Short Story Film Program (SSFP) ~ Deadline – September 30, 2025

January 10, 2025

 

Script Submissions are now OPEN!

Deadline – September 30, 2025

 

CONTACT:   Director at shortstory@scriptwritersnetwork.org 

 

DESCRIPTION:

The Short Story Film Program (SSFP) takes our monthly Creative Writing exercises to the next level (Check our website for monthly Creative Writing Challenges).  The program aims to help writers maintain a continuous creative flow with your writing, focusing on the short story format, creating and executing your unique style, voice and vision. 

 

PROCESS:

Phase One: Three (3) Producers will read and evaluate your short story script providing feedback using a grading system for the first half. The second half of the evaluation will be the Producers’ overall comments on your short story project.  

Phase Two:  All Three (3) Producers must agree unanimously on script(s) they have read in this program. Once they agree on a script or two, those short stories will be turned into a produced short.

Please note, our Producers will read your full script and you will receive three evaluations from each Producer. (All evaluations will be returned in the middle/end of January 2026).

As this will be a short film, and our goal is to make sure your original vision is maintained as much as possible.  The Producers will strongly consider the number of locations and number of characters.

    • Be creative, however, keep it budget friendly = another challenge for you, the writer.

**Scriptwriters Network reserves the right to publicize and forward the writer’s name, script name and logline.

 

**As an educational organization, SWN’s Short Story Film Program’s objective is to better assist you in achieving your goals of becoming a better writer by providing positive, constructive feedback, and evaluations. 

 

PRIZES:

  • We are presenting up to two (2) winners the opportunity to have their Short Story project FILMED.
  • Receive a one (1) year membership or a one (1) year membership renewal to the Scriptwriters Network (SWN).
  • Winners will receive a 4-month InkTip Pro Membership. As an InkTip Pro Member, thousands of filmmakers can find and read your scripts, and you’ll be able to pitch directly to production companies every week. With over 3,000 options and 400 movies made, InkTip is the place for independent film.
  • The winners will meet VIRTUALLY, with all three Producers, at the same time, to discuss the winning Short Story Scripts.
    • Your name will remain as the writer on the script
  • The winners will meet one-on-one with Melessa Y. Sargent, President of Scriptwriters Network for script and/or career consultation.
    • Let us know that you used words and sentences from one of our past monthly challenges for an additional prize and/or time with Ms. Sargent.
  • Your short film will be streamed on our Partners streaming service, which can be found and viewed on their Roku Channel. 
    • If winners have other finished projects, they will be eligible for consideration to air on our partner’s Roku Channel.
  • Prizes are subject to change.

 

INSTRUCTIONS and ENTRY RULES:

  1. SSFP is open to both SWN members and non-members who are 18 years of age or older.
  2. ORIGINAL scripts created from our monthly Creative Writing Challenges are eligible.
    • All words and the sentences SWN provided in the Challenges MUST be included in your Short Story Program projects.
  3. This short story project has a maximum of twenty (20) pages.
    • Your beginning, middle and ending storyline should be developed in twenty pages or less – not more.
  4. Scripts must be a maximum of twenty (20) pages for your project. HOWEVER, One (1) additional page may be used to include the following on the Required Information Page:
    • Name of your project listed at the top – Title of your script
    • The Logline – after the title
    • If you used words and sentences from our monthly Creative Writing Challenge, enter the challenge month and also the words and the sentence that were used and provide page numbers.
    • Total maximum of pages, including the Required Information Page your submission will total to is twenty one (21) pages. Do NOT submit scripts with more than 21 pages – they will be disqualified.
  5. All scripts must be wholly original works of the writer or writing team, unproduced and un-optioned.
  6. Submitted scripts must/should be registered with the Writers Guild of America and/or the U.S. Copyright Office to be selected.
  7. Interstate and international entries are allowed.
  8. Do NOT put your name or contact information anywhere on the submitted script or Required Information Page.
    • Personal information should ONLY be included on the entry form, so that scripts remain anonymous to the Producers.
  9. Please conform to the industry standard script format.
  10. There is no limit on the number of Short Story entries you can submit.
  11. A separate submission must be completed for each Short Story script entry.
  12. Scripts are to be submitted in PDF format only.
  13. Scripts are to be submitted in the English language only.
  14. Electronic submissions must be posted by midnight on the entry deadline.
  15. Submissions that do not meet the full requirements or are submitted incorrectly will be DISQUALIFIED = MAKE sure to read the instructions/rules.
  16. Creative Writing Challenges – past information – click here.

 

SUBMITTING SCRIPTS:

1)  Go through the PayPal button below with a credit or debit card. You can pay as a guest user if you are not registered with PayPal.

–   SWN Members will then be directed to log-in with their membership info to access the member rate.

–   Non-members will have access to the non-member rate.  

2) After submitting the required information on PayPal, click to return to the SWN page, where all entrants will be directed to upload their scripts in a PDF format on the following page.

3) Read and check the box confirming you agree to the competition’s rules and regulations.

4) The script submission will now be accepted.

5) Confirmation of completion of entry and receipt will be sent via email.

6) Any questions, please email the Director at shortstory@scriptwritersnetwork.org

 

Entries occur once per year.

  • Deadline:  September 30, 2025
    • SWN Members $30.00
    • Non Members $40.00
       
       
      Short Story 
       
      Members – Deadline $30.00
       
      Non-Members – Deadline $40.00
       
       
       

There are NO REFUNDS.

Final results are announced in the middle/end of January 2026.

**All evaluations will be returned in the middle/end of January 2026.

 

NEW READERS:

We are currently looking to expand our pool of experienced readers in our HCSP, HOP and TOP Programs. Please contact us at TOP@scriptwritersnetwork.org for more details.

 

QUESTIONS:

Please contact the Director at shortstory@scriptwritersnetwork.org

 

Disclaimer: Participation in SWN events, programs, contests, classes and workshops is not a promise or guarantee of employment, and is intended for educational and networking purposes only.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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