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call-for-entries Shore Scripts 2024 OutHere LGBTQIA+ Screenwriting Contest

LET'S CELEBRATE LGBTQIA+ STORIES

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This brand-new screenwriting competition aims to bring LGBTQ+ characters and stories, front and centre. So we are looking for scripts with LGBTQ+ protagonists, antagonists, secondary/side, and peripheral characters.

In collaboration with Polari Creative and Pride Reads, we're on a mission to showcase contemporary LGBTQIA+ stories. We're offering five (5) screenwriters the opportunity to meet with our inspiring Judges panel, giving your LGBTQIA+ story the attention and nurturing it deserves.

Whether you're queer and write LGBTQ+ characters constantly, or you're cishet and including LGBTQ+ characters for the first time, this contest is for you.

For the first round of this contest, we are reading your logline, a one-page synopsis, and the first five (5) pages of longer scripts. Five (5) Top Finalists will be selected to get online with our Judges to pitch their scripts and receive feedback.

After this, these Finalists will submit their full script and a Grand Prize Winner will be selected.

PRIZES

Grand Prize Winner to receive:
$1,500 cash + A 1-2-1 Mentorship consultation call with Luke Oliveira-Davies - Polari Creative and Sensitivity & Authenticity feedback from Drew Hubbard - Pride Reads.

PLUS

Five (5) Finalists will get online with this year's Judges to discuss their scripts and get feedback on developing their LGBTQIA+ stories. Plus, free coverage feedback from Shore Scripts.

JUDGES
LUKE OLIVEIRA-DAVIES.
Founder and creative producer at the award-winning Polari Creative. Founded in 2020, Polari is an award-winning production company committed to championing stories from diverse perspectives and uplifting the voices of underrepresented creatives both upfront and behind the scenes.

JOY GHARORO-AKPOJOTOR. 2020 Screen International Star of Tomorrow, Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor is a producer whose work focuses on Black, Queer, and Female-led content for Film and TV. Joy runs Joi Productions, which received a BFI Vision Award.

BETHANY BLACK. Comedian, Actor, and Writer for Frankie Boyle's New World Order, and Late Night Lycett, Bethany is blessed with a sharp tongue and a desire to overshare. She is critically acclaimed for her personal, confessional style of comedy.

DREW HUBBARD. Founder of Pride Reads, the groundbreaking screenplay development service offering sensitivity and authenticity reads for queer/lgbtq+ manuscripts and scripts specifically for gay/queer male and non-binary characters.

For this contest, we are accepting submissions comprised of the writer’s logline, a one-page synopsis, and the first five (5) pages of longer scripts (min. of 20 pages long, excluding the title page), for completed Features, TV Pilots, Short Film scripts, and Animation screenplays
Progression through the contest involves the selection of a Top 5 Finalist shortlist who will be invited to an online meeting to make a short oral online presentation to the Judges. In the same meeting, the writers will have the opportunity to receive feedback and answer any questions the Judges may have. Thereafter, the Top 5 Finalists will be required to submit their full script – be that Feature screenplay, TV Pilot, Short Film, or Animation. No other documents or supporting materials are required

DOWNLOAD THE SUBMISSION GUIDE & FIND OUT MORE
https://www.shorescripts.com/outhere-screenplay-contest/
 
Shore Scripts 2024 OutHere LGBTQIA+ Contest
MEET THE JUDGES!

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REGULAR DEADLINE APRIL 12TH!

This contest was designed to put LGBTQ+ characters and stories, front and center. Representation has actually taken a step backward since 2021 and what there is can often fall into the tired old tropes that have their roots in the ultra-conservative Hays Code.

We are seeking to counter that – celebrating LGBTQ+ stories that focus on community and family, and feature strong characters that reflect the reality of LGBTQ+ lives today.

What’s more, we are realising that community theme in the structure of the contest.

