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 seven days in June, screenwriting and storytelling are celebrated with over 100 films screened, through our Signature Programs, and with the Showtime Tony Cox Screenplay Competitions, making NFF one of the most unique destination film festivals in the world.
SHOWTIME TONY COX SCREENPLAY COMPETITIONS:
Our Showtime Tony Cox Screenplay Competitions award over $7,000 total in cash prizes to winners, and include passes to the Nantucket Film Festival. Categories are Feature Screenplay, Short Screenplay, Episodic Screenplay (30 Min) Competition, Episodic Screenplay (60 Min) Competition.
Feature Screenplay Competition / Screenwriters Colony Residency:
In addition to a $5,000 cash prize, the Feature Screenplay Competition winner is invited to participate in a month-long writer's retreat on Nantucket in October through our sister organization, Screenwriters Colony. Screenwriters Colony is an invite-only retreat for four writers each year, featuring complimentary housing and meals, affording time and space for writers to hone their screenplays under the mentorship of visiting industry professionals. The winner of NFF's Feature Screenplay Competition is the ONLY public means of entry to the Colony.
Notable Feature Screenplay Competition winners to have been produced and distributed theatrically include: Debra Granik's DOWN TO THE BONE, Sophie Barthes' COLD SOULS, Jenny Deller's FUTURE WEATHER, Patrick Tobin's CAKE, and Stella Meghie's JEAN OF THE JONESES.
Episodic Screenplay (30 Min) Competition / Screenwriters Colony Residency:
In 2016, NFF and the Screenwriters Colony inaugurated an Episodic Comedy retreat in June on Nantucket. One of the four invite-only spots goes to the winner of the Episodic Screenplay (30 Min) Competition, again the ONLY public means of entry to the Colony. For two weeks leading up to the festival, four comedy writers enjoy complimentary housing and meals while they workshop their episodic comedy pilots, gain writers' room experience, and learn from visiting industry mentors. Selections from the workshopped pilots are presented as part of NFF, with retreat participants provided access to Festival programming and events.
Benefits
Feature Screenplay Competition:
This jury prize recognizes an emerging feature screenplay as the best from the pool of submissions each year. The winner is selected by an industry jury from the top three finalists.
WINNER RECEIVES:
* $5,000 cash prize from the Nantucket Film Festival;
* All-inclusive month-long writer's retreat on Nantucket in October with Screenwriters Colony;
* Round-trip domestic airfare to Nantucket to attend the Festival;
* Complimentary accommodations at the Festival;
* VIP Festival Pass to all events;
* Participation in Mentor's Brunch during the Festival;
* A Showtime-sponsored reception during the Festival in the winners’ honor;
* Custom bound copy of the script, courtesy of Showtime;
* Name inclusion in press release and on Festival website as a competition winner and finalist.
Our 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, Screenwriters Colony.
FINALISTS RECEIVE:
* Participation in Mentor's Brunch during the Festival;
* A Showtime-sponsored reception during the Festival;
* Festival Pass;
* Name inclusion on Festival website as a competition finalist.
Our 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 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 composed 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;
* Participation in Mentor's Brunch during the Festival;
* A Showtime-sponsored reception during the Festival in the winners’ honor;
* Name inclusion in press release and on Festival website as a competition winner and finalist.
Our 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:
* Participation in Mentor's Brunch during the Festival;
* A Showtime-sponsored reception during the Festival;
* Festival Pass;
* Name inclusion on Festival website as a competition finalist.
Showtime's Tony Cox Episodic Screenplay (60 Min) Competition:
This jury prize recognizes an emerging original 60 min 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 composed 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;
* One-on-one consultation with Showtime executive;
* Festival Pass;
* Participation in Mentor's Brunch during the Festival;
* A Showtime-sponsored reception during the Festival in the winners’ honor;
* Custom bound copy of the script, courtesy of Showtime;
* Name inclusion on Festival website as a competition finalist and winner.
Our 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;
* Participation in Mentor's Brunch during the Festival;
* A Showtime-sponsored reception during the Festival;
* Name inclusion on Festival website as a competition finalist.
