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Limited Time Entry Offers:
- Add a 2nd Entry and receive $20 OFF
- Add a Development Evaluation for only $99 (normally $199)
Compete in your own space!
Features & TV Pilots in 7 Genres with $25,000 in CASH Prizes
We’re looking for ALL emerging screenwriters! Whether you’re just beginning or a seasoned writer ready to redefine your career, we can elevate you to the next level. We’re searching for the most authentic and unique scripts in seven broad genre categories. For example, your script can be straight drama or a crossover script with dramatic elements. Mix and match any of the genres and surprise us to win cash in any category! This year we want to read your best work, the script that represents your genuine talent!
The winner of each genre category will receive $2,500 cash and be considered for acceptance onto the ISA Development Slate, where the Development Team will get your script in front of top industry pros from companies like MGM, Gidden Media, ICM, plus ISA vetted literary agents and managers. Of the seven scripts selected, one of you will go on to win the Grand Prize and receive an additional $7,500 for a total of $10,000.
7 Genre Winners Will Meet With Industry Executives
This season's readers include:
Niki Montazaran – Motion Picture Talent Agent at WME
Niki Montazaran is a Motion Picture agent at WME, where she focuses her business on representing directors, writers, actors, and producers. Her clients include Babak Anvari (who is in post on his most recent feature for Netflix called I CAME BY), Eva Longoria (whose documentary LA GUERRA CIVIL premiered at Sundance this year and who is currently in post on her feature directorial debut FLAMIN’ HOT for Searchlight), Eugene Lee Yang (who is best known as a member of the Try Guys and is currently writing a feature he will direct with Christine Vachon producing), Kalinda Vazquez (who is currently writing the next installment of the STAR TREK franchise for Paramount Pictures), Katori Hall (Pulitzer-winning playwright and creator of P-VALLEY for Starz), Nida Manzoor (who created WE ARE LADY PARTS and is currently in production on her first feature), and Roshan Sethi (who co-created THE RESIDENT on Fox and is beginning prep on his sophomore film for Disney+). Montazaran was on the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in the Arts and Entertainment section in 2019 for her work amplifying the voices of artists from underrepresented communities.
President/Producer – Navid McIlhargey (Vandal Entertainment)
Navid Mcllhargey has been a studio executive and producer for over 20 years. In 2000, McIlhargey became an executive at Joe Roth’s Revolution Studios, where he oversaw production on the feature films such as WHITE CHICKS, PETER PAN, and TEARS OF THE SUN. He also worked on films such as BLACKHAWK DOWN, XXX, and ANGER MANAGEMENT.
In 2004, he moved to Joel Silver’s Silver Pictures where he was a producer on the Guy Ritchie directed ROCKNROLLA as well as ECHELON CONSPIRACY. While there, Navid also oversaw development on much of Silver’s larger action movies, including THE FORBIDDEN PLANET, LOGAN’S RUN, THE DIRTY DOZEN, ALTERED CARBON, MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE, HOT WHEELS, TIME AND AGAIN, and Orson Scott Card’s EMPIRE. In 2008 Navid became Executive Vice President at New Regency, a film studio where he oversaw production of THE DARKEST HOUR starring Emile Hirsch and Joel Kinneman as well as BROKEN CITY starring Mark Wahlberg and Russell Crowe. He developed his favorite slate of projects alongside Tom Cruise, Brad Pitt, James Grey, James Mangold, Rob Cohen, Joseph Kosinski, Kurtzman and Orci, Simon Kinberg, Zak Penn among many others. In 2015, Navid started his own consulting and production shingle, Vandal Entertainment. As a media consultancy, McIlhargey is currently working with several entertainment and tech-based companies.
As a production entity, Vandal focuses primarily on elevated thematic and character based/high-concept genre fare. The company released its first film entitled THE HUNTER’S PRAYER directed by Jonathan Mostow and staring Sam Worthington. McIlhargey most recently produced MODERN LOVE for Amazon. Vandal currently has over 40 film and television projects in development, is casting 7 movies (including one with Sam Jackson) and producing even more with the likes of Will Smith, Kevin Hart, and others.
Director – Star Victoria (Lust, Death of a Telemarketer)
Star Victoria is a 2020 DGA jury award-winning director. She graduated with her MFA in Production from the University of Southern California in 2019. Star directed her first feature film in 2021 for A&E Networks/Lifetime called Lust starring Tank and Keri Hilson. She is a Director mentee of the Ryan Murphy Half Initiative Director Diversity Program where she shadowed veteran director Loni Peristere on an episode of Fox’s Scream Queens. Star is also an invaluable 1st Assistant Director. She has AD’d over 15 feature films and several Shorts/music videos and commercials. One such short, Lalo’s House, a USC thesis film won the Student Oscar in October 2018. Star is also a Mentee of Director Mike Listo, Loni Peristere, Robert Townsend, Nina Yang Bongiovi, Cindy Cowan, Garcelle Beauvais and the late John Singleton. She is currently repped by Anthony Marotto at APA.