The Top 5 Finalists will be invited to an online meeting to make a short oral online presentation to the Judges. In the same meeting, the writers will have the opportunity to receive feedback and answer any questions the Judges may have. Thereafter, the Top 5 Finalists will be required to submit their full script – be that Feature screenplay, TV Pilot, Short Film, or Animation. No other documents or supporting materials are required.

OUR 2024 JUDGES

LUKE OLIVEIRA-DAVIES.
Founder and creative producer at the award-winning Polari Creative. Founded in 2020, Polari is an award-winning production company committed to championing stories from diverse perspectives and uplifting the voices of underrepresented creatives both upfront and behind the scenes.

JOY GHARORO-AKPOJOTOR. 2020 Screen International Star of Tomorrow, Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor is a producer whose work focuses on Black, Queer, and Female-led content for Film and TV. Joy runs Joi Productions, which received a BFI Vision Award.

BETHANY BLACK. Comedian, Actor, and Writer for Frankie Boyle's New World Order, and Late Night Lycett, Bethany is blessed with a sharp tongue and a desire to overshare. She is critically acclaimed for her personal, confessional style of comedy.

DREW HUBBARD. Founder of Pride Reads, the groundbreaking screenplay development service offering sensitivity and authenticity reads for queer/lgbtq+ manuscripts and scripts specifically for gay/queer male and non-binary characters.

For this contest, we are accepting submissions comprised of the writer’s logline, a one-page synopsis, and the first five (5) pages of longer scripts (min. of 20 pages long, excluding the title page), for completed Features, TV Pilots, Short Film scripts, and Animation screenplays.

$1,500 cash for the Grand Prize Winner
+ Follow-up feedback from Luke and Drew to help them craft the very best draft of their story.

ENTER BEFORE THE DEADLINE
https://www.shorescripts.com/outhere-screenplay-contest/
 
THE FINAL CALL FOR ENTRIES CLOSES MAY 10TH!

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While queer representation is improving, according to the GLAAD TV report for 2022-2023, there was actually a decrease of 1.3% in LGBTQ+ characters, on scripted primetime American broadcast series, from the previous year.

We are seeking to counter that – opening doors and celebrating LGBTQ+ stories that focus on strong characters that reflect the reality of LGBTQ+ lives today.

Writers are invited to submit the first five pages of their script, a one-page synopsis, and their logline to the contest. You can enter a full-length script, along with the synopsis and logline, although in the first round, we will only be reading the first five pages, not including your title page.

This competition is about championing queer characters and stories, particularly those that celebrate joy, community, and family. Queer audiences, as well as cishet allies, want to see LGBTQ+ characters whose queerness isn't a plot point, they're just queer because that's who they are.

To further support this focus on community, we are inviting the Top 5 Finalists to an online meeting with the Judges, where the writers can make a short oral online presentation to advocate for their script, and in the same meeting, have the opportunity to receive feedback and answer any questions the Judges may have.

After that the Top 5 Finalists will be asked to submit their full script – be that Feature screenplay, TV Pilot, Short Film, or Animation.

The Final Deadline for the 2024 OutHere LGBTQ+ Screenwriting Contest is on May 10th, at 11:59 PM Pacific Time! Submissions cost $40 US.

FIND OUT MORE
https://www.shorescripts.com/outhere-screenplay-contest/

OUTHERE CONTEST DATES

Top 15 Finalists Announced - May 17, 2024
Top 5 Finalists Announced – May 24, 2024
MAY 30TH - The Top 5 Finalists meet with the Judges

to discuss their scripts & get ready to submit their full drafts to decide on the final placings!
Final drafts submitted by – June 14, 2024
Grand Prize Winner Announced - June 21, 2024

CONTEST PRIZES

1-2-1 consultation with Luke Oliveira-Davies

The Grand Prize winner will receive feedback on their script from the founder and creative producer at the award-winning Polari Creative, the award-winning production company committed to championing stories from diverse perspectives and uplifting the voices of underrepresented creatives both upfront and behind the scenes.

