Accepting Feature and TV Scripts
Family-friendly storytelling that's right for all ages, continues to be at the forefront of box office and television success. Whether you have a great story for kids, a faith-based movie, or a four-quadrant film or TV series, we want to read your script.
ScreenCraft competitions generate impactful results to help you advance in your career. Past 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.
We are also thrilled to offer an exclusive add-on mentorship opportunity with Lisa Alford, a development executive at Johnson Production Group.
THE JURY
JULIA FRILEY
Director of Development, Walden Media & AFG
Julia Friley is the Director of Development at Anschutz Film Group (AFG) and Walden Media, where she works to create and develop film and television projects that explore humanity’s complexity while being addictively entertaining – and always with a dash of hope thrown in. Since joining AFG in 2020, she has been involved in the creative development and production of Netflix’s beloved series The Baby-Sitter’s Club, the animated underdog adventure Rumble on Paramount Plus, AppleTV+’s record breaking sci-fi feature Finch, and the girl power spooks of A Babysitter’s Guide to Monster Hunting at Netflix.
MARLIESE RUCH
Literary Coordinator, Stagecoach
Marliese works closely with Stagecoach literary clients, assisting in the development of their scripts and ideas, and sets key meetings and pitches with high level producers and executives. With an eye toward the kids & family space, she focuses on bringing in IP for their animation and live action clients. Stagecoach clients have staffed on shows such was WEDNESDAY, STAR TREK: STRANGE NEW WORLDS, and ONCE UPON A TIME.
IAN MALONE
VP of Production & Development, Neshama Entertainment
Ian Malone is Vice President of Production & Development at Neshama Entertainment, where he produces original films for a variety of streaming services. He previously worked as an executive producer for Netflix, CBBC, The CW, Nickelodeon, and the CBC, among others. His credits include Degrassi: The Next Generation, the BAFTA Award-winning The Next Step, and films The Manny, Meet The Killer Parents, and Twisted Neighbor. He was nominated for a Writers Guild Of Canada Award for his work on Todd & The Book Of Pure Evil. He lives in Toronto.
NIKKI TERPILOWSKI
Literary Manager & Founder, Holloway Literary Management
Nikki Terpilowski established Holloway Literary in 2011 and currently has two associates on her team. Some of her achievements in publishing include representing RITA nominated titles, RT Book Reviews Top Picks, starred Publishers Weekly reviewed, Goodreads Choice Awards noms and Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Globe & Mail, Amazon US & UK, iBooks US & UK best-selling authors. In the TV to book space, Nikki represents Daytime Emmy nominee BlackSouthernBelle.com’s Michiel Perry, Food Networks's multi-competition winner Saba Wahid and screenwriter Greg DePaul (Bride Wars, Saving Silverman). NIkki has sold literary projects to Disney, Platform One, Argent Productions, Assemble Media and others. In 2022, Nikki pivoted to managing a small roster of screenwriters and producing TV and film with a special focus on book IP. She is a producer on Hallmark's Haunted Melody Mystery Series with several other romcom and mystery productions in development.
THE PRIZES
Grand Prize Winner
The overall Grand Prize winner from either the feature or TV category, will be welcomed to the ScreenCraft 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
Feature & TV Winners
- $500 cash award
- Accepted into the ScreenCraft Development Program
- Invitation to the Finalist+ Networking and Development Event
Finalists
- Invitation to the Finalist+ Networking and Development Event
- Will be considered by producers & managers as part of ScreenCraft's outreach
ADD-ON PRIZE OPPORTUNITY
Mentorship Prize
This optional add-on prize category will identify one winner to learn, workshop, and strengthen their project with guidance from an industry mentor. The mentor will select one writer/writer team that includes this unique add-on benefit with their entry.
LISA ALFORD
Development Executive - Johnson Production Company
Lisa Alford is a development executive at Johnson Production Group. Prior to joining Johnson Production Group, Lisa worked at TriStar television where she specialized in identifying IP that supported TriStar’s mission to feature diverse, authentic characters and champion underrepresented voices. Lisa came up at Sony Pictures Television where she worked as a production coordinator in the Television Movies and Miniseries department and in the writers room on the WGN hit series OUTSIDERS. In her current role, Lisa shepherds projects from the concept phase through story development, production, and post.
Only projects submitted to the ScreenCraft Family Competition AND that select this add-on are eligible for consideration in this category. Additionally, all projects that place in the Top 10 of the competition will automatically be considered.