CineStory is a national non-profit dedicated to nurturing emerging screenwriters through mentorship programs. Winners of our competition have gone on to pen films such as IRON MAN, THE CHILDREN OF MEN, BALLAST, KING OF CALIFORNIA and 11:14. Our 2013 Fellow Patrick Tobin had his winning script premiere at the 2014 Toronto Film Festival.

One of the main goals of the CineStory Screenwriting Awards is to select up-and-coming screenwriters for our mentorship programs. For this reason, the semifinalists of each year's competition are invited to the exclusive CineStory Writers' Retreat, a four-day intensive program held in the Fall.

THE CINESTORY WRITERS' RETREAT

CineStory's Retreat is dedicated to the advancement of great new voices in screenwriting. Retreat attendees are chosen from the top writers of our annual competition, the CineStory Screenwriting Awards. For four days, writers enjoy direct access to working Hollywood professionals. 

Past retreat mentors include: Meg LeFauve (INSIDE OUT), Mark Fergus & Hawk Ostby (IRON MAN, CHILDREN OF MEN), writer/director Joe Forte (FIREWALL, OUT), producer Nana Greenwald (SEVEN), producer Michelle Sy (FINDING NEVERLAND), producer and former head of Jodie's Foster prod co MEG LEFAUVE (THE DANGEROUS LIVES OF ALTAR BOYS), writer Philip Eisner (EVENT HORIZON, MUTANT CHRONICLES) and writer/director Keith Gordon (DEXTER, WAKING THE DEAD). And many, many others.

GRAND PRIZE: THE CINESTORY FELLOWSHIP
Valued at over $17,000 this prize includes a $10,000 cash award, free meals, board and tuition at the exclusive CineStory Writers Retreat as well as a 12-month mentorship program with two Hollywood professionals hand picked for the winner. The CineStory Fellowship gives writers direct access to Hollywood professionals and has a long track record of success. Prior fellows have optioned material, gained representation and secured writing assignments with the guidance of their mentors. Also included: one-year Script Pipeline Writers Database membership; three-year subscription to Creative Screenwriting; iScript screenplay audio recording; and one-year Scripped PRO subscription.

SECOND PLACE:
Over $1500 in cash and prizes, including $1000 cash.

THIRD PLACE:
Over $1000 in cash and prizes, including $500 cash.

FIVE FINALISTS RECEIVE:
Discount on Retreat tuition and other prizes.

ALL SEMIFINALISTS RECEIVE:
An invitation to the exclusive CineStory Retreat including: Three 90-minute one-on-one sessions with working Hollywood agents, managers, producers, development executives and other pros to discuss the writer's work and career strategy Open access to 15+ hours of small group sessions covering a wide rage of creative and business topics Free film screenings and other events.