Submit to the 3 Minute Script Competition 2023/24
We’re excited to announce our intention that yet again this year the winner of the 3 Minute Script Competition will be produced. (the previous winner, “The Attendant” by Stravros Pambalis is now in production; as is the finalist “Home Care” by Sam Windle)
So, get writing those super short scripts and tell a complete screen story in 3 to 4 pages.
Unlike other script competitions UKFF doesn’t just give awards or money as a prize but aims to get their winning scripts into production. In fact, we are well known for successfully connecting scriptwriters to the film industry and getting the films made. With 7 of our winners’ scripts made into films, 1 of which won an award at Sundance and 2 of which went on to win Crystal Bears at the Berlin Film Festival; and 4 others have subsequently gone on to be multi-award winning at film festivals around the world including Aesthetica, Bilbao, Galway and Underwire. The films have been Official Selection in 41 other festivals and 2 have gained prestigious distribution deals. Last year’s winner “Like I Said” by Jolyon White recently produced by 10 Days has already won several awards including Best Comedy at The Paris Film Festival. Our record speaks for itself.
As previous Feature Script winner Joadie Jurgova says,
“Entering The UK Film Festival’s screenplay competition was the best chance I have ever taken. It took my script and breathed new life into it, attaching an award-winning director and placing it with a prestigious international production company in less than a year. The support since winning has been phenomenal, respectful and generous. If you are looking for a script competition that you can place your trust in, this is it.” (Writer of ‘The Canadian’)
As previous Short Script winner, Andrea Allen says,
“When I won the competition, UKFF got my script made into a film within 6 months and went on to be multi-award winning, including the Crystal Bear at the Berlin Film Festival 2015 as well as screenings at 26 other festivals around the world.” (Writer of ‘A Confession’)
Deadline for submissions for this year is 29 February 2024. The administration and reading fee varies depending on each new deadline. To find out the current deadline information or to submit – please click on the Filmfreeway button below.
Winners will receive immediate marketing to the industry, winner’s laurels and the associated publicity. Winners in each category will also receive the latest version of Final Draft 12 (value $250) as well as receiving a 4-month InkTip Pro Membership. As an InkTip Pro Member, thousands of filmmakers can find and read your scripts, and you’ll be able to pitch directly to production companies every week. With over 3,000 options and 400 movies made, InkTip is the place for independent film.
Deadline for submissions is 29 February 2024. The administration and reading fee starts at £20 depending on which deadline. Submissions can be made through FilmFreeway:If you wish to email the script please contact murray@ukfilmfestival.com to arrange a reading and admin fee payment method and to email the script.
The Rules and Guidelines are:
- The script should be in English.
- The script should be around 5 to 10 pages long in the recommended industry format.
- We would ask the winner to agree to grant first option choice for production to the UK Film Festival unless the writer has other filmmaker contacts and wants us to work in association with them.
Should there be a need to alter any small aspect of the script when it goes into production the winner should be willing to work with the script editor and/or director to develop the idea. If this should occur the rights to the script still remain with the writer.
The closing date for submissions is 29 February 2024 but is earlier (October 2024) on our UK Film Festival London Filmfreeway platform which is mainly for film submission but also has a script competition submission category. It is best to submit to the UK FILM FESTIVAL SCRIPT COMPETITIONS site. Please click the Filmfreeway link.
Deadline for submissions 29 February 2024. Fee varies as to which deadline – Submissions can be made through FilmFreeway: