The Nantucket Film Festival® (NFF®), presented by Bank of America® was founded in 1996 to spotlight screenwriters and the art of screenwriting in cinema. From its inception, NFF has been dedicated to the notion that the screenwriter's contribution is at the core of filmmaking.
In June on Nantucket, screenwriting and storytelling are celebrated with over 60 films screened (features and shorts, both fiction and nonfiction) and through our Signature Programs, making NFF one of the most unique destination film festivals in the world.
FILM PROGRAMMING:
Our feature film program consists of approximately 30 features and includes both fiction and nonfiction. Recent NFF alums include CODA, FIRE OF LOVE, MARCEL THE SHELL WITH SHOES ON, SUMMER OF SOUL (…OR, WHEN THE REVOLUTION COULD NOT BE TELEVISED).
Our short film program includes approximately 30 films. Nearly all of NFF's programmed short films are submitted through FilmFreeway. Attending short filmmakers have access to NFF's programming, including special Signature Programs.
FESTIVAL SIGNATURE PROGRAMS:
Our world-class Signature Programs begin with the Screenwriters Tribute, honoring the achievements of a prominent screenwriter with past recipients including Barry Jenkins, Amy Sherman-Palladino and Daniel Palladino, Ramin Bahrani, Leslie Dixon, Noah Baumbach, Tom McCarthy, Oliver Stone, Robert Towne, Aaron Sorkin, David O. Russell, Nancy Meyers, Barry Levinson, Judd Apatow, Alexander Payne, and Charlie Kaufman.
Other Signature Programs include the always-popular All-Star Comedy Roundtable; Late Night Storytelling, which has featured short stories from Jim Carrey, Tina Fey, Paul Rudd, Mos Def, Sarah Silverman, Michael Ian Black, Mike Birbiglia, Lili Taylor, Rosie Perez, and Alan Cumming; In Their Shoes... conversations; Staged Readings of unproduced screenplays; Afternoon Tea Talks with notable guests; and our daily Morning Coffee panel series with attending filmmakers.
FESTIVAL PROGRAM PARTNERSHIPS:
Our ongoing program partnerships include Alamanack Screenwriters, Facing History & Ourselves, and others.
TONY COX SCREENPLAY COMPETITIONS:
The Tony Cox Screenplay Competitions award cash prizes to winners, and include passes to the Nantucket Film Festival. Categories are Feature Screenplay, Short Screenplay, Episodic Screenplay (30 Min) Competition, and Episodic Screenplay (60 Min) Competition.
Feature Screenplay Competition / Almanack Screenwriters Residency:
In addition to a $2,000 cash prize, the Feature Screenplay Competition winner is invited to participate in a month-long writer's retreat on Nantucket in October through our sister organization, Almanack Screenwriters. Almanack Screenwriters is an invite-only retreat for four writers each year, featuring complimentary housing and meals, affording time and space for writers to hone their screenplays under the mentorship of visiting industry professionals. The winner of NFF's Feature Screenplay Competition is the ONLY public means of entry to the Colony.
Notable Feature Screenplay Competition winners to have been produced and distributed theatrically include Debra Granik's DOWN TO THE BONE, Sophie Barthes' COLD SOULS, Jenny Deller's FUTURE WEATHER, Patrick Tobin's CAKE, Stella Meghie's JEAN OF THE JONESES, and Sameh Zoabi's TEL AVIV ON FIRE.
Additional Year-Round Programming and Writer Services include ...
SCREENWRITER SESSIONS
Nantucket Film Festival and Almanack Screenwriters established Screenwriter Sessions in 2021 to provide a uniquely enriching experience for screenwriters from all backgrounds.
These LIVE – not pre-recorded – online sessions provide one-of-a-kind intimate conversations and guidance from some of the foremost screenwriters working today. The Sessions include interactive writing workshops and feedback from a rich community of peers. Throughout the program, participants generate new screenplay ideas, develop works in progress, and hone their craft with personalized tips and inspiration from the best screenwriters in the world. Each year we bring together an intimate cohort of participants, encompassing a wide range of emerging to mid-career screenwriters. Since the very beginning of this initiative, we have promised a rich, diverse, and inclusive community of writers and speakers. Our guest speakers in the past have included Charlie Kaufman, Nancy Meyers, Ken Burns, Lulu Wang, Nicole Holofcener, Sian Heder, Patty Jenkins, Stella Meghie, and many more.
The 4th installment of Screenwriter Sessions will take place on Tuesday evenings this winter, from February 6 - March 5, 2024, and will feature guest screenwriters whose works range from acclaimed indie films like THE STATION AGENT and THE BIG SICK to this year’s audience favorite PROBLEMISTA, to Oscar-winning classics like SPOTLIGHT, LITTLE MISS SUNSHINE, and JUDAS AND THE BLACK MESSIAH.
Visit us at screenwritersessions.org to learn more or register or follow us.
Audience Awards:
For this much-loved annual distinction, the audience picks its favorite films. All new narrative and documentary feature films are eligible.
