SIFF CATALYST SCREENPLAY COMPETITION

Seattle International Film Festival (May 19 - June 12, 2016) expands its Catalyst Program to include a feature-length screenplay contest aimed at giving unrepresented writers additional opportunities to connect with the indie film community, as well as a chance to have their work read live during SIFF's 2016 Catalyst Weekend (June 2 - 5, 2016). 

SEATTLE, WA - Seattle International Film Festival is proud to announce the launch of its Catalyst Screenplay Competition, a new platform aimed at offering up-and-coming writers the opportunity to gain industry exposure through SIFF's ever-growing Catalyst Program alumni network.

Building on the success of their monthly Catalyst First Draft live script reading series, SIFF is taking the next step to help support and discover emerging storytellers, both here in the Pacific Northwest and around the United States. The SIFF Catalyst Screenplay Competition places the emphasis on the writer by connecting strong scripts with independent directors and producers, all of whom are alumni of our SIFF Catalyst Festival Program.

Carl Spence, SIFF's Artistic Director, says, "Expanding our Catalyst First Draft program into a screenplay competition aimed at connecting up-and-coming filmmakers with emerging writers is a great way for SIFF to both deepen and expand our relationships with the most exciting, and, in many cases, as-yet-undiscovered, new voices in U.S. independent cinema."    

J. Brad Wilke, SIFF Catalyst Programmer and Screenplay Competition Manager, says, "Knowing the struggle that all unrepresented writers face to get their script noticed, we've focused our prizes on helping make connections in real, tangible ways, while also taking steps to further cultivate and nurture the growing community of SIFF Catalyst filmmakers around the country."

Each submitted screenplay will receive at least one page of written feedback from SIFF's team of trained screenplay readers. Finalist scripts will be read (and further adjudicated) by a panel of film industry members, with the semifinalist and grand prize-winning scripts handed over to Catalyst alumni (filmmakers, actors, and producers), all of whom have screened feature films at SIFF in the past and maintain an active and engaged presence in the indie film community.  

EARLYBIRD DEADLINE

November 15, 2015

Submission fee: $50.00

LATE DEADLINE

January 16, 2016

Late submission fee: $60.00

Prize packages include:

1 Grand Prize Winner receives:

Live script reading during SIFF 2016 Catalyst Weekend

Invitation to SIFF 2016 (including domestic coach airfare and 2 nights hotel)

All of the benefits at the Finalist and Semifinalist levels

3 Finalists will receive:

Skype consult with participating SIFF Catalyst alumni

All of the benefits at the Semifinalist level

6 Semifinalists will receive:

Scripts are read by panel of film industry judges

Submission of script to Catalyst alumni producers and directors

Cinematic Six Pack of tickets to SIFF 2016 and admission to regular-priced Forums events

Live script reading during the 2016/17 SIFF Catalyst First Draft series.

(Includes opportunity to Skype in for event and receive a recording of the event).

Please visit the SIFF Catalyst Screenplay Competition page on the SIFF website for additional details and script submission information.