🎬 Big Apple Film Festival and Screenplay Competition: Women’s Spotlight Edition.

Now accepting submissions from women filmmakers and screenwriters!

Big Apple Film Festival and Screenplay Competition: Women’s Spotlight Edition, is a standalone, special event dedicated to celebrating and showcasing the work of women directors and women screenwriters. This unique edition of the festival is focused exclusively on amplifying women’s voices in film and storytelling, providing a platform for emerging and established female-identifying creatives.

We are seeking short films, feature-length films and TV/episodic projects directed by women, as well as feature length screenplays, short scripts and TV/episodic pilot scripts written by women. All genres are welcome.

🎟️ Please note: This is a separate event from the main Big Apple Film Festival and Screenplay Competition. Submitting to the Women’s Spotlight Edition does not affect eligibility for the main festival.

🎥 Double the opportunity: Applicants are encouraged to submit to both the Women’s Spotlight Edition and the main Big Apple Film Festival and Screenplay Competition to maximize their chances of selection and exposure.

Join us in celebrating women in film. Step into the spotlight — and share your story.

AGENTS, MANAGERS & PRODUCERS PITCH FORUM (VIRTUAL EVENT)

🎟️ Add-On: All Access Pass – Agents, Managers & Producers Pitch Forum
Regular Price: $200 | Your Price: $130 with Film or Script Submission (35% discount)

Upgrade your festival experience with exclusive access to the Agents, Managers & Producers Pitch Forum — a premium industry networking and pitching event that runs VIRTUALLY in the fall of 2026. This event gives you the opportunity to meet with and pitch to agents, managers, producers and other industry professionals.

This season's Agents, Managers & Producers Pitch Forum will take place virtually in the fall of 2026. DATES TO BE ANNOUNCED SOON...

💼 WHAT THE ALL-ACCESS PASS INCLUDES:

🎬 Access to All live industry info sessions and Q&As with agents, managers, producers and other industry professionals at no additional cost. These sessions include discussions on representation, packaging, and selling your work, as well as networking opportunities with reps and fellow creatives.

🎤 PITCH SESSIONS: All Access Pass holders will receive priority access to register for small group pitch sessions with agents, managers, producers and other industry representatives (sold separately). NOTE: at this time, pitch session registration will ONLY be available to All Access Pass Holders. Registration will open in the fall of 2026.

✅ Submitters who choose this option will receive a code approximately two weeks before the event to redeem their prepaid All Access Pass.

✅ NOTE: All submitters who register for the Agents, Managers & Producers Pitch Forum will automatically receive their All-Access Pass, even if their project is not selected for the festival.

🎯 Reserve your All Access Pass now — spots are limited, and pitch sessions fill up fast

📌 PREVIOUS PARTICIPANTS HAVE INCLUDED REPS FROM:

● WME
● CAA
● The Gersh Agency
● Zero Gravity Management
● 3 Arts Entertainment
● Innovative Artists
● Magnolia Entertainment
● Kaplan Stahler Agency
● WGA East
as well as producers, filmmakers and development professionals who have developed projects for:
● Netflix
●Universal
● Marvel
● 20th Television
● MarVista Entertainment
● Lionsgate
● AMC Networks
● Amazon MGM Studios
and more...

(Next season's participating agents, managers, producers and industry reps will be announced in fall 2026)

NOTE: Participation provides opportunities to pitch projects, receive feedback, and network with industry professionals. Script requests, representation, development deals, acquisitions, and other professional outcomes are NOT guaranteed, and individual results vary.

PRODUCER'S NOTES
Submitters have the option to upgrade their film or script submission to include Producer's Notes. If this option is selected, the submitter will receive one page of notes from one professional accredited producer.