Director/Producer/Editor – Alrik Bursell (The Alternate, Red Snow, Making Movies is Hard)
Alrik Bursell is a freelance director/producer/editor who’s worked on feature films and corporate videos. He has directed seven short films including Strange Thing, which played a film festivals worldwide. Alrik’s first feature film The Alternate played at over 25 film festivals and brought in awards for best director, best sci-fi feature and won the gold ring at the Ravenna Nightmare Film Festival in Italy. The film has world wide distribution and will be released in North America on September 13th. Alrik has also worked on commercial videos for brands such as the NFL, Comcast Xfinity and HBO. Alrik is currently working as a Post Production Producer at Glass & Marker in Oakland, California. Alrik is also one of the hosts of Making Movies is Hard a popular indie filmmaking podcast and he is currently development on his next feature film.
Literary Manager, Producer – Lee Stobby (Lee Stobby Entertainment)
Lee Stobby is a producer, literary manager, and principal of Lee Stobby Entertainment who has over 10 years of management and producing experience. Some of his client highlights include: Shay Hatten (JOHN WICK: CHAPTER 3, JOHN WICK 4, ARMY OF THE DEAD, ARMY OF THIEVES), Kate Trefry (made the Black List in 2013 (PURE O) and 2016 (REVOLVER) who has an overall deal at Netflix and currently writes on STRANGER THINGS), Isaac Adamson (#1 Black List script BUBBLES), Rodney Ascher (ROOM 237, THE NIGHTMARE, A GLITCH IN THE MATRIX), and Myroslav Slaboshpytskiy (Cannes winner THE TRIBE).
Stobby’s Producing highlights and credits include SISTER AIMEE, which premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival; WILDLING starring Bel Powley, Liv Tyler and Brad Dourif and premiered at the 2017 SXSW; as well as development set up with Matt Reeves’ 6th and Idaho, Universal, and Netflix.
Creative Exec Braxton Rickert (Lee Stobby Entertainment)
More to be announced soon.
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Categories: Feature / TV Pilot
Genres: Action/Adventure, Comedy, Drama, Family/Holiday, Historical/Bio, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Suspense (Mystery/Crime/Thriller/Horror)
Grand Prize Winner
(Selected from 7 Genre Award Winners)
- $10,000 Cash (Includes $2,500 from Genre Award)
- Script Consultation with an ISA Executive ( 2 Meetings )
- 1 Year ISAConnect with access to Writing Gigs and Industry Pros
- 12 Year Copyright from Creators Vault
- Prizes in all other categories
_________________________________
Genre Award Winners
(7 Winners Selected from 7 Genre Categories)
- $2500 Cash Each
- Meeting with a top industry executive
- ISA Development Slate Consideration
- ISA Development Slate Evaluation (for a New Script)
- ISA Pitch Practice session
- 12 Months ISAConnect with access to Writing Gigs and Industry Pros
- 8-Year Copyright from Creator's Vault
- All Prizes from Finalists
_________________________________
Finalists (Top 10 of Each Genre)
- 3 month ISAConnect with access to Writing Gigs and Industry Pros
_________________________________
Semi-Finalists
- Digital Copy of "(Not Just) Another Book on the Craft of Screenwriting"
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All Entrants
-1-Month Introductory ISAConnect Membership
FAQ: https://www.emergingscreenwriters.com/rules-faqs/
For any other questions, please email us: Info@EmergingScreenwriters.com
Take Your Screenplay to the Next Level with ISA-Certified Professional Script Feedback
Screenplay competitions like Emerging Screenwriters are a great way to take a chance on your dreams through your creativity. However, unless you win the Grand Prize or one of the Genre Awards, you may never know how your script actually compared – and even if you do find success, you won’t actually know what it was about your script that caught the judges’ eyes and set you apart. That’s where Professional Script Feedback comes in.
In this business, doors only open every so often, so when you walk through you want to make sure you present the best version of what you have to offer. You don’t just want your screenplay to win a competition – you want producers and agents to read your screenplay and say, “I want THIS.” Script Feedback will give you that insight into those industry minds before you even get the appointment.
General Feedback (2-3 Pages) $69 – You know your work inside and out, now it’s time to get a second opinion. We’ll read your full script, and you’ll receive a detailed personalized critique on what we see, what we think, and suggestions on where to go next. Focus on plot, dialogue, characterization, format, length, plot sequencing and how to focus the narrative. Plus, dialogue & character improvements.
ISA Development Evaluation (5 Pages) $99 (normally $199) – This is for those looking to submit to the ISA Development Slate. Writers who select this feedback will not only be considered for the Slate but receive suggestions on how to improve overall writing, story, structure, commercial appeal and more.
ISA-Certified Script Readers are experienced industry professionals with a variety of success in screenwriting, producing, and literary management. They are here to empower you to improve your work based on their well-informed perspective and how it relates to the structure and technique contained within your script. We strive to give you something more than just a pat on the back; we’re here to propel your script to the front of the line.
FAQ: https://www.emergingscreenwriters.com/rules-faqs/
For any other questions, please email us: Info@EmergingScreenwriters.com
Click "UPGRADE AND SAVE" after completing
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(If you have posted a Writing Gig, please click the red GIG REQUESTS button to view your submissions. If you are a writer and want to be considered for the TOP 25, you must be an ISAConnect Member)
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