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Submission Opportunities for Women in Theatre
(previously known as Theatre Funding Newsletter)
For full #StageOpps Listings please scroll
or click links below for specific listings
Project Submissions
Script Submissions
Onstage
BackSTAGE
Funding
Residencies
Other Resources
If you are a longtime recipient of #StageOpps and #ScreenOpps,
you know that they started as the Funding Newsletters,
brought to you by WomenArts, who still support the ongoing production of these opportunities as well as our Funding Resources pages.
WomenArts' founder and president, Martha Richards,
received the 2020 Elsa Rael VintAge Award
(for Advocacy for Women in the Arts & Media as They Age) from us
on Zoom Saturday, November 14, 2020.
Check out our VintAge page for more info.
Project Submissions
Playwrights First
Founded in 1993 by Carolyn French, a highly successful literary agent, Playwrights First is an organization which recognizes, rewards and advances playwrights of unusual promise. The judges of our annual contest are actors, directors, producers, playwrights, teachers, authors, journalists, lawyers and business people. We believe that drama is a literary form that is fully realized in performance. In this respect, our mission to support playwrights extends beyond the boundaries of our annual Best New Play Award. We encourage award recipients and finalists alike to develop their work and we actively seek additional opportunities for advancement on their behalf.
o Deadline: September 30
o Application Fee: No Fee
o Eligibility: Imagination and originality in both style and subject or point of view.
Characters that intrigue and move us.
A compelling action revealing the human condition.
Theatricality inherent in the above.
One, single full-length play per playwright in English from anywhere in the world.
Not produced full-scale prior to submission. Readings, workshops, and college productions are acceptable.
No joint authorships, adaptations, translations, musicals, or shorts.
$1,000 first place.
Award listing of playwright and play title on our website.
Professional reading in NYC when feasible.
o Categories: Plays
o Contact: In a single email provide the following 3 documents described below (Items A, B & C). Please make sure each document is its own separate PDF document, and include all 3 PDFs in the same email (as file attachments) to: Playwrightsfirst1st@gmail.com
Nomad Theater
Nomad Theatre seeks 6-10 short plays to be a part of our upcoming show, Down on Honey Dew Acres in May 2026. Submissions will open on August 11th and close on January 1st, 2026 at midnight. Selected playwrights will receive notification by April 7th, 2026. If you have not received notification from us by that date, we did not choose you for the production. Down on Honey DEW Acres will blend immersive storytelling with the laid-back spirit of farm life. Selected plays must take place in a cedar barn on a real Central Illinois farm: Honey DEW Acres. We encourage you to use the space creatively. They must be unpublished and unproduced at the time of submission.
o Deadline: January 1
o Application Fee: No Fee
o Eligibility: 1 submission per playwright.
8-15 pages long (or about ten minutes in length)
Formatted using the Dramatist Guild Guidelines: https://www.dramatistsguild.com/sites/default/files/2020-01/General-SFI-Formatting-Guidelines-Complete.pdf
Cover page should include title, playwright’s name, contact information, brief synopsis, and character descriptions.
Playwright’s name MUST NOT appear on any other pages.
Pages should be numbered.
Minimum of 1, maximum of 4 actors (characters may be double cast)
Must take place in a barn.
No musicals.
o Categories: 10 Minute Plays
o Contact: If you have questions or need any accommodations for submission, please email nomadtheatre@gmail.com
The Richard Rodgers Awards 2026
The Richard Rodgers Awards were created and endowed by Richard Rodgers in 1978 for the development of the musical theater. These awards subsidize full productions, studio productions, and staged readings by nonprofit theaters in New York City of works by composers and writers who are not already established in this field. The winners are selected by a jury of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. The Richard Rodgers Awards are the only awards for which the Academy accepts applications.
o When/Where: New York, NY
o Deadline: October 31
o Application Fee: No Fee
o Eligibility: The name(s) of the author(s) must not appear on any of the items submitted, with the exception of the application form. Include only the title of the work on the script and plot summary. Please be sure author names are not included in music file metadata.
Entry must include:Script with lyrics, in PDF format.
Half-page synopsis of the action and a list of characters, in PDF format.
A separate track sheet (PDF) of recorded songs with page numbers indicating where they appear in the script and specifying the total number of minutes recorded.
At least 45 minutes of music, including a minimum of eight songs. Orchestrations are not necessary; piano and vocals are sufficient. Songs must be numbered in sequence (e.g. 01 Song Title.mp3) and each song’s lyrics clearly typed into the script where it appears. Tracks must be uploaded in the order they appear in the script.
Application form signed by all collaborators (see below). Applicants submitting work that has already been produced must give full information concerning these productions, including programs. A work is not eligible if one of the collaborators is deceased.
If applicable, a statement of intent declaring how the applicants would use the award if their musical is a winner. If the piece is already attached to producers or a theater, even if tentative, these associations must be declared here.
If the submitted work (or a portion thereof) is an adaptation of material which is not in the public domain, candidates must submit licenses, permissions, or authorizations necessary to permit the work to be produced in conformity with applicable copyright laws. The music must be original.
Applicants will be notified of the jury's decision by March 2023.
o Categories: Musicals
o Contact: 212-368-5900
Fade to Black
“FADE TO BLACK” PLAY FESTIVAL SCRIPT SUBMISSIONS FOR 10-MINUTE PLAYS Building on the growing success and popularity of our previous years, Shabach Enterprise presents its 14th season of the Fade To Black Play Festival, Houston's only short play festival celebrating the new works of African American playwrights.
o Deadline: September 30
o Application Fee: No Fee
o Eligibility:Playwright must be the sole author of the submitted work.
Playwright must publicly and openly identify themselves as African-American, Black, or of the African diaspora.
Previously published or produced work by the author or theatre/company is not allowed (See definitions below).
Play must run no longer than 10 minutes long on stage, but no shorter than 8 minutes. (Conduct informal readings to ensure).
Play should accommodate a “bare-stage” set requiring only a minimum of removable stage props and require basic lighting and sound cues.
Play must not be a musical.
Play must not be written for children or youth.
Play must not contain characters that are under 17 years old.
Play must not be a re-submission of previous Fade To Black play festival seasons. (Your play(s) must not be work that had been submitted to us in the past.)
Play must not be considered a translation or adaptation.
Play must not be a film. Screenplays/Scripts written for television or cinema will not be accepted.
Play should be "stand-alone", a separate body of work that has not been extracted from a larger, previously written play.
Author must be at least 18 years of age.
Play must be submitted in a PDF format.
o Categories: 10 Minute Plays
The Dramatic Question Theatre: Playtime
DQT's mission is to develop and present work by BIPoC and Female-identifying writers; concurrently, cultivate and maintain a diverse audience who is in routine discourse with them. DQT envisions an American theatre wherein the population of professionally produced playwrights is as diverse as America. PLAYTIME is a new play development and presentation program that centralizes Female-identifying or BIPoC playwrights with early drafts of plays. This program is for playwrights who already have a full draft of a play.
o Deadline: September 2
o Application Fee: Free
o Eligibility: To be eligible for, you must be BIPoC or Female-identifying, have an early draft of a play, and submit the required materials by deadline. Additionally, participants must be able to attend all 8 sessions in their entirety
o Categories: Plays
The Dramatic Question Theatre: Classics in Color
DQT's mission is to develop and present work by BIPoC and Female-identifying writers; concurrently, cultivate and maintain a diverse audience who is in routine discourse with them. DQT envisions an American theatre wherein the population of professionally produced playwrights is as diverse as America. CLASSICS IN COLOR is a new play development and presentation program that centralizes BIPoC playwrights with early drafts of plays which combine the BIPoC lived experience with narratives from the Global Canon. This program is for playwrights who already have a full draft of a play that fits this description.
o Deadline: September 2
o Application Fee: Free
o Eligibility: To be eligible for, you must be BIPoC or Female-identifying, have an early draft of a play, and submit the required materials by deadline. Additionally, participants must be able to attend all 8 sessions in their entirety
o Categories: Plays
The Dramatic Question Theatre: American Woman
DQT's mission is to develop and present work by BIPoC and Female-identifying writers; concurrently, cultivate and maintain a diverse audience who is in routine discourse with them. DQT envisions an American theatre wherein the population of professionally produced playwrights is as diverse as America.AMERICAN WOMAN is a solo show development and presentation program that centralizes Female-identifying writers living in the United States. This program is for playwrights who already have a full draft of a solo show.
o Deadline: September 2
o Application Fee: Free
o Eligibility: To be eligible for, you must be BIPoC or Female-identifying, have an early draft of a play, and submit the required materials by deadline. Additionally, participants must be able to attend all 8 sessions in their entirety
o Categories: Plays
Blackboard Plays - Reading Series Submission
Founded in 2008, Blackboard Plays has been devoted to Black Playwrights throughout the African Diaspora.
o Deadline: None Given
o Application Fee: Free
o Eligibility: Black Playwrights Submit up to 10 pages in consideration for a Feature reading. A Feature and a Community Night are the two main ways to have your work supported by Blackboard. Those not selected for a feature, are encouraged to attend a community night, which is structured like an Open Mic Night for Playwrights, where up to 10 pages is cold-read by Actors in person or on Zoom (During COVID-19 Social Distancing Practices).
o Categories: Short Plays, Plays
Peach Theatre and Film Festival
The PEACH Theatre and Film Intl. Festival is a unique and rare experience that merge two beautiful genres of arts and entertainment. Both theatre and film, showcasing a series of short films and selected plays, in one of the world's most famous cities, internationally known for being the home of entertainment. Los Angeles, California. Our mission is to select films and plays based on content, quality, and merit. It is also our volition to honor the creatives selected, with integrity and respect for their hard work, discipline and sacrifice to get their productions completed and ready for display. As playwrights, filmmakers and entertainment professionals ourselves, we understand what it takes, and for that reaso
o When/Where: November 12
o Deadline: April 5 (Early Bird Deadline), June 10 (Regular Deadline), September 30 (Late Deadline)
o Application Fee: $35-$55
o Eligibility: All entries must be uploaded in PDF format. (www.freepdfconvert.com)
All entries must be submitted in English, formatted in 12-point courier font.
You may submit your entry via FilmFreeway. No preference will be given to either method of submission.
Entries must be received by the applicable Entry Deadline.
NEW YORK SCREENWRITING AWARDS will not share your screenplay with anyone except the official judges of the competition.
By entering the NEW YORK SCREENWRITING AWARDS you represent that your entry is your original work, and does not infringe on the copyright or other rights of other people.
Entry fees are non-refundable.
We do not accept hardcopy submissions by mail.
The decisions of the judges are final.
NEW YORK SCREENWRITING AWARDS reserves the right to make any necessary changes, postponements, or cancellations to event scheduling at our discretion.
o Categories: Feature, Short, Animated, Documentary
NYLonFusion
We are accepting new works for our 2025/ 2026 This Round’s On Us festivals, each of which will focus on certain broad eras.(see below). But the plays do not necessarily have to be set in these time periods, but they should at least be informed by the social, cultural and/or political happenings of the time. Whether you find inspiration in the movies, music or theater of a particular era, the major events that formed the historical narrative or which have been ignored by history, or the everyday lives of people in the bygone days of the not-so-long-ago, you can send your 10-minute play to NyLonFusion@gmail.com
o Deadline: The Gilded Age/Cage Deadline: February 15th, 2025. (Festival June 27-28), The New Deal Deadline: June, 1, 2025, The Great Society Deadline November 12, 2025
o Application Fee: No Fee
o Eligibility: Each submission should be no longer than ten pages or approximately 10 minutes in length. Not have been previously produced. To be considered This Round's On Us please submit/email the following: A cover letter, brief synopsis, resume and full script to nylonsubmissions@gmail.com Please be specific as to which project you are submitting to. Write on the SUBJECT LINE For example: This Round’s On Us: The Gilded Age/ Cage.
o Categories: Short Plays
o Contact: NyLonFusion@gmail.com
Blackboard Plays - Reading Series Submission
Founded in 2008, Blackboard Plays has been devoted to Black Playwrights throughout the African Diaspora.
o Deadline: None Given
o Application Fee: Free
o Eligibility: Black Playwrights Submit up to 10 pages in consideration for a Feature reading. A Feature and a Community Night are the two main ways to have your work supported by Blackboard. Those not selected for a feature, are encouraged to attend a community night, which is structured like an Open Mic Night for Playwrights, where up to 10 pages is cold-read by Actors in person or on Zoom (During COVID-19 Social Distancing Practices).
o Categories: Short Plays, Plays
Neurodivergent New Play Series
Neurodivergent playwrights in NYC since 2023 - is accepting recurring submissions as we prepare for our 2024-25 Season.All submissions should be for full-length plays between 45 to 180 minutes long and may have received a previous reading or production outside of NYC, as long as they are unpublished. All neurodivergent/disabled writers (autistic, ADHD, dyslexic, OCD, Tourette's, etc.) at all stages of their careers are encouraged to apply - especially BIPOC, LGBTQ+, and female-identifying writers. There is no submission fee or any other fee for being involved in this process.
o Deadline: Rolling Basis
o Application Fee: None
o Eligibility: Plays can be of any genre, although we are especially seeking works that challenge traditional methods of storytelling & have something important to say about the world that isn't being heard enough. We ask that you submit only one play every 30 days during our recurring submissions process.
Contact: neurodivergentplays@gmail.com
o Categories: Full-length Plays
Freshwater Theatre
Freshwater Theatre prides itself on constantly working with new artists, expanding our family. We’re always on the lookout for new scripts and new technical artists to work with.
o Deadline: Ongoing
o Application Fee: Free
o Eligibility: While we certainly are interested in world premieres of new plays, we also are very interested in second and third productions of new works, as we believe this to be the key to finding the works that will propel theater into the future.
We will only respond to playwright submissions for plays that come into serious consideration for future production. We cannot give any specific time frame on if/when a response will be given.
o Categories: New Plays
o Contact: info@freshwatertheatre.com
SCRIPT Submissions
Theatre Now Soundbites Festival
Theatre Now defines a 10-minute musical as any piece that can be performed in 10 minutes or less; has a beginning, middle, and end story arc; and includes music. Having produced over 100 pieces, we want musicals that are diverse and current, that test the musical form and communicate a well-crafted story. We accept musicals across all styles and genres and are happy to consider foreign language and/or bilingual scripts. We strongly encourage submissions from female, BIPOC and LGBTQ+ writers as well as writers with disabilities.
o Deadline: December 1
o Application Fee: Free
o Eligibility: Please review the following criteria thoroughly before sending your submission:
Ten-minute musicals will be accepted from July 1st, 2025 - December 1st, 2025 at midnight.
Submissions will not be considered before July 1st or after the deadline.
Musical theatre writers can submit no more than two scripts during the current submission period.
The story must have a beginning, middle, and end.
We accept submissions in foreign languages or that are bilingual. Although the application process is in English, the work itself may be submitted and performed in any other language if selected.
Each piece must include music.
All submissions must be submitted via the submission form. No physical copies.
Each musical must not exceed ten minutes when performed. If accepted, cuts may be required.
Longer one-acts or full-length musicals will not be considered, although the submission may be a 10-minute portion of a longer piece as long as it tells a complete story with a beginning, middle, and end story arc.
A musical may be a previously-produced work with a production history.
We have no formal script formatting guidelines, but all scripts should be easy to read.
The volume of submissions prevents us from providing feedback on all submissions.
If your piece is visual (i.e. choreography-heavy), please include video footage or detailed descriptions.
o Categories: Short Musical
THE ALEXANDER NDERITU PRIZE FOR WORLD LITERATURE (2025) seeks short plays
The African Griot Review is proud to announce the return of the Alexander Nderitu World Literature Prize! The 2025 Edition will honour original, one-act stage plays from anywhere in the world. A single winner will be chosen by the founder of the prize, Kenyan-born writer and critic Alexander Nderitu. The longlist will be announced in December 2025. The shortlist will be announced in February 2026 and the eventual winner will be unveiled at a literary event in April 2026. The winning playwright will walk away with a cash prize of Kshs 50,000, a one-year online promotion campaign by IT form Websoft Interactive and grace the cover of The African Griot Reviewmagazine. The 2024 winner of the prize was Nigeria’s Haliru Ali Musa, for his short story, The Pregnant Ghost. There is no entry fee.
o Deadline: November 15
o Application Fee: Free
o Eligibility: Territories: The contest is open to writers anywhere in the world, aged over 18.
Language: All entries must be in English. Translations and adaptations are not eligible.
Work: The entry must not be optioned, commissioned, performed or been previously published anywhere, including online. Simultaneous submissions are fine but please inform us if your work is published or staged elsewhere during the judging process. We’re looking for a play that is roughly 10 – 15 minutes long. A minute of dialogue is roughly one page of script. The playwright’s name must not appear anywhere on the submitted document. One may submit up to three different plays. Each play must have only one writer, no collaborators. Plagiarism and assistance from Artificial Intelligence (AI) writing tools are grounds for instant disqualification.