Participating producers include:

● Krushan Naik (producer of Oscar®-nominated film "Anuja")

● Emmy Award winning producer Ryan Cunningham (Paramount+, Hulu, Disney+, HBOmax)

● Crystal Holt (former Vice President of Series at 20th Television/Disney, previous Director of Scripted Programming at AMC Networks)

● Devan Renea (Hulu, CW, OWN)

● Tim Curcio (CBS)

● Aeryn Michelle Willams (Netflix, Marvel, Disney, Prime Video)

● Samantha Sharma (former Script Contest Coordinator at Disney+, former Creative Executive at Marvel Studios, Franchise Asset Coordinator at LucasFilm Ltd.).

YEAR ROUND INDUSTRY NETWORKING, MENTORING AND PITCH SESSIONS
In an effort to support and connect filmmakers, screenwriters and series creators to industry professionals throughout the year, BAFF offers a series of year round virtual networking, mentorship and pitch sessions.

FOR UPCOMING INDUSTRY NETWORKING, MENTORSHIP AND PITCH SESSIONS VISIT: https://bigapplefilmfestivalindustrynetworkingevents.eventive.org/schedule

BAFF's network of mentors throughout the years have included writers, producers, directors and development executives who have developed projects for:
Netflix, HBO, NBCUniversal, Disney, Hulu, Warner Bros., Showtime
Amazon Studios, CBS , ABC, Film Rise

BIG APPLE FILM FESTIVAL
BAFF, named one of MovieMaker Magazine's top "25 Film Festivals Worth The Entry Fee,” top "25 Coolest Film Festivals,”, CBS New York's "Best Film Festivals in New York...,” and FilmFreeway's "Top 100 Best Reviewed Festivals", is dedicated to showcasing, highlighting and promoting the highest quality films from the New York City independent film community, as well as additional specially selected films from across the country and around the world. Our goal is to celebrate the great city of New York through the exhibition of innovative and purposeful filmmaking.

"According to reviews from real FilmFreeway users, Big Apple Film Festival ranks in the top 1% of more than 10,000 film festivals and creative contests around the world." -FilmFreeway

Throughout the years, BAFF has been proud showcase and celebrate countless critically acclaimed films from women filmmakers, including:

​● "Until" directed by Golden Globe Award winner Kyra Sedgwick

​● "Bones of Crows"(Writers Guild of Canada Award nominee, Canadian Screen Awards nominee, theatrical distribution Elevation Pictures)

● 'The Herricanes" Big Apple Film Festival Best Feature Documentary Award, SXSW Documentary Spotlight Audience Award, distributed by Blue Harbor Entertainment

● ​"Sleep Study", (Hulu), directed by Independent Spirit Award nominated producer Natalie Metzger

● "The Girl Who Wore Freedom" released in over 100 theaters nationwide, available on major streaming platforms and Delta Airlines

● ​"Thirsty" (Apple TV, Prime Video), starring Jamie Neumann (HBO's The Deuce), Image Award nominee Tyler Lepley (Harlem, Tyler Perry's Duplicity), Golden Globe Award winner Kyra Sedgwick, Golden Globe Award nominee Thora Birch

● "The Arrival", directed by acclaimed filmmaker Alyssa Rallo Bennett, distributed nationwide by Gravitas Ventures

● "Edith+Eddie" (Academy Award nominee, Best Documentary Short Subject)

And many more...

PREVIOUS HONORARY GUESTS, AWARD RECIPIENTS, GUEST SPEAKERS AND VIP ATTENDEES INCLUDE:

Kyra Sedgwick (Emmy and Golden Globe winner), Actress/Comedian Kim Wayans, Olympia Dukakis (Academy Award and Golden Globe Award winner), Kathleen Turner (Academy Award nominee & Golden Globe Award winner), Amy Stiller, and many more...

BIG APPLE FILM FESTIVAL HAS BEEN FEATURED IN:
Indiewire
The New York Times
MovieMaker Magazine (Top 25 Coolest Film Festivals and Top 25 Festivals Worth The Entry Fee)
CBS New York (Best Film Festivals in New York...)
The Hollywood Reporter
BuzzFeed
PIX News
New York 1
AM New York
And more...

FILM SCREENINGS:

Big Apple Film Festival accepts submissions and presents selected films in live theatrical screenings in NYC, followed by post screening filmmaker Q and A's.

