Your piece will be judged using the following guidelines -
Originality
Lets face it, there are fewer and fewer stories to be told in our business. The most important thing that we want tons ee in your script is something new. Something beautifully original, something unseen. That’s what anyone is looking for, so it’s really in your best interest anyway. Make us say “Huh, that’s interesting”.
Character-osity
We like to make up words. This pertains to your ability to create great characters. Does your story involve compelling characters that people care about? More importantly, will said roles be good enough to draw name talent? Major points for diversity - a female lead is great, a lead with an actor of color is even better. Good characters. Write us some of those.
Story
Do these characters have an interesting obstacle to overcome, and how do they do it? We aren't necessarily looking for things that fit into the Field/Mckee/Snyder template. In fact, it's probably better if they don't. We need things that step away from convention. But we do need to care what happens next. Usually, if the Character is good (see above) than the story will be fine too.
Weirdness
Is that a word? Probably not. Regardless, this is just a general term for our taste. We like weird. It’s similar to originality, but has the added benefit of being entirely indefinable.
Produceability
Not a word? Fine. So we just made a word about it. This is the sense that “this could get made”. There are concrete considerations, such as number of characters, effects, locations. But there is also a general concept that its a piece that will get made and will be sold. We’re not looking for boring chamber pieces or a story told exclusively from the point of view of a chair (Although the latter would certainly get points for Originality - see above.) But we will have limited resources, so keep that in mind.
Diversity
Our favorite scripts will be stories we have never heard about people who are rarely portrayed in film. Stories that have good roles for women or minorities are highly encouraged to apply. If your script is just about white dudes complaining about white dude problems, we may very well not finish reading it.
Mainey-ness
Can we make this movie in Maine, on a small budget? Your movie doesn't have to be about lobstermen who eat potatoes and chop down pine trees. It's better if it isn't, actually. Most of this stuff has been covered before anyway. But we need stories we can make here in Maine, on a micro-budget scale. Ideally, something that resonates with a state full of weirdos and ne'er-do-wells. We have cities and small towns, mountains and oceans, forests and even a small desert (look it up). We are unique. Your story should be too.
RULES AND TERMS
Original Content: All entries submitted to the Maine Film Initiative (MFI) must be original works by the applicant.
Submissions: Submissions must be made on-line. All submissions are final, and MFI does not issue refunds. Each submission will be sent a confirmation email once payment is processed.
Anonymity: The author’s name should NOT appear on the title page or anywhere on the script, to preserve anonymity and fairness.
Length:
Feature Scripts: 40 – 130 pages
Short Scripts: 1 – 40 pages
Teleplay (30 minute pilot): 1 – 30 pages
Teleplay (60 minute pilot): 31- 60 pages
MFI considers all entries to be complete. No revisions of submitted material will be considered.
Scripts also must not have been sold or currently be under option prior to June 2017. MFI employees, including seasonal staff, board
members, sponsors, and their immediate families, are not eligible to submit in any category.
Scripts will be judged numerically on 7 different criteria, as outlined above. Awards, selections, and decisions of MFI are final.
Semi-finalists and finalists will be notified by May. Winners will be announced in June 2017.
If a screenplay has more than one author, it is up to the authors to decide how many authors to list on the application and who will be the primary contact e-mail. Awards are given per entry, not per author. MFI does not assume responsibility for arrangements with regard to awards.
Maine Category: The writer must have been born in Maine, or currently reside in Maine. The entrant is responsible for the authenticity of this claim and any inquiry regarding that authenticity. You may be asked to provide proof of residence at any point during the duration of the contest.
Copyright: All entrants are encouraged to register their screenplays with the Writers’ Guild of America, East or West: www.wgaeast.org/script_registration, or www.wga.org/registration/index.html, and with the U.S. Copyright Office.
DISCLAIMERS
By submitting my screenplay to the Maine Needs Your Stories Screenwriting Competition, I:
1. Recognize that MFI, its representatives and files are replete with ideas and stories for theatrical motion pictures and television programs and that new ideas for motion pictures and television programs are constantly being submitted to MFI. I also recognize that many stories and ideas are similar and often different stories and ideas are related to one or more common underlying themes.
2. I agree to indemnify MFI and its representatives, including its judges and readers, against any and all claims, expenses, losses or liabilities that may be asserted against MFI and its representatives at any time in connection with said Material, or any use thereof, including without limitation those arising from any breach of the warranties and promises given by me herein.
3. I hereby release and discharge MFI and its representatives, including judges and readers, from any and all claims and demands and will not assert, maintain, or assist any party in asserting or maintaining any claims or demands against MFI arising out of, or in connection with the Materials, including without limitation, any and all claims for libel, rights of publicity, theft, or misappropriation of ideas or trade secrets or infringement of copyright or other intellectual property rights.
4. I warrant I am the sole owner and author of the Material submitted.
6. MFI shall not be under any obligation to me with respect to the submitted material except as may later be set forth in a fully executed written agreement between us.
7. I understand that prize money is dependent on the number of submissions, and that lesser or fewer prizes may be awarded than stipulated above if the number of submissions does not exceed 100.
8. I have retained a copy of the Material and agree that MFI shall not be obligated to return the Material to me.
9. I acknowledge that MFI is under no obligation to use the Material in any manner. I warrant it is original to me and that I am the author and owner of the Material.