Story Launchbox is a curated 2026 initiative tied directly to the current production and development cycle of an original animated anthology series (working title: SIM).

One selected script will be acquired and fully produced as an original, handcrafted animated short film that becomes part of the anthology.

Story Launchbox is a curated initiative for discovering and developing original short-form stories for animation. It is not a festival or traditional screenwriting competition, but a selection process where standout scripts are evaluated, and one screenplay is fully produced as a high-quality, handcrafted animated short film under a separate purchase agreement. The winning writer will receive full production credit. Runner-ups will receive option agreements, and additional standout scripts from the finalists may also be considered for future development or inclusion in the anthology (working title: SIM).

Submissions move through a structured evaluation process.
• curated selection of standout submissions
• finalist scripts are reviewed by the anthology producers and film and animation professionals, including creatives with experience at Pixar, DreamWorks, Illumination, Disney, Netflix, and more.
• selection of one script for full production as an original animated short film
• runner-ups will receive option agreements
• all other finalists may be considered for future development or inclusion in the anthology
• development begins end of 2026 - beginning of 2027

Animation style (CGI, 3D, 2D, hybrid, etc.) will be determined by the production team based on the needs of the winning script.

Shortlist closes once evaluation capacity is reached.

Submit your screenplay here or through the official Story Launchbox website:
https://www.storylaunchbox.com/launch-my-story

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THEMES & VISION:

We’re looking for original short scripts that make us feel something. Big swings. Weird ideas. Wild adventures. Intimate moments. Stories that surprise us, wreck us, make us laugh, make us think, or remind us why we love storytelling in the first place.

Bring us grounded dramas, elevated genre, fantasy, horror, sci-fi, thrillers, comedy, surrealism, emotional gut punches, beautiful chaos, or something we’ve never seen before. We want stories with heart, voice, imagination, and characters that feel alive.

There are no rules about style, tone, setting, or genre. If it’s honest, compelling, emotionally resonant, or just undeniably entertaining, we want to read it.

Have fun. Take risks. Get weird. Break our hearts. Show us something unforgettable.

All genres are welcome.

Writers from all backgrounds welcome.

It is not a festival or traditional screenwriting competition, but a curated selection process tied directly to the development of an original animated anthology series.
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SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:

• Original short scripts (any genres)
• Maximum 25 pages in length (no exception)*
• Properly formatted screenplays - PDF format (Final Draft is not required)
• Writers must hold full rights to their submitted work

*If you have a strong story that exceeds the page limit, we encourage you to refine and tighten your screenplay before submitting.

For complete rules and additional information of the screenwriting initiative, please refer to the “Rules & Terms” section or visit the Story Launchbox website at: www.storylaunchbox.com

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ELIGIBILITY:

• Open to writers worldwide
• All backgrounds are welcome
• Multiple submissions allowed

All scripts must be original works. Submissions must not infringe on any existing copyrights or intellectual property, and cannot be under option, development, or production elsewhere.

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JUDGING CRITERIA:

Submissions will be evaluated based on:
• originality and concept
• emotional impact
• storytelling and structure
• character development
• screenwriting quality

A screenplay is never just a script to the person who wrote it. It carries time, thought, and intention. We read it with that in mind, and every submission is carefully reviewed. Finalists are evaluated by the anthology producers and industry creatives across animation, film, directing, and production, including professionals with experience working at studios such as Pixar, DreamWorks, Illumination, Disney, Netflix, and more.

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NOTIFICATION:

Entrants will be notified of results.
Finalist (Top 10) projects will also be contacted directly.
Finalists and the winner will be announced publicly following internal confirmation.

Awards & Prizes

SELECTED PROJECT (WINNER):

• Purchase Agreement for production under a separate written agreement with nominal consideration.
• Full production of the selected screenplay as an original animated short film, as part of a new handcrafted anthology series (working title: SIM).
• Animation style (CGI, 3D, 2D, hybrid, etc.) will be determined by the production team based on the needs of the story
• Estimated production value: $85,000 – $95,000+ (depending on scope, technique)
• “Written by” credit on the final film
• IMDb credit
• Official announcement and project feature
• Meeting with the anthology producers
• Development involvement with the creative team during production (as applicable)
• Official selection as the winning project (accolade)

RUNNER-UP PROJECTS (Two additional selected screenplays):

• Option agreement for potential development rights, subject to separate agreement (nominal consideration)
• Meeting with the anthology producers
• Limited visual development exploration (first 12 storyboard panels or 1 character design)
• Consideration for future production within the anthology (nominal consideration)
• Official runner-up selection (accolade)

FINALISTS (Seven additional selected screenplays):

• Official finalist selection recognition (accolade)
• Featured in finalist announcement
• Consideration for future anthology development opportunities (nominal consideration)
• Inclusion in curated materials used for industry outreach, development discussions

