The Del Shores Foundation Writers Search aims to elevate and expose the unknown voices of LGBTQ+ writers in the Southern United States. Our goal is to celebrate specifically queer voices telling whatever stories they have to tell. This Writers Search is open to writers of stage plays, screenplays, short films and web series who currently live in the South and who identify as LGBTQ+.

The Del Shores Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit with a mission to find and facilitate the development of new southern queer artistic voices through bringing together artists and working professionals, amplifying new work and connecting artists to platforms for the creation of the work.

Del Shores is an openly gay and award-winning writer, director and producer originally from Texas. He has created successfully across studio and independent film, network and cable television and live theatre. His eight plays have led to five film adaptations and his southern, gay franchise Sordid Lives began as a play in 1996 and spawned a cult-hit film in 2000, a LOGO TV series in 2008 and a marriage equality-themed sequel in 2017.

**SUBMISSION FEE WAIVERS AVAILABLE**

In 2022, we presented the first Del Shores Foundation Writers Festival in Dallas at the Trinity River Arts Center with Winners and Finalists in all categories sponsored to attend. The weekend included private workshops for the writers with industry professionals, public panels and stage readings of all three winning scripts. In 2024, we presented the DSF Writers Festival in Atlanta.
See information on the Festival here: www.delshoresfoundation.org/writersfestival2024

Awards & Prizes

CASH AWARDS will be given to a single winner in each category:
Short Film/Web Series – $1,000 Award
Screenwriting – $3,000 Award
Playwriting – $3,000 Award
All category Finalists – $250
All category Semifinalists – $100

- If a Del Shores Foundation Writing Festival is presented in 2025, the winning script in each category may receive a staged, public reading at the festival.
- Semifinalists and Finalists may be announced in advance of the winners at a date to be determined.

ADDITIONAL GRANTS
- Grants will be made available associated with each category to promote the development of each winner.
- Short Film/Web Series – a grant of $2,000 to the production budget of the winner if produced within one year of winning the award.
- Screenwriting – travel and accommodations provided to the winner for a three-day trip to Los Angeles to meet with production companies.
- Playwriting – a $10,000 grant to the production budget of the first professional theatre company Del Shores Foundation partner to produce the world premiere of the winning play.
- See website Terms & Conditions for more information on these grants.
- Finalist Play Reading Series Grant - up to $1500 to one of our theatre partners to produce a one-night stage reading of a play finalist script.

Rules & Terms

ELIGIBILITY
- Must identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
- Must be 18 years or older.
- Must be a current resident of one of 15 Southern States inclusive of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia.
- Playwrights and screenwriters who have had previous worked produced professionally or by non-independent means are ineligible.
THIS MEANS:
- Playwrights must not have had a full-length play produced by a professional theatre.
- Screenwriters must not have had a full-length feature produced.
- Screenwriters who have had a short film produced may not compete in the short category, but may compete in the feature category.
- Scripts submitted must NOT have been previously optioned, purchased or produced at the time of entry. Previous workshops or readings of the scripts are acceptable.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- All scripts must be in PDF format. The name of the PDF should be only the title of the script.
- All scripts must be written in English in 12-point font. Brief dialogue in another language is acceptable so long as an English translation is provided.
- All scripts should adhere to standard industry margins and format.
- All scripts must be submitted online through FilmFreeway.com.
- All submissions are final. No substitutions of pages, drafts or scripts will be considered.
- Waivers are available for financial hardship. To request a waiver please email info@delshoresfoundation.org

CATEGORY REQUIREMENTS
SCREENWRITING – 80-130 pages
PLAYWRITING – Must be full length, single or multiple acts, no musicals. 75+ minutes or 60-130 pages.
SHORT FILM/WEB SERIES – 8-25 pages. Web series may submit multiple episodes within the page count.

RULES & REGULATIONS
- All winners are subjectively determined by our readers and jurors selected at the sole discretion of the Del Shores Foundation.
- Scripts must be an original idea, free and clear of any copyright issues.
- Scripts submitted to the competition must not have received grand jury prize awards from other competitions or nationally recognized playwriting competition.
- Submitting your script with a cover page with your name, script name, and contact information is recommended but not required. This may include a title, author name, WGA registration number and/or Copyright information. A single cover page does not count toward your page count.
- It is not required, but we encourage writers to register their script with the US Copyright Office and/or Writers Guild of America.
- Multiple scripts may be entered across different categories but only one per category, and each script must pay separate registration fees.
- For a writing team, both writers must meet all eligibility requirements and both be named on the script as writers. Limited to two writers.
- All scripts submitted will remain the property of the writer(s). Neither the Del Shores Foundation nor any of its readers or jurors and/or their respective companies assume any attachment to your work.
- All submission fees are final. No refunds will be issued.
- By entering the Writers Search you agree to receive competition updates by email and periodic marketing emails from the Del Shores Foundation. You may unsubscribe at any time.
- Entering the competition constitutes permission to use the winners’ names and likenesses for publicity and promotions with no additional compensation. We reserve the right to publicize and promote any and all progress, development and success of entered projects.
- The Del Shores Foundation reserves the right, at our sole discretion, to change or modify these terms at any time without notice.
- By entering the Del Shores Foundation Writers Search you agree to its Complete Terms and Conditions. See the Complete Terms and Conditions for submitting an entry at https://www.delshoresfoundation.org/dsfwriterssearchtermsandconditions

15 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Catherine Vouvray

    This was a great event put on by fabulous people. Rarely has being queer in the South been this much fun!

    March 2024
    Helpful
  • Hank Rion

    What an amazing Festival and opportunity. From the second I arrived I felt part of a community. As a playwriting Finalist, there were so many opportunities with workshops, meeting new writers and celebrations. And the Foundation paid for everything from hotel to travel to food. You get lost at many Festivals, but not this one. You immediately feel like you are part of the Family. Many thanks to Del and Emerson. This was one of the best experiences I have ever had. Plus, my play is being given a staged reading in June! If you are an LGBT+ writer and you live in the South, you MUST enter!

    March 2024
    Helpful
  • Lee Osorio

    I highly recommend applying for the Del Shores Foundation Writers Search. This is an incredible opportunity for Southern Queer Writers. All winners and finalists are invited (at no cost-, free hotel, and all meals covered!) to the Writers Weekend and given access to invaluable workshops. Most importantly, as the winner of the playwriting competition I'm getting a $10k grant (in addition to the $3k prize) to put towards the world premiere production of my play. The DSF Search has been a life changing opportunity and I've made some great friends through the weekend.

    March 2024
    Helpful
  • Sherita Bolden

    Not only did I feel welcomed and celebrated as a creative by the Del Shores Team, Board, Members and my new fellow creative family, I wanted for nothing when I attended the festival. Actions speak louder than words but honestly, in this case the actions validated the words of encouragement, praise and celebration I received when the selections were made. From being flown to the festival, staying in a beautiful hotel and meeting some amazing people, learning from industry professionals and eating delicious food, I was blown away at every turn. Most competitions announce the winner and that in and of itself is a prize, but for the Del Shores Writer's Festival, knowing that I have continued support with the goal of seeing my projects made into film is something I will always be grateful for.

    March 2024
    Helpful
  • William None

    This was the first festival that I had ever attended and it truly was beyond hospitable. Everything from the panels, to the guests, to the overall atmosphere, everything was truly immaculate. I highly recommend any queer writer from the South to submit.

    March 2024
    Helpful