Welcome to the Annual 'Screenplays and Shorts' Contest in Manchester. This contest is aimed at screenwriters and filmmakers who are looking to gain some positive attention in the industry.

The contest has various categories to support everyone from the amateur writer to the seasoned filmmaker. So whether you're a screenwriter looking to add some laurels to their CV, whether you're a screenwriter who wants to get their first project produced or whether you're a filmmaker who wants to have their work screened - this contest is for you.

Low submission fees and cool prizes/support is what we're all about.

The event will be held at Dive in Manchester (Northern Quarter). The event will start at around 7.30pm. The event is free to attend, so if you want to see some great films, do some networking and get some food/drink, you are more than welcome (food and drink available to purchase from Dive, for menu please see www.divenq.co.uk). However, if you do plan on attending, please send an email to confirm as we don't want to go over capacity.

Awards & Prizes

All winners will be invited to the screening and award ceremony.

The Big Kahuna Award Feature Award - Best Feature Script
Winning script will receive laurels, trophy and have their script listed on InkTip.

The Big Kahuna Award Short Award - Best Short Script
Winning script will receive laurels and trophy.

The Kadoorie Films Award
Winning script(s) will have their script produced by an award-winning production company.

All film winners will be presented with trophy/laurels on the night of screening.

Best Feature Film
Best Short Film
Best Super Short
Best Micro Short

Additional Categories:
Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Score and Best Soundtrack.

Up to 2 feature films, 3 short films, 8 Super Shorts and 20 Micro Shorts will be screened at the live event. All filmmakers who are chosen for the live screening will be invited to the event.

Rules & Terms

SCRIPTS

The Title Page of all submitted scripts should include the Script Title, the author(s) name(s) and a Logline.

Submitted scripts must be original screenplays, and the sole property of the applicant(s).
All ages are eligible.
All entries must be in English.
No feature screenplay should exceed 130 pages.
No short screenplays should exceed 30 pages.
There is no limit to the number of screenplays you may submit.
All entries must be uploaded in PDF format.
Please do not send materials, information, budgets, talent attached or anything to show any packaging work done for the project.

Entries to the Kadoorie Films Award must no exceed 5 pages, and not have been previously produced.

FILMS

Feature Films submitted should be longer than 45 minutes.
Short Films submitted should be no longer than 45 minutes.
Super Shorts should be no longer than 3 Minutes.
Micro Shorts should be no longer than 20 seconds!

Feature films and short films should include a synopsis and/or logline on its project page. All films must be available on online screener, or privately (or hidden, password protected) on YouTube or Vimeo.

Any feature film, short film, super short or micro short can enter additional categories for the opportunity to be considered for extra awards. Films that do not enter these additional categories will not be considered.

Films can only enter additional categories by first submitting their film as a feature, short, super short or micro short in their appropriate category. Films that enter additional categories without submitting to a main category will not be considered.

Additional categories include; Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Score and Best Soundtrack.
6 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Mark A. C. Brown

    Very communicative and friendly. We won Best Screenplay but couldn't attend the festival itself but it looked great.

    July 2018
    Helpful
  • Adam Blaize

    This was a well thought out evening with a lot of effort put into the event by the organisers.

    With a bit of time and perhaps more promotion of the next event, the organisers will be able to generate more interest and develop the festival into something bigger and even better.

    A very enjoyable evening all around and worth entering your film into the next event.

    July 2018
    Helpful
  • Marc Eikelenboom

    Very nice festival with great and nice communication. We were very honored to win Best Film. It was a shame we couldn't attend the festival.

    July 2018
    Helpful
  • Rebecca Favas

    Fantastic festival - and over the moon to win my first screen writing prize ❤️

    July 2017
    Helpful
  • Giles Gough

    Was thoroughly pleased to find out my film had won the 'Bigger Boat' award for this contest, it absolutely made my day! The feedback was short but positive with some practical tips on where to go with it next!

    The networking rating doesn't really apply here as it's an online only competition, but the communication was really good and it was definitely value for money! The only thing I would say is to possibly be more specific on the description of the prize for the award; if all the agents and contacts are from the same agency, it's not really a list of agents so much as one big one! But other than that, thanks guys!

    June 2017
    Helpful