Barnstorm
Barnstorm Fest
2021
Active Since 2014
The Grand Jury Prize winner chooses between $5,000 cash or a $5,000 screenplay option! Every script receives actionable and constructive feedback!
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About

BARNSTORM MAKES YOUR MOVIE.

Barnstorm is not just a screenplay competition, its goal is to help you develop your script for production. Every script receives feedback from an industry professional as soon as TWO WEEKS FROM SUBMISSION and finalists receive a one-on-one consultation with a feature film producer as well as heaps of other rewards. The GRAND JURY PRIZE winner receives $10,000 in cash & prizes, including a PROOF OF CONCEPT TRAILER PRODUCED BY BARNSTORM MEDIA.

At Barnstorm, we pride ourselves on helping our finalists and participants long after the festival is complete. We continue to work with and advise our participants on how to get their script made for as long as it takes. Barnstorm's ultimate goal is the preservation of independent film through the nurturing of independent voices.

Benefits

Every submission receives our renowned feedback from an industry professional. And this season, RECEIVE YOUR FEEDBACK AS SOON AS TWO WEEKS FROM YOUR SUBMISSION.

Every submission receives free filmmaking courses from Videomaker.

Every submission receives a free subscription to Videomaker magazine.

FINALIST PACKAGE 

  • Three finalists from each category will be able to pitch their projects directly to executives from Discovery Studios, Sony Pictures Entertainment Television, New Line Cinema, Warner Brothers, Echo Lake Entertainment, Relativity Television, CBS, WEtv, Authentic Entertainment, Forman Productions, Infinity Media Inc., Little Studio Films, and Leftfield Pictures, all via iPitch.
  • Every finalist also receives a one-on-one consultation with a producer from Barnstorm Media who can advise you on how to get your film or television show made, or, better yet, how to make it yourself.
  • One finalist from each category will receive an InkTip prize package. Each prize package includes an InkTip script listing and an InkTip magazine listing that will promote your script to InkTip's large network of producers and reps.
  • Every InkTip producer has been vetted via resume and references and demonstrated the ability to get movies made. Companies who are InkTip members include: ABC, Anonymous Content, APA, CBS Films, HBO Films, ICM, Paradigm, Paramount Pictures, Hallmark Channel, FX, Universal, WME, Echo Lake, Zero Gravity, Bad Robot, and 20th Century Fox. 
  • All finalists receive a prize package from Script Mailer, who will email your script to over 400 of the industry's top agents, including agents at ICM, CAA and WME.

​ GRAND JURY PRIZE 

  • One script, regardless of category, will receive the Grand Jury Prize package. The package includes all prizes offered to finalists, as well as $1,000 cash. AND BARNSTORM MEDIA WILL PRODUCE A PROOF OF CONCEPT TRAILER FOR YOUR SCRIPT.
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Coverfly Program Insights
Coverfly vets all programs on its platform, but not every program is right for every writer. Program Insights help you decide where to submit your work.

2024 Finalists on Coverfly

Top 6%
Feature  · Drama  · 117 Pages
An affection-starved young man on a diet of one-night stands doesn't quite know what to do when romance comes his way.
Bournemouth Film School graduate, specialised in Producing, Directing, and Screenwriting.
Top 2%
Short  · Sci-fi  · 12 Pages
In Victorian London, a woman's quest to prove her worth through the use of cybernetic upgrades unleashes her deadly alter ego.
Vancouver, BC, CA
TOBY MARKS is a neurodivergent award-winning writer who has worked in London, LA, and Vancouver and pitched to media companies across the world, including Netflix, Shudder, and Neon. She likes the 3 M’s (magic, mystery and murder) telling stories with math/science motifs about smart dynamic women in dark, ominous settings. In 2022, her horror-comedy...
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Top 1%
Feature  · Historical  · 115 Pages
During WWII, a bookish archaeologist embarks on a perilous quest behind enemy lines to hunt for a long lost treasure that the church has zealously kept hidden for centuries.
Ottawa, Ontario, CA
Dan worked in TV for over thirty years and he has always gravitated toward creative outlets. An award-winning songwriter, Dan is also a twice published novelist (“The Judas Apocalypse” & “Can’t Buy Me Love”). A natural storyteller, Dan will regale anyone who will listen to his tales of his days in broadcasting, his script ideas and how lousy th...
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Announcements

Dec 31st
Finalists
Dec 31st
Grand Jury Prize Winners

Rules

Rules 

  • Screenplays must be in English, formatted to industry standards and submitted as PDFs. 
  • Scripts submitted to the competition must NOT have been previously optioned, purchased or produced at the time of entry. 
  • Barnstorm's competition decisions are final. 
  • In the event of multiple writers, list all additional co-writers on title page. Please NOTE: Barnstorm divides awards equally among co-writers. 
  • Submissions that are 120 pages or longer may see a delay in the return of their feedback.

Terms & Conditions

  • I have read all of Barnstorm Fest’s rules and regulations. I understand and have complied with these rules.
  • I understand that if awarded, I have 15 days to claim my prize, after which the prize is voided.
  • I understand that failure to adhere to Barnstorm Fest’s rules will result in disqualification.
  • I am the sole owner and author of the submitted material.
  • Furthermore, I indemnify Barnstorm Fest, its affiliates, sponsors and judges of and from any and all claims, loss or liability that may be asserted against you or incurred by you or any associates, at any time in connection with said material.