WINNER OF THE JAMES RIVER WRITERS – 2012 EMYL JENKINS AWARD!
Given to an organization that inspires a love of writing and writing education in Virginia
and for their long history of helping those putting pen to paper.
For more than 25 years, the Virginia Screenwriters Forum has helped to bring writers together to share their love and knowledge of screenwriting by offering support and constructive feedback to members’ scripts in progress.
The VSF was founded by Helene Wagner, an accomplished screenwriter and film instructor at the University of Richmond. She led the VSF as its Director for 18 years before becoming Director Emeritus. We lost Helene in 2021, but carry on her work and vision.
On June 1st, 2014, Eric Carlson became the new Director and brought his excellent knowledge of writing for film. He is an award winning screenwriter, having won multiple awards for a number of his scripts and led the organization until 2021.
On April 1, 2021, Robin Farmer was named as the new Director of the Virginia Screenwriters Forum. A 2019 winner of the She Writes Press and SparkPress Toward Equality in Publishing (STEP) Contest, she is a national award-winning journalist. Her debut novel was adapted from her original screenplay, which she submitted to VSF for membership in 2006.
Our membership count averages between fifteen and twenty active screenwriters at any given time. We meet once a month, on the 3rd Saturday of every month. During the pandemic, meetings have been held virtually. However, regular meetings are held in the Third Floor North Education Center at the Dominion Arts Center (formerly Richmond Centerstage), 600 East Grace Street, Richmond, Virginia.
During our meetings we critique 30 pages of two members’ scripts, or teleplay pages. In addition, each writer may do a table read of their 30 pages, presented by the VSF Actor’s Ensemble, consisting of some of Richmond’s finest actors.
Aspiring writers or seasoned writers are always welcome to join us for up to three meetings before submitting to become a member. Prospective members must attend three (3) meetings before submitting the first act of a feature for membership. We are not looking for Oscar caliber pages (although we’d be delighted to receive them!). Our purpose is to see if the writer has a basic understanding of the screenplay format and structure and they are anxious to contribute to the VSF mission to promote screenwriting amongst our members. Hope to see you there!
Please note: the Membership Committee does not critique, or edit submission pages.
VSF MEMBERSHIP IS CURRENTLY AT CAPACITY AND NOT ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS. Until applications reopen, guests are limited to three visits. to attend as many critiques as they wish, though they are expected to participate in giving feedback if they have attended more than three (3) critiques that year.
Dues for VSF Screenwriting membership are $50 a year, due each September. Once accepted by the Membership Committee dues are pro-rated based upon the month joined. Members are expected to attend at least seven meetings a year and must contribute 30 pages once a year to the VSF critique schedule to maintain membership in good standing.