We're Not Looking for Winners. We're Looking for Writers.

Up to 60 writers will be selected and paid $5,000 to create original short film screenplays.

For nearly 25 years, MyGlobalClassroom has provided free educational distance-learning materials, in 22 languages, to underserved K-12 students worldwide. Now, with new government funding, we are launching an ambitious and groundbreaking storytelling initiative unlike anything currently being offered to emerging screenwriters.

Introducing the MyGlobalClassroom Storytelling Fellowship -- a paid opportunity for 60 talented writers to create a new generation of short-form films for young audiences that entertain first while quietly exploring the social realities kids face every day.

These are not lectures. They are not PSAs. And they are definitely not “very special episodes.”

Inspired by the groundbreaking work of TV pioneer Norman Lear, whose legendary series such as “All in the Family” used humor, conflict, and emotionally honest characters to tackle difficult social issues, this initiative seeks writers capable of blending comedy and drama into stories that feel authentic, surprising, funny, moving, and deeply human.

Our films will explore themes such as:

• belonging
• exclusion
• identity
• online cruelty
• friendship
• loneliness
• misunderstanding
• empathy
• social pressure
• racism
• bullying
• disability inclusion
• class differences
• family struggles
• emotional resilience

...but always through compelling storytelling rather than overt messaging.

We are looking for writers who understand that young audiences do not want to be lectured. They want to laugh, feel recognized, become emotionally invested, and see themselves reflected honestly onscreen.

Selected fellows will be commissioned to write one original 10–20 minute screenplay and will receive:

• $5,000 compensation per script
• 50% payment upfront
• 50% upon delivery
• produced screen credit
• the opportunity to contribute to a worldwide educational media initiative reaching students across the globe.

This is not a screenplay competition. It is a paid writing fellowship designed to discover bold, emotionally truthful voices capable of creating socially conscious entertainment for today’s generation.

Writers may submit an existing screenplay, pilot, stage play, short film, or other writing sample demonstrating strong character work, dialogue, humor, emotional authenticity, and storytelling ability.

Examples of the kinds of stories we hope to produce include:

• A harmless group chat joke spirals into a devastating online pile-on when nobody wants to be the first person to say, “This isn’t funny anymore.”
• A popular student accidentally becomes the target of the very rumor culture she helped create.
• A shy girl secretly runs every successful school event while louder students take all the credit.
• Two students from completely different social groups reluctantly team up for a talent show and slowly realize they’ve both been pretending to be someone else.
• A bilingual student grows exhausted from acting as the adult translator for his immigrant parents everywhere they go.
• A disabled gamer joins the school esports team only to discover his teammates want his talent but not his visibility.

The goal is simple:

Create stories young people genuinely want to watch -- stories that entertain, connect, provoke conversation, and perhaps help audiences see one another a little differently by the time the credits roll.

We are searching for writers with heart, humor, honesty, and voice.

If that sounds like you, we invite you to apply.

Note: While our company is based in Santa Barbara, California, we will be filming most of the 60 videos at the PhillyCAM Studios in Philadelphia. As a result, the MyGlobalClassroom Storytelling Fellowship live event will be held there. Winners need not be present in order to qualify for the paid writing fellowship.

Also, we highly encourage applicants to download and read sample story ideas and carefully review our writer’s agreement PRIOR to submission. These materials can be found at:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/e0jbzahhiv40yeszj05yw/MyGlobalClassroom-Storytelling-Fellowship-Materials.pdf?rlkey=x2y3dqz0a8yks69kn2e9set7i&st=gsm42g35&dl=0

Finally, our modest submission fees help offset administrative and review costs associated with evaluating a large volume of applications for this paid fellowship initiative.

Feel free to reach out to us with any questions: fellowship@mgcschools.com

Awards & Prizes

Selected fellows will be commissioned to write one original 10–20 minute screenplay and will receive:

• $5,000 compensation per script
• 50% payment upfront
• 50% upon delivery
• produced screen credit
• the opportunity to contribute to a worldwide educational media initiative reaching students across the globe.

