CONTEST DESCRIPTION
The CineStory Feature Retreat takes place over four days in the beautiful mountains of Idyllwild, California. Attendees receive three 90-minute one-on-one sessions with CineStory mentors. During these sessions, mentors will give attendees feedback on improving the craft of the script(s) they submitted in advance and will also discuss with writers various aspects of the business of screenwriting to help attendees better understand the screenwriters’ role in the entertainment industry.
When not meeting in one-on-one sessions, attendees participate in “informal rooms,” which are interactive sessions run by two to three mentors. Informal rooms educate attendee on topics ranging from pitching like a pro to the state of filmmaking in the digital age. In addition, attendees and mentors gather for meals, drinks, film screenings, and other special events.
PRIZES
The Grand Prize Feature Fellowship winner receives approximately $20,000 in cash and prizes,* including:
$10,000 cash award
Free tuition and housing for the Retreat (all Fellows must provide their own transportation to and from the Retreat)
12 month fellowship program with two industry mentors ($9000 value)
At the retreat, a private educational session with all the mentors, who include working Hollywood agents, managers, producers, development executives, writers, and other pros
At the retreat, three 90-minute one-on-one sessions with working Hollywood agents, managers, producers, development executives, writers, and other pros during which mentors will give the Fellow feedback on improving the craft of script(s) submitted in advance and will also discuss various aspects of the business of screenwriting to help the Fellow better understand a screenwriter’s role in the entertainment industry
At the retreat, open access to 15+ hours of small group educational sessions covering a wide rage of creative and business topics
Free retreat film screenings and other events
*Grand Prize Fellowship winner must attend the Retreat in order to receive the prizes.
Categories:
GENRES:
Action, Adventure, Animation, Biography, Children, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Historical, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Sports, Thriller, Western, Young Adult, Dramedy, Holiday, Rom-Com
GENRES:
Action, Adventure, Animation, Biography, Children, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Historical, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Sports, Thriller, Western, Young Adult, Dramedy, Holiday, Rom-Com
CATEGORIES:
Feature (85-125 pgs)
LANGUAGE(S):
English
FEEDBACK OFFERED?
No.
Announcements
- Top 50Dec 31, 1969

- Top 25 - Retreat InviteesDec 31, 1969

- Fellowship Announced!Dec 31, 1969

- Finalists for FellowshipDec 31, 1969

GENRES:
Action, Adventure, Animation, Biography, Children, Comedy, Crime, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Historical, Horror, Mystery, Romance, Science Fiction, Sports, Thriller, Western, Young Adult, Dramedy, Holiday, Rom-Com
CATEGORIES:
Feature (85-125 pgs)
LANGUAGE(S):
English
FEEDBACK OFFERED?
No.
Rules
Legal
As author(s) of the submitted material, my/our submission attests to the following:
Script Guidelines
- Screenplays must have a CLEAN COVER PAGE. This means the title only on the cover, no autho
- r’s name/contact information. If submitting a hardcopy script, please include two cover pages. The first, containing only the title of the entry, should be attached directly to the screenplay. The second including the title, author's name, address and phone number should be submitted unattached to the script. If submitting electronically, please ensure that your name and contact information DO NOT appear on the title page.
- Submit one copy of an 85 to 130-page screenplay.
- Do not send originals. Materials will not be returned under any circumstances.
- The author's name must not appear anywhere within the body of the script.
- Body pages must be numbered.
- No additional materials, artwork, illustrations etc. should be attached to the script.
- Hardcopy scripts must be bound with two or three brads and in industry-standard format. Cardstock covers are required. Consult any screenwriting text or format guide.
- Screenplays must be in English.
- Screenplays must be on plain white paper. Single or double-sided accepted.
Official Rules And Guidelines
- Entrants must be 18 or older.
- Any screenplay from any genre will be considered.
- This contest is open to any person without produced theatrically released feature film credits and/or any person who has not made more than $15 000 as a screenwriter.
- CineStory notifies winners only. Entrants are advised to check CineStory's website and e-newsletter for judging announcements.
- Entered screenplays may not be optioned, sold or produced at the time of entry.
- Multiple entries are accepted, provided a signed entry form and appropriate entry fee is attached to each submission.
- Multiple authorship is acceptable. However, if the screenplay wins an award, only one award will be given and it will be divided equally among the writers.
- Screenplays must be the original work of the author. If based on another person's life story, a statement attesting to the rights obtained must be attached.
- No adaptations of other written work will be accepted unless the writer owns the rights to the original material.
- There must be no dispute about the ownership of submitted screenplays or the writer's right to submit a screenplay.
- CineStory recommends registering your screenplays with the WGA or the Copyright Office of the Library of Congress.
- No substitutions of new drafts or corrected pages for entries will be accepted under any circumstances. However, you may submit a new draft as a separate submission.
- Judges' decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into. Sorry, we cannot provide individual feedback from the judges.
- Entrants acknowledge that CineStory, its judges, mentors and officers may be exposed to or may develop materials and ideas that may be similar to those of the submitted material. Entrants acknowledge they will not be entitled to any compensation because from such similar material which is independently conceived and created.
- Entrants agree to never assert against CineStory (or any of its judges, directors, officers, employees or agents) any claim based on an assertion of plagiarism, idea theft, confidential or fiduciary relationship or any other theory relating to the submitted material.
- Entries that fail to follow competition rules and guidelines will be disqualified.
- No refunds for entries that do not comply with competition rules and guidelines.
- Winners will be responsible for their own U.S. income tax withholding.
- Entering the contest constitutes permission to use the winners' names and likenesses for publicity and promotions with no additional compensation.
- All entries must be postmarked, emailed or uploaded by the appropriate deadline.
- CineStory reserves the right to extend the final deadline however an extended deadline is not guaranteed.
- CineStory is not responsible for entries lost, stolen or damaged in transit.
- Finalists are required to submit a letter and video as part of the finals judging process.
FAQs
None added. Contact contest admin for details.