While not essential, the Standard Stage Play format is recommended. Free guide available here: https://caryplaywrightsforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/CPF_play_formatting2.pdf
Judging: This year’s contest will be judged by award-winning writer and critic Alexander Nderitu. Apart from penning his own stage plays, he has also authored two non-fiction books on the theatre business - Kenyan Theatre: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly and This Time With Feeling.
o Categories: Short Plays
o Contact: For any inquiries regarding the Prize, please email: admin@theafricangriot.com
Eclectic Full Contact Theater Company 5th Annual Patchwork Play Festival
Eclectic Full Contact Theater Company announces the opening of submissions for the 5th annual Patchwork Play festival. To be presented at The Edge Theater, 5451 N Broadway, Chicago, IL. Feb. 20, 2026 - March 1, 2026 We are currently accepting submissions of New One-Act Plays that embody this years theme of: Hope
o Deadline: October 31
o Application Fee: Free
o Eligibility: Play must be previously unproduced. (Staged Reading are fine)
Play length not to exceed 30 minutes.
Play must reflect the yearly theme. This years theme is: Hope
Play must be received by October 31, 2025
Playwrights cannot submit more than 2 scripts per year for Patchwork. If more than 2 scripts are submitted by the same playwright, we’ll pick 2 at random. Only one play per playwright may be featured per Patchwork Festival per season.
Scripts cannot contain copyrighted music unless the playwright owns the music’s copyright, or has written permission from the music’s copyright owner.
We are not accepting musicals at this time.
o Categories: New Plays
o Contact: Patchworkplayfest@gmail.com
Women’s Work Project
WOMEN'S WORK is an award-winning program comprised of two separate, dramaturgically-driven Labs: 1) The Short Play LAB (SPL) selects 6 emerging women playwrights each year and leads them through a rigorous, step-by-step process to create original 15-30 minute scripts in six-months, written to an assigned theme. The plays are then produced in an annual festival; 2) the Full-Length LAB is for selected alumnae of the SPL to develop longer works over an extended period, with the same guidance and production goals. Both LABS meet monthly, have submission deadlines, and provide comprehensive and rigorous feedback to the writers. 6-8 directors commit to the full year of the two LABs, both permanent resident directors and guest artists.
o Deadline: September 30
o Application Fee: Free
o Eligibility: Send the following as email attachments, with the email Subject Line “Women’s Work Application” to SP-APPS@newperspectivestheatre.org:
Please include: **a full resume, including specific information on your training as a writer (i.e. degree program, workshops, etc.) and website URL if applicable
a 10-15 page writing sample from a playscript
a personal statement explaining your understanding of the purpose of the LAB and why you wish to be a member, including goals for your own growth and development if selected. Please include in this statement how you choose to be identified re: ethnicity and gender (she/they).
o Categories: New Plays
Gretchell New Play Award 2025
Dedicated to the discovery, development and publicizing of worthy new plays and playwrights. NOTE: some of their online documentation might still say submissions are only open to SETC members, but that is no longer correct.
o Deadline: September 15
o Application Fee: Free
o Eligibility: Submitted work must be by one playwright only. No collaborations or adaptations will be considered.
Submitting a jointly written play under the name of only one author, or a play that was developed in collaboration with other artists such as a collaboratively produced devised work, adaptation of another writer's work, or in conjunction with librettists and/or composers will not be considered.
Submitted work must be either a full-length play or thematically related one acts which constitute a full-length play when performed together. No musicals or children's plays will be considered.
Plays must be unproduced (no professional productions) and unpublished. Readings and workshops are acceptable. Any play which has had more than one consecutive performance by a non-college or university theatre which charged admission and/or had a review will not be considered.
Plays submitted in prior years may not be resubmitted
o Categories: New Plays
Theatre Three 26th Annual Festival of One-Act Plays
Since its inception in 1998, The Festival has received over 10,000 submissions from across the world and produced 132 world premieres by 102 different playwrights. The Festival presents between five and seven plays each season. Playwrights will receive a $150 stipend. Playwrights will receive a standard Dramatists Guild-approved contract and will receive four complimentary tickets to be used at any performances. Playwrights are welcome to attend any rehearsals or performances. Playwrights will receive copies of playbills, postcards, articles, and reviews, as well as a link to all publicity and production photos. THEATRE THREE is responsible for all elements of production; playwrights incur no expenses. THEATRE THREE retains no future production rights.
o Deadline: September 1
o Application Fee: Free
o Eligibility: Playwrights may only submit one play per Festival.
Only unproduced works will be accepted.
Plays that have had staged readings or on-line productions are eligible.
No adaptations, children’s plays, or musicals.
Cast size maximum: 12
Length maximum: 30 minutes (no minimum)
Settings: Simple or suggested.
All submissions should be emailed as PDFs with the title in caps followed by the playwright’s name. Example: THE BASKET WEAVERS Jamie Martin
Play’s cover sheet should include author’s information (name, address, telephone, email). It may also contain a short synopsis.
Any stage play format is acceptable.
Due to last year’s high volume of submissions, we are allowing plays to be resubmitted for consideration.
o Categories: Short Plays, Plays
o Contact: Jeffrey@theatrethree.com
Hepburn Hooks - BROWN SKINNED GIRLS 2 : An evening of shorts
For our very first evening of shorts, we are seeking out four female, BlPOC playwrights whose works we will fully produce and present at a London venue to be determined. HHTC is looking to hear stories from Black and Brown women (in the broad sense of the term). The plays may be set in any era, they may tackle whatever subject you desire, the stories may even not centre Black/Brown women at all! We are quite simply looking to pick the brains of young, BIPOC female playwrights from all over the world and get a sense of how they feel about the world at large, or about very specific things in it. Let your imagination run wild, do not be afraid to be goofy, cringey, subversive and unapologetically militant, we want to see and hear it all! The Merriam-Webster defines BIPOC as ‘Black, Indigenous, (and) People of Colour’. This must be understood as a term that includes people of the following descent : Black, Native American, Aboriginal Australians, Asian, Latinx, Middle Eastern, South-Asian, Pacific Islander, and many more…
o Deadline: September 25
o Application Fee: None
o Eligibility: There is no entry fee for this opportunity. One play, picked by the audience over the two evenings will be presented with the Public's Award and receive a modest stipend. The remaining three playwrights will be offered a free year-long subscription to www.playsubmissionshelper.com, the most comprehensive and up-to-date online directory of play submission opportunities available anywhere.
Playwrights must be aged (at least) 18 at the time of submission.
Your play should have a running time of 10 to 15 minutes.
Your play should require no more than 4 actors and minimal props.
Your play should be in English (mainly).
The play should be original, unpublished and it should not have been performed in the UK as of the day of submission.
o Categories: One-Act Plays
Southern Soul Theatre Ensemble Presents the Inaugural 10x10 Play Festival
The Southern Soul Theatre Ensemble proudly announces the Inaugural 10x10 Play Festival, celebrating creativity, culture, and community! In honor of Juneteenth, this festival amplifies Black and Latinx voices through a dynamic showcase of 10-minute plays.
o Deadline: None Given
o Application Fee: None
o Eligibility: Eligibility: Open to Black and Latinx playwrights (one submission per playwright).
Play Length: 10-minute plays (8-10 pages).
Cast Size: 2-6 characters.
Themes: Works should reflect the diversity of Black and Latinx cultures; all genres welcome.
Original Work: Must be unproduced or have had limited exposure (readings/workshops accepted).
Format: PDF submissions only, including a title page with name, contact info, and a brief synopsis.
Deadline: Selected playwrights will be notified by April 15th.Southern Soul Theatre
o Categories: Plays
The Autry: 2025 OPEN Submission for Production Consideration
We accept scripts all year long. Do you have a full-length script that has been developed and produced that you would like us to consider for a future Native Voices production in Los Angeles? Please follow the Checklist for All Submissions below and in the Native Voices Script Submission form, check the box for 2025 General Production Consideration.
o When/Where: Open all year
o Deadline: None Given
o Application Fee: None
o Eligibility:Full-length plays (60+ pages) receive will be read and evaluated.
o Categories: Full-length Plays
NY Theatre Festival Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter
This is a unique opportunity to invite people from the industry to see your production! People are more likely to go see a show than to read an unsolicited script - some industry people receive on average thousands of submissions per month. They understand that the journey for a show to be successful often goes through several productions and this is your chance to show that you can start that process! Our dedicated team is here to help you get your work out. We are with you from the moment you begin tech rehearsals, all the way through to your closing performance. You will never be left alone during the process. We will help you choose from the 85 set/furniture pieces we offer to dress your stage for your run, and we will give you a complete crash course on how to use the audio/light/video system in just 3 minutes, which are intentionally designed to be very user friendly.
After we show you how to use the tools we provide and how to best utilize the space, The Festival’s team will provide prime responses to every inquiry, as well as a telephone # you can call anytime during relevant hours throughout the run of your show. In 12 years and 22 seasons we have successfully hosted 1,400 plays and 300 musicals, as well as rewarding over 300 participating artists cash prizes.
o Deadline: TBD
o Application Fee: None
o Eligibility: Submissions Accepted from a 30-mile radius outside of Manhattan and only run if the entire cast and crew are from New York City. Plays are considered on a first-come, first-serve basis. The earlier you submit, the better your chances are of having your script invited to the festival. Each applicant is fully responsible for all elements of their production, including directing, casting, stage-managing. We know exactly what you need to make your show a success and we welcome you into our community of playwrights and theater innovators!
o Categories: Plays, Musicals
Torch Literary Arts
Torch Literary Arts welcomes submissions of original creative work by Black women writers. We are interested in work that challenges and disrupts preconceived notions of what contemporary writing by Black women should be. Your stories and poems are valuable and necessary. Write freely and submit what you are excited to share with the world. Submissions are accepted for Friday Features only. We accept submissions on a rolling basis. Simultaneous submissions to other journals are welcome as long as they are identified as such and we are notified immediately upon acceptance elsewhere.
o Deadline: Rolling Basis
o Application Fee: No Fee
o Eligibility: Include a one (1) page cover letter noting the title(s) of the work(s) submitted.
Upload your text submission as a Word (DOC, DOCX) or portable document format/PDF (PDF).
Typed, double-spaced (poetry may be single-spaced) pages.
Numbered pages.
Margins should be set at no less than 1” and no greater than 1.5”.
Poetry: submit up to five (5) poems totaling no more than eight (8) pages.
Fiction, Hybrid genre: 12-point font. No more than ten (10) pages or 2500 words (whichever is achieved first). Excerpts of longer works are welcome if self-contained.
Drama/Screenwriting: submit one act or a collection of short scenes no longer than ten (10) pages. Excerpts of longer works are welcome if self-contained. Indicate if a performance video or dramatic audio reading will be available with the text submission if selected.
Restrictions: We do not reprint previously published work for TORCH Friday Features.
o Categories: Scripts
The Tank Presents
Each season, our The Tank Presents program serves hundreds of emerging artists as they create over 1000 performances of new works in music, theater, film, dance, comedy, and storytelling. As part of our mission to remove the economic barriers from the creation of new work, we never charge our artists to use our space for their performances! In addition, we also provide free rehearsal space, as well as free marketing and promotion of their event. Our The Tank Presents presenting model removes the daunting cost of space rental from the equation of art making, and provides an affordable home for emerging artists to create art that pushes the boundaries of their mediums. Through this program, artists can present readings, works-in-development, short runs of full theatre productions, screenings, concerts, storytelling festivals, comedy shows, and more.
o Deadline: None Given
o Application Fee: None
o Eligibility: To submit work for consideration as part of Tank programming, please email submissions@thetanknyc.org with the following information:
Show title
Discipline (theater, music, comedy, etc.)
Approximate running time
Summary of piece
Brief summary of artistic goals
Brief explanation of how the piece exists in the world (i.e. - art exhibit, soundscape, outdoor experience, digital hybrid)
Sample of work that will give us a sense of what it is you’re trying to make and that you know how to make it
Bio of lead artist(s)
The name of the Tank show you viewed
Submissions are accepted on a rolling basis.
o Categories: Plays
o Contact: submissions@thetanknyc.org
Diversionary: Seeking new, full-length LGBTQIA+ works
Diversionary is always seeking new, full-length LGBTQIA+ works for consideration. Please follow the guidelines below if you would like to submit your work. Because of the volume of submissions, those that do not follow the guidelines will not be considered.
o Deadline: None
o Application Fee: None
o Eligibility: Please send all of the above items as a single document in pdf format to frankie@diversionary.org. For music, please send the items in mp3 format or include a link to be accessed. No physical submissions sent to the theatre will be considered.
a one-page synopsis, character breakdown, and playwright bio
a development/production history of the submitted work (including date written and any readings, workshops, and full stagings)
a ten-page sample of the work
three audio recordings of music, twelve minutes total, if it’s a musical
o Categories: Full Length Plays, Musicals
o Contact: frankie@diversionary.org
Murmuration Theatre
Murmuration Theatre Company is seeking plays that have a cast size between 2-11 for our 2023 & 2024 seasons Accepting work for consideration in the following categories: New Voices Showcase: Curated selection of 4-10 new plays (scripts 2 - 40 pages); fully staged and directed by our creative team. Mainstage Show: a one act or full length play (scripts 35 - 120 pages); fully staged and directed by our creative team. In development: Actor's Lab Performance Series: a monthly selection of scenes or short plays (any length), performed at workshop or staged reading level.Playwrights selected for our mainstage production will receive $30 per performance of their one-act or full length play; playwrights selected for our New Voices Showcase will receive $10 per performance of their short or one-act.
o When/Where: Brooklyn, New York
o Deadline: None
o Application Fee: None
o Eligibility: Please submit PDF copies of scripts via the google form below, and feel free to reach out to murmurationtheatreco@gmail.com with any questions or concerns. Multiple submissions are allowed. Preference will be given to playwrights who are able to attend at least one performance of their work in the NYC area.
We will be accepting submissions on a rolling basis, and hope to be in touch with responses within 30 days of submission. Please feel free to reach out after that point if you have not received word from our team.
Solo Shows, Theatre for Young Audiences and Musicals will not be considered.
New writers as well as writers with voices that have historically been underrepresented in the theater industry (gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, religion, ability status, etc.) are encouraged to apply.
o Categories: Full-Length Plays, One-Acts
o Contact: murmurationtheatreco@gmail.com
Manhattan Repertory Theatre Play Production Program
Self-Produce a production of your best play in New York City as live theatre comes back to life in this New Renaissance of Theatre. We will do all the work, from hiring a production team and staff, to casting, directing, building costumes, set design, lighting design, payroll and more. From 3 performances to 20 performances for one simple Production Fee. Pre-Pandemic, 2017 - 2019, we produced 60 plays in Midtown Manhattan for playwrights all over the world. Production time frames available: Late Autumn 2021, Winter/Spring 2022.Currently, as we move back into production in New York City, we are only accepting Full-Length plays and Musicals - 60 to 150 minutes. Production fees range from $12,000 to $50,000 depending on the "size" of your production, scenic elements, and the number of performances.
o Deadline: TBD
o Application Fee: None
o Eligibility: If you are serious about self-producing your play in New York City, please forward us: An email cover letter with information about you and your work. your play attached as a .pdf, an attached Synopsis of your play, with the approximate running time, and your set, lighting and costume requirements.
o Categories: Full Length Plays, New Plays
o Contact: manhattanrep@yahoo.com
Shubert Fendrich Memorial Playwriting Contest
To encourage the development of quality theatrical materials for the educational, community and children’s theatre markets, Pioneer Drama Service is proud to sponsor the annual Shubert Fendrich Memorial Playwriting Contest.
This is an ongoing contest, with a winner selected by June 1 each year from all eligible submissions received the previous year. All eligible plays accepted for publication will be considered contest finalists, from which the winner will be selected. The contest winner will receive a $1,000 royalty advance in addition to publication.
o Deadline: Ongoing
o Application Fee: None
o Eligibility: You can start the submission process by contacting us here.
We will only consider manuscripts with a running time between 20 and 90 minutes.
Submissions must be family friendly in both subject and language. NO cursing. NO explicitly adult content.
We prefer casts that are either balanced or favoring females. The more gender neutral roles, the better.
We favor plays and musicals with ensemble casts, where more than just a few have a chance to shine.
Plays with elaborate set, costume or technical requirements are not appealing because of the limited resources of many of our customers. Pictures, sketches or descriptions of your vision are always helpful.
We recommend your submissions have had at least one production or reading, hopefully staged. We feel this fundamental field test is necessary before a play can be considered for publication since plays are created for the purpose of performance.
Manuscripts must be computer-printed in dark ink. We do not require specific formatting. However, your efforts to ensure your script is free of misspellings and typos will help the submissions editor.
We hope that Pioneer Drama is your first choice as a publisher, and we encourage you to submit to us exclusively. However, we do accept simultaneous submissions with the understanding that you will accept the first contract you’re offered and not use the situation to seek multiple offers from which to choose. If you receive another offer, please notify us immediately so we may rescind your submission.
The following information must accompany your submission or query:
100-200 word synopsis.
Cast list that indicates the number of female roles, the number of male roles and the number of roles that can be performed by either gender. We do not accept one-person shows.
