ScreenLabs Challenge 2008

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Screenwriters Workshop is pleased to announce the guidelines for the 2008 Screenlabs Challenge. Make a short film, win a $1000!

Screenwriters Workshop designed ScreenLabs as a filmmaking development program intended to foster collaboration among writers, directors, producers, talent and crew through bringing original scripts to the screen. The Challenge began in 2007 as a contest to empower screenwriters to produce their own scripts. This years theme is "Agony and bliss: Unrequited love." This should be an integral theme that runs through each film. As with last years ScreenLabs Challenge, we require a particular location be included in all completed films. For 2008 filmmakers must include the "Witch's Hat" water tower in Prospect Park, Minneapolis, as a location in their finished film.

UPDATE (April 16, 2008): All applicants must submit an email by Friday, June 13, 2008, with the following information: your name, project title, mailing address, and email address.

Download the 2008 ScreenLabs Challenge application here.

Join the ScreenLabs Challenge 2008 mailing list to be the first to hear Challenge news.

PRIZES

Submitted works will be judged by a panel of jurors who are film/video artists and professionals. Winners will be awarded the following cash prizes:

First Place - $1,000
Second Place - $500
Best Screenplay - $250
Audience Award - $250

The Audience Award will be conducted via online viewing and voting. Disclaimer: The online poll isn't scientific and reflects the opinion only of visitors who choose to participate. Reasonable efforts have been made by Screenwriters Workshop to make the voting process secure.

IMPORTANT DATES AND MAILING ADDRESS

Completed films/videos must be received at the IFP Minnesota Center for Media Arts no later than 4:00pm on Friday, August 15, 2008. This is an in-office deadline. Films will not be accepted by mail or walk-up after this time. No exceptions. Filmmakers can mail or deliver completed applications to:

Screenwriters Workshop's ScreenLabs Challenge
c/o IFP Minnesota Center for Media Arts
2446 University Avenue West, Suite 100
St. Paul, MN  55114

Online voting for the Audience Award will commence Wednesday, August 20, 2008. All winners will be announced at the Screenwriters Workshop's Annual Membership Meeting in October, to be held at Minneapolis Community and Technical College, 1501 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN  55403.

Mark your calendar: A ScreenLabs Challenge 2008 filmmaker informational/orientation meeting will take place at 7pm, Thursday, April 24, 2008, at IFP Minnesota Center for Media Arts (address above). The 2007 Challenge winners will be on hand to screen their films and answer questions.

April 24 - 2008 ScreenLabs Challenge filmmaker orientation
June 13 - Email registration deadline
August 15 - Submission deadline
August 20 - Online voting begins
October 10 - Online voting ends
October - Winners announced at Screenwriters Workshop Annual Membership Meeting (date to be announced)

ELIGIBILITY

Screenwriters Workshop welcomes all filmmakers who fulfill the following criteria to apply to the ScreenLabs Challenge. Only the applications that meet the eligibility requirements will be accepted for further consideration and judging. Please review the criteria carefully.

1. Applicants must be current Minnesota residents
2. Films must be an original work reflecting the theme “Agony and Bliss: Unrequited love”
3. Films must not exceed 12 minutes running time (including titles). Films over 12 minutes will be disqualified. No exceptions. Note: films may be as short as you like
4. Films must include no more than four (4) characters
5. Films must use no more than four (4) locations, one being the Witches Hat Water Tower in Prospect Park, Minneapolis

APPLICATION MATERIALS

Each of the following materials must be included in the application (in order listed below) by the deadline, or the applicant will be disqualified from consideration:

1. DVD containing the completed film work: The piece must be presented in full-length, fully completed, and may not represent a work-in-progress. DVDs must be labeled with filmmakers name, title of work, running time, and dated (2 copies).
2. Application cover sheet: the application can be downloaded here (four copies).
3. Photocopy of Minnesota Driver's License, or Minnesota Picture ID (four copies).
4. Provide a written discussion of no more than one page describing various aspects of your film/video, such as the inspiration and/or vision for the piece, unique or notable aspects of the process and production (four copies).

Note: DVDs that won't play will not be considered. Make certain your DVDs work in standard home DVD players before submitting.

LOCATION

The "Witch's Hat" water tower sits at the center of the venerated Prospect Park neighborhood of Minneapolis and is the tallest natural land point in the city. The tower is nestled next to the University of Minnesota campus and has served as a destination for many a college student seeking an adventure or view of downtown. Long considered to be one of Minneapolis' romantic hotspots, the surrounding Tower Hill Park is the site of the annual neighborhood "Ice Cream Social" and the occasional solstice ritual because of associations with mysticism and the occult. The Witch's Hat water tower is site number #97001426 on the National Register of Historic Places.

Don't forget to join the ScreenLabs Challenge 2008 mailing list to be the first to hear Challenge news. For more information contact Screenwriters Workshop. Thank you and good luck!

528 Hennepin Avenue  •  Suite 507  •  Minneapolis, MN  55403  •  USA  •  Tel: (612) 659-8292