From Hit Man and Monsters to Killer of the Flower Moon, true story screenplays are dominating the industry, captivating audiences and winning awards. The demand for authentic, powerful storytelling is at an all-time high, making this the perfect moment to share your story.

Past finalists and winners of this competition have optioned their scripts, signed shopping agreements, and signed with literary managers. Hundreds of ScreenCraft writers have signed with top management companies and agencies like CAA, Anonymous Content, Bellevue Productions, WME, UTA, and many more.

Our jury has been hand picked to include industry executives passionate about true stories - they love the genre as much as you do. Get your work in front of people who get you.

The True Story jury includes production companies, studios and literary managers behind some of the best true story entertainment out there. Including companies behind The Wolf of Wall Street, King Richard, Woman of the Hour, Monsters, Sing Sing, Nyad, Guy Ritchie’s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Imitation Game and many more.

Jury includes:
- IPG (The Wolf of Wall Street, The Lincoln Lawyer)
- Westbrook Studios (King Richard, Bel-Air)
- Vertigo Entertainment (The Departed, Women of the Hour)
- Netflix (Monsters, When They See Us, The Spy)
- Black Bear Pictures (Sing Sing, The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, The Imitation Game)

Awards & Prizes

GRAND PRIZE MENTOR
Grand Prize Mentor Nicolas Gonda will meet with the Grand Prize Winner for a virtual mentorship session.

Nicolas Gonda
Producer and Principal, Book of Shadows

Named one of Indiewire’s inaugural “Influencers,” Variety’s “10 Producers to Watch” and Details Magazine’s “Digital Mavericks,” Nicolas Gonda works with producing partner Chloe Zhao at her production company Book of Shadows. He began his film career at Focus Features, working on the publicity, marketing, and worldwide distribution of a number of Academy Award® winning films such as THE PIANIST and ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND. In 2005, he joined the production of Terrence Malick’s THE NEW WORLD, where he served as the Music Supervisor and oversaw elements of the film’s post-production. He went on to work with Mr. Malick as Co-Producer of THE TREE OF LIFE, winner of the Palme d’Or at the 2011 Cannes Film Festival, and Producer of TO THE WONDER.

THE JURY
The top scripts are considered by our incredible industry jury.

Joel Gotler
Manager/CEO/Executive Producer, IPG

Intellectual Property Group (IPG) is a prominent literary management company specializing in book-to-film/TV adaptations. The company has successfully managed the film rights and adaptations for notable properties including "The Wolf of Wall Street," "Lincoln Lawyer," and "Mr. Popper's Penguins."

Fidan Manashirova
Senior Director, Scripted TV Development, Westbrook Studios

Westbrook Studios, founded by Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, creates impactful and diverse content across film, television, and digital media. Notable projects include King Richard and Bel-Air, showcasing their commitment to high-quality, resonant storytelling. As part of Westbrook Inc., the studio emphasizes innovation and cross-platform storytelling to inspire global audiences

Dan Kavanagh
Manager, TV Development, Vertigo Entertainment

Vertigo Entertainment is a production company known for bringing true stories and compelling narratives to life on screen. Led by Roy Lee, the company has produced acclaimed projects such as The Departed, inspired by the real-life story of Boston’s Winter Hill Gang and its infamous informant. Their dedication to true stories is further showcased in their recent film Woman of the Hour, which portrays the unsettling true events of a serial killer’s appearance on a 1970s game show.

Jonathan Kolkey
Coordinator, Film, Netflix

Netflix has built a strong reputation for producing gripping thriller content inspired by true events, capturing audiences with its blend of real-life drama and suspense. Responsible for bringing us iconic entertainment including The Crown, When They See Us, Mindhunter, The Spy, and many more.

Sleena Wilson
VP, Film & TV, Black Bear Pictures

Black Bear Pictures is a production company known for its focus on high-quality, thought-provoking films and series that often draw from true stories and compelling narratives. Founded by Teddy Schwarzman, the company has gained acclaim for projects like Sing Sing, Nyad, Dumb Money, Guy Ritchie’s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, and The Imitation Game.

THE PRIZES

Grand Prize Winner

The overall grand prize winner in either feature or TV category will be welcomed to the Writer Development Program and receive personal introductions with one or more top Hollywood literary manager(s), producers, or industry exec. who are looking for talented emerging Film & TV screenwriters.

The top 3 winners’ project info and log lines will be circulated and recommended to our network of over 150 Hollywood managers, agents, producers and development executives.

ScreenCraft has a proven track record for getting writers signed with managers, agents, and staffed in writing rooms.

They'll receive:

• Personal Introduction to top industry professionals
• Accepted into the ScreenCraft Development Program
• $1,000 cash award
• An exclusive invitation to a Finalist only workshop to position yourself and your writing to the industry
• Mentorship Meeting with Nicolas Gonda

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

Rules & Terms

For full rules, terms, and conditions, please visit -- https://screencraft.org/truestory/

Rules:
Submissions are accepted via electronic submission only.
Entry fees are as listed on the site and checkout form. No coupon or discount is applicable on a previous entry.
Optional feedback from a professional reader may be requested at the time of entry. Requests for feedback can be done through Coverfly.
Entries may be any length -- the standard 1/2 hour is between 20 - 40 pages, and the standard hour long is between 40 - 70 pages, and the standard feature is between 85 - 120 pages. Any script submission longer than 120 pages will incur a $.50 per page overage fee for each page over 120 if it does not include feedback and $1 per page if the entry does include feedback.
There is no limit to the number of projects you may submit.
Entries must be received on or before the deadline dates by 11:59PM Pacific Time, and submission fee payment must be made in full at time of the submission. All entry fees are non-refundable.
All submitted material must be owned by the writer(s), however the material may be based on other works in the public domain, so long as the script itself is indisputably written by the writer and that the script does not contain any plagiarism.
Material must be submitted by the writer. Material written by writing teams must be submitted by one of the writers, with consent of the other(s).
If a writing team is chosen as a winner, prizes will be given to the person who submits the project. Each team is responsible for dividing or sharing any prizes awarded as they deem fair (whether there is a cash value or not).
Substitutions of either corrected pages or new drafts of the entered material will be allowed for a limited time with a $6 reentry fee through Coverfly. Please proofread your script carefully before submitting.
It is recommended that original material be registered with the WGA or The Library of Congress before submitting to any competition, however we do not require registration.
Contact info may be included on the cover page of the screenplay, however it is not required. ScreenCraft uses Coverfly to manage submissions and automatically removes cover pages before scripts are read by the judges.
ScreenCraft claims no ownership nor option on your work. All ownership and rights to the scripts submitted to this contest remains with the original rights holders.
The decision of the judges will be final and cannot be contested in any manner. There is no score on a scorecard that guarantees advancement to the next level as advancement will be based on all scores in the competition.
In the event a juror, partner organization, or prize partner is no longer able to serve in their specified capacity, ScreenCraft will make its best effort to secure a replacement. ScreenCraft is not responsible for the failed delivery of any prize package by a juror, sponsor, or partner organization.
ScreenCraft reserves the right to change deadline and announcement dates at any time.
ScreenCraft reserves the right to amend these rules at any time.
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  • Eddie Clay Thompkins III

    Thank you for welcoming Bloodlines The Mogadishu Diaries in your wonderful Festival. Great communication from the start. I highly recommend this Festival. Great opportunities for artists to compete and win!

    July 2022
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