Running time.
CD and/or score for musicals. We appreciate the opportunity to hear the music, if possible.
Set design(s). Please feel free to provide diagrams and/or pictures.
Proof of production or staged reading (i.e., review, program, etc.) A DVD of your performance is ideal, though not required.
Age of intended audience.
A self-addressed envelope of sufficient size with appropriate postage for the return of your materials. We will NOT return manuscripts or accompanying material if this is not included.
Cover letter and/or resume.
o Categories: family friendly
o Address: Pioneer Drama Service, Inc. Attn: Submissions Editor PO Box 4267
Englewood, CO 80155-4267
o Contact: https://www.pioneerdrama.com/ContactUs.asp?ID=6
Urban Stages Emerging Playwright Award
Our $500 Emerging Playwright Award (coupled with press coverage) is given to playwrights who show excellence and dedication throughout this process – from development to the stage. Out of hundreds of submissions a year, we select 15-20 plays for readings. From these, we select 1-3 plays annually to go on to our workshopping phase. Our workshops are meant to prepare a play for our Off-Broadway stage. From our workshops, we select 1-2 plays for full productions, complete with a playwright’s contract and compensation (separate from the award).
o Deadline: Ongoing
o Application Fee: None
o Eligibility: Plays may have been developed or produced elsewhere, but never produced in New York City. Plays from overseas and throughout the US are accepted and considered, but special attention will be given to playwrights who live in or near New York
o Categories: Full Length Plays, New Plays
o Contact: 212.421.1380
Onstage
The Tragedy Of Coriolanus - NYC EPA (09.15.25)
Equity actors for roles in THE TRAGEDY OF CORIOLANUS (see breakdown). No roles will be understudied. Actors are encouraged to audition for whatever role(s) they wish. NOTE: All genders, races, and ethnicities are encouraged to audition for all roles. Gender nonconforming, trans and nonbinary performers will be considered for all roles and character pronouns subject to change.
o Deadline: September 15
o Details: Please prepare one Shakespeare monologue of your choosing.
o Audition Information:
In Person:Polonsky Shakespeare Center 262 Ashland Pl Brooklyn, NY 11217 Press the buzzer to enter the theatre.
o Salary: LORT Non-Rep $1051 weekly minimum (LORT C)
For more Onstage opportunities, visit Backstage.com; ActorsAccess.com; and Playbill.com.
Backstage
Dean of Musical Theatre, Manhattan School of Music
The incoming Dean of Musical Theatre will join an institution with a clear vision for the future, a commitment to innovative practices that support students’ artistic growth, and a collaborative and supportive spirit. Building upon the successes of our past, the new Dean will work to enhance the School’s reputation as a leader in professional performing arts education with a history of excellence. The portfolio of responsibilities for the successful candidate will include:
o Key Responsibilities include:
Possess a deep commitment to work in an educational environment that supports MSM’s mission and Cultural Inclusion Initiative.
Inspire and demonstrate collaborative leadership among faculty and staff to foster and retain a high level of collegiality within and across departments.
Create a vibrant and cohesive vision for the Division’s goals to train and prepare performing artists to thrive as artists in a contemporary, ever-evolving professional landscape.
Explore and promote external artistic partnerships to elevate performance opportunities to create more visibility for the program.
Work with the Office of Philanthropy to identify donors and strategies for increasing scholarship, capital, and production support.
Serve as a member of MSM’s leadership councils, including the President’s Council, the Provost’s Council, and the Academic Leadership Council.
o Compensation: $150,000.00 – $165,000.00 per year
o To Apply: Applications must be submitted online using this link Upload a cover letter, resume/curriculum vitae, and list of three references. For fullest consideration, application materials should be received by November 1, 2025. Application review will continue until position is filled.
Director of Marketing and Communications, Asolo Theater
The Director of Marketing is responsible for leading the strategic vision and daily operations of Asolo Repertory Theatre’s Marketing Department, with direct responsibility for driving earned income and audience engagement. This position oversees institutional branding, advertising, public relations, and customer-facing services including box office, house management, and concessions. As a key member of the leadership team, the Director of Marketing ensures that the theatre’s messaging, reach, and revenue objectives align with its artistic mission and community values.
o Key Responsibilities include:
Strategic Leadership
Serve as a member of the leadership team, contributing to institutional strategy, planning, and cross-departmental initiatives.
Represent the Marketing Department and its priorities in presentations to the Board of Directors and other external stakeholders.
Design and implement comprehensive marketing strategies to meet or exceed earned revenue goals from ticket sales, subscriptions, and auxiliary income sources.
Lead audience development efforts with a focus on growth, retention, and broadening community engagement.
Marketing and Communications
Oversee all advertising, media placement, public relations, social media, and digital communications, ensuring alignment with Asolo Rep’s brand and mission.
Supervise the development of print and digital collateral, including season brochures, show programs, signage, and email campaigns.
Identify and activate promotional opportunities, partnerships, and community collaborations that extend reach and increase impact.
Maintain productive relationships with media outlets, advertising partners, and vendors.
Revenue Oversight
Establish earned income projections and pricing strategies in collaboration with the Managing Director and Artistic Director.
Create and manage marketing budgets across all revenue streams, including single tickets, subscriptions, group sales, and concessions.
Monitor performance metrics and adapt strategies to optimize return on investment.
Operational Oversight
Direct and support the operations of the box office, front-of-house/house management, and concessions in coordination with departmental managers.
Foster seamless integration between marketing, customer service, and production schedules to ensure audience satisfaction and operational efficiency.
Team Leadership
Hire, train, supervise, and evaluate marketing and customer service staff, including managers, coordinators, and seasonal personnel.
Cultivate a collaborative, innovative, and inclusive departmental culture where staff are supported and empowered.
Lead ongoing efforts to improve internal processes, communication workflows, and audience insights through data and research
o Compensation: $100,000-115,000
o To Apply: Please send a cover letter and resume to ASOLO_HUMAN_RESOURCES@ASOLO.ORG. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. If you are excited about this role but don’t meet every single requirement, we still encourage you to apply. We value transferable skills, varied perspectives, and a genuine passion for our mission.
Director of Development, Lincoln Center Theater
Lincoln Center Theater has produced over 200 plays and musicals at the Vivian Beaumont, Mitzi E. Newhouse, and Claire Tow Theaters at Lincoln Center and other theaters on and off-Broadway, as well as touring productions nationally and around the world. LCT is committed to developing and producing new works and classics with an emphasis on the work of new and emerging playwrights, directors, and designers. LCT’s education program, Open Stages, reaches thousands of public-school students annually with curriculum-related projects, teaching artist support, and tickets to LCT productions. Reporting directly to the Executive Director of Development and Planning, the Director of Development is responsible for overseeing critical elements of Lincoln Center Theater’s Annual Fund as well as carrying a full major and principal gifts portfolio. This role interfaces regularly with the LCT Board of Directors, acting as liaison to several board committees, and serves as a senior member of the development team of 15. This role is both strategic and tactical, with a sharp focus on generating revenue and establishing fundraising best practices. This new position is part of a plan to meaningfully increase the annual fund and launch ancillary fundraising initiatives over the next three years in a fast-paced and growing Development Department now raising $14.5 million annually. This position is expected to be in office 4 days a week.
o Essential Duties
Carry a portfolio of approximately 100 donors and prospects, creating and implementing a plan for annual giving and special campaign giving across the portfolio. Track all donor engagement in Tessitura and assign prospects to other members of the team when appropriate.
Help strengthen and diversify the fundraising program by expanding LCT’s donor base across all sectors, with a focus on individual giving. Develop and execute data-driven, research-based strategies for acquisition, retention, and upgrading of key prospects.
Identify and cultivate new prospects as program supporters (production funding, education programs, community programs, new play development, etc.); manage cultivation, solicitation and stewardship activities related to new program underwriting.
Meet and exceed fundraising goals, as determined annually during organizational budgeting process.
Monitor industry fundraising trends and help adapt and redirect LCT’s fundraising plans accordingly.
Build strong relationships with members of the artistic and education teams at LCT, and leverage staff in these teams as well as the Managing Director for fundraising purposes.
Board Engagement
Build strong relationships with board members to ensure maximum engagement
Act as solicitor for a selection of board members.
Prospect for new board members, taking all steps towards nomination, from cultivation through to nomination and on-boarding
Act as chief staff liaison and worker to the Board Development Committee, convening meetings, creating an agenda, and working with the Executive Director and the committee leadership on materials and presentations.
Leadership and Outreach
Directly supervise activities of the Patron Program and Angels Program, managing a two-person Individual Giving team, and support all components that make up these two membership programs. Bring a strategic eye to these programs to ensure that they are performing at peak, with both programs showing annual growth in the foreseeable future (baseline is $1.6M).
With Director of Individual Giving, and in partnership with the Chief Marketing Officer, launch a Friends Program that will grow over five years to provide a meaningful new source of annual income to LCT. Leverage new Tessitura database system and new marketing strategy in this cause.
Directly supervise the Development Operations group of three, ensuring a robust support system across the development team. Oversee deeper department systems in gift acknowledgement, budget tracking, integration with the marketing team, materials development, communications calendaring and data review.
Represent the organization externally at a range of events that offer prospecting opportunities. Be on the lookout for cultivation opportunities,
As Deputy to Executive Director of Development and Planning, lead team as requested and take on a range of projects as assigned.
o Compensation: $175,000 - $200,000
Director of Production, Arena Stage
The Director of Production is responsible for the overall management of the Production Department, balancing artistic vision and integrity with practical needs including deadlines and budgets. The Director of Production will be responsible for budget management, staff development and creative problem solving.
o Essential Duties
Coordinate effective communication among the directors, designers and all members of production staff
Budget and schedule the needs of the Production Department to ensure the fulfillment of planned productions, presentations, rentals and other events
Create and monitor schedules for building, production and presentation activitiesOversee annual production budget, monitor expenses and provide timely updates of actual expenses and projections
Facilitate design and production meetings, ensure deadlines are met and oversee the tech/production process
Administer the production payrollContract production staff (scenic, props, costume, lighting, sound, other production support)
Hire additional production staff (overhire) as required
As a member of Senior Staff, work with the Senior Staff to schedule and plan each season and develop strategic plans for the future.
o Skills: Five years of production management
Degree in theater preferred but not required
Ability to work some evenings and weekends required
Knowledge of MS Office, particularly Excel and Outlook
Knowledge of all production elements including scenic, properties, lighting, costuming, sound, video, stage management, and directing
Previous experience working within SDC, AEA, USA and AFofM policies preferred.
o Compensation: $110,000-$165,000
Obsidian Theater Festival
There exists an enduring legacy of storytelling within the Black community. Actors, writers, musicians, and dancers, capture the richness of Black stories, moving beyond stereotypes and tropes. The Obsidian Theatre Festival exists to uplift both stories as well as storytellers, and firmly believes in the power of art to change lives. Obsidian will provide the community with the powerful platform it deserves by way of a fresh new stage upon which these stories will be meaningfully celebrhere exists an enduring legacy of storytelling within the Black community. Actors, writers, musicians, and dancers, capture the richness of Black stories, moving beyond stereotypes and tropes. The Obsidian Theatre Festival exists to uplift both stories as well as storytellers, and firmly believes in the power of art to change lives. Obsidian will provide the community with the powerful platform it deserves by way of a fresh new stage upon which these stories will be meaningfully celebrate
o Seeking: Various Roles
o Location: Detroit, MI
o Website: https://www.obsidianfest.org/available-positions
Milwaukee Repertory Theatre
o Seeking: Various Roles
o Location: Milwaukee, WI
o Website: https://www.milwaukeerep.com
For more information: https://www.milwaukeerep.com/about/work-us/jobs/?fbclid=IwAR2lXyj99fIOhY8MmQ5n4XRveG1wEqPl2mL_9w7A1-WVpLoZhqwUDc-2Crc
Milwaukee Repertory Theater is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values and encourages a diverse workforce. We invite you to review jobs that are currently available.
Full-time employee benefits include health, dental and voluntary vision and disability insurance; flexible spending accounts; retirement plan; parking programs and complimentary tickets.
Application Instructions
Send your letter, resume and salary history (PDF or Word attachments only) to the email address listed in the job listing.
Oregon Shakespeare Festival
o Seeking: Various Roles
o Location: Ashland, Oregon
o Website: https://www.osfashland.org
For more information: https://www.osfashland.org/work-with-us?fbclid=IwAR2cqx7fSs1YYwa2I86SMVxJjZ8ns4ba2RqsEr51mMKIVWdiIL7ByQ4Lv8U
Located in the beautiful Rogue Valley of southern Oregon, the Tony Award-Winning Oregon Shakespeare Festival presents a season of eleven plays in rotating repertory across three theaters between the months of February and October. Additionally, OSF offers extensive educational opportunities to students, teachers, and theatergoers of all ages during our performance season.
We offer employment and career opportunities in a wide range of positions (acting, other performing opportunities, scenery, costumes, lighting, marketing, finance, etc.). We encourage you to check our website regularly for openings.
Two River Theater
Two River Theater annually produces a theatrical season that includes American and world classics, new plays and musicals, programs for young people, and festivals of new work. Each year, we also offer 40+ events that reflect our diverse community of Red Bank, New Jersey. Two River celebrates and honors our core values of Artistic Excellence; Education and Community Engagement; Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion; and Operational Excellence. Anyone who joins our team quickly becomes part of putting all of our initiatives into action day in and day out. Two River Theater is led by Artistic Director John Dias and Managing Director Michael Hurst.Two River Theater is dedicated to the goal of building an equitable and culturally diverse work environment and strongly encourages applications from members of underrepresented groups.
o Seeking: Various Roles
o Location: Red Bank, NJ
o Website: https://tworivertheater.org/jobs/
The Kate Spade New York Foundation
o To honor Kate Spade’s legacy of empowering and inspiring women and girls, the National Council for Behavioral Health is excited to provide complimentary Mental Health First Aid training to communities throughout the five boroughs of New York City and New Jersey and in partnership with organizations that specifically support these populations.
What is Mental Health First Aid?
Just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis. In the Mental Health First Aid course, you learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help.
The National Council for Behavioral Health shares Kate Spade New York Foundation’s belief in “the power of women to transform their communities” through empowerment. In support of this mission, we are offering through a competitive application process, select Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid training, fully funded!
o Location: New York, NY
o Website
For more Offstage opportunities, visit OffStageJobs.com and Playbill.com.
Funding Opportunities
LMCC Manhattan Arts Grant: Creative Engagement
Creative Engagement is an arts funding program that provides seed grants to individual artists and nonprofit organizations for projects and activities that offer Manhattan communities diverse artistic experiences. Each year, the program supports over 150 arts projects in Manhattan, including concerts, performances, public art, exhibitions, screenings, festivals, workshops, readings and more. Through this grant program LMCC will award over $500,000 for projects serving communities from Inwood to the Battery taking place between January 1–December 31, 2023. The program funding provided by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs’ Greater New York Arts Development Fund, and the New York State Council on the Arts’ (NYSCA) Statewide Community Regrants (formerly the Decentralization program).
o Deadline: September 16
o Application Fee: Free
o Eligibility: Applicants will be accepted for projects in any artistic discipline that meet the following requirements:Project must include a public component: an opportunity to access and engage with the arts that is promoted and available to the general public. In the case of workshops and participatory programs, participant recruitment must be open to the general public and reflected accordingly in outreach and promotional plans.
o The public component may be a single or series of in-person presentations, activities designed to be experienced solely online, or a combination of in- person presentations with complementary online engagements. Please see the Application Tips for project examples.
o Projects intended to be experienced solely online must offer an opportunity for live/synchronous or active audience engagement. If you are considering applying with this type of project, please contact LMCC staff prior to the deadline for additional guidance.
● Public in-person activities of the project must be located in Manhattan. In the case of online programming, public activities must reach a Manhattan audience as demonstrated by the outreach and promotional plans.
● Project budget must show a Creative Engagement request amount of no more than
75% of the total project budget. Other planned income sources may include cash or in-kind contributions. Please see the Application Tips and Project Budget Template for guidance in accurately calculating this percentage and developing a working, balanced budget.● All participating professional artists must be guaranteed a fee, indicated in the project budget. LMCC strongly encourages the use of funds toward artist fees and other project personnel.
● Applicants may not be a lead artist or key partner in more than one proposal to Creative Engagement.
● Applicants may only submit one (1) proposal requesting support for one (1) project from Creative Engagement, including those requesting both City and State funds.
● Applicants may also apply to the SU-CASA program, administered in Manhattan by LMCC and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA), provided it is for a different project.
o Address: 125 Maiden Lane, 2nd Floor New York, NY 10038
o Contact: Flannery Winchester, Program Associate, Grants & Services 212-219-9401 ext. 119 or CreativeEngagement@LMCC.net
LMCC Manhattan Arts Grant: UMEZ Arts Engagement
UMEZ Arts Engagement is a grant program designed to support Upper Manhattan artists and arts organizations in accessing Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone (UMEZ) funds for presentations that enhance the diversity and frequency of cultural presentations in Upper Manhattan. UMEZ Arts Engagement invites proposals from artists and arts organizations of diverse disciplines, practices, cultural backgrounds, and career stages that are 1) based in Upper Manhattan and 2) presenting art projects or programming in Upper Manhattan, making their work more widely available to the public. Refer to the UMEZ Arts Engagement program guidelines for comprehensive eligibility information and complete program details.
o Deadline: September 16
o Application Fee: Free
o Eligibility: Applications will be accepted for projects in any artistic discipline that meet the following requirements: Project must include a public component: an opportunity to access and engage with the arts that is promoted and available to the general public.
