Cannes Latitude Film Festival & Screen writing contest 2018

TinselTown Productions is pleased to announce that the popular and successful screen writing contest is open for entries once more.

For 2018, we are looking for the best short scripts (up to 44 pages) and the best feature scripts (45-125 pages). First prizes will be $1000 and $2000 respectively with cash awards for finalists.
This year we're also looking to invite the winners to our festival and conference in Nova Scotia, where they can pitch their script to producers and directors.
Awards include a short form reader feedback for all films selected to the later stages of the festival; a detailed script analysis for the finalists (value $1000+) and the chance for finalists to discuss their project one-to-one with a respected producer.

This year we are blessed to have as part of our jury team, Phil Nodding - Phil made a writing breakthrough working as a writer on series two and three of the acclaimed C4 TV series Shameless before developing his own long running comedy series Highlites for Radio 4 and Hat Trick Productions. He won a Royal Television Society award for his first episode of Shameless in 2006.
And joining Phil as a new addition to our team is Bill Niven - Bill's most recent project Book of Negroes, is a 6 part series (partly filmed in beautiful Nova Scotia) airing on CBC.

We are also please to announce our continued relationship with The Sunrise Film Festival and The Association of Independent Film Festivals.

We are planning to hold a festival and conference in 2018 and submissions of completed films and shorts will be welcomed through the year. The conference will be a great place to meet film makers and producers from all over the world and to see some films from all over the world.

Awards & Prizes

First prizes in the writing contest will be $1000 short film and $2000 feature film with cash awards for finalists of $250 in the short film category and $500 to feature finalists.
This year we're also looking to invite the winners to our festival and conference in early 2018, where they can pitch their script to producers and directors. Accommodation and meals will be provided.
Other awards include short form reader feedback for all films selected to the later stages of the festival; a detailed script analysis for the finalists (value $1000+) and the chance for finalists to discuss their project with a respected producer.

For completed films entered into the film festival, awards will be presented for the following categories:

BEST FEATURE – Cash Prize of $300
BEST SHORT FILM (Under 15 minutes) – Cash Prize of $75

Rules & Terms

2018 Cannes Latitude Script Contest - Rules

1.Submitted scripts must be original screenplays, and the sole property of the applicant(s). Authorised adaptations of literary works are allowed. Adaptations of works in the public domain are allowed.
2.Writers of all ages are eligible.
3.All entries must be in English.
4.Feature screenplays must be between 45 and 125 pages in length.
5.Short screenplays must be between 1 and 44 pages in length. Absolutely no exceptions.
6.There is no limit to the number of screenplays you may submit.
7.All entries must be uploaded in PDF format.
8.Under absolutely no circumstances will substitutions of either corrected pages or new drafts of the entry screenplay(s) be made.
9.Screenplays will not be returned.
10.If a submitted screenplay becomes optioned, produced or purchased between the time of submission and the end of the judging period, that screenplay will no longer be eligible.
11.Do not send materials, information, budgets, talent attached or anything to show any packaging work done for the project. Any entrant attaching such information will be disqualified.
12.Screenplays, including outlines, treatments, pitches, log lines or any developmental material related to screenplay, that have previously won any contest, competition, grant, lab, fellowship, mentorship, reading or award of any kind, are not eligible.
13.Do NOT include the writer's name on the title page or header and footer of the screenplay.
14.Screenplay titles cannot be changed upon resubmission under any circumstances.
15.Screenplays uploaded or posted online to the public are not eligible.
16.The Organizers do not have to award prizes for any category where insufficient entries of quality are received.

2018 Cannes Latitude Film Festival & Contest - Rules

Films must be submitted via FilmFreeway.
Submission copies must either be screeners uploaded to FilmFreeway OR DVD formatted as NTSC.
Films can have been completed at any time.
Entries are welcome from anywhere in the world.
Any film that has been broadcast in North America or Canada will not be eligible for a prize, but may enter the festival and earn a screening fee.
Any film that has in the past, or currently has, a distribution deal in North America or Canada is not eligible for a prize, but may enter the festival and earn a screening fee.
Any film that is available online to the general public is not eligible for entry.
Producer attests that all clearances, music rights and permissions have been granted for the film and indemnifies the festival and the contest for any claims made against the film.
The festival will not pay any import or carrier fees for submission or screening copies of films, nor for any press materials etc.
Films must be in English - or have English subtitles.
The festival will not refund fees under any circumstances.
The festival dates are open to change at the discretion of the organizers and festival events may be cancelled or moved at the discretion of the organizers.