Virginia Screenwriters Forum

A screenwriting group based in Richmond, Virginia

VSF News

VSF Unveils its Second Annual Short Film Showcase!

After a successful inaugural event in 2022, the Virginia Screenwriters Forum is proud to announce that our 2023 Short Film Showcase will be held Saturday, August 26, from noon-3PM at the Ashland Theatre. The event will feature short films written by members of the Forum and produced by Richmond’s independent film community in the past year. The winner of the 2023 First Act, First Look Screenwriting Contest will be announced at the event, and an Audience Choice Award will be given to one of the films in the showcase. Invite your friends and family, because the event is free to the public!

FILM LINEUP COMING SOON.

April 21, 2023 Film Makers 0 Read more >

2023 First Act, First Look Screenwriting Contest Now Open For Submissions!

VSF’s second annual national screenwriting competition, “First Act, First Look” opens for entries April 1, 2023. Writers who wish to enter can do so via FilmFreeway.com.

Send us your best First Act (thirty pages max) that grabs the reader’s attention and prepares your potential audience for the drama, laughter, romance, suspense or horror that is to come.
Prizes include $500. The earlybird deadline is April 11, where you can take advantage of a reduced fee.  The deadline is May 31.

This year‘s guest judge is Erica Arvold, an Emmy nominated casting director, producer, writer/director, and educator. She has contributed to, participated in, or helmed the making of over 150 films, 90 television shows, and countless multimedia & commercial projects.

We look forward to reading many wonderful submissions!

Submit Here.

March 29, 2023 Contests 0 Read more >

April 2025 Critique

Our next critique will be held on Saturday, April 19, 2025, featuring pages from Adrienne Toghraie and Max Garcia.

Enter via the security entrance next to the loading dock on 7th Street, sign-in and proceed to the 3rd Floor.
If you are a guest writer interested in joining us, please email info@virginiascreenwritersforum.com and we will notify you on how to participate.
We continue to monitor the COVID rates and adjust our schedule accordingly.  Our regular in-person meetings are held at The Dominion Energy Center, 600 E Grace Street – 3rd Floor, Richmond, Virginia.

PLEASE NOTE: Please try to arrive by 9:30 am. Our meetings begin promptly at 10:00am.

Contact us if you are planning to attend, as space can sometimes be limited. Emerging and experienced writers are always welcome to attend a meeting to learn more about us. VSF membership is at capacity and we are no longer accepting applications. Guest attendance is limited to three visits. Hope to see you there!

January 26, 2023 Film Makers 0 Read more >

Celebrating 2022!!

Virginia Screenwriters’ Forum wrapped up an exciting year with its first in-person holiday potluck party that included mimosas, meatballs and pie following prizes awarded for Feedback Frenzy. Terry Menefee Gau won the holiday themed contest, which required the opening pages of a new script.

2022 End of Year Celebration!

Tom Sanchez Prunier takes Honorable Mention, Robin Farmer as Runner Up and Terry Gau as the winner of this year’s Feedback Frenzy!

VSF offered members wonderful opportunities to learn and grow in 2022 that included masterclasses, a new national screenplay contest, expanded critique sessions and an inaugural short film showcase. Onward to more enriching and innovative possibilities in 2023!

January 6, 2023 Awards 0 Read more >

VSF Announces Winner of First Act, First Look Contest

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!

August 19, 2022 Awards 0 Read more >

VSF Hosts Night of Film Making!

Adam Lapallo discusses the making of “A Moment of Your Time” with Robin Farmer

Virginia Screenwriters Forum and co-sponsor Epsilon Systems Consultants presented our first annual Short Film Showcase on August 14, 2022.  Four of our own VSF members wrote and directed the slate of short films presented free to the public at the Firehouse Theater on West Broad Street in Richmond.

Kristofer Haase and Rachel Weatherly share insights on the making of their short films.

Each film was followed by a short Q&A session.  “Increasingly, VSF members are producing and directing their short scripts, which can be more challenging.  Tonight we see their talents on the screen,” stated Robin Farmer, Director of the Virginia Screenwriters’ Forum.

The films included:

“The Fly Who Loved Me,” written and directed by Rachel Weatherly

“Keystroke,” written and directed by Tom Sanchez Prunier

“Mickey’s Place,” written and directed by Kristofer Haase

“Hun,” written and directed by Rachel Weatherly

“A Moment of Your Time,” written and directed by Adam Lapallo

VSF plans to make this an annual event!

August 18, 2022 Film Makers 0 Read more >

Entries Closed for First Act, First Look

Thank you and Congratulations to everyone who submitted an entry in the First Act, First Look Screenplay Contest!!  Entries are now closed and the judges are hard at work reading the numerous scripts.  We are excited to announce our first winner on September 1, 2022.  Check back for news as we get closer and Happy Writing!!

June 18, 2022 Contests 0 Read more >

First Act, First Look Screenwriting Competition Opens for Entries

VSF’s first ever screenwriting competition, “First Act, First Look” opens for entries April 1, 2022.  Writers who wish to enter can do so via Film Freeway.  A link is provided on the Contest page by clicking here.  Send us your best first Act, thirty pages that grab the reader’s attention and prepares your potential audience for the excitement, romance, suspense or horror that is to come.  The earlybird deadline is April 11, 2022, where you can take advantage of a reduced fee.  We look forward to celebrating many wonderful submissions!

April 1, 2022 Contests 0 Read more >