Southern Circuit Specials

Screenwriting Edition!

Check out these amazing opportunities for Screenwriters with deadlines coming up this summer! Make sure you make note of the dates and submit your work in time.

in the South:

Sidewalk Film Festival's Sidewrite Screenplay Competition is open for submissions until May 15. This is a great opportunity to have your work rewarded. Winners from Alabama and world-wide are recognized.


and nationwide:

The Austin Film Festival is accepting screenplay and teleplay submissions until June 1. They have added a new horror category of entry which could be frightfully exciting (excuse the irresistible pun) for all the horror buffs out there.

Slamdance is announcing a new partnership this year associated with their screenplay/teleplay competition. Juntobox Films will be awarding the winner $10,000 grand prize and a $50,000 production grant. Deadlines are May 13 - regular, and June 25 -late.





The Creative World Awards are offering some very exciting prizes and offer a script analysis (with extra fee). The final deadline to submit your script is May 15.

Bluecat Screenplay Competition has had some great success stories from the alum. They offer submitters written analysis on their work from two different readers free with submission fee! This kind of feedback is really impressive. The early bird is July 1, and you want to submit early because they also offer the opportunity to resubmit after feedback is received.

The Final Draft Big Break Contest is accepting submissions until July 31 (regular registration ends July 15). They have added a brand new television category this year and grand prize finalists get flown to LA for the awards.



Other resources: I really enjoyed and recommend this rundown of screenplay competitions from the Another Life Film Blog.

Southern Circuit Specials

We have a couple of really exciting opportunities to mention today. So without further ado I'll get right into it:

Film Independent's Project Involve is now accepting submissions for the 2013 class. This is a great initiative now in its 20th year that gives all brands of filmmakers- writers, producers, directors and more- the chance to participate in mentorships, workshops, and production opportunities. The focus is on filmmakers from traditionally underrepresented communities in film today. The deadline is next week so go apply today!


Our friends at ArtsReady have sent us an important webinar opportunity for filmmakers from the folks at Fractured Atlas. As a filmmaker do you have all the insurance that you need? Have you ever considered what could happen if disaster strikes? These sessions on insurance and disaster preparedness are geared specifically for filmmakers and will give you all the information you need to cover your business.
Insurance for Filmmakers | 5/6/2013, 7:30-8:30 pm eastern
Before the Storm: Insurance and Disaster Preparedness for Artists | 5/20/2013, 6:00-7:00 pm eastern

Coming soon: my list of screenwriting competitions. If you are a screenwriter, make sure you check this out.

Southern Circuit Specials

Calling All Filmmakers!

Are you a filmmaker working in Atlanta, GA? Wonderroot has an excellent opportunity for you. Submit your film before March 8th and your work could be screened during their Local Independent Filmmakers Night at the Plaza during the Atlanta Film Festival.

Are you new to the festival circuit? Are you an old hand? It doesn't matter, because there is a festival just for you out there. Read Indiewire's hilarious take on the festival circuit here.


Alums in the News!

Congrats to Alex Karpovsky (Circuit alum from the 2010/2011 season with his film Woodpecker) on the release of his two films, Rubberneck and Red Flag. Read this great interview with Alex from Indiewire where he talks about his two new releases.

Southern Circuit Specials

Calling all Filmmakers!

IFP is currently seeking first-time filmmakers with features in 

post-production (rough assembly through fine cut) for this year’s Independent Filmmaker Labs. 

Supporting filmmakers when they need it most – through the completion, marketing & distribution of their first feature films - IFP’s Independent Filmmaker Labs is the only FREE program in the U.S. for first-time feature directors navigating how to build audience and stand out in a crowded marketplace. In the last three years, they have shepherded projects that have gone on to distribution deals at Focus Features, Radius / The Weinstein Company, Oscilloscope, BBC, PBS, and HBO, as well as prestigious premieres at Venice, Toronto, IDFA, Sundance, Rotterdam, Berlin, and SXSW.

Alums in the News!

Take a tip from Ashley Sabin and David Redmon (currently on tour with their film, Girl Model), and check out Cinereach, a nonprofit interested in funding "Vital Stories, Artfully Told" as described on NPR this morning. Read the online article or listen to the replay here.

Congratulations to Mynette Louie, winner of the 2013 Independent Spirit Awards' Piaget Producers Award. Mynette's film, Children of Invention, toured with Southern Circuit in the 2010/2011 season. We are very excited that Louie's work is continuing to be recognized.