ABOUT OUR SCREENPLAY COMPETITION:

Big Apple Film Festival Screenplay Competition seeks to discover and support the most original and innovative screenplays from emerging and established screenwriters from around the world.

Throughout the years, the Big Apple Film Festival Screenplay Competition has celebrated and supported the work of countless emerging and established women screenwriters from across the country and around the world.

PREVIOUS SCREENPLAY COMPETITION PARTICIPANTS HAVE INCLUDED:

● Amy Kolquist (Writer of "Border Run" starring Academy Award nominee Sharon Stone and Billy Zane, distributed by Anchor Bay Entertainment and Paramount Pictures)

● Stephanie Drapeau (Writer and Producer of Wish Wizard starring Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman)

● Caytha Jentis(written/directed/produced projects for HBO, Warner Bros., Amazon)

● Elizabeth Page - Six time Emmy Award and three time WGA Award winning writer and playwright (ABC, CBS, TBS)

● Jyllian Gunther(Emmy Award winner, producer for NBC, ABC, A&E)
​
● Rosemary Griggs (2x Quarter Finalist, award winning author, published by Fence Publishing)
​
● Lindsay Heiman (showrunner's assistant, credits include “CONAN”, Warner Bros., “VEEP” Paramount, “INSECURE” HBO, “THE SEX LIVES OF COLLEGE GIRLS” HBO Max, "THE GIRLS ON THE BUS" and "MORE," both premiering on HBO Max)
​
● Sheena Lambert (Author, "The Lake", published by HarperCollins, optioned TV projects in various stages of development, represented by Blake Friedmann Agency in London)

● Nicole Delprado - Development Producer, Flying Bark Productions (Netflix, Hulu, Paramount +, Disney, NBCUniversal)

● Linda Shayne (writer/director "Undercover Kid" released by WARNER BROTHERS, HBO Family, "Little Ghost,” distributed by PARAMOUNT video airing on HBO)

● Elizabeth Reichelt (writer, "Bridgerton", NETFLIX, writer's assistant, Inventing Anna NETFLIX, Co-wrote/co-produced Full Picture, executive produced by Golden Globe and Emmy Award winner Rachel Bloom. Writer for the CBS Diversity Showcase)

● Maia Henkin (repped by Abrams Artists Agency)

● Aimee Pitta - writer of HULU's "Christmas on Repeat", "The Clue to Love" (Reel One Entertainment), "Love's Second Chance" (Reel One Entertainment)

and many more...

INDUSTRY JURORS
Big Apple Film Festival industry jurors include writers, producers and industry professionals with credits at NETFLIX, AMAZON MGM STUDIOS, 20th TELEVISION, UNIVERSAL, AMC NETWORKS and more. (visit bigapplefilmfestival.com for the complete list of jurors).

Awards & Prizes

SCREENPLAY COMPETITION AWARDS:

Screenplay winners in each category will receive small group meetings with established producers and other industry representatives. These industry professionals will be selected from BAFF alumni and other members of our industry network (screenplay winners will receive information on this year's selected industry reps in the weeks following the festival).

These meetings are designed to provide winning screenwriters with direct access and live interaction with industry professionals to provide strategies, guidance, and mentorship to emerging screenwriters.

Conferences take place virtually, allowing participants to join remotely.

Screenplay winners and selected feature films will receive a complimentary membership to New York Women in Film & Television.

Winners will receive a complimentary all-access badge to Big Apple Film Festival film screenings

Access to select Industry Networking and Mentorship Sessions

NOTE: As this event is a special one-night showcase, separate from the main Big Apple Film Festival, it is strictly a showcase event with no competitive categories or awards for films.

Rules & Terms

BIG APPLE FILM FESTIVAL RULES AND REGULATIONS

1. Big Apple Film Festival accepts submissions for feature films, short films, feature documentaries, short documentaries, animation, episodic, music videos, student films, feature length screenplays, series/episodic pilot scripts and short screenplays.

