Nantucket Film Festival - Tony Cox Screenplay Competition
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About
The Nantucket Film Festival® (NFF) was founded in 1996 to spotlight screenwriters and the art of screenwriting in cinema. From its conception, NFF has been dedicated to the notion that the screenwriter's contribution is at the core of filmmaking.
For 29 years Nantucket Film Festival has celebrated screenwriters and helped give life to thousands of stories … and story matters more than ever right now. Our Tony Cox Screenplay Competitions recognize emerging writers in four unique categories. Finalists in each category are read by accomplished juries, receive top industry recognition, and participate in a Film Festival focused specifically on screenwriting that includes cash prizes for all winners and events with prominent filmmakers. The winner of the Feature Screenplay Competition will be awarded a position in the prestigious October Colony, Almanack Screenwriters’ month-long writer’s retreat with mentorship on Nantucket.
Additional Year-Round Programming and Writer Services include ...
Nantucket Film Festival and Almanack Screenwriters established Screenwriter Sessions in 2021 to provide a uniquely enriching experience for screenwriters from all backgrounds.
These LIVE – not pre-recorded – online sessions provide one-of-a-kind intimate conversations and guidance from some of the foremost screenwriters working today. The Sessions include interactive writing workshops and feedback from a rich community of peers. Throughout the program, participants generate new screenplay ideas, develop works in progress, and hone their craft with personalized tips and inspiration from the best screenwriters in the world. Each year we bring together an intimate cohort of participants, encompassing a wide range of emerging to mid-career screenwriters. Since the very beginning of this initiative, we have promised a rich, diverse, and inclusive community of writers and speakers. Our guest speakers in the past have included Charlie Kaufman, Nancy Meyers, Ken Burns, Lulu Wang, Nicole Holofcener, Sian Heder, Patty Jenkins, Stella Meghie, and many more.
The 4th installment of Screenwriter Sessions will take place on Tuesday evenings this winter, from February 6 - March 5, 2024, and will feature guest screenwriters whose works range from acclaimed indie films like THE STATION AGENT and THE BIG SICK to this year’s audience favorite PROBLEMISTA, to Oscar-winning classics like SPOTLIGHT, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, and JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH.
Visit us at screenwritersessions.org to learn more or register or follow us.
Benefits
The awards and benefits of the Tony Cox Screenplay Competition are as follows, per category:
Feature Screenplay Competition:
This prize recognizes an emerging feature screenwriter with a unique voice and a compelling story who demonstrates a commitment to writing for the screen. A jury led by Almanack Screenwriters will select the winner.
Winner Receives:
* A position in the October Colony, Almanack Screenwriters’ month-long, all-expenses-covered writer's retreat on Nantucket;
* $2,500 cash prize from the Nantucket Film Festival;
* VIP Festival Pass to all events;
* An awards reception during the Festival in the winners’ honor;
* Custom-bound copy of the script;
* Name inclusion in a press release and on the Festival website as a competition winner and finalist.
"Almanack was an extraordinary and incredibly special month that has changed me in so many ways, some of which I'm still processing. It completely reshaped my relationship with writing and challenged me to reevaluate and recalibrate my understanding of the craft. Lydia and Bill have created a truly special place- a wonderfully warm and nurturing environment, where I felt my voice as a writer was given an opportunity to blossom and grow. The intimate space allowed for deeply soulful conversations and moments with my peers and mentors that were nothing short of inspiring- and I've left with memories I'll cherish forever, and friends and fellow writers I feel blessed to now know." - Michael Lei, author of THE RIFT.
Finalists are recognized as one of the top three screenplays from the pool of submissions each year. The top three finalists are selected from a pool of 10 semi-finalists, and determined by the programmers and executive staff of the Nantucket Film Festival, in conjunction with our partner, Almanack Screenwriters.
FINALISTS RECEIVE:
* An awards reception during the Festival;
* Festival Pass;
* Name inclusion on the Festival website as a competition finalist.
Semi-finalists are recognized as one of the top 10 screenplays from the pool of submissions each year. The top 10 semi-finalists are narrowed down from all submissions by our reader committee, comprised of industry professionals, alongside the programmers and executive staff of the Nantucket Film Festival.
SEMI-FINALISTS RECEIVE:
* Name inclusion on the Festival website as a competition semi-finalist.
Short Screenplay Competition:
This jury prize recognizes an emerging short screenplay as the best from the pool of submissions each year. The jury, which reviews the top three finalists to determine a winner, is comprised of professional filmmakers and film industry professionals with original and diverse points of view.
WINNER RECEIVES:
* $500 cash prize from the Nantucket Film Festival;
* Festival Pass;
* An awards reception during the Festival in the winners’ honor;
* Name inclusion in a press release and on the Festival website as a competition winner and finalist.
Finalists are recognized as one of the top three screenplays from the pool of submissions each year. The top three finalists are narrowed down from all submissions by our reader committee, comprised of industry professionals, alongside the programmers and executive staff of the Nantucket Film Festival.
FINALISTS RECEIVE:
* An awards reception during the Festival;
* Festival Pass;
* Name inclusion on the Festival website as a competition finalist.
Episodic Screenplay (60 Min) Competition:
This jury prize recognizes an emerging original 60-minute episodic pilot as the best from the pool of submissions each year. The jury, which reviews the top three finalists to determine a winner, is comprised of writers, producers, actors, or executives from the TV industry with original and diverse points of view.
WINNER RECEIVES:
* $1,000 cash prize from the Nantucket Film Festival;
* Festival Pass;
* An awards reception during the Festival in the winners’ honor;
* Custom-bound copy of the script;
* Name inclusion on the Festival website as a competition finalist and winner.
Finalists are recognized as one of the top three screenplays from the pool of submissions each year. The top three finalists are narrowed down from all submissions by our reader committee, comprised of industry professionals, alongside the programmers and executive staff of the Nantucket Film Festival.
FINALISTS RECEIVE:
* Festival Pass;
* An awards reception during the Festival;
* Name inclusion on the Festival website as a competition finalist.
Episodic Screenplay (30 Min) Competition:
This jury prize recognizes an emerging original 30-minute episodic pilot as the best from the pool of submissions each year. The jury reviews the top three finalists to determine a winner and is comprised of writers, producers, actors, and executives from the TV industry with original and diverse points of view.
WINNER RECEIVES:
* $1,000 cash prize from the Nantucket Film Festival;
* Festival Pass;
* An awards reception during the Festival in the winners’ honor;
* Custom-bound copy of the script;
* Name inclusion on the Festival website as a competition finalist and winner.
Finalists are recognized as one of the top three screenplays from the pool of submissions each year. The top three finalists are narrowed down from all submissions by our reader committee, comprised of industry professionals, alongside the programmers and executive staff of the Nantucket Film Festival.
FINALISTS RECEIVE:
* Festival Pass;
* An awards reception during the Festival;
* Name inclusion on the Festival website as a competition finalist.