Welcome to the 2nd Annual East Bay Film Society Screenwriting Competition. Where bold storytelling meets a deep love of cinema. This year, we invite writers from all backgrounds to share their creative voices through compelling, original screenplays that honor the legacy of film while pushing it forward.
Event Details:
Theme: Celebrating the Power of Storytelling
Objective: To champion stories that connect audiences, explore meaningful ideas, and celebrate the enduring art of screenwriting.
2025 Categories
1. Classic Hollywood — Capture the style, spirit, and glamour of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Scripts in this category should evoke the elegance, drama, and cinematic techniques that defined the era — or transport us to another time entirely. If your script feels like it belongs in a different era, submit it here.
2. Breaking Boundaries — Challenge conventions and innovate with bold, original storytelling. Entries in this category should push the limits of form, genre, or subject matter, encouraging writers to experiment and redefine what a screenplay can be.
3. Local Legends — Spotlight the people, places, and history of the East Bay and/or any part of California, sharing local stories or settings with universal appeal. This category celebrates the power of community, regional history, and the unique voices that define California culture, past or present.
4. Wild Card — Any script, any genre, any style — if it deserves to be read, it belongs here. This open category welcomes projects that don’t easily fit a box but showcase exceptional storytelling, originality, and a clear creative vision.
Competition Structure
- Submission Phase: Writers submit their screenplays, bringing their unique vision and voice to life. Every submission will receive written feedback.
- Judging Panel: Esteemed industry professionals will evaluate scripts based on creativity, storytelling skill, originality, and alignment with the chosen category.
- Prizes: Winners in each category will receive awards, professional feedback, and support in taking their script toward the Greenlight phase.
- Award Ceremony: An exciting online event honoring winners, featuring script readings, panel discussions, networking with industry insiders, and a celebration of creative storytelling.
The Award Ceremony will include:
- Meet & Greet with local filmmakers, judges, and fellow writers
- Presentation of awards
- A live table read of one winning script (selected by our judges)
- Simulcast on YouTube for those who cannot attend in person
Why Participate?
- Creative Exploration: Dive into themes that matter to you and connect them with audiences in fresh, authentic ways.
- Industry Exposure: Gain recognition, feedback, and new opportunities within the filmmaking community.
- Community & Legacy: Be part of preserving and advancing the cultural impact of cinematic storytelling.
Submission Guidelines
- Submissions must be original works by the entrant(s); co-writers are welcome as long as all contributors are credited.
- Feature-length screenplays: 80–180 pages
- Short screenplays: up to 30 pages
- All entries must be in English and formatted to industry standards
- Multiple entries are welcome, but each requires a separate fee
- Adapted works are permitted if you hold the rights or the source is in the public domain (with proper credits)
Full submission details, including formatting requirements, fees, and deadlines, will be posted on the official competition website.
Awards & Prizes
ONE OVERALL WINNER WILL RECEIVE: A professionally filmed table read of their entire script, performed by working Hollywood actors — bringing your words to life on screen.
All Award-Winners Will Receive:
1. Full script coverage with detailed notes
2. A suggested logline to help pitch your script
3. “Greenlight Trajectory” guidance with professional advice on taking your project to production
All Entries Will Receive a comprehensive written feedback on their script
Categories for 2025:
1. Classic Hollywood — Capture the style, spirit, and glamour of the Golden Age of Hollywood. Scripts in this category should evoke the elegance, drama, and cinematic techniques that defined the era — or transport us to another time entirely. If your script feels like it belongs in a different era, submit it here.
2. Breaking Boundaries — Challenge conventions and innovate with bold, original storytelling. These scripts should push the limits of form, genre, or subject matter, encouraging fresh perspectives and bold creative risks.
3. Local Legends — Spotlight the people, places, and history of the East Bay and/or any part of California, sharing local stories or settings with universal appeal. Celebrate community, regional history, and uniquely Californian voices.
4. Wild Card — Any script, any genre, any style — if it deserves to be read, it belongs here. This category welcomes projects that defy easy classification but showcase exceptional storytelling and vision.
Rules & Terms
1. Eligibility: The East Bay Film Society Screenwriting Competition is open to all individuals worldwide. Submissions must be the original work of the entrant(s). Co-written entries are permitted as long as all writers are credited.
2. Submission Guidelines: Screenplays must be formatted to industry standards. Feature-length scripts should typically range from 80 to 180 pages. Short scripts should not exceed 30 pages. All submissions must be in English. Each entrant may submit multiple scripts, but each screenplay requires a separate entry fee and submission.
3. Themes & Categories: Submissions must align with one of this year’s competition categories:
1. Classic Hollywood — Capture the style, spirit, and glamour of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Scripts may evoke the elegance, drama, and cinematic techniques of the era — or transport us to another time entirely. If your script feels like it belongs in a different era, submit it here.
2. Breaking Boundaries — Challenge conventions and innovate with bold, original storytelling. Push the limits of form, subject matter, or genre with fresh, fearless ideas.
3. Local Legends — Celebrate the people, places, and stories of the East Bay and/or California, highlighting local themes with universal resonance.
4. Wild Card — Any script, any genre, any style — if it deserves to be read, it belongs here.
Please indicate which category you are submitting to on your entry form.
4. Originality and Rights: All submissions must be original works of the entrant(s). Adapted works are permitted only if the writer holds the rights or the source is in the public domain, with proper attribution. By entering, entrants affirm their work does not infringe upon any existing copyrights or intellectual property rights. Entrants retain all rights to their screenplays.
5. Judging & Selection: Submissions will be judged on creativity, storytelling ability, originality, and how well they align with their chosen category. The judging panel will consist of industry professionals appointed by the East Bay Film Society. All judging decisions are final and binding.
6. Prizes: Winners in each category will receive awards, recognition, and professional feedback to help move their script toward production. One overall winner will have their script performed in a filmed table read with Hollywood actors. Specific prize details will be announced closer to the award ceremony.
7. Notification & Awards Ceremony: Finalists and winners will be notified by email. The Awards Ceremony will be held online and will include script readings, discussions, networking opportunities, and a celebration of storytelling. The event will be simulcast on YouTube for those unable to attend in person.
8. Entry Fees: Entry fees are non-refundable. Fee details will be posted on the competition’s official website and are subject to change at the discretion of the East Bay Film Society.
9. Publicity & Promotion: By entering, participants grant the East Bay Film Society the right to promote their names, likenesses, and script titles for marketing and publicity purposes, without additional compensation.
10. Acceptance of Rules: Submission to the competition constitutes acceptance of these rules and terms.
11. Modifications: The East Bay Film Society reserves the right to modify or update these rules at any time, with notice provided through the competition’s official channels.
12. Contact: For questions about the competition, eligibility, or guidelines, please email
[email protected] or visit the competition’s official website.
By submitting your screenplay to the East Bay Film Society Screenwriting Competition, you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to abide by these rules and terms. We look forward to seeing your creative vision come to life — and celebrating storytelling with you!
