Remember the first time a movie made your whole family laugh together? Or that animated film that somehow got both your kid sister AND your parents teary-eyed? Family entertainment remains one of the most stable and lucrative sectors in the industry, with major industry heavyweights competing to secure quality content that appeals across generations.
Past ScreenCraft Family competition winners and finalists have had their work optioned, signed shopping agreements, and have signed with managers at companies like Zero Gravity and Valley Entertainment.
Whether you've written a heartwarming adventure, a laugh-out-loud comedy, or an animated epic that breaks the mold – we want to read your script.
GRAND PRIZE MENTOR
The Grand Prize Winner this year will receive a mentorship meeting with Emmy-nominated writer Chuck Hayward.
Chuck Hayward was most recently a Co-Executive Producer on Season 2 of LIFE & BETH starring Amy Schumer and Season 3 of TED LASSO. Previously, he served as Supervising Producer on WANDAVISION. His television background includes everything from ABC’s MIXED-ISH to Netflix’s DEAR WHITE PEOPLE. He recently finished up on Showtime’s new series FLATBUSH MISDEMEANORS. In Film, Chuck sold his first feature screenplay, STEP SISTERS, to Netflix via Broad Green Pictures with Charles Stone directing and Lena Waithe producing.
THE JURY
FRANKIE CHIAPPERINO
Creative Executive, Seven Bucks Productions
Seven Bucks Productions, co-founded by Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Dany Garcia in 2012, has produced major box office hits including "Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle," "Red Notice," "Black Adam," and the biographical series "Young Rock." The company's approach combines commercial appeal with personal storytelling, often focusing on themes of determination, family, and overcoming obstacles.
JEFF BRODY
Manager, Magnet Management
Magnet Management is a Los Angeles-based management company known for representing writers, directors, and producers across film and television. The company has built a reputation for developing emerging talent while also representing established creators. Clients have worked on huge franchises and family-friendly shows like Scooby-Doo, Percy Jackson, High School Musical: The Musical: The Series, Atypical, Dear Evan Hansen, Teen Wolf and more.
JACQUELINA ROSSO-BENITEZ
Creative Executive, Walden Media
Walden Media is a leading expert of family-friendly adaptations, having produced films like "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe", "Bridge to Terabithia," "Charlotte's Web," "The Giver," and "Wonder," which was a particular box office success starring Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson. Their adaptation of "Holes," has become a modern family classic, while "Journey to the Center of the Earth" with Brendan Fraser demonstrated their ability to blend adventure with educational content.
SHELBY COOKE
Creative Executive, Party Over Here
Party Over Here is a production company founded by The Lonely Island members Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, and Jorma Taccone. Their overall slate includes content for various audiences and notably partners with major networks and streaming services to create content that ranges from comedy series to unscripted shows.
RON NAJOR
VP of Film, HISAKO
Hisako is a multimedia production company founded by filmmaker Destin Daniel Cretton, known for directing "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings." The company is dedicated to developing projects that highlight marginalized stories and bring them into the mainstream. Featuring the upcoming live-action adaptation of the popular manga and anime series "Naruto."
THE PRIZES
Grand Prize Winner
The overall Grand Prize winner from either the feature or TV category, will be welcomed to the Writer Development Program and receive personal introductions and phone calls with one or more top industry producers, agents, or managers.
ScreenCraft has a proven track record for getting writers signed with managers, agents, and staffed in writing rooms. Plus:
- Personal Introduction to top industry professionals
- Accepted into the ScreenCraft Writer Development Program
- $1,000 Cash
- An exclusive invitation to a Finalist+ only workshop to position yourself and your writing to the industry
- Mentorship meeting with writer Chuck Hayward
Feature & TV Winners
- $500 cash award
- Accepted into the Writer Development Program
- An exclusive invitation to a Finalist+ only workshop to position yourself and your writing to the industry
Finalists
- An exclusive invitation to a Finalist+ only workshop to position yourself and your writing to the industry