entry fee and/or eligible prize.
PROMOTION, PUBLICITY, MARKETING. Entrants permit the Richmond International Film Festival to use their name and/or likeness, contact information provided by the participant, title of the work submitted, its logline, trailer, and the Grand Jury results for publicity and promotional purposes. Through various phases of the judging process, submitted material may be exposed to a network of influential third parties and Jurors, but such third party participations are not guaranteed. The Richmond International Film Festival may provide, though not obligated, applicant’s contact information and submitted work to any interested parties, and turn all remaining correspondence over to you. RIFF does not attest to or guarantee the validity of any subsequent agreements between applicant (s) and said parties.
THEATRICAL SCREENINGS. The Richmond International Film Festival reserves the non-exclusive right to screen and showcase all submitted films during the festival. All ticket sales and proceeds are property of the Richmond International Film Festival.
INDEMNIFICATION. Applicant (s) indemnify and hold harmless The Richmond International Film Festival, its judges, The Moving Image Xchange LLC, affiliates, staff, sponsors and partners, individually and collectively, from and against all claims, demands, losses, damages, costs, liabilities and expenses (including legal fees) arising out of or in connection with any and all claims, or third party claims based on stories or films submitted to the Richmond International Film Festival.
DISPUTE RESOLUTION; GOVERNING LAW; FORUM. Entrant expressly acknowledges and agrees that the Richmond International Film Festival shall be entitled to injunctive or other equitable relief (an "Injunction") to restrain, prevent or enjoin any breach by a contestant under this film contest, and the contestant hereby waives any right to notice of any action or proceeding for an Injunction and consents to and accepts entry of an Injunction in any court which may have jurisdiction in connection therewith. The prevailing party in any legal proceeding brought pursuant hereto shall be entitled to recover all of its attorneys' fees and all other costs related to such a legal proceeding. Unless otherwise stated herein, this Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the United States and the Commonwealth of Virginia (without regard to the conflicts of law provisions thereof), and the contestant hereby submits to the jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Richmond County, Virginia. By submitting my project to the Richmond International Film Festival, I acknowledge that I have read, understand, agree to, and will abide by all the rules, terms and conditions listed above and in the rules, guidelines, licensing & release form.