Showtime's Tony Cox Episodic Comedy Screenplay (30 Min) Competition:
This jury prize recognizes an emerging original 30 min episodic comedy pilot as the best from the pool of submissions each year. The jury reviews the top three finalists to determine a winner, and is composed 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;
* All-inclusive two-weeks-long episodic comedy writer's retreat on Nantucket in June with Screenwriters Colony and NFF;
* One-on-one consultation with Showtime executive;
* Festival Pass;
* Participation in Mentor's Brunch during the Festival;
* A Showtime-sponsored reception during the Festival in the winners’ honor;
* Custom bound copy of the script, courtesy of Showtime;
* Name inclusion on Festival website as a competition finalist and winner.
Our 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;
* Participation in Mentor's Brunch during the Festival;
* A Showtime-sponsored reception during the Festival;
* Name inclusion on Festival website as a competition finalist.
Writer Success
Announcements
Rules
At the program's request, Coverfly will automatically remove your title page for you if you include one when submitting to this program.
MAKE SURE TO READ ALL ELIGIBILITY AND OTHER RULES BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR SCREENPLAY.
FEATURE SCREENPLAY COMPETITION ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
* Screenplays must be standard feature length (80-125 pages) and standard US format only; an additional $1 per page fee applies for scripts over 125 pages; entrants will be contacted by Festival staff to arrange for payment for page overage fees;
* Screenplays may not already have been produced or currently be in active production;
* While it is not mandatory that Screenplays have an official copyright, NFF strongly encourages writers to register for a copyright. NFF also strongly suggests writers register their script(s) with the Writers Guild of America. Visit www.wgawregistry.org for information on how to do so.
* Screenplays must be in English;
* Adaptations of previously published or produced material are accepted, but official documentation of rights to adapt the material must be available upon request;
* Collaborations are accepted, but please note that ALL PRIZES ARE AWARDED TO A SINGLE WRITER ONLY - ie, NFF would provide a single check made out to one writer; only a single space is provided in the Colony; and only one writer will be flown and accommodated at the Festival, even if the winning screenplay was written by a team;
* Screenplays must be completed and uploaded, with entry fee paid, by entry deadline.
SUBMISSION PROCEDURE:
* Screenplays must be uploaded through Coverfly;
* Screenplays must have a title page which includes only the project title. The applicant’s name MUST NOT appear on the cover or any other pages of the screenplay; all documents must be anonymous for submission committee. Screenplays with names on cover or any other pages of screenplay will be DISQUALIFIED;
* Keep records of your entry for reference;
* There is no limit to the number of submissions per entrant, provided that separate entries and fees accompany each submission;
* NOTE: The final deadline for this category is March 11. The February 12 deadline does NOT apply to this category.
ENTRY FEE:
* We accept payment via Coverfly's payment system;
* Entry fees will not be returned;
* An additional $1 per page fee applies for scripts over 125 pages; Festival staff will be in contact to make arrangements for payment;
* The Festival reserves the right to impose a $20 surcharge for returned checks for overages.
* Do not submit if you do not intend to pay the entry fee - your screenplay will not be read.
NOTIFICATION:
* Entrants will be notified by the stated Notification date.
IMPORTANT:
* The winner is expected to participate in the Screenwriters Colony retreat the month of October 2020.
* If a screenplay wins the Showtime's Tony Cox Screenplay Competition Award and is produced, we require the following credit to be included within the completed film's credits: “Winner, Nantucket Film Festival: Showtime Tony Cox Feature Screenplay Competition.”
SCRIPT ANALYSIS OPTION:
* Analysis will be sent to entrant approximately within a month after confirmation of your submission;
* Our Script Analysis readers come from our Screenplay Competition readers committee and are selected for their breadth of knowledge and experience in reading screenplays (at least five years professionally). The author of each individual analysis is kept anonymous and is therefore not available to speak by phone regarding your analysis. You may reach out to our programming staff at submissions@nantucketfilmfestival.org to discuss any questions you may have regarding your analysis after its receipt;
* All submissions received for Script Analysis Option will be considered alongside all other submissions for the Showtime's Tony Cox Feature Screenplay Competition.
