Short com Feature writing competition
Postponed until further notice
Having screened some of the funniest short comedy films for several years by emerging comedy filmmaking talent to audiences and industry alike, we are now looking to unearth comedic writing talent to help kick-start their writing career. Scripts are carefully assessed by experienced readers before being whittled down to a final shortlist, which are put before our selected judging panel of industry experts; whose collected votes will decide a winner.
After the competition, we will be active in putting forward the shortlisted talent to agents and production companies. But more excitingly, feature in our brand new THE SHORT LIST. A page dedicated to our recommended writers and their scripts for interested producers and agents to view their profiles and request their scripts for consideration. This is an opt in service for any entrants who qualify to be featured on the page and Short Com will not seek any form of a finders fee in the scenario of a writer being optioned. We'd just be very pleased to have helped.
What Are We Looking For?
Adaptation, Spinal Tap, The Hangover, Airplane! Withnail and I, Napoleon Dynamite, Sideways, The Guard, Thunder Road, Snatch, Rams, Life Is Beautiful, Bill and Ted Shaun Of The Dead, Fargo, Punch Drunk Love. The beauty of comedy is it can exist in any time period, location, theme, world and approach any theme. Light, dark, dry, warm, silly and just weird.
As with any script competition. We are looking for good writing! But for this competition we are equally looking for catchy ideas.
Your story can be set anywhere or anytime. Any comedy styling, sub-genre and any budget.
Our expert panel of readers will judge over scripts by breaking down a script’s strengths in areas such as characters; plot, dialogue, concept, writing and how funny it is. The reading team are experienced script readers who have read for reputable production companies and script competitions. And have a G.S.O.H. ;)
Rules
Scripts must be written in industry screenplay format. If you don’t know what that is… https://screenwriting.io/what-is-standard-screenplay-format/
Scripts are between 80-120 pages. No more, no less!
Must include a one pitch page.
Submissions can come from anywhere. All scripts have to be in English.
No discriminatory language.
Material is your own original writing. (Writing teams are permitted) Breach of copyright is not permitted unless prior permission is sought and granted.
Authors of submissions will contain the copyright of their own material.
Entrants cannot approach readers or the judging panel enquiring the judging status of their script. Entrants can be immediately disqualified if found to have broken this rule.
Entries Open Oct 12th.
Early Bird Deadline - Nov 30th
Regular Deadline - Dec 23rd
Final Deadline - Jan 23rd
Entry Fees UK
No Feedback - Early £30, Reg £40, Late £50
1 Page of Feedback - Early £75, Reg £85, Late £95
3 Pages of Feedback - Early £100, Reg £110, Late £120
US
No Feedback - Early $40, Regular $55 , Late $70
1 Page of Feedback - Early $100, Reg $115, Late $130
3 Pages of Feedback - Early $135, Reg $150, Late $165
Prizes
We have created a prize package for the winner to help them get their script in the best condition to make it as attractive as possible.
Marketing Mentorship - We are delighted to partner up with Script Reader Pro who are offering a one-to-one script script marketing coaching with a pro writer.
Ink TIp - InkTip are kindly offering 4Months of Ink Tip Pro Membership for the top three scripts, where the writers will be able to promote themselves and their scripts to InkTip's large network of producers and reps.
IMBD Pro Membership - An annual membership for the leading database of film industry contacts.
Feedback session - For the top three entrants we will offer one free feedback notes.
The SHORT LIST - The best rated scripts will feature in our dedicated platform for recommendable scripts to the industry.
The Judges
We are delighted to have some truly brilliant judges to preside over the top three scripts.
*Judges could be subject to change at any time.
How to enter?
Send your script and one page pitch to info@shortcom.org with the title of your script in the subject heading for initial screening of entry. And please state what option you would like to enter by and preferred payment method. Bank transfer, Paypal or Wise. Do note, Paypal transactions may carry an extra added fee.
FAQ
Can we send more than one script?
Yes you can. We recommend that it’s only worth getting feedback on one script thus it would be £10 to enter another script.
Why does it have to be in industry format?
Screenwriting is a craft. You can be a good writer but being a good screenwriter is a totally different ball game. And that is what we and the industry are looking for. If early in your screenwriting career, we recommend using screenwriting software than work office software. It will help you a great deal! We obviously recommend Final Draft but there are alternatives out there.
Why do we have to pay?
First of all, we want our readers to be paid fairly for their time and expertise. Reading a script is not as simple as it sounds. Readers are analysing every aspect of the story, writer’s ability and it’s potential place in the market. They are the first judge on whether they recommend a script or writer be considered to have something eventually developed and made. That will cost upwards of a few hundred thousand pounds to millions. That’s a hard job. Writing analysis and feedback takes time, skill and relevant experience. Effectively, they are estate agents for stories made for screen.
Will my script be evaluated less worthy if I opt for a no feedback option?
Absolutely not. First and foremost, we want to champion good scripts and good writers. The longevity of this competition is dependent of the quality of entries and not how much money can be made. We also understand that some people face financial barriers to entering competitions like these so we want to try and make it accessible to all.
Will poor grammar and spelling cost me?
It can but we will try to see past it. As a dyslexic/neurodivergent, I know all too well how easy it is to unknowingly to make mistakes without realising them. Especially if you do not have someone to proofread your work. Do check out the site Grammarly that can really help to smooth out those kinks.
One To One Programmes
If at the fairly early stages of your screenwriting journey and looking to develop your knowledge and ability. We can run a one-to-one programme with you via continuous script development on a single project. Whether it be a short, sitcom or feature film. For further details, email us at info@shortcom.org
Best of luck,
Short Com