Fentress Fest for Writers

Introducing the second quarterly Fentress Fest for Writers!

We are Fentress Films (a small female, queer, and Black founded film company), and we are SO excited to be hosting our very own festival for writers!! We are looking forward to recognizing hard working writers from all over the world who are creating art to change the world! Not only are we looking for awesome works with superb concepts and writing , but we are also looking for hardworking and passionate artists that tell captivating stories! We are especially eager to see work with themes of: LGBTQ+ issues, BIPOC storylines, healthcare and mental health stories, and stories for social change; however, all genres and themes are encouraged and welcomed!

We are accepting submissions every 3 months (4 times/year), and then we will select winners! The winners of each category will get physical prizes AND their work will be read out loud by professional actors in the next season of our IMDb certified web series, The Fentress Readings. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the filming of the readings will be 100% virtual and will be conducted over Zoom. This means we are accepting submissions from all over the world!! Yay!! We will also feature each selected writer, as well as the winners, on our website and social media.

We have 4 total award categories:
1) Best Feature Screenplay
-Each quarter, one writer will win the award for best feature screenplay!
-1 submission category; 1 award opportunity
-Decided by a jury

2) Best Short Screenplay
-Each quarter, one writer will win the award for best short screenplay!
-1 submission category; 1 award opportunity
-Decided by a jury

3) Best Play
-Each quarter, one writer will win the award for best play!
-1 submission category; 1 award opportunity
-Decided by a jury

4) Best Poem
-Each quarter, one writer will win the award for best poem!
-1 submission category; 1 award opportunity
-Decided by a jury

For each award category, the winner will receive:
-Official winner certificate and laurels
-Free Fentress Films stickers
-We will feature you on our website and social media
-Your writing will be read out loud by professional actors in the next season of our IMDb certified web series, The Fentress Readings (includes a YouTube Live premiere and writers will receive credit on IMDb)

All selected writers will receive digital laurels.

General rules for applying:
-scripts and poems can only be submitted via FilmFreeway
-Short screenplays must be 30 pages or less
-Feature screenplays must be 50 pages or more
-Plays can have one or more acts and must be 10 pages or more
-Poems can be any length
-In order for us to consider your writing for an award, you must include a basic poster, brief synopsis, and access to read your work via your FilmFreeway project submission
-We will not waive any submission fees, as we do not want to favor or give special treatment to any writers over others
-All writing must be in English OR Spanish only
-There are no restrictions regarding prior readings or productions of the works to submit to our festival
-There are no restrictions regarding submitting your writing to other festivals (we hope you submit your amazing work to more than just our festival)
-If you submit your work to Fentress Fest for Writers this quarter, you can submit it again next quarter if you want to compete again
-You can submit to as many award categories as you want (as long as you actually qualify for each category), but you are required to pay the submission fee for each category you apply to
-You can submit more than one piece of writing, but you are required to pay the submission fee(s) for each piece you submit
-Fentress Fest for Writers reserves the right to reject or disqualify any ineligible entries, without a refund
-Works that win an award will be selected for a staged virtual reading in our web series, The Fentress Readings (with professional actors and a live audience)
-All writing must be the original work of the submitting applicant ONLY. By entering this competition, you attest that you have all the necessary rights to your work and/or that the content of the writing is entirely your own original work
-Fentress Fest for Writers is not liable for any copyright, trademark, credit infractions/fees from writers that submit to our festival
-Once you submit to our festival and pay the entry fee, we cannot provide a refund
-Fentress Fest for Writers volunteers/jurors/organizers are not liable for any comments or opinions regarding submitted and selected works
-If you submit your writing and are selected to for the staged virtual reading, you agree to let us promote your work on our online platforms and social media and will grant us access to/send us your poster, synopsis, and your full piece of writing to be included in The Fentress Readings

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Amanda Grafe

Honored to have my screenplay selected as a finalist. Great festival with talented organizers.

April 2022

Helpful
Alan David Pritchard

Great to have my play, Red-Handed chosen as an Official Selection, and my poetry film Seismic selected as a Finalist that this competition. Very responsive organisers.

April 2022

Helpful
Jerzy P. Suchocki

A great, affordable festival. Great, kind communication. Quite recommended!

April 2022

Helpful

Fentress Fest for Writers