Sensitivity & authenticity feedback from Drew Hubbard
Plus, the Grand Prize Winner will receive script feedback from the founder of Pride Reads, the groundbreaking screenplay development service offering sensitivity and authenticity reads for queer/lgbtq+ manuscripts and screenplays that feature gay/queer male and non-binary characters.

$1500 for the Grand Prize Winner
Plus free coverage feedback from Shore Scripts for the Top 5 Finalists!

GET YOUR STORY OUTHERE
https://www.shorescripts.com/outhere-screenplay-contest/
 
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We are honored to announce the OutHere Contest Top 15 FINALISTS!

We created the OutHere contest in response to the need for greater participation and representation of the LGBTQ+ community in screenwriting and the wider entertainment industry. According to the GLAAD TV report for 2022-2023, there was a decrease of 1.3% in LGBTQ+ characters, on scripted primetime American broadcast series, from the previous year.

The goal of OutHere therefore was to champion queer characters and stories, particularly those that celebrate joy, community, and family. You responded in your hundreds and it has been a privilege to read the terrific scripts and synopses you submitted. We want to say a HUGE heartfelt thank you to everyone who entered.

Please join us in congratulating our Top 15 Finalists!

VIEW THE LIST
https://www.shorescripts.com/2024s-outhere-contest-winners/

DON’T MISS THE TOP 5 FINALISTS ANNOUNCEMENT – MAY 24TH
 
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WE ARE DELIGHTED TO ANNOUNCE OUR TOP 5 FINALISTS!

After rigorous review and re-reading the Judges have spoken. From over 300 entries we have selected our Top 5 Finalists who will now be invited to the Judges' Panel Meeting to be held online on May 30th.


At this meeting, the finalists will present a short script pitch and participate in a discussion with the Judges where they can ask questions and receive craft advice. After this meeting, the finalists will be required to enter the final draft of their scripts, and the scripts will be reviewed to determine the final placings.

The OutHere contest was created to bring LGBTQ+ characters and stories front and center while celebrating themes of community and family in response to the tired tropes that often pervade the depiction of the LGBTQ+ community on screen. By bringing the Judges and writers together for this unique panel meeting OutHere aims to imbue the contest process with the same spirit that it holds as its goal.

VIEW THE LIST
https://www.shorescripts.com/2024s-outhere-contest-winners/

The OutHere Contest Grand Prize Winner will be announced on June 21st.
 
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WE ARE HONORED TO ANNOUNCE OUR GRAND PRIZE WINNER AND FINALISTS!

***
GRAND PRIZE WINNER

CHARLOTTE COOPER – BURY YOUR GAYS


BURY YOUR GAYS is a dark comedy that follows the story of Grace, a jobbing actor who cannot understand why she keeps being killed off. That is until she meets a mysterious agent who explains the trope; Bury your Gays. Join Grace as she navigates her actor’s mortality through different film and TV genres and desperately tries to fulfill the agent’s one task… DO NOT DIE.

***

The goal of OutHere was to champion LGBTQIA+ characters and stories, particularly those that celebrate joy, community, and family.

It has been a privilege to read the amazing scripts that were submitted and we want to say a HUGE heartfelt thank you to everyone who entered.

Special thanks go to our contest partners, Luke Oliveira-Davies, Founder of Polari Creative, Drew Hubbard, the Founder of Pride Reads, and our two industry Judges, Bethany Black, and Joy Gharoro-Akpojotor.


Our Grand Prize Winner and Finalists represent the pinnacle of submissions entered in this contest's inaugural year. Now that the contest has closed we will commence the distribution of prizes and review the opportunities for the OutHere Contest stories to be sent to our amazing roster of 300+ producers, production companies, directors, managers, and agents.

VIEW THE FULL LIST!
https://www.shorescripts.com/2024s-outhe...t-winners/
 
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