Filmdependence is a podcast dedicated to championing independent filmmakers; screenwriters, actors, composers, editors, and anyone else making a career outside of the over-franchised traditional system.
We give filmmakers a platform to talk about their projects, experiences, and insights, and be heard by an ever-growing network of industry professionals.
The concept for this competition is based on a simple premise: Big ideas don’t always need big budgets. It’s all about efficient story telling. With that in mind; I’d love to see what ‘Big Ideas’ you can tell efficiently.
Does it have to be a feature?
Nope-a-roonie! If your script is less than 45 pages, then yes absolutely you can still submit to our ‘short features’ option!
Better still; if your story is less than 10 pages long; we have a ‘Short Shorts’ option; just to give you that much more of a fighting chance.
Do you offer Feedback?
I’m not exactly going to be drawing attention to that fact if we didn’t; would I. If you select the ‘feedback’ option; you can have your screenplay critiqued, and a breakdown of what works; what doesn’t work; what’s stand-out and what’s questionable.
So; after initial feedback; we will be re-including guest spot prizes. The comics and cartoons are still there for anyone who wants them; but if anybody prefers to trade in to discuss your work on the show; let us know. :)
This year we’re upping the prize ante; and our first prize winner will be the recipient of dramatic reading of a scene from their script; complete with a stylised animation accompaniment.
Second Prize gets a dramatic reading of a scene from their script.

Best of all, since times are hard these days, to help you guys out where we can, we’ve made the decision to keep prices as they are!!

Just remember that here, efficient story telling will always win-out over gratuitous 'shoot-out' sequences. Use resources wisely!!
Best of luck to you all!!

1st place – All categories
Comic Book. – Win a digital comic book, based on a scene from your screenplay.
Winners Laurel
2nd Place - All categories
Animated Dramatic reading – Win a dramatic reading of a scene from your screenplay; complete with a stylised animation accompaniment.
Winners Laurel
3rd Place – All Categories.
Dramatic Reading – Win a dramatic reading of a scene from your script. Since we’re not animating yours, we’ll even do ten minutes worth 😉 (Sent as an audio file.)
Honourable mention [4th place]– All categories
Winners Laurel – Since there’s always such a high quality of competition, this year we’re trailing the ‘honourable mention’ prize category. If your script was good, but just not QUITE into the top three, we will award one of you a laurel.

Awards & Prizes

2nst Place - All categories
Animated Dramatic reading – Win a dramatic reading of a scene from your screenplay; complete with a stylised animation accompaniment.
Winners Laurel
3rd Place – All Categories.
Dramatic Reading – Win a dramatic reading of a scene from your script. Since we’re not animating yours, we’ll even do ten minutes worth 😉 (Sent as an audio file.)
Honorable mention [4th place]– All categories
Winners Laurel – Since there’s always such a high quality of competition, this year we’re trailing the ‘honorable mention’ prize category. If your script was good, but just not QUITE into the top three, we will award one of you a laurel.

Rules & Terms

-All writers of submitted materials must be 18+; including co-authored material
-Screenplays must include the names of all writers involved.
-Filmdependence is not liable for any false information submitted.
-Sort Film scripts are determined as up to 25 pages.
-Screenplays and any source material must be the original work of the author unless such source material is in the public domain.
-A writer may enter more than one screenplay; however, a separate entry form and fee are required for each screenplay submitted.
-Contestants retain full ownership of their material.
-Filmdependence will provide feedback to anyone who purchases the ‘+Feedback’ option, only.
-We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, veteran status, or disability. It is our intention that all qualified submissions be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions are based on script-related factors alone.
-The script and any related materials must not be in a current option agreement, and/or may not have been previously sold or produced.
-The writer understands that it is their sole responsibility to register material with the appropriate agency in his/her country.
-The writer must retain at least one copy of the submitted material and understands that any material we receive cannot and will not be returned under any circumstances.
-All entries must be received by the Final Deadline.
-The writer may submit their screenplay to any other person, contest, producer, agent, publisher, and/or organization.
-The writer retains all rights to their screenplay, subject to the terms and agreements contained herein.
-The writer understands that their logline and/or screenplay will be reviewed by filmdependence, and/or our panel of Judges for evaluation.
-The writer also understands that any one of these employees or judges may have been or may be exploring ideas similar to those contained in scripts they read, and hereby waives any claim that Filmdependence, its employees or judges may have misappropriated any ideas or portions of their submission logline or script.
-The writer must provide a valid e-mail address with entry; if an email address should change after submission, it is the writer’s responsibility to let us know.
-The writer understands that Filmdependence will be free to use their name, likeness and any broadcast materials for advertising or promotional purposes without additional consideration.
-All winners agree to give permission to Filmdependence for audio and video recordings of any podcast related materials and other events to be used on websites and social media platforms.
-There are no refunds for submissions at any time for any reason.
-Additional rules may be amended at the sole discretion of Filmdependence.
-By submitting to this contest, your email address will be added to Filmdependence contest database. You may unsubscribe at any time.
-By selecting ‘I have Read and Understand the Contest Rules’ on the entry page and submitting, the writer agrees to all of these rules.

3 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Jonathan Zarantonello

    Great communication, solid festival, awesome experience, thanks!

    November 2021
    Helpful
  • Mark Palmer

    Thanks for recognising my short film script "I KILLED TONIGHT". I got the feedback option and it was done professionally with some useful advice. Thanks again!

    November 2021
    Helpful
  • Jerzy P. Suchocki

    It was a pleasant surprise to have my script among one of the award winners, so thank you! Communication was friendly and on time, and the feedback helped me to know the key strenghts and flaws of my script.

    November 2021
    Helpful