SHORT SCREENPLAY COMPETITION ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
* Short screenplays must be 40 pages or shorter; an additional $1 per page fee applies for scripts over 40 pages; entrants will be contacted by Festival staff to arrange for payment for page overage fees;
* Screenplays may not already have been produced or currently be in active production;
* While it is not mandatory that Screenplays have an official copyright, NFF strongly encourages writers to register for a copyright. NFF also strongly suggests writers register their script(s) with the Writers Guild of America. Visit www.wgawregistry.org for information on how to do so.
* Screenplays must be in English;
* Adaptations of previously published or produced material are accepted, but official documentation of rights to adapt the material must be available upon request;
* Collaborations are accepted, but please note that all prizes are awarded to a single writer only - ie, NFF would provide a single check made out to one writer, even if the winning screenplay is written by a team;
* Screenplays must be completed and uploaded, with entry fee paid, by entry deadline.
SUBMISSION PROCEDURE:
* Screenplays must be uploaded through Coverfly;
* Screenplays must have a title page which includes only the project title. The applicant’s name MUST NOT appear on the cover or any other pages of the screenplay; all documents must be anonymous for submission committee. Screenplays with names on cover or any other pages of screenplay WILL BE DISQUALIFIED;
* Keep records of your entry for reference;
* There is no limit to the number of submissions per entrant, provided that separate entries and fees accompany each submission;
* NOTE: The final deadline for this category is March 11. The February 12 deadline does NOT apply to this category.
ENTRY FEE:
* We accept payment made through Coverfly's payment system;
* Entry fees will not be returned;
* An additional $1 per page fee applies for scripts over 40 pages; Festival staff will be in contact to make arrangements for payment;
* The Festival reserves the right to impose a $20 surcharge for returned checks for overages;
* Do not submit if you do not intend to pay the entry fee - your screenplay will not be read.
NOTIFICATION:
* Entrants will be notified by the stated Notification date.
IMPORTANT:
* If a screenplay wins the Showtime's Tony Cox Screenplay Competition Award and is produced, we require the following credit to be included in the completed film: “Winner, Nantucket Film Festival: Showtime's Tony Cox Short Screenplay Competition.”
EPISODIC SCREENPLAY (60 MIN) COMPETITION ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
* Must be an original pilot script. We do not accept spec scripts for spinoffs of existing shows. Must be the FIRST EPISODE ONLY;
* Electronic copy of your submissions MUST INCLUDE a season and/or series synopsis. One paragraph total summary is preferred; one page total summary is the maximum.
* Scripts must be standard episodic television length (42-60 pages for 60 Min category); an additional $1 per page fee applies for scripts over 60 pages; entrants will be contacted by Festival staff to arrange for payment for page overage fees;
* We do not accept scripts/treatments for reality TV shows;
* Screenplays may not already have been produced or currently be in active production;
* While it is not mandatory that Screenplays have an official copyright, NFF strongly encourages writers to register for a copyright. NFF also strongly suggests writers register their script(s) with the Writers Guild of America. Visit www.wgawregistry.org for information on how to do so.
* Screenplays must be in English;
* Adaptations of previously published or produced material are accepted, but official documentation of rights to adapt the material must be available upon request;
* Collaborations are accepted, but please note that all prizes are awarded to a single writer only - ie, NFF would provide a single check made out to one writer, even if the winning pilot was written by a team;
* Screenplays must be completed and uploaded, with entry fee paid, by entry deadline.
SUBMISSION PROCEDURE:
* Screenplays must be uploaded through Coverfly;
* Screenplays must have a title page which includes only the project title. The applicant’s name MUST NOT appear on the cover or any other pages of the screenplay; all documents must be anonymous for submission committee. Screenplays with names on cover or any other pages of screenplay will be DISQUALIFIED;
* Keep records of your entry for reference;
* There is no limit to the number of submissions per entrant, provided that separate entries and fees accompany each submission;
* NOTE: The final deadline for this category is March 11. The February 12 deadline does NOT apply to this category.
