We are proud to once again announce the annual Bahamas International Film Festival (BIFF) Screenwriters Residency Program Call for Entries! 

 

Since 2005, BIFF has aimed to connect auspicious writers with industry professionals in an intimate setting, allowing writers to receive first hand knowledge as well as establish lasting relationships with field experts. Four (4) fortunate applicants will be extended the incredible opportunity of attending a complimentary mentorship in The Bahamas this December 5- 8, 2016 in Harbour Island.

 

The Screenwriters Residency Program consists of 4 days of intense workshops on the picturesque Harbour Island.

 

Past years, residency advisors and mentors have included:

 

Scott Budnick : Producer (The Hangover)
Andrew Tapani: Producer of (The Haunting in Connecticut)
Tom Heller: Producer (Precious and 127 Hours)
Vince Gerardis: Producer (HBO Games Of Thrones)
Roger Corman: Producer (Death Race 2000,Scream 3, The Fantastic Four)
Nate Kohn: Professor (The University of Georgia), Assoc Director (The George Foster Peabody Awards)
Sean Covel: Film Producer (NapoleonDynamite, Beneath, Cafe)
Bruno Chatelin : Founder Filmfestivals.com Film Marketing Consultant
Laurie Gordon : Founder Animaze Festival Montreal International Animation Filmfestival Producer Ryan's Renaissance (Ryan Larkin)

 

The 2016 panel of judges and mentors will be announced at a later date. 
 

Furthermore, BIFF has acquired a highly esteemed partner: The Department of Entertainment and Media Studies at the University of Georgia. Ranked as having one of the top mass communication schools in the United States, the University of Georgia has produced very successful alumni, including Ryan Seacrest (television personality and producer) and Kyle Chandler (television and film actor). The university’s Dr. Nathaniel Kohn will be working with BIFF’s selected screenwriters during the 2016 Residency Program.

 

“I have been working with BIFF since the festival’s beginning,” said Dr, Kohn.  “It’s a vibrant festival with a strong educational mission – and that includes mentoring some exceptional screenwriters.”

“Education is one of the most important things to us here at BIFF. Being a part of teaching and mentoring writers who could end up being the next Quentin Tarantino is a rewarding experience, and a large part of the reason that we at BIFF do what we do.” said Tatiana Donaldson, Co-Executive Director (BIFF).

 

"The Screenwriters Residency Program is not only an important component to BIFF but to the Caribbean and its flourishing filmmaking industry. Since its launch in 2005, BIFF has invited leading industry professors such as  Ted Hope ,  Ben Barenholtz  and  Malcolm Lee  to provide guidance to over 80 screenwriters from around the globe. We are proud to have a forum to nurture the next generation of screenwriters." said Leslie Vanderpool, Founder & Co-Executive Director (BIFF).

 

Deadline for Screenwriting Residency Program August 9, 2016. Application Fee $80 USD   PAYMENT

Please put your name and title of the script as reference.

 

APPLICATION GUIDELINES

Applications for tuition-paying attendees are accepted via electronic submission to festasst@bintlfilmfest.com no later than August 9, 2016. 

Attendees must be available during December 5th - 8th to participate.

All entry fees and deposits are non-refundable.

All submitted material must be original, and all rights must be wholly owned by the writer(s).

Material must be submitted by the writer. Material written by writing teams must be submitted by one of the writers, with consent of the other(s).  All writers must be credited on title page.

If a writing team is chosen, the attendance will be granted to one writer.

Substitutions of either corrected pages or new drafts of the entered material are not allowed. Please proofread your script very carefully before submitting.

It is recommended that original material be registered with the WGA or The Library of Congress before submitting to any competition, however we do not require registration.

Contact info may be included on the cover page of the screenplay, however, it is not required.

All ownership and rights to the scripts submitted to this contest remains with the original holder’s rights.

 

After we announce our FOUR winners in October, we will accept applications for six additional screenwriters to join us for the full price of tuition: $1,000. If you are selected, a non-refundable deposit of $200 will be required to reserve your spot.

 

ELIGIBILITY

All writers must be at least 18 years of age.
All persons from all countries are eligible; the material submitted must be in English.
All material submitted to other competitions or contests are eligible for this contest.
There are no requirements as to when the material was written.
Screenplay must be owned and submitted by the writer.
Material should be submitted in standard screenplay format, font, spacing and margin.
Adaptations ineligible unless underlying rights owned by the writer or the work is in the public domain.
Feature screenplays must be no more than 150 pages
All material must be submitted electronically as a PDF or it will not be eligible.
Failure to respond to the initial notification within ten (10) days or return of notification will result in disqualification. We reserve the right to amend these rules at any time.

 

COPYRIGHT AND OWNERSHIP

The Bahamas International Film Festival or any other partner, employee or agent associated with this contest claims no ownership nor first right of option to any original screenplay submitted to this contest. All ownership and rights to the scripts submitted to this contest remains with the original rights holders until and unless other agreements are made.

 

PUBLICITY

Except where prohibited by law, participation in the contest constitutes each entrant’s consent to The Bahamas International Film Festival and its agents’ and contest sponsor’s use of entrants’ names, likenesses, photographs, and/or personal information for promotional purposes in any media, worldwide, without further payment or consideration. All uses of a entrants’ information are in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

 

REFUND POLICY

All entries are non-refundable.

 

ENTRY CONDITIONS AND RELEASE

By entering this contest, each participant agrees to release and hold harmless The Bahamas International Film Festival and affiliated companies, Prize contributors, Sponsors, and any other organizations responsible for administering, advertising or promoting the Contest and Promotion, and every one of their respective members, directors, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, the “Released Parties”) past and present from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liability, including but not limited to damages and negligence to property and persons, including but not limited to invasion of privacy, defamation, slander, libel, violation of right of publicity, copyright, infringement of trademark or other intellectual property rights relating to a participant’s Entry, participation in the Promotion and/or acceptance or use or misuse of Prize; provided however, that such release will not apply to any commercial exploitation of the script by a Released Party in violation of your rights under applicable copyright law; and (c) indemnify, defend and hold harmless The Bahamas International Film Festival and its Sponsor, agents and employees from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liabilities (including reasonable attorneys fees) relating to an entrant’s participation in the Contest and/or entrant’s use or misuse of Prize.

 

BIFF is a 501(c) (3) nonprofit organization committed to providing the local community as well as international festival attendees with a diverse presentation of films from not only The Bahamas but also around the world. In addition to showcasing films that might not be available for conventional release, BIFF provides unique cultural experiences, educational programs, and forums for exploring the past, present & future of cinema.

 

Save The Date: December 5 - 8 (Harbour Island) December 9 - 11 (Nassau)