Adrienne Shelly Foundation Excellence in Filmmaking Award:
Presented to an outstanding female filmmaker in honor and remembrance of Adrienne Shelly’s film legacy. All feature films (narratives and documentaries) written and/or directed by women are eligible for this prize. Sponsored by the Adrienne Shelly Foundation, with a $5,000 cash prize.
Maria Mitchell Visionary Award:
Presented to a female filmmaker who demonstrates vision and innovation. All feature films (narratives and documentaries) written, produced, and/or directed by women are eligible for this prize. Sponsored by the Maria Mitchell Association, the award comes with a $5,000 grant in the name of Maria Mitchell, the first female inducted into the Academy of Arts and Sciences and a Nantucket native.
Tony Cox Screenplay Competitions:
These four awards total $5,000 in cash, in addition to several other prizes. The winner of the Feature Screenplay Competition is invited to participate in a month-long writer's retreat on Nantucket in October through our sister organization, Almanack Screenwriters.
Feature Screenplay Competition:
This prize recognizes an emerging feature screenwriter with a unique voice and a compelling story who demonstrates a commitment to writing for the screen. The winner will be selected by a jury led by Almanack Screenwriters.
Winner Receives:
* A position in the October Colony, Almanack Screenwriters’ month-long, all-expenses-covered writer's retreat on Nantucket;
* $2,500 cash prize from the Nantucket Film Festival;
* VIP Festival Pass to all events;
* An awards reception during the Festival in the winners’ honor;
* Custom-bound copy of the script;
* Name inclusion in a press release and on the Festival website as a competition winner and finalist.
Our finalists are recognized as one of the top three screenplays from the pool of submissions each year. The top three finalists are selected from a pool of 10 semi-finalists and determined by the programmers and executive staff of the Nantucket Film Festival, in conjunction with our partner, Almanack Screenwriters.
FINALISTS RECEIVE:
* An awards reception during the Festival;
* Festival Pass;
* Name inclusion on the Festival website as a competition finalist.
Our semi-finalists are recognized as one of the top 10 screenplays from the pool of submissions each year. The top 10 semi-finalists are narrowed down from all submissions by our reader committee, comprised of industry professionals, alongside the programmers and executive staff of the Nantucket Film Festival.
SEMI-FINALISTS RECEIVE:
* Name inclusion on the Festival website as a competition semi-finalist.
Short Screenplay Competition:
This jury prize recognizes an emerging short screenplay as the best from the pool of submissions each year. The jury, which reviews the top three finalists to determine a winner, is composed of professional filmmakers and film industry professionals with original and diverse points of view.
WINNER RECEIVES:
* $500 cash prize from the Nantucket Film Festival;
* Festival Pass;
* An awards reception during the Festival in the winners’ honor;
* Name inclusion in the press release and on the Festival website as a competition winner and finalist.
Our finalists are recognized as one of the top three screenplays from the pool of submissions each year. The top three finalists are narrowed down from all submissions by our reader committee, comprised of industry professionals, alongside the programmers and executive staff of the Nantucket Film Festival.
FINALISTS RECEIVE:
* An awards reception during the Festival;
* Festival Pass;
* Name inclusion on the Festival website as a competition finalist.
Episodic Screenplay (60 Min) Competition:
This jury prize recognizes an emerging original 60 min episodic pilot as the best from the pool of submissions each year. The jury, which reviews the top three finalists to determine a winner, is composed of writers, producers, actors, or executives from the TV industry with original and diverse points of view.
WINNER RECEIVES:
* $1,000 cash prize from the Nantucket Film Festival;
* Festival Pass;
* An awards reception during the Festival in the winners’ honor;
* Custom-bound copy of the script;
* Name inclusion on the Festival website as a competition finalist and winner.
Our finalists are recognized as one of the top three screenplays from the pool of submissions each year. The top three finalists are narrowed down from all submissions by our reader committee, comprised of industry professionals, alongside the programmers and executive staff of the Nantucket Film Festival.
FINALISTS RECEIVE:
* Festival Pass;
* An awards reception during the Festival;
* Name inclusion on the Festival website as a competition finalist.
Episodic Screenplay (30 Min) Competition:
This jury prize recognizes an emerging original 30 min episodic pilot as the best from the pool of submissions each year. The jury reviews the top three finalists to determine a winner and is composed of writers, producers, actors, and executives from the TV industry with original and diverse points of view.
WINNER RECEIVES:
* $1,000 cash prize from the Nantucket Film Festival;
* Festival Pass;
* An awards reception during the Festival in the winners’ honor;
* Custom-bound copy of the script;
* Name inclusion on the Festival website as a competition finalist and winner.
Our finalists are recognized as one of the top three screenplays from the pool of submissions each year. The top three finalists are narrowed down from all submissions by our reader committee, comprised of industry professionals, alongside the programmers and executive staff of the Nantucket Film Festival.
FINALISTS RECEIVE:
* Festival Pass;
* An awards reception during the Festival;
* Name inclusion on the Festival website as a competition finalist.