The public component may be a single or series of in-person presentations, activities designed to be experienced solely online, or a combination of in- person presentations with complementary online engagements. Please see the Application Tips for project examples.
Projects intended to be experienced solely online must offer an opportunity for live/synchronous or active audience engagement. If you are considering applying with this type of project, please contact LMCC staff prior to the deadline for additional guidance.
Public in-person activities of the project must be located in Upper Manhattan, defined as north of 98th Street on the east side of Fifth Avenue; and north of 110th Street on the west side. In the case of online programming, public activities must reach an Upper Manhattan audience as demonstrated by the outreach and promotional plans.
Project budget must show a UMEZ Arts Engagement request amount of no more
than 75% of the total project budget. Other planned income sources may include cash or in-kind contributions. Please see the Application Tips and Project Budget Template for guidance in accurately calculating this percentage and developing a working, balanced budget.All participating professional artists must be guaranteed a fee, indicated in the project budget. UMEZ and LMCC strongly encourage the use of funds toward artist fees and other project personnel.
Applicants may not be a lead artist or key partner in more than one proposal to UMEZ Arts Engagement.
Applicants may also apply to LMCC’s Creative Engagement program for the same or different project in the same fiscal year.
o Address: 125 Maiden Lane, 2nd Floor New York, NY 10038
o Contact: Lina Alfonso, Program Manager, Grants & Services 212-219-9401 ext. 129 or UMAE@LMCC.net
The Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers
The Dorothy and Lewis B. Cullman Center for Scholars and Writers is an international fellowship program open to people whose work will benefit directly from access to the collections at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building—including academics, independent scholars, and creative writers (novelists, playwrights, poets). Visual artists at work on a book project are also welcome to apply. The Center appoints 15 Fellows a year for a nine-month term at the Library, from September through May. In addition to working on their own projects, the Fellows engage in an ongoing exchange of ideas within the Center and in public forums throughout the Library. A Cullman Center Fellow receives the use of an office with a computer, full access to the Library’s physical and electronic resources, and a stipend of $90,000.
o Deadline: September 25
o Application Fee: Free
o Eligibility: The Cullman Center’s Selection Committee awards fifteen Fellowships a year to outstanding scholars and writers—academics, independent scholars, journalists, creative writers (novelists, playwrights, poets), translators, and visual artists. Foreign nationals conversant in English are welcome to apply. Candidates for the Fellowship will need to work primarily at the Stephen A. Schwarzman Building rather than at other divisions of the Library. People seeking funding for research leading directly to a degree are not eligible. The Cullman Center looks for top-quality writing. It aims to promote dynamic communication about literature and scholarship at the very highest level—within the Center, in public forums throughout the Library, and in the Fellows’ published work. A Cullman Center Fellow receives a stipend of $90,000, the use of an office with a computer, and full access to the Library’s physical and electronic resources. The Library expects Fellows to work at the Cullman Center five days a week, Monday through Friday, for the duration of the Fellowship term, which runs from September through May. Each Fellow gives a talk over lunch on his or her current work-in-progress to the other Fellows and to a wide range of invited guests, and may be asked to take part in other programs at The New York Public Library.
Radcliffe Fellowship
Radcliffe fellows are exceptional scientists, writers, scholars, public intellectuals, practitioners, and artists whose work is making a difference in their professional fields and in the larger world. Based in Radcliffe Yard—a sanctuary in the heart of Harvard University—fellows join a uniquely interdisciplinary and creative community. A fellowship at Radcliffe is an opportunity to step away from usual routines and dive deeply into a project. With access to Harvard’s unparalleled resources, Radcliffe fellows develop new tools and methods, challenge artistic and scholarly conventions, and illuminate our past and our present. Throughout the year, fellows convene regularly to share their work in progress. Coming from diverse disciplines and perspectives, they challenge each other’s ideas and support each other’s ambitions. Many say that it is the best year of their professional lives.
o Deadline: September 12
o Application Fee: Free
o Eligibility: We welcome applications from a broad range of fields and perspectives. The strength of our fellowship program is its diversity. Radcliffe supports engaged scholarship. We welcome applications from scholars, artists, and practitioners proposing innovative work that confronts pressing social and policy issues and seeking to engage audiences beyond academia.
Audible Emerging Playwrights Fund
In 2017, Audible launched a theater initiative, intended to radically increase access to exceptional plays and performances. A core pillar of the initiative is the Emerging Playwrights Fund, a program that invests in and nurtures self-identifying emerging playwrights, some of our most inventive, delightful, and provocative storytellers. Through the Fund, Audible aims to connect extraordinary performers with remarkable original work, amplifying new voices and harnessing the power and potential of audio to reach millions of listeners. The Fund specifically supports the creation of original dramatic work, written with audio in mind, but theatrical in spirit. Audible is dedicated to commissioning, developing, and producing work that reflects the diversity of our members and our world. To accomplish this, Audible is committed to granting at least 50% of emerging playwright commissions to artists of color and women.
o Deadline: None
o Application Fee: Free
o Eligibility: please submit all of the following to AudibleTheater@audible.com:
One full-length script for an original or adapted play (in English language only) that represents your voice ("Script"). The Script can be in any genre and may include one-acts and solo pieces;
A short biography; and
A brief statement about why audio plays appeal to you.
If you have an idea for an original audio play, you are welcome to include a pitch or summary along with your statement (this is encouraged, but not required)
o Contact: AudibleTheater@audible.com
Steven Schwartzberg Grants for Mental Health & Wellness
Writers are the beating heart of theater, whom we rely upon to take us on journeys and inspire us to think. During these unprecedented times, DGF has created the Steven Schwartzberg Grants to provide financial support for mental health and wellness services for writers. To help connect writers to therapists, DGF has partnered with Advekit, an online therapist matching service, to expand access to mental health support that might be out of your reach.
Please complete the form to receive $1,000 toward therapy through Advekit, courtesy of DGF.
If you already have a therapist or are seeking mental wellness support other than Western talk therapy, DGF is working on ways to support you in your wellness.
NYC Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA)
The NYC DCLA is dedicated to supporting and strengthening New York City's vibrant cultural life. Among our primary missions is to ensure adequate public funding for non-profit cultural organizations, both large and small, throughout the five boroughs.
They have many grants tailored to the needs of artists living and working in the city throughout the year.
o Deadline: Ongoing
o Application Fee: Freeexceptional plays and performances. A core pillar of the initiative is the Emerging Playwrights Fund, a program that invests in and nurtures self-identifying emerging playwrights, some of our most inventive, delightful, and provocative storytellers. Through the Fund, Audible aims to connect extraordinary performers with remarkable original work, amplifying new voices and harnessing the power and potential of audio to reach millions of listeners. The Fund specifically supports the creation of original dramatic work, written with audio in mind, but theatrical in spirit. Audible is dedicated to commissioning, developing, and producing work that reflects the diversity of our members and our world. To accomplish this, Audible is committed to granting at least 50% of emerging playwright commissions to artists of color and women.
o Deadline: None
o Application Fee: Free
o Eligibility: please submit all of the following to AudibleTheater@audible.com:
One full-length script for an original or adapted play (in English language only) that represents your voice ("Script"). The Script can be in any genre and may include one-acts and solo pieces;
A short biography; and
A brief statement about why audio plays appeal to you.
If you have an idea for an original audio play, you are welcome to include a pitch or summary along with your statement (this is encouraged, but not required)
o Contact: Audible
o Eligibility: Independent Artists and Groups
o Address: New York City Department of Cultural Affairs 31 Chambers Street New York, New York 10007
o Contact: 212.513.9300
SubletSeries@HERE Program
This creative curated rental program has allowed many upstart companies and emerging artists to realize their full artistic vision on a small budget. The program provides subsidized performance and rehearsal space, technical assistance, and administrative support, including a fully staffed box office. SubletSeries@HERE artists can also access equipment that is not typically available in venues our size such as video projectors, wireless microphones, color scrollers—all for free or at subsidized rates. We accept applications from artists all over the world for the opportunity to show work.
o Deadline: Ongoing
o Application Fee: Free
o Eligibility: Independent Artists and Groups
o Address: HERE Program 145 Sixth Ave New York, NY 10013
o Contact: 212.647.0202
Annenberg Foundation
The Annenberg Foundation does most of their funding in the arts, culture, and humanities to organizations in the counties of Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, San Bernardino, and Ventura. The Annenberg Foundation's arts and humanities grants are available to agencies that serve the greater Los Angeles region, typically with budgets over $5 million.
o Deadline: Ongoing
o Application Fee: Free
o Eligibility: Arts, culture, and humanities in greater Los Angeles region
Residencies
Artcroft Center for Arts and Humanities
Residencies of an average of 2-8 weeks for visual artists, writers, actors, and performance artists. Residency provides housing, studio, and meals; artist responsible residency fee ($40/day), deposit (10% of residency fee), travel, materials, and local transportation.
o Deadline: Ongoing
o Application Fee: $25
o When: 2-8 weeks
o Eligibility: Residencies are available to established and emerging visual and literary artists 18 years of age and older without regard for race, gender, sexual orientation, or religion.
o Address: Artcroft Center for Arts and Humanities 2075 Johnson Rd. Carlisle, KY 40311
o Contact: artcroft@msn.com
Other Resources
NOTE: For more resources, visit our pages of Resources - Funding, Submissions, and more.
NYFA SOURCE - The New York Foundation for the Arts maintains the most comprehensive national directory of awards, services and publications for artists in the NYFA Source section of their website.
Updates to our resources and opportunities have been made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.
#Screenopps
#ScreenOpps
#ScreenOppssept25
Submission Opportunities for Women in Film & Video
(previously known as Film/Video Funding Newsletter)
For full #ScreenOpps Listings please scroll
or click links below for specific listings
Film Festivals
Onscreen
Offscreen
Funding
Residencies
Other Resources
If you are a longtime recipient of #StageOpps and #ScreenOpps,
you know that they started as the Funding Newsletters,
brought to you by WomenArts, who still support the ongoing production of these opportunities as well as our Funding Resources pages.
WomenArts' founder and president, Martha Richards,
received the 2020 Elsa Rael VintAge Award
(for Advocacy for Women in the Arts & Media as They Age) from us
on Zoom Saturday, November 14, 2020.
Check out our VintAge page for more info.
Film Festivals
Brooklyn International Short Film Festival
Brooklyn International Short Festival invites filmmakers from around the world to submit their works, to be seen in the cultural heart of Brooklyn. The festival aims to gather emerging talent not only from the US but also from around the world. Filmmakers and artists have been attracted to Brooklyn and have used its potential as a setting for their films, and we hope to use these cultural networks to present you with unique festival experiences. Short films take a special place in the cinema universe. They are harder to access and have difficulties reaching larger audiences, and we hope to do our best to support them. Join our global network of Filmmakers, Actors, Directors, Producers, Writers, Photographers and everyone in between now! Be part of a vast and growing community. All filmmakers will be allowed to develop their work and have their films seen by many more! Short films of all genres are welcome. Maximum length: 40 minutes.
o When/Where: February 20
o Deadline: September 30 (Regular Deadline), October 24 (Late Deadline), November 28 (Super Late Deadline), December 20 (Final Deadline), January 14 (Extended Deadline)
o Application Fee: $40-$57
o Eligibility: Each short film must be entered for one of the competitions named in the Awards and Categories Section.
There is no restriction about the date of the production of the films.
The running time of films entered for the competitions should not exceed 40 minutes.
Nominations: These are all the films that have been nominated for an award in a category. Not all nominated films will be screened. Winner Selection: These are all the winner films selected for screening, which will be notified via email. If you received a Nomination email, but no Winner Selection email, it means your film will not be screened, and did not receive any award.
Each participant is responsible for the content of his/her work and for any possible copyright problems.
The official language of the Festival is English. Films must be subtitled in English.
o Categories: Short, Documentary Short, International Short
Los Angeles Latinx Film Festival
The LA Latinx Film Festival champions work produced by filmmakers of Latinx decent as well as stories about Latinx culture and heritage. We will be accepting submissions from LATINX DIRECTORS, WRITERS, MAJORITY LATINX CREW (at least 50%) and/or LATINX STORIES of ANY GENRE. We are an affiliate festival of the LA FILM FESTIVALS organization that has the dual emphasis of discovering great talent with the purpose of promoting their work to both the LA public and the entertainment industry, as well as showcasing the work of seasoned professionals and well known stars. LA Film Festivals began with the Biannual LA Comedy Festival in 2001, adding the biannual LA Indie Film Fest in 2007. The LA Film Festival family has since expanded to 12 independent film festivals, including LA Horror Film Fest, LA Action Film Fest, LA Sci-Fi Film Fest, LA Animation Film Fest, LA Black Film Fest, LA Asian Film Fest, LA Latinx Film Fest, LA Queer Film Fest, LA Women in Film Fest and LA Student Film Fest. Over the years, LA Film Festivals have attracted thousands of filmmakers from around the world. Each festival features live screenings in our own Let Live Theater in the heart of Los Angeles. Our 80-seat theater, in the heart of Hollywood, is outfitted with a Christie DLP projector and seven JBL speakers throughout the venue, delivering top notch quality in an intimate screening environment. Filmmakers whose work is accepted into our festival will receive free passes to screenings, invitations to networking events and are eligible for awards consideration.
o When/Where: January 15-18
o Deadline: September 12 (Late Deadline), October 3 (Fashionably Late Deadline), October 24 (Final Deadline) November 14th (11th Hour Deadline), December 5 (Last Chance)
o Application Fee: $22.50-$91
o Eligibility: All Films must feature work produced by filmmakers of of Latinx decent as well as stories about Latinx culture and heritage. We will be accepting submissions from LATINX DIRECTORS, WRITERS, MAJORITY LATINX CREW (at least 50%) and/or LATINX STORIES of ANY GENRE.
Film Entrants must submit online screeners through FilmFreeway for consideration.
Entry forms and payment will not be processed without accompanying Preview Copies in one of the accepted formats for film applicants.
All entries must be in English or - SUBTITLED, DUBBED, unless special arrangements have been made with festival.
All films selected for screening at the festival grant LA FILM FESTIVALS the right to use stills and excerpts of up to two minutes for promotional purposes.
LA Film Festivals is not responsible for any lost, stolen or damaged entries.
Exceptions to the festival regulations must be authorized by one of the Festival Directors.
Multiple entries are permissible, but each entry must be accompanied by a separate Entry and fee.
Submissions will not be returned.
All fees are nonrefundable.