2. All films submitted must have been completed on or after January 1, 2024.

3. All films must be submitted with an online screener

4. All feature narrative and feature documentary submissions must be over 60 minutes in length.

5. All short film narrative and short documentary submissions must be under 60 minutes in length.

6. Animation, episodic, and student film submissions of all lengths will be considered.

7. Music Videos must be under 10 minutes

8. BAFF will present selected films as a live in person event.

9. Submission fees are non-refundable

10. SUBMITTER MUST HOLD ALL NECESSARY RIGHTS AND CLEARANCES TO ALL MATERIAL SUBMITTED TO BIG APPLE FILM FESTIVAL, LLC

11. The organizers of the Big Apple Film Festival and Screenplay Competition wish to make it clear that while we welcome and appreciate all submissions to our festival, we are unable to provide individualized feedback on entries. Furthermore, the selection process for our festival is subjective and may involve various factors related to overall programming considerations. BAFF is under no obligation to provide feedback or comments regarding submitted films or scripts to any applicant. As such, Big Apple Film Festival is not obligated to explain why a particular film or script was not selected for inclusion in the festival, or why a particular script did not advance in our screenplay competition. Our decisions are final and not open to negotiation or appeal.

12. Big Apple Film Festival reserves the right to withdraw any project from our festival program or entry pool at any time for any reason we deem necessary.

13. Entrants hereby acknowledge and agree that the identities, business affiliations, and contact information of film screeners and script readers shall remain strictly confidential and will not be disclosed under any circumstances to the submitter.

14. All submitters who register for a prepaid All Access Pass to Agents, Managers & Producers Pitch Forum at the time of entry will automatically receive their pass in the spring of 2026, regardless of whether or not their project is selected for inclusion in the festival.

15. All information provided on this page may be subject to change. This includes but not limited to: event dates, event details, industry conferences, networking events, event format, guest speakers, jurors, awards, venue, etc.

16. All selected films will be screened on DCP. All selected films must either provide a DCP, or have a DCP created. DCP's may be created through our partner organization, SimpleDCP. All selected films must be delivered by the deadline stated in the official selection notice. Films that are not delivered by the final delivery deadline will not be permitted to screen.

17. Submitter confirms that they have read all rules and regulations prior to submitting their project.

18. DISCLAIMER: By submitting to the Big Apple Film Festival and Screenplay Competition (“BAFF”), you agree to release and hold harmless BAFF, its affiliates, staff, and partners from any and all claims, liabilities, or damages arising from your submission or participation. BAFF is not responsible for loss, damage, or unauthorized use of submitted materials.

19. At Big Apple Film Festival and Screenplay Competition, the integrity of our evaluation process and the protection of your intellectual property are our highest priorities. We mandate that every submission receive a thorough evaluation conducted solely by a human. The use of any generative AI tool in the review, analysis, or feedback process is strictly prohibited. We reserve the right to audit feedback to uphold this standard. Additionally, Screeners and Readers may not share, distribute, or discuss any copyrighted material or intellectual property they review outside of the secured film festival and screenplay competition platform and judging process.

SCREENPLAY COMPETITION RULES AND REGULATIONS FOR FEATURE LENGTH SCREENPLAYS, SHORT SCRIPTS AND TV/EPISODIC PILOT SCRIPTS:

1. Big Apple Film Festival Screenplay Competition accepts feature length screenplays, short scripts and series/episodic pilot scripts. Feature length scripts must be a minimum of 60 pages and no longer than 150 pages. Series/episodic and short scripts must under 60 pages.

2. Submitted screenplays can not have been optioned, purchased, or otherwise produced at the time of submission.

3. Writers may submit as many screenplays as they’d like to the competition, however each script requires a separate application and payment.

4.All entries must be submitted in English.

5. Submissions must include the title, author(s) and any relevant registration or copyright information.

6. Screenplays must be submitted in PDF or MS WORD.

7.All screenplays are considered complete once they are received by the Big Apple Film Festival. No revisions or updated copies will be accepted.