Rules & Terms

Please read all guidelines carefully before submitting.

Eligibility:

Open to writers age 18 and older from any country.
Writers of all backgrounds and experience levels are encouraged to apply.
Previous professional screenwriting credits are welcome but not required.
Applicants may submit individually only. Collaborative writing teams are not eligible at this time unless approved in advance by MyGlobalClassroom.

Submission Materials:

Applicants may submit one writing sample in any of the following formats:

Feature screenplay
Short screenplay
Television pilot
Stage play
Produced short film script
Excerpt from a longer dramatic or comedic work

Submitted work should demonstrate:

Strong character development
Dialogue
Emotional authenticity
Humor and/or dramatic storytelling ability
A unique voice

Work does not need to address educational or social themes directly.

Submission Limits:
Limit one submission per writer. Multiple submissions from the same applicant may be disqualified or reviewed at the discretion of MyGlobalClassroom.

Language & Format Requirements:

Submissions must be written in English. All submissions must be uploaded as a PDF file through FilmFreeway. Please ensure all PDF files are readable and properly formatted before submitting.

Original Work:

All submitted material must be the applicant’s original work. By submitting, the applicant confirms they hold all rights to the material and have authority to submit it for review. Adaptations are acceptable only if the applicant controls or has secured the underlying rights.

Use of Artificial Intelligence:

MyGlobalClassroom is seeking work driven by the applicant’s original voice, perspective, and storytelling ability. AI may be used for minor proofreading or formatting support only. Howeve, AI-generated scripts are not eligible. Submissions must reflect the applicant’s own original writing, character development, dialogue, and creative expression. By submitting, applicants affirm that the submitted material substantially represents their own original authorship.

Selection Process:

Applications will be reviewed by the MyGlobalClassroom selection committee.

Selected fellows will be chosen based on:

Strength of writing
Original voice
Character and dialogue
Emotional truth
Ability to balance entertainment with meaningful human storytelling
Potential fit for MyGlobalClassroom’s short-form educational film initiative

Finalists may be contacted for additional materials, conversation, or interview prior to selection.

Fellowship Award:

Up to 60 writers will be selected for commission.

Each selected fellow will receive:

$5,000 commission per screenplay
50% payment upon contracting
50% payment upon final approved delivery
Screen credit if produced

Selected fellows will be commissioned to write one original screenplay of approximately 10–20 minutes in length.

Writer Agreement:

Selected fellows will be required to sign a separate Writer Agreement before receiving payment or beginning work.

This agreement will include details regarding:

payment schedule
writing deadlines
revisions
screenplay delivery requirements
production rights
screen credit

Applicants are encouraged to request and review a sample Writer Agreement prior to submission by emailing:

fellowship@mgcschools.com

Rights:

Applicants retain ownership of all submitted sample material. However, if selected for the fellowship, commissioned screenplay rights for the newly assigned script will be governed by the terms of the Writer Agreement executed with MyGlobalClassroom.

Submission does not obligate MyGlobalClassroom to option, purchase, or produce any submitted sample material.

Event Attendance:

The MyGlobalClassroom Storytelling Fellowship live event is scheduled to take place at PhillyCAM Studios in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

Attendance is not required for selection or participation.

Writers from anywhere in the world are eligible to apply and may be selected whether or not they attend the live event.

Notification:

Selected applicants will be contacted directly via email through FilmFreeway or via the email address provided at submission.

Please ensure your contact information remains current.

Refund Policy:

All submission fees are non-refundable.

Additional Information:

MyGlobalClassroom reserves the right to modify dates, deadlines, award amounts, and fellowship details if necessary.

By submitting, applicants acknowledge they have read and understood these Rules & Terms and agree to all submission guidelines.

Questions may be directed to:

fellowship@mgcschools.com