Submission to the festival is not a guarantee that your film will be screened.
o Categories: Feature, Short, Documentary, Documentary Short, TV Pilot, Music Video
Silicon Valley Queer Film Festival
We are an LGBTQ+ focused film festival screening high-quality [short & feature] films, which accurately and/or positively represent the LGBTQ+ Community. We are looking for independent projects from all genres, particularly low or no-budget ones, from all countries. We are looking for Queer-Positive Films with main characters and/or supporting characters who identify as LGBTQ+. First-time filmmakers are encouraged to submit their projects.
o When/Where: October 3-19
o Deadline: September 10 (Regular Deadline), October 1 (Late Deadline)
o Application Fee: $16.50 - $28
o Categories: Feature Films, Shorts
San Francisco International Film Festival
SFFILM champions the world's finest films and filmmakers through programs anchored in and inspired by the spirit and values of the San Francisco Bay Area. Founded in 1957, the San Francisco International Film Festival (SFFILM Festival) is the longest-running film festival in the Americas. Held each spring and highly anticipated by its loyal and passionate audiences, the Festival is refreshingly intimate for a festival of its size and scope, and traditionally combines a range of marquee premieres, international competitions, compelling documentaries, live music performances, and star-studded red carpet events. SFFILM is currently moving forward with planning its Festival for April 2022 with both in-person and online events, parties, talks and more. Exact dates, venue footprint, and in-person event structure are all subject to some change based on the realities of producing a safe and accessible film festival at that time.Opportunities for Filmmakers Since 1991, SFFILM Education’s Schools at the Festival program has provided the Bay Area educational community with the opportunity to experience stories from around the world. Schools at the Festival annually introduces thousands of students ages 6–18 and their teachers to international film and the art of filmmaking while promoting media literacy, deepening insights into other cultures, enhancing foreign language aptitude, developing critical thinking skills, and inspiring a lifelong appreciation of cinema. Festival filmmakers can participate via student screenings, school visits, hands-on workshops, and more. SFFILM's year-round Artist Development programs provide significant financial and creative resources to independent narrative and documentary filmmakers from around the world through grants, fellowships, residencies and more. Since 2009, over $8 million has been awarded to more than 250 film projects in various stages of production. Festival filmmakers are invited to a series of industry talks and pitch sessions, and can meet with the SFFILM Makers team to discuss future projects and funding opportunities.
o When/Where: April 23-May 3
o Deadline: September 26 (Early-All Films), November 12 (Regular Deadline, Last Deadline Shorts), December 10 (Final Deadline–Feature, Mid Length, Youth)
o Application Fee: $30-$80
o Categories: Feature Films, Documentaries, Animated, Shorts
Big Apple Film Festival
Big Apple Film Festival is currently accepting film and screenplay submissions for our fall festival. (Spring Edition entries are now closed, and notifications will be sent April 28th) Big Apple Film Festival (Fall Edition) takes place November 14-18 in the heart of NYC. In addition to film screenings, the festival includes a Screenplay Competition, Agents and Managers Conference, Agents and Managers Networking Lab, Film Distribution Summit, Industry Networking Panels, Awards Presentation and Reception.
o When/Where: November 10-13
o Deadline: September 3 (BAFF Early Deadline), September 23 (Official Entry Deadline), October 10 (Final Entry Deadline)
o Application Fee: $60-$90
o Eligibility: Big Apple Film Festival accepts submissions for feature films, short films, feature documentaries, short documentaries, animation, web series, music videos, student films, feature length screenplays, short screenplays, scripts for television/web series pilots and virtual reality.
o Categories: (Narrative Feature, Documentary Feature, Environmental Outdoor Feature, Indigenous Feature, Narrative Short, Documentary Short, Outdoor Short, Animated Short)
Warped Witch Film Festival
Warped Witch (formerly Southern Gothic) is a dynamic film festival led by women which empowers filmmakers in our community. We value inclusivity above all else, welcoming filmmakers from diverse backgrounds with open arms. We provide a platform for their unique perspectives and embrace the weird, the strange, the unorthodox, and the unconventional. Our mission is to celebrate the beauty of diversity and encourage everyone to dare to be different! Go beyond the norm! While the roots of our festival remain in the essence of horror, we go beyond the boundaries showcasing films from all genres! All types of cinematic expressions are welcomed! Filmmakers who attend will get the opportunity to network and mingle with other filmmakers during the fest. We will also have a Q&A session after every block so you will get to speak about your films to an audience of film lovers! We want to be able to include other artists in our festival as well. There will be artists vending in the lobby and the entertainment will be provided by our amazing local drag community! Costumes are highly encouraged! Come out and have a spooky good time with us!
o When/Where: June 12-13
o Deadline: August 4 (Early Bird Deadline), December 17 (Regular Deadline), March 3 (Dead Deadline)
o Application Fee: $10-$40
o Eligibility: Film submissions must be provided on digital files.
Submissions must be English language or English subtitled.
Include title and name of contact on all media.
Southern Scream Film Festival reserves the right to change submission categories.
Eligibility and category determinations, along with prize awards, are the sole discretion of the Festival.
Submissions may be screened more than once during the Festival and at events post festival.
All films must be under 20 minutes.
o Categories: Short Film, Feature Film, Student Film
California Women’s Film Festival (Winter)
The California Women’s Film Festival is deeply honored to celebrate women filmmakers, artists and writers by providing a showcase and networking forum in the heart of Hollywood. The CWFF understands how important it is to hear and see the educated, entertaining and diverse stories of women from around the globe. We provide a platform so these voices can be heard and shared with audiences that want to be inspired. The California Women’s Film Festival accepts all projects that has at least one woman in one of the key production positions: (Producer, Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Editor, Lead Actress, Etc......). Projects that are produced and/or directed by men are accepted as long as there is a lead female protagonist and/or the story is based around women. The California Women's Film Festival operates as a biannual event. Our Winter season will be held in January and our Summer season will be held in July.
o When/Where: January 9-11
o Deadline: August 1 (Regular Deadlie), August 22nd (Regular Deadline), September 12 (Late Deadline), October 3 (Extended Deadline), October 24 (Freeway Deadline), November 14 (Final Deadline)
o Application Fee: $36-$60
o Eligibility: California Women's Film Festival General Rules
Projects must have at least one woman in one of the key production positions: (Producer, Director, Writer, Cinematographer, Lead Actress, Etc......).
Projects that are produced and/or directed by men are accepted as long as there is a lead female protagonist and/or the story is based around women.
All genres are accepted.
Works in progress should be clearly marked on the screening copy.
Submissions in languages other than English must be subtitled or dubbed.
The entry fee is per category.
Entry fee is non-refundable.
Fee waivers are not available.
DVDs must clearly be labeled with FilmFreeway tracking ID and contact info.
Our Festival will consist of Award presentations, red carpet photos, screenings and Q&A sessions.
For more information please contact us at info@calwomensfest.com
Please do not send paper press kits with your screener unless requested.
DVDs will not be returned.
o Categories: Short Film, Feature Film, Documentary, Animated, Script
New York Short Cinema Awards
Welcome to the New York Short Cinema Awards! The IMDb-qualifying short film festival, established at the Producers Club of NY by a group of international indie filmmakers, critics, journalists, and writers, champions the art of short filmmaking across all genres. It bridges emerging filmmakers with seasoned professionals and audiences, enriching the independent cinema scene. The festival honors diverse short films from both American and international creators, celebrating independent storytelling and innovation. The New York Short Cinema Awards supports cinema and short film production, selecting a variety of films in genres such as drama, documentary, experimental, and animation. These films inspire audiences and spark dialogue during screenings at the Producers Club and art centers in New York. The festival encourages discussions on contemporary themes, solidifying its status as a significant event in the indie film calendar. Short cinema is our specialty, and over the past few years, we have showcased short films in drama, documentary, animation, comedy, experimental, and science fiction genres during our live annual screening events in New York. We also host a script competition for short screenwriters. We are committed to recognizing short cinema.
o When/Where: October 19-20
o Deadline: August 22nd (Regular Deadline), September 26 (Final Deadline)
o Application Fee: $30-$45
o Eligibility: There are no production date restrictions for films.
Short Films must not exceed 40 minutes.
New York premiere is preferred for our annual screening but not required.
Participants are responsible for their content and copyright issues.
The films must have English subtitles if the original language is not English.
We may promote official selections and nominees on social media and various platforms using provided press kits.
o Categories: Short Film
Wicked Queer: Docs
Started in 2022, WQ: docs fills the need for a platform to share histories and power up the Queer nonfiction film. WQ: Docs is committed to celebrating the documentary form in both short and feature length. Our mission is to build community and to celebrate Queer storytelling and filmmaking through the uplifting of voices and stories not yet heard and to present and preserve the vibrancy of our histories.
o When/Where: November 14-16
o Deadline: August 31 (Regular Deadline), September 20 (Late Deadline), October 11 (Extended Deadline)
o Application Fee: $20-$75
o Eligibility: We prefer that preview submissions be submitted as digital online screeners. Filmmakers are required upon acceptance to have a COMPLETE press kit assembled with stills labeled with the film's name and poster images, trailer, synopsis, log line and social media handles. Moving toward our goal of becoming more accessible, all films, including English language, that are accepted must have a closed caption file with English CAPTIONS included DCP with an MP4 with Closed captions back-up. WE DO REQUIRE A DCP FILE FOR IN PERSON EXHIBITION. No other files types will be accepted.
o Categories: Documentary Feature, Documentary Short
Valkyrie International Film Festival
Valkyrie International Film Festival (VIFF) spotlights films directed by women of all backgrounds and advances the cause of women in film. Held every year in March (Women's History Month), VIFF was founded by Tamar Lamberson and her daughter, Kaelin Lamberson. VIFF seeks impactful films in all genres. If a woman directed it, we want to see it! VIFF will screen narrative, documentary, and experimental shorts and features. The only requirement is that every film selected for screening must have been directed by a woman. VIFF will be held on Thursday, March 21st - Monday, March 25th, 2024 at The Screening Room Cinema & Arts Café, a boutique digital cinema located in Amherst, New York, just outside Buffalo. The Screening Room features a large screen and surround sound, with mixed dining room and theater seating. The venue is a staple of the indie film scene in Western New York. Beer and wine are available. VIFF will only hold in-person screenings. VIFF will serve as a platform for female directors to come together, support each other’s work, and discuss the challenges and advances of women in film. The programmers will present awards, but view the event as a celebration rather than a competition. VIFF will be held during Women’s History Month each year. We are accepting all female-directed films, of all genres, completed 2019 – present.
o When/Where: May 29 - June 2
o Deadline: August 31 (Early Bird Deadline), November 30 (Regular Deadline), March 6(Late Deadline), April 6 (Extended Deadline)
o Application Fee: $18-$50
o Eligibility: NO WAIVERS.
Only films directed by females will be selected.
Any co-directors must also be female.
Films must be in English or subtitled in English.
All exhibition screeners must be MP4 digital files .
All films must have been completed 2019 – present.
Anyone submitting a film to VIFF warrants that they are authorized to do so.
o Categories: Short Film, Feature, Documentary, Animation. Experimental, Music Video
New Jersey Film Festival - Spring
The Rutgers Film Co-op/New Jersey Media Arts Center proudly announces the 44th Bi-Annual New Jersey Film Festival. The Festival will be held between January 23 - February 15, 2026 at Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey and will showcase the best in independent film by featuring premiere screenings, special guest appearances by film directors, screenwriters, cast and crew and more. For more information go to www.njfilmfest.com or e-mail NJMAC@aol.com or newjerseyfilmfestival@gmail.com
o When/Where: January 23 - February 15
o Deadline: August 8 (Regular Deadline), August 28 (Extended Deadline), September 18 (Late Deadline), October 10 (Super Late Deadline)
o Application Fee: $40-$85
o Eligibility: This competition is open to U.S. and International entries. Maximum film age is 24 months. No repeat entries. If a work is selected for public screening entrants are contractually obligated to provide an exhibition copy suitable for screening and cannot withdraw their film from the festival. Entry must be a New Jersey or Area Premiere and must not be available to view in full on the internet! Please note we do not pay screening fees. Only finalists are notified in advance that their work has been selected to be part of the Festival.
o Categories: Short Film, Feature, Documentary, Animation
Beirut International Women Film Festival
Beirut International Women Film Festival (BWFF) is an annual event organized in Beirut by Beirut Film Society, under the theme “Women for Change”; gathering filmmakers and cinema lovers from all over the world, BWFF tackles issues such gender equality, sexual identity, domestic violence among others through the power of the lens and cinema which is the window to society and particularly women in this case. BWFF, which comprises films about women and/or executed by women, aims to highlight the power of women in different life situations, the festival organizers believe in promoting a positive image of women struggling with dignity to make a change in their environment.
o When/Where: August 19-25
o Deadline: August 5 (Active Submitter Deadline), September 5 (Midway to the Festival), October 5 (End of Summer Submissions), November 5 (Regular Deadline), December 5 (Late Deadline), February 5 (Exceptional Submissions)
o Application Fee: $7-$45
o Eligibility: Filmmakers are invited to submit their original work to Beirut International Women Film Festival (BWFF) for the above listed categories and as per the assigned duration of each category.
FILMS PRODUCED AFTER JANUARY 1, 2020 ARE ELIGIBLE FOR SUBMISSION.
FOR INTERNATIONAL FEATURE FILMS SUBMISSIONS, LEBANESE PREMIERE IS A MUST – FEATURE FILMS THAT WERE SCREENED PREVIOUSLY IN LEBANON WON’T BE TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.
BWFF supports travel cost for directors of selected international films to Lebanon during the festival days. (Conditions apply)
Submission fees are non refundable and non reimbursable under any circumstances; BWFF does not reimburse any submission fees for films who are not selected for the festival program, or who withdrew their submissions at any time.
BWFF retains the right to accept or decline any film, for whatever reason, without any explanation.
Applicant admits that he/she is authorized to submit the film, being the rights-holder or authorized representative of the film.
BWFF receives exhibition copy in QuickTime 1080p HD 8 bit uncompressed or Apple ProRes file or equivalent via a downloadable link.
All non-English speaking films must have adequate English subtitles.
Screening fees must be declared prior to or upon submission. If a screening fee is only indicated after the official selection has been announced, the Festival retains the right to revoke the film's acceptance.
Beirut International Women Film Festival (BWFF) holds the right to:
Use the selected films for trailers and publicity usage
Screen the winning films in other related events inside Lebanon, and recommend the winning films to other international film festivals that collaborate with BWFF after the approval of the filmmakers.
o Categories: Shorts, Feature Film, Documentary, Animated
Winter Film Festival Awards International Film Festival NYC
New York City's Winter Film Awards (WFA) is a volunteer-run and operated celebration of the diversity of local and international film-making. Our Mission is to recognize excellence in cinema and to promote learning and artistic expression for people at all stages of their artistic careers with a focus on nurturing emerging filmmakers and helping them gain recognition and contacts to break into this difficult industry. We pride ourselves on our diverse collection of Festival selections, allowing our audience to enjoy films they normally wouldn’t think to seek out. Now in its eleventh year, the rapidly growing Festival showcases the work of emerging filmmakers from around the world. For the 2021 Festival, 91 films from 28 countries were screened, including an eclectic mix of Animated films, Documentaries, Feature narratives, Horror films, Music Videos, Narrative shorts and Web series. 50% of the films were created by women, 53% were created by or about people of color. Works of all genres, forms, and lengths are considered. All selected films are screened at Cinema Village, NYC's top indie cinema in the heart of Greenwich Village. The Festival includes ten days of film screenings, educational panels, professional development workshops and industry networking after-parties, which will conclude with a glittering awards ceremony . Outstanding work will be awarded for each category, along with Best Director, Best Actor/Actress, Outstanding Woman Director, Best vStudent Film and the NY PERSPECTIVES Award for best depiction of the New York multi-cultural experience. Winter Film Awards International Film Festival is an IMDB-qualifying festival. Like many of the great film Festivals across the country and the world, WFA seeks to bring our audience compelling and unique content that inspires the viewers and honors the filmmakers. There are hundreds of film festivals in New York City; what makes us different is our intense focus on a bias-free submissions review, the variety of our films and helping new filmmakers reach what may be their first real audience. WFA is a minority- and women-owned registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization. We work with all local NYC film schools, colleges, arts high schools and many cultural societies.
o When/Where: February 18-22
o Deadline: September 12 (Early Bird Deadline), October 17 (Regular Deadline), November 14 (Late Deadline)
o Application Fee: $20-$65
o Eligibility: All films must have been completed not earlier than January 1, 2020.
Films must be in English or have English subtitles Winter Film Awards is a non-profit organization and we do not pay Screening Fees Films must be submitted via online screener - we do not accept hardcopies of DVDs
Winter Film Awards does not require World Premiere, but appreciates if you notify us if you are either a World Premiere, International Premiere (your first premiere outside your country of origin), North American Premiere or New York Premiere.
Submission fees are in U.S. dollars, per film entry. All submissions for Winter Film Awards International Film Festival are to be paid by credit card. The submission fee is non-refundable.
Submitting filmmakers/individuals will be notified by e-mail on or before January 5 2023. If the Festival will be postponed due to COVID-19, we will notify all submitters as soon as possible. Winter Film Awards does not send physical mail — please make sure the email address in your entry form is accurate. Changes of email address can be sent to submissions@winterfilmawards.com. Winter Film Awards is not liable for emails delayed by spam filters, server rejections, outdated email addresses or any other technical or human error. If an accepted filmmaker is unable to submit the final screening copy of the film electronically, the filmmaker will be responsible for the mailing/shipping cost of the work for screening at the film festival. Films with incomplete materials by the deadline will forfeit their ability to screen in the festival. Winter Film Awards, its members, directors, employees, and volunteers are not responsible for lost, unplayable, misplaced, and undelivered film and media.
Submitted entry materials will not be returned.
A filmmaker with multiple entries (titles) must submit each entry and entry fee separately.
The Festival reserves the right to remove a film from the festival program for any reason or for no reason and shall not be liable for any refund or claims of any kind arising out of such removal.
The submitting filmmaker must own the copyright to the work. In the case of any legal dispute involving the film, Winter Film Awards will immediately remove the work from our schedule.
By submitting your film, Winter Film Awards is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Festival for promotional purposes. The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.
