In 2025, the Vancouver Horror Show will launch its inaugural BC Screenwriter Development Program. Eligible emerging screenwriters can submit their short horror scripts to the program.

The top three selected screenwriters will have their scripts performed a part of a live table read series to an audience of horror film fans, industry professionals, and a panel of three established screenwriters - Karen Lam, Graeme Manson, and Dennis Heaton - each of whom will have had an opportunity to review the scripts in advance.

Following the table reads, these panelists will offer constructive feedback to the writer on what worked, what didn’t, where the strengths and opportunities lie, and provide advice on how to elevate the script for the next draft. The writer will also have the opportunity to ask questions to the panel, who will vote to select the official winner of the Best BC Screenplay Award. The award will be announced at the VHS 2025 Golden Tapes Awards at Cineplex Cinemas International Village.

Following the event, each writer will be paired with a professional script editor for a one-on-one session to provide further advice and guidance on developing their screenplays into the next draft.

About the Panelists:

1) Karen Lam is a celebrated and award-winning horror director ("Curse of Willow Song", "Evangeline", "Armageddon Road") and writer.

2) Dennis Heaton is a writer, showrunner, and executive producer currently working on Fox's "Murder in a Small Town", and show-ran Netflix's "The Order".

3) Graeme Manson is the series creator of "Orphan Black", showrunner for TNT's "Snowpiercer", and the co-writer of the Canadian sci-fi horror indie cult classic "Cube".

VHS's BC Screenwriter Development Program will facilitate the continued, and hands-on education for three BC-based emerging screenwriters, offering invaluable feedback and support for not only the next draft of their script, but to fortify their industry toolkit as they progress in their writing careers.

The process of receiving feedback, taking notes and discerning how to apply them to your work while retaining your artistic voice, is a practice that writers will continually refine throughout their careers. This program will help to bolster successful participants in their ability to endure this process and turn constructive criticism into worthwhile fuel for their writing process. They will also have an opportunity to meet established writers in the field, and network with the broader Vancouver and BC-based film community – many of whom are seeking new projects to turn into productions.

Awards & Prizes

The top screenwriter as voted by the panel will receive a cash prize of $250.00 CAD, and the VHS Golden Tape Award for Best BC Screenplay.

The two runner-ups will receive a cash prize of $50.00 Canadian, and Finalist Laurels for VHS's BC Screenplay Competition.

Other screenplays submitted to the program may win laurels for semi-finalists, and quarter finalists in the BC Screenplay Competition.

Rules & Terms

Terms and Conditions for Screenwriters:

1) Screenwriters must be based in British Columbia;

2) Screenwriters may not have been the lead writer on a produced feature film with a theatrical release;

3) Screenwriters may have been the lead writer on a completed short film;

Terms and conditions for eligible scripts:

1) Scripts must be 25 pages or under including title page

2) VHS takes a broad and liberal definition for what constitutes "horror", and will accept submissions in adjacent genres like Dark Drama or Gothic Fiction so long as scripts contain elements which share thematic, stylistic, or psychological elements associated with horror.

3) Scripts must be in English, or be provided with English translation.

Selection Process

Submissions will be read and graded by a team of screenplay assessors, and will be graded against a scoring rubric that considers Concept/Originality, Structure, Plot, Pacing, Characters, and Impact.

By submitting, Screenwriters agree that:

They have read, understated and fully comply with all submission eligibility information, Submission Guidelines, Terms and Conditions of Entry and Entry Eligibility requirements.

To the best of their knowledge, all of the statements in this submission are true.

The script is not in litigation nor is threatened by any litigation.

They are duly authorized to submit this script to the festival.

They hold The Vancouver Horror Show Film Festival its owners, management, juries, subsidiaries, agents, sponsors, affiliates, and etc. harmless from any and all claims of liability resulting from their entry.

They give permission for The Vancouver Horror Show Film Festival to use images, titles, and/or information from the script for promotional purposes.

They give permission for The Vancouver Horror Show Film Festival to share the script with necessary festival staff including adjudicators, table read participants, and panelists.