8. Submission fees are non-refundable.

9. Submitter confirms that they have read all rules and regulations prior to submitting your project.

10. SUBMITTER MUST HOLD ALL NECESSARY RIGHTS AND CLEARANCES TO ALL MATERIAL SUBMITTED TO BIG APPLE FILM FESTIVAL, LLC

11. The organizers of the Big Apple Film Festival and Screenplay Competition wish to make it clear that while we welcome and appreciate all submissions to our festival, we are unable to provide individualized feedback on entries. Furthermore, the selection process for our festival is subjective and may involve various factors related to overall programming considerations. BAFF is under no obligation to provide feedback or comments regarding submitted films or scripts to any applicant. As such, Big Apple Film Festival is not obligated to explain why a particular film or script was not selected for inclusion in the festival, or why a particular script did not advance in our screenplay competition. Our decisions are final and not open to negotiation or appeal.

12. Big Apple Film Festival reserves the right to withdraw any project from our festival program or entry pool at any time for any reason we deem necessary.

13. Entrants agree and acknowledge that the identities, business affiliations, and contact information of film screeners and script readers shall remain strictly confidential and will not be disclosed under any circumstances to the submitter.

14. All submitters who register for a prepaid All-Access Pass to the Agents, Managers & Producers Pitch Forum at the time of entry will automatically receive their pass in the spring of 2026, regardless of whether or not their project is selected for inclusion in the festival.

15. All information provided on this page may be subject to change. This includes, but is not limited to, event dates, event details, industry conferences, networking events, event format, guest speakers, jurors, awards, venue, and other relevant information.

16. DISCLAIMER: By submitting to the Big Apple Film Festival and Screenplay Competition (“BAFF”), you agree to release and hold harmless BAFF, its affiliates, staff, and partners from any and all claims, liabilities, or damages arising from your submission or participation. BAFF is not responsible for loss, damage, or unauthorized use of submitted materials.

17. At Big Apple Film Festival and Screenplay Competition, the integrity of our evaluation process and the protection of your intellectual property are our highest priorities. We mandate that every submission receive a thorough evaluation conducted solely by a human. The use of any generative AI tool in the review, analysis, or feedback process is strictly prohibited. We reserve the right to audit feedback to uphold this standard. Additionally, Screeners and Readers may not share, distribute, or discuss any copyrighted material or intellectual property they review outside of the secured film festival and screenplay competition platform and judging process.

50 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Eris Savio

    I am honored and humbled for my pilot Nevermore to be chosen for this year’s First Time Writer award. I’m excited to see where we go next!

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Eris! Congratulations on your script!

  • Sami Plotkin

    We're delighted and truly honored that our script DARK LADIES has won BAFF's Spring 2026 Women's Spotlight Edition's TV/Episodic category. Thank you, BAFF, for the recognition of our pilot, but, more so, for your recognition of the need to highlight films and television for and about women. This is a truly great competition!

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Sami! Congratulations on your wonderful script!

  • Shannon Denise Evans

    Pleased to be named a Finalist for my short screenplay SIGNAL at the Big Apple Film Festival Women's Spotlight Edition. Having two projects recognized at the same festival — BETTER ANGELS in the Feature Screenplay category and SIGNAL in Short Script — is a testament to BAFF's commitment to recognizing writers across formats. The festival's industry connections and its focus on amplifying women screenwriters make it a standout competition.

    April 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Shannon!

  • Yvonne Medley

    I have been so excited and grateful that one of my screenplays was selected for Honorable Mention, and that the other has, thus far, made it as a finalist. I am hopeful. These accomplishments have made me feel that my investment in you has not been in vain. Viewing the film shorts at the theater was wonderful. Staff and attendees were all very welcoming and informative. And the filmmakers were willing to connect with me to share their experiences. I enjoyed the networking Zoom, though I did not receive the promised text to sign on. I enjoyed the pitching session. Adrienne gave me hope.

    April 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you Yvonne!

  • Patricia Marshall

    I'm so grateful to the BAFF judges for recognizing my female-focused screenplay in their Women's Spotlight Edition of this competition. Thank you for the validation and encouragement!

    March 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Congratulations Patricia!