Virginia Screenwriters Forum is proud to present the First Act, First Look Screenwriting Contest 2022!
CONGRATULATIONS to Andrew Carnwath of Richmond, Virginia, the winner of the 2022 First Act, First Look Screenwriting Contest! Andrew’s script, “Somewhere Between” was selected for the top prize of $500 and a script analysis from our panel of award-winning writers.
Andrew was presented with his prize by celebrated filmmaker, Jesse Vaughan and VSF Director, Robin Farmer, during the recent 2022 Short Film Showcase!
Competition Guidelines
Do you think your first act has what it takes to captivate an audience? For over 30 years, the Virginia Screenwriters’ Forum (VSF) members have read and critiqued Act One of hundreds of scripts. Every writer knows the importance of a catchy opening that sets the stage for what is to come and keeps them begging for more! In this unique contest, your first 30 pages could earn you a $500 cash prize and a script analysis from a panel of award-winning writers! Your feedback will total up to 3 pages of notes.
Sandra Sellers/Richmond Free Press
Every script that is entered into First Act, First Look is read by a member of the Virginia Screenwriters Forum. This storied organization is composed of produced screenwriters, published authors, and other active members of the local creative community. Acclaimed Director, Producer and Filmmaker Jesse Vaughan, recipient of more than 30 Emmy Awards, is the Guest Judge. Honored with the 2020 Ted Yates Award for lifetime achievement from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences, Vaughan will select the grand prize winner, who will be announced September 1.
VSF has partnered with James River Writers (JRW) to promote this first-of-a-kind contest. JRW connects, supports and inspires writers in central Virginia and beyond. Celebrating its 20th year, JRW provides programming year-round to help writers at all skill levels develop their craft as well as the business side of their work.
- Early Bird – $30 – deadline April 11, 2022
- Regular – $40 – deadline May 11, 2022
- Late – $50 – deadline May 31, 2022
Rules & Terms
This competition is open to any writer, 18 or older, who has not earned or won $1,000 or more as a screenwriter, or sold or optioned a script. Entering the competition constitutes permission to use the winners’ names and likenesses for publicity and promotions with no additional compensation. We reserve the right to publicize and promote any and all progress, development and success of the entered scripts.
- Submit scripts in English.
- Submit one copy (PDF form) of the first act of your feature screenplay. Do not exceed 30 pages. Do not encrypt or password protect your PDF.
- On the cover page of your script, please DO NOT include your name or address. We only want the title of the script on the cover page.
- Any script from any genre will be considered.
- Multiple entries are accepted, provided you fill out an application and pay a submission fee for each script.
- Multiple authorship is acceptable. If the screenplay wins, that award will be divided among the writers, by the writers.
- Screenplays must be the original work of the author.
- No substitutions of new drafts or corrected pages for script entries will be accepted under any circumstances. If you wish to submit a new draft of your script you must treat it as a new entry and pay the submission fee.
- Body pages must be numbered.
- Scripts must be in industry standard format 12 point Courier font.
- The decisions of our Judges are final and may not be disputed.
- Please do not send CD’s, treatments, synopses, letters or resumes.
- First Act, First Look is not responsible for submissions that are lost, stolen or damaged.
- Material submitted must not have been optioned or produced and must be fully owned by the screenwriter.
*All copyright, ownership, and derivative rights to the material submitted to the contest will remain with the original rights holders and/or author.