ENTRY FEE:
* We accept payment made through Coverfly's payment system;
* Entry fees will not be returned;
* A $1 per page fee applies for scripts over 60 pages; Festival staff will be in contact to make arrangements for payment;
* The Festival reserves the right to impose a $20 surcharge for returned checks for overages;
* Do not submit if you do not intend to pay the entry fee - your screenplay will not be read.
NOTIFICATION:
* Entrants will be notified by the stated Notification date.
IMPORTANT:
* If a screenplay wins the Showtime's Tony Cox Screenplay Competition Award and is produced, we require the following credit to be included on screen for the pilot: “Winner, Nantucket Film Festival: Showtime's Tony Cox Episodic Screenplay Competition.”
EPISODIC COMEDY SCREENPLAY (30 MIN) COMPETITION ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
* Episodic pilot scripts of any genre may be submitted, but note that they MUST prominently feature comedic elements which would benefit from participation in the Episodic Comedy Screenwriters Colony.
* Must be an original pilot script. We do not accept spec scripts for spinoffs of existing shows. Must be the FIRST EPISODE ONLY;
* Electronic copy of your submissions MUST INCLUDE a series and/or season synopsis. One paragraph total summary is preferred; one page total summary is the maximum.
* Scripts must be standard episodic television length (21-30 pages for 30 Min category); an additional $1 per page fee applies for scripts over 30 pages; entrants will be contacted by Festival staff to arrange for payment for page overage fees;
* We do not accept scripts/treatments for reality TV shows;
* Screenplays may not already have been produced or currently be in active production;
* While copyrights are not mandatory for submitted screenplays, NFF strongly encourages writers to register for a copyright. NFF also strongly suggests writers register their script(s) with the Writers Guild of America. Visit www.wgawregistry.org for information on how to do so.
* Screenplays must be in English;
* Adaptations of previously published or produced material are accepted, but official documentation of rights to adapt the material must be available upon request;
* Collaborations are accepted, but please note that all prizes are awarded to a single writer only - ie, NFF would provide a single check made out to one writer; only a single space is provided in the Colony, etc, even if the winning screenplay was written by a team;
* Screenplays must be completed and uploaded, with submission fee paid, by entry deadline.
SUBMISSION PROCEDURE:
* Screenplays must be uploaded through Coverfly;
* Screenplays must have a title page which includes only the project title. The applicant’s name MUST NOT appear on the cover or any other pages of the screenplay; all documents must be anonymous for submission committee. Screenplays with names on cover or any other pages of screenplay WILL BE DISQUALIFIED;
* Keep records of your entry for reference;
* There is no limit to the number of submission per entrant, provided that separate entries and fees accompany each submission;
* NOTE: The final deadline for this category is February 12. The March 11 deadline does NOT apply to this category.
ENTRY FEE:
* We accept payment made through Coverfly's payment system;
* Entry fees will not be returned;
* An additional $1 per page fee applies for scripts over 30 pages; Festival staff will be in contact to make arrangements for payment via credit card or personal check;
* The Festival reserves the right to impose a $20 surcharge for returned checks for overages;
* Do not submit if you do not intend to pay the entry fee - your screenplay will not be read.
NOTIFICATION:
* Entrants will be notified by the stated Notification date.
IMPORTANT:
* The winner is expected to participate in the Episodic Comedy Screenwriters Colony retreat the month of June 2020, and workshop the winning pilot screenplay.
* If a screenplay wins Showtime's Tony Cox Screenplay Competition Award and is produced, we ask for the following credit to be included on screen for the pilot: “Winner, Nantucket Film Festival: Showtime's Tony Cox Episodic Comedy Screenplay Competition.”
I acknowledge and agree as follows:
1. I have read, understood and complied with all eligibility requirements of the categories for which I would like this screenplay to be considered;
2. To the best of my knowledge, all of the statements in this document are true;
3. This screenplay is not subject to litigation nor is threatened by any litigation;
4. I am duly authorized to submit this screenplay to the Festival and its Competition;
5. I certify that I hold all necessary rights for this submission and accept the regulations of the Nantucket Film Festival.
