Barnstorm
Barnstorm Fest
2022
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 is not just a screenplay competition, its goal is to help you develop your script for production. Every script receives actionable and constructive 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 designed to help you get your film produced. The GRAND JURY PRIZE winner receives $2500!

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 feedback from an industry professional.

FINALIST PACKAGE

Three finalists will be awarded from each category.

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.

All finalists will have have their screenplays pitched to the network of producers at Unsolicited Scripts.

All finalists 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, and CBS, all via iPitch.

Every finalist receives a one-on-one consultation with a producer from Barnstorm Media who can advise you on how to get your film or pilot made, or, better yet, how to make it yourself.

One finalist from each category will receive a consolation with Coverfly's Writer Development Team.

One finalist from each category will receive a 4-month InkTip Pro Membership. As an InkTip Pro Member, thousands of filmmakers can find and read your scripts, and you'll be able to pitch directly to production companies every week. With over 3,000 options and 400 movies made, InkTip is the place for independent film. Companies who are InkTip members include: ABC, Anonymous Content, APA, CBS Films, HBO Films, ICM, Paradigm, Paramount Pictures, Hallmark Channel, FX, Universal, WME, Bad Robot, and 20th Century.

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 $2,500 USD!
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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

Jan 27th
The Short List - Features
Jan 31st
Finalists
Jan 31st
Grand Jury Prizes

Rules

Rules
1. Screenplays must be in English, formatted to industry standards and submitted as PDFs.
2. Scripts submitted to the competition must NOT have been previously optioned, purchased or produced at the time of entry.
3. Barnstorm's competition decisions are final.
4. In the event of multiple writers, list all additional co-writers on title page. Please NOTE: Barnstorm divides awards equally among co-writers.
5. 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 one week 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.

If chosen as an AWARD winner, I give Barnstorm Fest a Non-exclusive, Worldwide, Royalty Free license to use excerpts of my media and biographical information for advertising or promotional purposes, including, without limitation, the right of display, reproduction, and distribution on barnstormfest.com or its social media outlets.