Rules & Terms

For complete rules & terms and additional information, please refer to the website: www.storylaunchbox.com

Submit your screenplay here or through the official Story Launchbox website:
https://www.storylaunchbox.com/launch-my-story

1. Submissions must not be under option, development, or production elsewhere.
2. Submissions must be original work created by the submitting writer and must not infringe on any existing copyright or intellectual property. Adaptations are not eligible unless the source material was also written by the submitting writer or is in the public domain.
3. Writers must hold full rights to the submitted material.
4. Scripts must be formatted as standard screenplays and submitted in PDF format. (Final Draft is not required.)
5. Multiple submissions are allowed, with a separate entry for each screenplay.
6. All necessary information is collected during submission, so any contact details must be deleted from the title page. The script title will be provided to the Story Launchbox team and judges through the file name and the judging system.
7. Do not include any personally identifying information anywhere in your script, as this may result in disqualification. This includes your name, WGA status, or representation details on the title page or anywhere within the document.
8. The file name must contain only the script title and no additional information.
9. Entry should consist of a short script only. Do not include resumes, pitches, synopses, casting suggestions, letters, or any other supporting materials. Story Launchbox will not review additional documentation.
10. Once your script has been submitted, replacement files will not be accepted.
11. Submitted screenplays will not receive coverage, notes, or written feedback.
12. Submission does not create any partnership, agency, employment, or joint venture between entrants and the organizers.
13. Submissions must be in English.
14. Entry fees are non-refundable.
15. All submissions are final. Revisions, replacements, or missing pages cannot be accepted. If you wish to submit a revised draft, it must be entered as a new submission with a separate entry fee. Please review your script carefully before submitting.
16. All decisions made by the selection and judging teams are final.

SUBMISSION AND REVIEW

Entrants confirm that all submitted material is original, created by them, and that they hold all necessary rights to the work.
By submitting, entrants grant the Story Launchbox team and its representatives the right to receive, review, evaluate, and internally discuss the submitted material for the purpose of consideration within the anthology and related development processes.
Entrants acknowledge that Story Launchbox and its partners are active production companies that review and develop multiple projects, and that similar or independently developed projects and ideas may exist or be created without reference to submitted material.
No confidentiality is implied by submission.

SELECTION

All selection decisions are at the sole and absolute discretion of Story Launchbox and are final, binding, and not subject to appeal or review. Story Launchbox is not required to provide any feedback, comments, reasons, or other information regarding the selection or non-selection of any submitted materials, nor regarding the process by which scripts are or have been selected or not selected. Story Launchbox is not responsible or liable for its selection decisions, for the contents of any internal comments or feedback regarding scripts that are or may be obtained from the Submitter or any other party, for any communications by any representative of Story Launchbox relating to the script or the selection process, or for the manner in which any script is, has been, or will be considered or reviewed.

RIGHTS & AGREEMENTS

By submitting, entrants agree that in the event their script is selected as the winning project, the producers will have the exclusive right to produce the work under a separate production agreement, including agreed credit terms and a script purchase agreement for nominal consideration, with standard industry terms to be executed upon selection.

If the selected winning project is unable or unwilling to proceed under the agreed production terms, the producers reserve the right, at their sole discretion, to select an alternate project from the finalist pool for production consideration.

The winning script will be acquired for production under a separate written agreement. Runner-ups receive option agreement under a separate written agreement. Other Finalist scripts may also be considered for option agreements, future development, or production within the anthology under a separate agreement.

Participation in Story Launchbox does not guarantee selection, development, or future collaboration for any submission other than the selected winner. Submission does not create any obligation to use, develop, produce, or compensate for submitted material. Any production, adaptation, or acquisition of rights applies only to the selected winning project and will be governed by a separate written agreement.

PRODUCTION NOTES

The production value is an estimate and does not represent a cash prize.
Development of the winning script is expected to begin within a few months after the winner is announced and the agreement is signed.

Finalists (Top 10) will be notified directly.

CONTACT

For questions regarding submissions, please contact: contact@storylaunchbox.com or scripts@storylaunchbox.com
Please only reach out with questions not already addressed in the event description, FilmFreeway page or in www.storylaunchbox.com.

All submissions must be made through FilmFreeway. Scripts or any submission materials sent via email will not be reviewed. We are unable to review resumes, pitches, synopses, casting suggestions, or other supporting materials outside of the official submission process.

Please do not contact producers, directors, readers, judges, or organizers through personal or external channels regarding this program.

Entrants will be notified of results via FilmFreeway. Finalists (Top 10), including the winning project and runner-ups will also be contacted directly.

For technical issues with the FilmFreeway platform, please contact FilmFreeway support directly.