Objective

Deadline/Entry Fees

The contest opens on January 15, 2025.

WinningScripts Pro $5 Off Coupon

Notification: Semi-Finalists Announced May 28, Finalists Announced June 9, Winners Announced June 23, 2025.

Rules

• We accept scripts for narrative short films (live action & animation), web series pilots, and proof-of-concept shorts for features and TV series.
• Scripts should be within 2-30 pages. Writers can exceed the recommended limits by up to 15 pages (for a total of 45 pages maximum) for an additional fee of $1 per page. Scripts will need to be uploaded as a PDF. Scripts should be properly formatted according to industry standards at size 12-point Courier. Please only include the script’s title on the cover page.
• Finishing funds submissions should have an expected total runtime of 40 minutes or less. We accept rough cuts, scene assemblies, dailies, and trailers for review. If submitting dailies, please limit the total runtime of the footage provided to 20 minutes. Videos need to be submitted via a link that does not require a download (i.e. Vimeo, YouTube, frame.io, etc.). Please note that we do not offer coverage reports on rough cuts, footage, or finished films.
• We welcome submissions from all countries. All scripts must be written in English. The winning short(s) can be filmed anywhere in the world.
• We accept foreign language films (as long as the script is in English). The finished film will need to have English language subtitles.
• You do not need to be a screenwriter to enter, however, whoever enters the script must have the prior approval and agreement to do so from the writer(s).
• Submissions in which the writer wishes to direct their own script, including first-time directors, will be considered. A previous portfolio of work will help in making this decision, which may be requested if the script advances to the Semi-Finalist round or above.
• All ages may enter; however, the funds would need to be transferred to a legal adult’s account or business account if won.
• All submitted screenplays must be the writer’s original work or they own the copyright. If a writing team enters, both/all writers must consent.
• Previous Short Film Fund applicants may apply, including Finalists. Grand Prize, 2nd Place Winners, and Finishing Funds Winners are ineligible. Proof of concept shorts for scripts that previously won our Feature and/or TV contests are also ineligible.
• Each writer, or writing team, may not have earned more than $50,000 in screenwriting fees in the preceding 18 months. This clause is in place to help us support emerging talent. (Contest and Fellowship awards and writing fees received outside of fiction screenwriting do not count toward this total).
• Shore Scripts staff, associates, and Short Film Fund Judges are ineligible to enter the Fund.
• You may enter a script that has been previously submitted to the Fund.
• You may enter as many scripts as you wish. Each submission requires a separate submission fee. Discounts are available for multiple submissions. For more information, email shortfilmfund@shorescripts.com
• You may enter a newer draft of an already submitted script. There will be a small fee involved. Visit our website for more information about Resubmissions.
• Our Award-Winning Judges including filmmakers, festival programmers, and former Fund winners will decide this season’s Grand Prize Winner. The Finishing Funds Winner will be chosen by members of the Shore Scripts team.
• The decision of Shore Scripts is final. By applying to the Fund each participant agrees to hold Shore Scripts, our judges, and sponsors immune from any competition disputes, claims, liabilities, and expenses.
• The Winners consent to Shore Scripts using their name, script title, and any other relevant information for promotional purposes. This will be used to inform other contestants and the media of the results. The Winners agree to cut a trailer and provide a poster of the film for Shore Scripts to use on our website, social media, and other promotional platforms. We will also be unrestricted in how and where we promote the finished film once it is officially released.
• Shore Scripts will be listed as one of the ‘Production Companies’ on the project and also receive an ‘Executive Producer’ credit. The Shore Scripts logo will need to be added to the end credits.
• Winners who take advantage of the ARRI Rental camera package should also add the ARRI Rental logo to their film’s end credits.
• The Winner’s filmmaking team will have the final call on cast, crew, and edit. Shore Scripts will ask to see the audition tapes of the lead character(s) before they are cast.
• The funds can be transferred to a freelance producer or production company attached to the project, or the winning writer or writer/director.
• Shore Scripts is flexible as to the production dates of the winning project(s). However, if said projects haven’t been filmed within 12 months of our winners’ announcement, Shore Scripts has the discretion to transfer the funds to another submitted project. If the project has been filmed but not completed within 18 months of our winner’s announcement, Shore Scripts has the discretion to take over and complete the project internally or be refunded the awarded funds.
• The winning script or film may have obtained or may obtain funding from other sources and/or have co-production agreements with other companies. However, the terms of those other agreements must allow for the Winner to fulfill Shore Scripts’ terms as stated above.
• Please note that our sponsor ARRI may not be able to supply equipment if the project is to be filmed in a country where they do not operate. Production will also need to cover any logistics and costs of transporting camera equipment to set.
• If Shore Scripts helps a writer gain representation, option, sell, or have their screenplay produced, then we are entitled to state this on our website and any other platforms whenever we see fit.
• By entering a Shore Scripts fund or contest, you authorize us to use any trusted third-party online, cloud-based, and email services and databases for hosting, managing, and/or sending/transmitting your submission file(s).

Please contact us at shortfilmfund@shorescripts.com if you have any questions.

ALL THE INFO: https://www.shorescripts.com/shortfilmfund/

Awards

Grand Prize Winner: Cash production grant of $15,000, free camera equipment rental from ARRI Rental for the duration of production (some restrictions may apply), mentorship with two-time Oscar-nominated producer MARIA GRACIA TURGEON, a Film Festival Strategy Package from Tribeca programmer KIMBERLEY BROWNING, the opportunity to circulate the finished film to select members of our Industry Roster of producers, agents, and managers, and support from the Shore Scripts team from development through distribution.

Finishing Funds Winner: Cash grant of $4,000 in finishing funds, mentorship with two-time Oscar-nominated producer MARIA GRACIA TURGEON, film festival strategy package from Tribeca programmer KIMBERLEY BROWNING, the opportunity to circulate the finished film to select members of our Industry Roster of producers, agents, and managers, and support from the Shore Scripts team through post-production and distribution. Top 5 Finalists (unproduced scripts): Feedback on their scripts from one of our esteemed Judges, the opportunity to have their scripts circulated to select members of our Industry Roster and Directors, and a PDF of the Shore Scripts Film Festival Guidebook.

Top 15 Finalists (unproduced scripts): The opportunity to have their scripts circulated to select members of our Industry Roster and Directors.

Finalists (finishing funds): Feedback on their rough cuts from one of our esteemed Judges and a PDF of the Shore Scripts Film Festival Guidebook.

Semi-Finalists: A PDF of the Shore Scripts Film Festival Guidebook.