You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Winter Film Awards from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.
o Categories: Shorts, Feature Film, Documentary, Animated
The Other Lens
The Other Lens, a short film program designed to champion emerging filmmakers who are creating innovative cinematic work that challenges convention. With our theme of “The Other Lens”, we wanted to explore distinctions from ingrained normativity, whether it be ethnic, racial, sexual, or expression, to foster empathy and create positive social change. By embracing everyone’s otherness, we hope both filmmakers and viewers recognize that through collaboration and vulnerability, we can blur the lines of separation and reimagine the boundaries. The Other Lens is a celebration of independent filmmaking, radical storytelling, and communal vision-building. We invite work that centers personal truth, challenges mainstream narratives, and reflects a deep commitment to creative freedom. This inaugural event is produced by Project Feel, a multimedia production company rooted in art and creative accessibility, and seeks to bring together a new generation of storytellers who use a thought-provoking, visionary lens to make an impact on the world. We aim to shift the needle of the industry and are excited to spotlight films from artists of color, queer creatives, diasporic storytellers, and experimental voices who blur genre, form, and expectation
o When/Where: November 6
o Deadline: July 14 (Early Bird Deadline), August 4 (Regular Deadline), September 1 (Late Deadline)
o Application Fee: $10-20
o Eligibility: Short films (any genre) 20 mins and under
Focused on themes of identity, imagination, resistance, or re-connection
Works in any language other than English must have English subtitles at the time of submission
o Categories: Short
Divine Feminine Film Fest
The Divine Feminine Film Fest is a yearly event that features creative work by women and non-binary artists. The focus of this festival is to highlight and celebrate women in all of their magic, mystery, and creativity.
o When/Where: October 16-17
o Deadline: September 30 (Regular Deadline)
o Application Fee: $22-30
o Eligibility: To submit, you must owns the rights to your submission.
All projects submitted to us may be screened/displayed at our official event.
Posters and/or trailers of your film may be used on our social media platforms to promote the festival and your film.
All films/music videos must be submitted in English or with English subtitles.
Posters are required for your film in order to promote this screening.
o Categories: Feature, Short, Documentary
Miami Jewish Film Festival
The Miami Jewish Film Festival (MJFF) is recognized as the world's largest Jewish film festival dedicated to celebrating new film and media exploring universal themes of identity, history, and culture. Presenting its 29th edition from January 15-29, 2026, the Festival showcases the work of the world's best emerging and established filmmakers and offers awards in juried competition categories. Among the 134 films that premiered at the 2025 Festival which featured the largest Jewish film program in the world, more than 50 were selected from FilmFreeway submissions. Miami Jewish Film Festival has also made the prestigious "One of the 50 Film Festivals Worth the Entry Fee" list by MovieMaker Magazine in 2020, 2021, and 2022. In 2025, the Miami Jewish Film Festival drew more than 58,000 filmgoers and attracted more than 100 filmmakers, producers, talent, and industry professionals to its two-week event of inspiring films, events, panels, and parties that are hosted at 8 major venues throughout Miami. In all, the Festival presents more than 134 feature narratives, documentaries, and short films of all genres, from more than 25 different countries. MJFF presents dramatic and documentary features, experimental, and animated features and shorts about Jewish history, culture, and identity as well as films that reflect life through a Jewish lens. The programming staff takes a broad view of what makes a film Jewish and have been known to curate films that are Jew(ish) as well as films about issues that are relevant to Jewish communities and resonate with other cultural communities across the globe. Works in all forms and genres are considered. The Festival receives significant industry recognition; each year several films premiering at the Festival are acquired for US distribution. Recent distributors who have acquired films directly from the Festival include Kino Lorber, Greenwich Entertainment, Samuel Goldwyn Films, Netflix, Menemsha Films, Film Movement, Briarcliff Entertainment, Breaking Glass Pictures, and Go2Films, among many others.
o When/Where: January 15-29
o Deadline: July 7 (Midway Deadline), August 1 (Regular Deadline), September 5 (Fall Deadline), October 3 (Extended Deadline), November 7 (Final Deadline)
o Application Fee: $18-$40
o Eligibility: MJFF requires at least a Florida Premiere for any feature or short film. Works-in-progress are accepted.
o Categories: Feature, Documentary, Short
Everybody is Somebody
The Albuquerque Film Festival, with the mantra 'Everybody is Somebody,' stands as a beacon of digital celebration for the world's storytellers. Nestled in the heart of New Mexico's vibrant capital, Albuquerque, our festival opens its doors wide, welcoming a kaleidoscope of cinematic talent from every corner of the globe. Dive into the fray with your masterpieces, as we call for submissions across all film genres; there's a spotlight here for every creator, regardless of nationality. It's your time to shine, to vie for prestigious awards across a multitude of categories. Let's unite. Let's craft. Let's rejoice. Boasting a spectrum as broad as the imagination itself, our festival invites you to join an esteemed circle, where selected films don't just screen—they compete for a host of distinctions, bestowed both by our expert panel and the audience's voice. Rest assured, every entry is given the attentive gaze it deserves. As seasoned filmmakers, we resonate with the dedication poured into your craft. That's why we elevate Officially Selected films with a spotlight dialogue—up to 10 minutes of in-depth conversation about your creative journey, shared on our official website, YouTube channel, and across social media landscapes. Our committee is as varied as the films we celebrate, featuring a global tapestry of professionals—Architects to Entrepreneurs, Artists to Filmmakers, and VFX Producers—each bringing a unique perspective to the screen. Every submission is watched thoroughly, ensuring your vision is seen and appreciated in its entirety. Our Goals:To broadcast fresh, trailblazing narratives and cinematic discourse from across the world.To offer an exclusive glimpse into the pioneering realm of New Cinema.To foster the exchange of ideas and experiences among our event's vibrant participants. Our Creed: We are the champions of the cinematic dreamer, the believers in the power of story. The 'Everybody is Somebody' Albuquerque Film Festival is dedicated to showcasing the most diverse array of narratives. Our mission? To empower every filmmaker with a burning passion, to connect creators with audiences, and to help solidify their mark in the ever-expanding universe of film.
o When/Where: March 27-29
o Deadline: July 7 (Deadline 4), August 4 (Deadline 6), September 1 (Deadline 7), October 6 (Deadline 8), November 3 (Deadline 9), December 1 (Deadline 10), February 9 (Final Deadline)
o Application Fee: $15-25
o Eligibility: We accept all fiction and non-fiction film genres. All age groups are accepted. Projects submitted must be the original work of the participant. All submission will be received through Film Freeway only. No Exceptions.
o Categories: Feature, Short, Animated, Documentary, Music Video
Los Angeles Women in Film Festival
The LA Women in Film Festival champions female identifying filmmakers and female driven storytelling. We will be accepting submissions from FEMALE IDENTIFYING DIRECTORS, WRITERS, MAJORITY FEMALE CREW (at least 50%) and/or FEMALE DRIVEN STORIES of ANY GENRE. We are an affiliate festival of the LA FILM FESTIVALS organization that has the dual emphasis of discovering great talent with the purpose of promoting their work to both the LA public and the entertainment industry, as well as showcasing the work of seasoned professionals and well known stars. LA Film Festivals began with the biannual LA Comedy Festival in 2001, adding the biannual LA Indie Film Fest in 2007. The LA Film Festival family has since expanded to 12 independent film festivals, including LA Horror Film Fest, LA Action Film Fest, LA Sci-Fi Film Fest, LA Animation Film Fest, LA Black Film Fest, LA Asian Film Fest, LA Latinx Film Fest, LA Queer Film Fest, LA Women in Film Fest and LA Student Film Fest. Over the years, LA Film Festivals have attracted thousands of filmmakers from around the world. Each festival features live screenings in our own Let Live Theater in the heart of Los Angeles. Our 80-seat theater, in the heart of Hollywood, is outfitted with a Christie DLP projector and seven JBL speakers throughout the venue, delivering top notch quality in an intimate screening environment. Filmmakers whose work is accepted into our festival will receive free passes to screenings, invitations to networking events and are eligible for awards consideration.
o When/Where: November 13-16
o Deadline: June 13 (Regular Deadline), July 4 (Late Deadline), July 25 (Fashionably Late Deadline), August 15 (Final Deadline), September 5 (11th Hour Deadline), September 26 (Last Chance Deadline)
o Application Fee: $25-$90
o Eligibility: All Films must feature work produced by female identifying filmmakers and female driven storytelling. We will be accepting submissions from FEMALE IDENTIFYING DIRECTORS, WRITERS, MAJORITY FEMALE CREW (at least 50%) and/or FEMALE DRIVEN STORIES of ANY GENRE.
o Categories: Feature, Short, Document, Web-series, TV Pilot, Animation, Music Video
o Contact: https://www.lafilmfestivals.com/la-women-in-film-fest
New York Film Week
We are an international film festival taking place in October each year. The 6th edition runs from October 23 — 27 2024 in NY, a city that breathes film in every possible way. Our goal is to raise awareness and promote the various aspects of international cinema in all its forms. Previous Premieres include movies from Laura Poitras, Armando Iannucci, Noah Baumbach, Wash Westmoreland, Martin Scorsese, Takashi Miike, Céline Sciamma, Yolande Zauberman, Lee Chang-dong, Kelly Reichardt, Andrea Arnold, Christophe Honoré and many more. First-time and established filmmakers are being selected and every film genre is considered. The festival only shows bold and iconic content, something to remember. We look forward to reviewing your entry.
o When/Where: October 29 - November 2
o Deadline: June 23 (Regular Deadline), September 8 (Late Deadline), September 29 (Extended Deadline)
o Application Fee: $35-$70
o Eligibility: New York Film Week is being held from October 23rd to October 27th, 2024. The Festival takes place annually in the second half of October. The aim of the Festival is to raise awareness and promote the various aspects of international cinema in all its forms: as art, entertainment, and as an industry, in a spirit of freedom and dialogue. In addition to the sections mentioned in the following paragraphs, the Festival also organizes special events such as film workshops and industry days.
o Categories: Feature, Short, Animated, Documentary
GRRL HAUS CINEMA
GRRL HAUS CINEMA is a 𝗻𝗼𝗻𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗳𝗶𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗺 𝗳𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹, 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘀𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝘀, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 dedicated to showcasing the short film works by 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻, 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀, 𝗻𝗼𝗻-𝗯𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗿𝘆, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗾𝘂𝗲𝗲𝗿 filmmakers in experimental, low-budget-, and underground cinema. By promoting creativity and diverse expression through film, we provide a platform for emerging filmmakers and those without easy access to funding, creating a space for underrepresented voices in cinema. GRRL HAUS is dedicated to inclusivity and celebrates 𝗗𝗜𝗬 𝗰𝘂𝗹𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲, because we think it’s important to share works by diverse filmmakers across various audiences, from international museums to underground clubs.
o When/Where: February 18-20
o Deadline: May 31 (May), June 30 (June), July 31 (August), August 31 (August), September 30 (September), October 31 (October)
o Application Fee: $15-$50
o Categories: Short
B!tchFest Film Festival & Screenplay Contest
B!tchFest is more than just a festival — it’s a community! One that extends far beyond the event itself. We are invested in the success of your films and screenplays, offering a space for support, connection, and collaboration for all of our past and present submitters. In an industry where women hold just 26% of key film production roles and only 16% of major studio films feature LGBTQIA+ characters, we’re on a mission to build a supportive network to unite and empower minority creator. B!tchFest is an INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S & LGBTQIA+ FILM FESTIVAL & SCREENPLAY CONTEST with a groundbreaking in-person event for both filmmakers and screenwriters in the heart of Los Angeles. At B!tchFest we’re not just breaking glass ceilings; we’re shattering them into a million pieces by unleashing the POWER of FEMALE and LGBTQIA+ VOICES in film and television! By providing a platform for RECOGNITION, AWARDS, PROMOTION, and DEVELOPING NEW CONNECTIONS we aim to break barriers and pave the way for a more inclusive entertainment industry.
o When/Where: February 28
o Deadline: May 20 (Early Deadline), July 1 (Regular Deadline), August 12 (Late Deadline), September 23 (Last Minute Deadline), November 4 (Extended Deadline), December 16 (Final Deadline)
o Application Fee: $36-$70
o Eligibility: All writers and filmmakers must be at least 18 years old for their project to be eligible. All genres of films and screenplays are accepted.
There is no limit to the number of projects you may submit and multiple entries from the same submitter are accepted. You are allowed to submit the same project to multiple categories.
The entry fee applies to each category. Submitting to Best Feature Film, Best Short Film, Best Documentary Film, Best Female Directed Film, Best Student Film, Best LGBTQIA+ Film, Best TV Pilot, Best Web Series, Best Short Social Content Video, and Best Music Video qualifies your project for festival consideration. Additionally, it makes your Cast & Crew eligible for free consideration for Secondary Award Categories like Best Actress, Best Director, Best Cinematography, etc.
For consideration, film projects must feature at least one woman or a member of the LGBTQIA+ community in a key production role, such as Director, Writer, Producer, Cinematographer, Lead Actress/Actor, etc. Or the film should address women’s or LGBTQIA+ issues and themes to be eligible.
For screenplay submissions, we prefer scripts written by women and/or members of the LGBTQIA+ community. While screenplays written by men and non-LGBTQIA+ individuals are welcome, they must either focus on female or LGBTQIA+ characters or address women’s or LGBTQIA+ issues and themes to be eligible.
Writers and filmmakers who reside in countries other than the United States are welcome to enter the contest; however, all scripts must be submitted in English, and all foreign language films must contain English subtitles or be dubbed in English.
Judges, sponsors, administrators, employees and independent contractors who currently or have previously worked with or for the B!tchFest Film Festival and Screenplay Contest are not eligible to enter the festival, nor are their spouses or immediate family members.
Entry fees are as listed on the FilmFreeway site checkout form. All entry fees are non-refundable. No coupon or discount is applicable on a previously submitted entry. Entries must be received on or before the listed deadline dates by 11:59PM Pacific Time, and submission fee payment must be paid in full at time of the submission.
Our in-person festival will feature screenings for the winners of each applicable category, trophy award presentations, red carpet photos, live-recorded Q&A panels with film and screenwriting winners, and an industry meet-and-greet event.
B!tchFest Film Festival and Screenplay Contest reserves the right to make essential changes, postponements, reschedules, or cancellations to competition dates, deadlines, announcement dates, awards, categories, and/or the festival venue at our discretion without contestant consent. The organizers may modify or opt not to award any listed prizes. B!tchFest reserves the right to amend our rules, terms, release agreements, and conditions at any time.
The decisions of the judges are final and cannot be contested in any manner. There is no score on a scorecard that guarantees advancement to the festival as advancement will be based on the total competition scores as a whole.
By submitting to B!tchFest Film Festival and Screenplay Contest you agree to our terms and conditions and to receive marketing newsletters, film festival discounts, and updates relative to this contest and any affiliated sources in the Whoever submits a project shall hold harmless B!tchFest Film Festival and Screenplay Contest and its judges and associates from and against any and all claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, credits, publicity, trademark, screening, and loss of or damage to any materials submitted to our festival.
Notification of Winners and Official Selections will be sent by email and posted on our website BitchFestLA.com. It is the entrant(s) responsibility to provide us with current contact information for notification purposes and to keep the submission service updated. B!tchFest Film Festival and Screenplay Contest has no responsibility for correspondence that is misdirected as a result of the entrant(s) failure to provide us with current and correct contact information or that is sent to spam or junk mail folders.
Should an entrant win an award at B!tchFest Film Festival and Screenplay Contest, they will receive the award in-person at the Festival Awards Ceremony in Los Angeles. If not present, it is up to the recipient to arrange for a representative to receive the award on the submitters behalf. If a representative of the project is not at the festival in-person, no award will be presented. The festival is not required to ship awards to recipients who do not have a representative of the project present at the festival. However, shipping can be arranged on a case by case basis at the festival’s discretion.
B!tchFest Film Festival and Screenplay Contest and the employees and judges thereof, claims no ownership nor option on your work. All ownership and rights to screenplays and film projects submitted to this festival remains with the original rights holders.
All entrants understand and agree that there are a diverse amount of story contexts and ideas, and in no way is B!tchFest Film Festival and Screenplay Contest responsible, not now or in the future, for borrowing or stealing from an idea, copy written concept, or storyline from any film or screenplay entry.
Entrants grant B!tchFest Film Festival and Screenplay Contest permission to use their name, likeness, contact information provided, submitted work's title, logline, trailer, poster, and Grand Jury Results for publicity and promotional purposes. Contest participation signifies entrants' consent for B!tchFest Film Festival and Screenplay Contest, its agents, and contest sponsors to use their information for promotional purposes in any media, globally, without payment or consideration. All use of entrants’ information is in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
B!tchFest Film Festival & Screenplay Contest employs a panel of esteemed judges, consisting of industry professionals, to evaluate the submissions. Please understand that due to industry demands and schedules, the composition of our judging panel may evolve throughout the contest and evaluation process. B!tchFest Film Festival and Screenplay Contest reserves the right to add, change, or remove any members of the judging panel at anytime, while still ensuring the contest’s high-quality evaluation standards are consistently upheld.
By entering this contest, you authorize us to use any trusted third-party, online and cloud-based services and databases for hosting, organizing, tracking, managing, reviewing, and/or transmitting your submission file(s). B!tchFest Film Festival and Screenplay Contest cannot be held liable or financially responsible for any breaches in security with third-party, online and cloud-based services and databases used for managing this festival and its submissions, including but in no means limited to BitchfestLA.com and FilmFreeway services. By submitting to our festival, you are authorizing us to handle your film and/or screenplay using secure third party softwares.
Official Selections and Winners are responsible for their own personal travel and accommodation expenses to attend the festival. Award Winners will receive two complimentary tickets to the festival. All other cast and crew members must purchase event tickets in order to attend.
If a film or screenplay category winner does not respond to their status notification with requested materials and/or confirmation of participation by the requested response date, B!tchFest reserves the right to award a category finalist or runner-up in the winners place. We will still screen projects from submitters who are not able to attend the festival in person, but screeners must be delivered by the requested date in order to participate.
o Categories: Feature, Short, Music Video, TV Pilot Screenplay
Image Out Rochester LGBTQ Film Festival
ImageOut is a premier LGBTQ+ film festival in Rochester, NY. We present LGBTQ+ arts and cultural experiences showcasing films, other creative works and artists to promote awareness, foster dialogue and build community. ImageOut is recognized and respected as a major arts and cultural organization in New York State, celebrating and bringing visibility to LGBTQ+ artists and themed work. This year, we are hosting our 33rd annual Fall Film Festival on October 9-19, 2025. We are also hosting our 5th annual First Cut Film Festival on April 24-29, 2025. ImageOut is an Iris Prize partner and is one of the few select LGBTQ+ film festivals from around the world who can outrightly nominate a film for the Iris Prize Shorts Film Competition in Cardiff, Wales. It is one of the richest shorts film competition in the world.
o When/Where: October 9-19
o Deadline: July 25 (Regular Deadline), August 15 (Extended Deadline) September 5 (Late Deadline)
o Application Fee: $7.50-$30
o Eligibility: All films submitted with LGBTQ+ content will be considered for the film lineup selection. Submission fees are non-refundable. Rochester is home to a large hard-of-hearing and deaf community. We encourage filmmakers to provide closed captioning for their films. If your film includes captions (as opposed to subtitles), please contact us for a fee waiver code. Films selected for the lineup are all eligible for the Jury and Audience awards. Submissions should ideally be film works from the last couple of years. Please contact us if your title is older than two years.
o Categories: Feature, Short
Women’s Comedy Film Festival in Atlanta
The Women's Comedy Film Festival in Atlanta is a theatrical screening event in Atlanta for independent films featuring female filmmakers, actors, directors, writers and producers from all over the world. This is an amazing opportunity to showcase the talent of female directors, writers, actors, and everything in between right here in one of the world's fastest growing film communities. The Women's Comedy Film Festival also recognizes exceptional filmmaking and screenwriting with awards and nominations by our judging panel. Submit your film if you meet AT LEAST ONE of the following requirements:
o When/Where: March 15, 2025
o Deadline: April 30 (April Early Deadline), May 31 (Spring Early Deadline), July 31 (Summer Early Deadline), August 31 (Labor Day Deadline), September 30 (Fall Early Deadline), November 30 (Regular Deadline), December 31 (Late Deadline), January 31 (Final Deadline)
o Application Fee: $22.50-$50
o Eligibility: Script writers, in addition to submitting your script to the festival we also provide optional script coverage. Script coverage with our festival includes the price of your submission fee. Your work will be analyzed by a Cinema Life filmmaker who's produced award-winning films, has extensive writing experience, and also understands the indie way of filmmaking.
o Categories: Feature, Animated, Documentary, Comedy Short
Peach Theatre and Film Festival
The PEACH Theatre and Film Intl. Festival is a unique and rare experience that merge two beautiful genres of arts and entertainment. Both theatre and film, showcasing a series of short films and selected plays, in one of the world's most famous cities, internationally known for being the home of entertainment. Los Angeles, California. Our mission is to select films and plays based on content, quality, and merit. It is also our volition to honor the creatives selected, with integrity and respect for their hard work, discipline and sacrifice to get their productions completed and ready for display. As playwrights, filmmakers and entertainment professionals ourselves, we understand what it takes, and for that reason, we salute you! Continue history with us!
o When/Where: November 12
o Deadline: April 5 (Early Bird Deadline), June 10 (Regular Deadline), September 25 (Late Deadline)
o Application Fee: $35-$55
o Eligibility: Trailers must be included in your FilmFreeway submission, to be considered for official selection.
We do not accept student films or "Works in progress."
Films must have been released, no earlier than January '2020
Those who submit films, must own the rights to the film, own the rights or have proper clearance for the original or selected music featured in the film, and footage.
All Non English films submitted, must include English captions.
This festival reserves the right to make amendments/revisions to the event itinerary, or postpone due to possible/forthcoming COVID-19 restrictions.
By submitting: You consent for our festival to use still shots and/or footage from your play or film, for promotional purposes.
We do not pay screening fees to films selected to screen in our festival.
o Categories: Short Film
The Women’s Independent Film Festival
The Women's Independent Film Festival is a chance to share and celebrate greatness in the world of female filmmaking. Our incredible community ranges from directors, to producers, to screenwriters, to actors, to content creators! Whatever the medium: We build this festival to shed light, deliver opportunity and celebrate the achievements of women in the world of filmmaking, storytelling and beyond! We're going into our 3rd year celebrating the Women's Independent Film Festival and we're so excited for this year's work, partnerships, competitions and more. Whether a finalist or not, all officially selected filmmakers will be invited to join us at the Women's Independent Film Festival for screenings, networking, resources, collaboration, learning, partnerships and for our official premieres and awards ceremony blocks. The Women's Independent Film Festival was created to encourage female content creators with unique backgrounds to share their stories/ The festival will promote the work of women filmmakers and recognize them globally for their achievements in film. Women have to be involved in the creation of ALL submitted films! That can be either as directors, producers, writers, performers, etc. Just as long as they were involved in the creation of the submitted work.
o When/Where: October 9-12
o Deadline: March 31 (March Deadline), April 30 (April Deadline), May 31 (May Deadline), June 30 (June Deadline), July 31 (Regular Deadline), September 1 (Final Deadline)
o Application Fee: $10-$60
o Eligibility: All entries should be sent via FilmFreeway with a secure online screener. Each accepted film must be submitted in the .mp4 or .mov format, preferably. By submitting to the festival you confirm that you own the rights of the film, including the rights to the music in the film. By submitting to the festival you give consent to the festival programming staff to screen your work in front of the private audience of the Women's Independent Film Festival community. There is no minimum running time. Films must have been completed on or after Jan 1st, 2019. All genres are welcome Filmmakers may submit multiple entries as long as each film is submitted with its own Entry Form, online screener and paid Entry Fee.
o Categories: Shorts, Feature Film, Documentary, Animated
Los Angeles Asian Film Festival
Los Angeles Asian Film Awards, originally called Las Vegas Asian Film Awards (LVAFA), was an independent festival that resides beneath the umbrella of AOF MegaFest, which is in its 19th year, is the largest film event of its kind in the world. Held in Las Vegas at the Premiere Theaters and Locations, the show regularly exceeds 20,000 guests and attendees. After a first successful annual event in Las Vegas with the legendary AOF MegaFest in summer 2021, it moved to Los Angeles, the center of the world film industry. Opportunities at Los Angeles Asian Film Awards are literally like no other in the world; Los Angeles Asian Film Awards can put more resources together and offer a wide variety of industry guests, seminar speakers, and panelists. We invite you to join festival director, Award-Winning Filmmaker and Writer Lureen Wu and honorable judge, director Roger Christiansen ("Friends," "Hannah Montana," "Tango Down") as they bring you a selection of pure Asian Cinema for Screenings and Awards. The situation surrounding COVID-19 has caused much pain in the film and entertainment industries, and no group has been affected more than Asian Filmmakers, Writers, and Creators. The Los Angeles Asian Film Awards is a hub and platform for Asian filmmakers to have their works seen and voices heard. Festival Director Lureen Wu was born and raised in Shanghai, China. She worked as a TV director in Shanghai for years, including TV documentaries, TV commercials, celebrity talk shows, and music videos. Early in her career in Shanghai, Lureen worked with the Emmy Award-winning television interviewer, Nancy Merrill, in the English talk show "Nancy Merrill: Minds of Millionaires" on the international channel of Shanghai TV Station(SMG) and CCTV NEWS. After moving to the United States, Lureen continued pursuing her career in film. She worked with filmmakers who are part of some best-known movies and TV shows such as Friends, Les Misérables（2012), The Big Bang Theory, Saw, Sex and The City, Iron Man 2, Grey's Anatomy, The Princess Diaries, Stranger Things, Game of Thrones......Our Festival is open to ALL Asian filmmakers, talents, and writers of all genres and lengths.
o When/Where: December 13
o Deadline: March 31 (Early Bird Deadline), May 31 (Regular Early Deadline), June 30 (Regular Deadline), July 31 (Regular Late Deadline), August 31 (Late Deadline), September 30 (Extended Deadline) November 15 (Final Deadline)
o Application Fee: $40-$55
o Eligibility: We are Accepting submissions for feature Narrative and Documentary, short Narrative and Documentary, Music Videos, TV Commercials, short/feature scripts. All genres are welcome. The festival programming staff will place your film in the appropriate category. To Enter for Competition your film or Project must have a writer, producer, talent or director of Asian descent in order to be eligible for awards.
o Categories: Feature, Short, Documentary, Documentary Short, Animation
The Women’s Independent Film & Television Festival
The Women's Independent Film & Television Festival is a chance to share and celebrate greatness in the world of female filmmaking. Our incredible community ranges from directors, to producers, to screenwriters, to actors, to content creators! Whatever the medium: We build this festival to shed light, deliver opportunity and celebrate the achievements of women in the world of filmmaking, storytelling and beyond! We're going into our 3rd year celebrating The Women's Independent Film & Television Festival and we're so excited for this year's work, partnerships, competitions and more. Whether a finalist or not, all officially selected filmmakers will be invited to join us at the Women's Independent Film Awards for screenings, networking, resources, collaboration, learning, partnerships and for our official premieres and awards ceremony blocks. The Women's Independent Film & Television Festival was created to encourage female content creators with unique backgrounds to share their stories/ The festival will promote the work of women filmmakers and recognize them globally for their achievements in film. Women have to be involved in the creation of ALL submitted films! That can be either as directors, producers, writers, performers, etc. Just as long as they were involved in the creation of the submitted work.
o When/Where: October 9-12
o Deadline: November 30 (November Deadline), January 31 (January Deadline), March 1 (February Deadline), March 31 (March Deadline), April 30 (April Deadline), May 31 (May Deadline), June 30 (Regular Deadline), July 31 (Regular Deadline), September 1 (Final Deadline)
o Application Fee: $10-52
o Eligibility: All entries should be sent via FilmFreeway with a secure online screener.
Each accepted film must be submitted in the .mp4 or .mov format, preferably.
By submitting to the festival you confirm that you own the rights of the film, including the rights to the music in the film.
By submitting to the festival you give consent to the festival programming staff to screen your work in front of the private audience of the Women's Independent Film Festival community.
There is no minimum running time.
Submission fees are non-refundable
Films must have been completed on or after Jan 1st, 2019.
All genres are welcome
Filmmakers may submit multiple entries as long as each film is submitted with its own Entry Form, online screener and paid Entry Fee.
o Categories: Short Film, Feature Film, Documentary, Experimental
The Women’s Independent Film Festival
The Women's Independent Film Festival is a chance to share and celebrate greatness in the world of female filmmaking. Our incredible community ranges from directors, to producers, to screenwriters, to actors, to content creators! Whatever the medium: We build this festival to shed light, deliver opportunity and celebrate the achievements of women in the world of filmmaking, storytelling and beyond! We're going into our 3rd year celebrating the Women's Independent Film Festival and we're so excited for this year's work, partnerships, competitions and more. Whether a finalist or not, all officially selected filmmakers will be invited to join us at the Women's Independent Film Festival for screenings, networking, resources, collaboration, learning, partnerships and for our official premieres and awards ceremony blocks. The Women's Independent Film Festival was created to encourage female content creators with unique backgrounds to share their stories/ The festival will promote the work of women filmmakers and recognize them globally for their achievements in film. Women have to be involved in the creation of ALL submitted films! That can be either as directors, producers, writers, performers, etc. Just as long as they were involved in the creation of the submitted work.
o When/Where: October 9-12 2025
o Deadline: October 30 (October Deadline), November 30 (November Deadline), January 31 (January Deadline), March 1 (February Deadline), March 31 (March Deadline), April 30 (April Deadline), May 31 (May Deadline), June 30 (June Deadline), July 31 (Regular Deadline), September 1 (Final Deadline)
o Application Fee: $10-$60
o Eligibility: All entries should be sent via FilmFreeway with a secure online screener. Each accepted film must be submitted in the .mp4 or .mov format, preferably. By submitting to the festival you confirm that you own the rights of the film, including the rights to the music in the film. By submitting to the festival you give consent to the festival programming staff to screen your work in front of the private audience of the Women's Independent Film Festival community. There is no minimum running time. Films must have been completed on or after Jan 1st, 2019. All genres are welcome Filmmakers may submit multiple entries as long as each film is submitted with its own Entry Form, online screener and paid Entry Fee.
o Categories: Shorts, Feature Film, Documentary, Animated
Onscreen
Eat Your Heart Out
Casting "Eat Your Heart Out," a Neon-Soaked, Pizza-Fueled, Punk-Rock, Horror-Comedy Feature Film.
o Roles: Various
o Rate: $350 / day Total Pay: $2,450 (est. 7 days of work)
Offscreen
Script Awards Los Angeles
Since 2016, we awarded 167 authors and selected an additional 563 authors. We reward ideas, talent, and narrative structure. The script is the core of any project. We want to enlighten the unique talent of writing and the original skill of storytelling, regardless of the genre and style. The Script Awards Los Angeles is an International script and authors competition. The contest was previously named the Script Showcase.
o When/Where: October 30
o Deadline: September 2 (Deadline 4), September 23 (Deadline 5), October 14 (Deadline 7)
o Application Fee: $5-80
o Eligibility: Every submission MUST come with: at least a logline or best: a 10 lines synopsis (in "overview"), an author biography, City / State. THESE ELEMENTS ARE MANDATORY Cherry on top: a writer's note or short letter of intent is greatly appreciated by the judges.
o Categories: Feature, Short
LA Independent Women in Film Awards
LA Independent Women Film Awards focuses on international and U.S. film and script projects of all genres. Every season, the IMDb qualifying fest recognizes projects with a female producer, director, lead actress, writer, cinematographer, editor, composer, etc. All topics related to women's thoughts, women's fate, life conditions, women's views and so on are welcome to participate. All the winners will be promoted through various online magazines in California and can request to receive certificates and laurels. All the winners can request for screening through our festival. Our mission is designed to help create a platform for our filmmakers to be seen, but more importantly, get them the industry exposure to help sustain their craft for many years to come.The members of our jury will be award winning artists working in media from all over the world. All the award winners can request to be a jury member of a new edition of the festival in order to vote for one of the categories. LA Independent Women Film Awards is an outstanding event for promoting female artists working in media from all over the world.
o When/Where: August 31
o Deadline: September 16 (Regular Deadline), October 16 (Final Deadline)
o Application Fee: $30-$60
New York International Screenplay Awards
New York International Screenplay Awards is an international screenplay competition for screenwriters who aspire to connect with the US industry workers and explore the US markets. NYISA winners will be connected to the US film industry by the valued Sponsors; InkTip, Script Mailer, R2W2 talent & project accelerator/ consulting, Script Reader Pro, Screenwriting Software Final Draft!, And much more!
o When/Where: May 7
o Deadline: July 7 (Early Bird Deadline), November 24 (Regular Deadline), February 9 (Late Deadline), April 13 (Extended Deadline)
o Application Fee: $18-$60
o Eligibility: All scripts must be submitted in English, formatted in 12-point courier font.
Entry fees must be paid in U.S. dollars. Entry in the competition is void where prohibited by law.
Screenplays written by up to four people may be entered in the contest. Only one entry fee is required for such entries. All writers' names should be listed on the online entry. All writers must authorize the submission of the entry. If a screenplay is written by multiple authors, prizes will be divided at the writers' discretion.
All entries must be uploaded in PDF format. (www.freepdfconcert.com)
Entrants to the NYISA retain all rights to their screenplays.
Entries must be received by the applicable Entry Deadline.
Once a script has been entered into the competition, we will not accept substitutions or revised drafts. If you wish to submit a revised draft of your script, you must enter it as a new submission.
NYISA will not share your screenplay with anyone except the official judges of the competition.
By entering the NYISA, you represent that your entry is your original work, and does not infringe on the copyright or other rights of other people.
Entry fees are non-refundable.
We do not accept hardcopy submissions by mail.
Submissions must be the original work of the applicant. Entries may be adapted from the applicant's own work.
The decisions of the judges are final.
NYISA reserves the right to make any necessary changes, postponements, or cancellations to event scheduling at our discretion.
Notification of winners and official finalists will be sent by email and posted on our website. It is the responsibility of the winners to redeem any prizes allotted to them by the NYISA or our sponsors. Applicants will be responsible for providing current contact information and mailing addresses for prize redemption purposes.
Feature screenplays must be between 41 and 150 pages in length.
Short screenplays must be between 1 and 40 pages in length. Please email us if you have a longer screenplay that you would like to submit.There is no limit to the number of screenplays you may submit.
Under absolutely no circumstances will substitutions of either corrected pages or new drafts of the entry screenplay(s) be made. Screenplays will not be returned.
Screenplay titles cannot be changed upon resubmission under any circumstances.
o Categories: Feature, Short, TV Pilot
New York Screenwriting Awards
New York Screenwriting Awards, is an international screenplay competition based in New York. Screenwriters who would need recognition to be able to contact agents and producers can submit their screenplays. New York Screenwriting Awards has four editions per year. Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter editions. Winners will be announced on the NewY work Screenwriting Awards website, via emails, and FilmFreeway. Winners of each category will receive a prestigious digital certificate and the official laurel. New York Screenwriting Awards has been run by MAE Media House, one of the most prestigious creative writing consultancies in New York, since 2015.
o When/Where: September 20
o Deadline: July 5 (Early Bird Deadline), August 15 (Regular Deadline), September 15 (Extended Deadline)
o Application Fee: $18-$60
o Eligibility: Trailers must be included in your FilmFreeway submission, to be considered for official selection.
We do not accept student films or "Works in progress."
Films must have been released, no earlier than January '2020
Those who submit films, must own the rights to the film, own the rights or have proper clearance for the original or selected music featured in the film, and footage.
All Non English films submitted, must include English captions.
This festival reserves the right to make amendments/revisions to the event itinerary, or postpone due to possible/forthcoming COVID-19 restrictions.
By submitting: You consent for our festival to use still shots and/or footage from your play or film, for promotional purposes.
We do not pay screening fees to films selected to screen in our festival.
o Categories: Short Film
Swordfish Productions Pictures
Swordfish Productions Pictures is interviewing for the following Crew positions for an $80,000 Live-Action Short in New York.
o Roles: DP/Lighting, Picture Editor/Color, Sound Recorder/Mixer/Editor, Script Sup/Production Designer, 1stAD, Wardrobe/Hair/Makeup, Crafty, 2 PAs.
o Submission Guidelines: Please email 1-2 page Current Resume with 2 Biz Refs all contact info to SPECIALFILM@gmail.com.
Hollywood Storytellers Script Competition
The Hollywood Storytellers Script Competition (formerly The LA International Script Competition) is an annual event where outstanding Feature, Short, and TV Pilot Scripts are evaluated and placed in our all-inclusive genre contest. One writer from each genre and medium will be awarded the genre winner of their respective category. One feature screenplay writer, one short screenplay writer, and one TV pilot script writer will advance and receive the overall "grand prize winner" title. Call for entries open in January and close in November with announcements and subsequent information to follow. If you have a produced script, we'd be delighted to invite you to submit to our sister competition: The Hollywood Storytellers Film Festival
o When/Where: March 21-22
o Application Fee: $28-80
o Deadline: May 31 (Regular Deadline), July 31 (Extended Deadline), September 30 (Last Call Deadline), November 2 (Final Deadline)
o Categories: Feature Script, Short Script
Torch Literary Arts
Torch Literary Arts welcomes submissions of original creative work by Black women writers. We are interested in work that challenges and disrupts preconceived notions of what contemporary writing by Black women should be. Your stories and poems are valuable and necessary. Write freely and submit what you are excited to share with the world. Submissions are accepted for Friday Features only. We accept submissions on a rolling basis. Simultaneous submissions to other journals are welcome as long as they are identified as such and we are notified immediately upon acceptance elsewhere.
o Deadline: Rolling Basis
o Application Fee: No Fee
o Eligibility: Include a one (1) page cover letter noting the title(s) of the work(s) submitted.
Upload your text submission as a Word (DOC, DOCX) or portable document format/PDF (PDF).
Typed, double-spaced (poetry may be single-spaced) pages.
Numbered pages.
Margins should be set at no less than 1” and no greater than 1.5”.
Poetry: submit up to five (5) poems totaling no more than eight (8) pages.
Fiction, Hybrid genre: 12-point font. No more than ten (10) pages or 2500 words (whichever is achieved first). Excerpts of longer works are welcome if self-contained.
Drama/Screenwriting: submit one act or a collection of short scenes no longer than ten (10) pages. Excerpts of longer works are welcome if self-contained. Indicate if a performance video or dramatic audio reading will be available with the text submission if selected.
Restrictions: We do not reprint previously published work for TORCH Friday Features.
o Categories: Scripts
A24
Based in NY and LA, A24 is the Academy Award-winning film and TV studio behind feature films such as Minari, Midsommar, Moonlight, Ex Machina, Uncut Gems, and this summer’s Zola and The Green Knight. A24 TV productions include the Emmy-winning series Euphoria for HBO starring Zendaya, Hulu series Ramy from Golden Globe-winner Ramy Youssef, the eponymous variety series from viral comedy sensation Ziwe for Showtime, the forthcoming Joseph Gordon-Levitt Apple series Mr. Corman, and the Netflix anthology series Beef starring Oscar nominee Steven Yeun and Ali Wong.
o Seeking: Various Roles
o Location: Los Angeles, CA & New York, NY
o Website: https://a24films.com/jobs
The Kate Spade New York Foundation
o To honor Kate Spade’s legacy of empowering and inspiring women and girls, the National Council for Behavioral Health is excited to provide complimentary Mental Health First Aid training to communities throughout the five boroughs of New York City and New Jersey and in partnership with organizations that specifically support these populations.
What is Mental Health First Aid?
Just as CPR helps you assist an individual having a heart attack, Mental Health First Aid helps you assist someone experiencing a mental health or substance use-related crisis. In the Mental Health First Aid course, you learn risk factors and warning signs for mental health and addiction concerns, strategies for how to help someone in both crisis and non-crisis situations, and where to turn for help.
The National Council for Behavioral Health shares Kate Spade New York Foundation’s belief in “the power of women to transform their communities” through empowerment. In support of this mission, we are offering through a competitive application process, select Mental Health First Aid and Youth Mental Health First Aid training, fully funded!
o Location: New York, NY
o Website
Funding
LMCC Manhattan Arts Grant: UMEZ Arts Engagement
UMEZ Arts Engagement is a grant program designed to enhance the diversity and frequency of arts and cultural presentations in Upper Manhattan. The program provides direct support for these activities to Upper Manhattan’s artists and nonprofit arts organizations under the guiding principle that support for artists of diverse disciplines, practices, cultural backgrounds, and career stages contributes to the vibrancy and sustainability of the communities in which they live and work. Program funding is provided by the Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone Development Corporation (UMEZ). The UMEZ Arts Engagement program is administered by Lower Manhattan Cultural Council (LMCC).
o Deadline: September 16
o Application Fee: Free
o Eligibility: Applications will be accepted for projects in any artistic discipline that meet the following requirements: Project must include a public component: an opportunity to access and engage with the arts that is promoted and available to the general public.
The public component may be a single or series of in-person presentations, activities designed to be experienced solely online, or a combination of in- person presentations with complementary online engagements. Please see the Application Tips for project examples.
Projects intended to be experienced solely online must offer an opportunity for live/synchronous or active audience engagement. If you are considering applying with this type of project, please contact LMCC staff prior to the deadline for additional guidance.
Public in-person activities of the project must be located in Upper Manhattan, defined as north of 98th Street on the east side of Fifth Avenue; and north of 110th Street on the west side. In the case of online programming, public activities must reach an Upper Manhattan audience as demonstrated by the outreach and promotional plans.
Project budget must show a UMEZ Arts Engagement request amount of no more
than 75% of the total project budget. Other planned income sources may include cash or in-kind contributions. Please see the Application Tips and Project Budget Template for guidance in accurately calculating this percentage and developing a working, balanced budget.All participating professional artists must be guaranteed a fee, indicated in the project budget. UMEZ and LMCC strongly encourage the use of funds toward artist fees and other project personnel.
Applicants may not be a lead artist or key partner in more than one proposal to UMEZ Arts Engagement.
Applicants may also apply to LMCC’s Creative Engagement program for the same or different project in the same fiscal year.
o Address: 125 Maiden Lane, 2nd Floor New York, NY 10038
o Contact: Lina Alfonso, Program Manager, Grants & Services 212-219-9401 ext. 129 or UMAE@LMCC.net
LMCC Manhattan Arts Grant: Creative Engagement
Creative Engagement is an arts funding program that provides seed grants to individual artists and nonprofit organizations for projects and activities that offer Manhattan communities diverse artistic experiences. Each year, the program supports over 150 arts projects in Manhattan, including concerts, performances, public art, exhibitions, screenings, festivals, workshops, readings and more.. The program funding provided by the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs’ Greater New York Arts Development Fund, and the New York State Council on the Arts’ (NYSCA) Statewide Community Regrants (formerly the Decentralization program).
o Deadline: September 16
o Application Fee: Free
o Eligibility: Applicants will be accepted for projects in any artistic discipline that meet the following requirements:Project must include a public component: an opportunity to access and engage with the arts that is promoted and available to the general public. In the case of workshops and participatory programs, participant recruitment must be open to the general public and reflected accordingly in outreach and promotional plans.
o The public component may be a single or series of in-person presentations, activities designed to be experienced solely online, or a combination of in- person presentations with complementary online engagements. Please see the Application Tips for project examples.
o Projects intended to be experienced solely online must offer an opportunity for live/synchronous or active audience engagement. If you are considering applying with this type of project, please contact LMCC staff prior to the deadline for additional guidance.
● Public in-person activities of the project must be located in Manhattan. In the case of online programming, public activities must reach a Manhattan audience as demonstrated by the outreach and promotional plans.
● Project budget must show a Creative Engagement request amount of no more than
75% of the total project budget. Other planned income sources may include cash or in-kind contributions. Please see the Application Tips and Project Budget Template for guidance in accurately calculating this percentage and developing a working, balanced budget.● All participating professional artists must be guaranteed a fee, indicated in the project budget. LMCC strongly encourages the use of funds toward artist fees and other project personnel.
● Applicants may not be a lead artist or key partner in more than one proposal to Creative Engagement.
● Applicants may only submit one (1) proposal requesting support for one (1) project from Creative Engagement, including those requesting both City and State funds.
● Applicants may also apply to the SU-CASA program, administered in Manhattan by LMCC and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs (DCLA), provided it is for a different project.
o Address: 125 Maiden Lane, 2nd Floor New York, NY 10038
o Contact: Flannery Winchester, Program Associate, Grants & Services 212-219-9401 ext. 119 or CreativeEngagement@LMCC.net
Roy W. Dean Grants
Now entering its fourth decade, the Roy W. Dean Film Grants fund independent feature films, documentaries, web series, and short films with budgets of $500,000 or less that are unique and make a contribution to society that, without its help, might otherwise never get made.
o Deadline: April 29 (Short Film Grant), June 30th (Roy W Grant - Summer), October 31 (Roy W Grant - Fall), November 30 (Carole Dorothy Joyce Grant)
o Application Fee: None
o Eligibility: We want a one page synopsis (or outline) of the film and the first 10 pages of your script. Please be sure also include the following:
Style, format and approach to the material, including any distinct visual or technical elements.
What are your plans for distribution?
Are you the producer, director, what?
How is this project unique and how does this project benefit society?
What is your relationship to the material?
List name and position of proposed key production personnel (producer, director, cinematographer, editor, etc.) List their relevant experience or credits.
o Contact: artistdevelopment@filmindependent.org
Artslink International Fellowship
The ArtsLink International Fellowship program prioritizes applicants whose social practices seek to actively engage communities on issues related to the current climate emergency and human rights. We will actively encourage artists and arts leaders whose work is making a vital contribution to furthering people’s awareness, understanding, and active participation in environmental and/or social justice issues. Additionally, we will prioritize artists recently displaced from or still working in Afghanistan and Ukraine.
o Deadline: Letter of Inquiry deadline will be announced in January 2025 Fellowships take place in 2026: online research in May and in person residencies in the US in October-November
o Application Fee: None
o Eligibility: CEC ArtsLink welcomes applications from contemporary artists, curators, and arts leaders whose work is shaped by community engagement and social practice strategies, and informed by our most urgent local and global issues. We welcome applications from artists of any generation and invite those with both traditional and non-traditional artistic backgrounds. Applicants must be citizens of one of our network countries. If you are living outside the region, please indicate where you are currently based. Please note that an ability to communicate both verbally and in written English will be essential to success in the program. Undergraduate students and research scholars are not eligible. Arts leaders/curators must be affiliated with an arts organization in the non-commercial sector or work as individual independent arts professionals. Artists seeking placement in commercial firms are ineligible. ArtsLink International Fellows from prior years are not eligible to reapply.
Sloan Distribution Grant
The Sloan Distribution Grant is a $50,000 grant awarded by Film Independent to a film that is entering its distribution phase. Eligible films must depict themes, stories and characters grounded in real science, technology or economics.
o Deadline: Rolling
o Application Fee: $65
o Eligibility: Applicants must be the producer of a narrative fiction feature film.The film should prominently feature science, mathematics and/or technology in the story and/or have a leading character that is a scientist, engineer or mathematician. Films with innovative marketing and distribution plans are encouraged to apply. All submitted films must be at least 70 minutes in length. Applicants must be legal residents of the United States. Film must be entering its distribution phase.
o Contact: artistdevelopment@filmindependent.org
Panavision New Filmmaker Program
Panavision believes in helping students and beginning filmmakers achieve their dreams. More than 25 years ago, Panavision launched the New Filmmaker Program, an ongoing grant program that loans camera packages to film schools, training programs, and independent filmmakers – at little or no charge. Panavision’s commitment to the industry's future provides student and beginning filmmakers the opportunity to work with professional grade equipment early in their careers.
o Deadline: Rolling
o Application Fee: Free
o Eligibility: Submit your proposals at least two months before you plan to shoot. Due to the high demand for Panavision cameras and equipment, it is essential that you plan ahead and contact us early.
Proposal materials will not be returned.
The New Filmmaker Program does not discriminate as to the nature of the project that can receive equipment grants. Any form, from experimental to documentary to musical to traditional narrative, is welcome.
Camera grants are available only for productions in the United States. Customs laws make transportation of cameras out of the US prohibitive. No exceptions.
The New Filmmaker Program will not allow cameras to be used on projects that perpetuate racial or sexual stereotypes and prejudices. Pornography is absolutely unacceptable.
Grant recipients must obtain insurance from an outside insurance agent. Students can generally have the school issue the necessary policies. Plan ahead! This can take several weeks to implement. The process varies from school to school, so check with your film department. Productions that are not attached to a school must obtain the necessary insurance from an independent broker. Panavision must receive proof of insurance two weeks prior to prep dates. EQUIPMENT WILL NOT LEAVE THE BUILDING WITHOUT PROPER INSURANCE. NO EXCEPTIONS!
Approved proposals are subject to a service fee for equipment.
Anamorphic lenses are not available via the New Filmmaker Program
All gear is requests are subject to availability
o Contact: nfp@panavision.com
Catapult Film Fund
Catapult Film Fund provides development funding to documentary filmmakers who have a compelling story to tell, have secured access to their story, and are ready to shoot and edit a piece for production fundraising purposes. Our mission is to enable filmmakers to develop their films to the next level at a moment where funding is hard to find.
o Deadline: Rolling
o Application Fee: Free
o Eligibility: Applicants must be 18 years of age or older. Catapult does not fund student films.
Documentaries must be 28 minutes or longer in length. We do not fund series.
Animation is okay. Documentary/narrative hybrids will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Development funds must specifically be used for the process of completing a fundraising piece, which may include writing, shooting and editing once story and characters are in place.
Applicants must own the copyright of their production, and have artistic, budgetary and editorial control over their project.
Applicants should preferably have previous film or television production experience in a principal role (director, co-director, producer, co-producer) as demonstrated by submitting a previously completed work sample.
Applicants who have not yet produced or directed their own feature length documentary should demonstrate that they will be working with an experienced filmmaker in a principal role.
Catapult only makes grants to 501(c)(3) organizations. In most cases, this will mean getting a 501(c)(3) fiscal sponsor for the project. A film production company or individual, including applicants from outside the US, may submit an application without a fiscal sponsor in place. Please see the FAQ section for more details.
o Contact: info@catapultfilmfund.org
Residencies
18th Street Arts Center
18th Street Arts Center values art making as an essential component of a vibrant, just, and healthy society. Its mission is “to provoke public dialogue through contemporary art making.” Founded in 1988, 18th Street Arts Center has fostered and supported the work of many of Los Angeles’ most engaging artists, and has built bridges to artist communities around the globe.
o Deadline: Ongoing
o Application Fee: Yes
o When: Ongoing
o Eligibility: The Visiting Artist Residency Program accepts applications from working, professional artists who demonstrate a deep commitment to their practices. The program is open to artists of all generations, nationalities, and disciplines. Applicants are required to cover studio rental costs themselves. Although we primarily support visual artists, 18th Street Arts Center will consider applications from performing artists, writers, and filmmakers as well.
o Address: 1639 18th Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404
o Contact: 310-453-3711
Other Resources
NOTE: For more resources, visit our pages of Resources - Funding, Submissions, and more.
NYFA SOURCE - The New York Foundation for the Arts maintains the most comprehensive national directory of awards, services and publications for artists in the NYFA Source section of their website.
FILM FREEWAY - Film/Video artists can check Film Freeway at: