The Competition

The PAFF John Singleton Short Film Competition is sponsored in part by L.A. Councilmember Heather Hutt, the City of Los Angeles, and embRACE L.A.

The Award:

After a competitive process in which screenplays are submitted, three filmmakers will be awarded $20,000 each for the production and completion of a live-action narrative short film of their winning screenplays.

Submissions & Eligibility

CLICK HERE TO ENTER COMPETITION

Submission Period CLOSED on February 19, 2024 at 11:59pm PST.

You are encouraged to submit your entry early to ensure a spot in the competition!

Category

These awards are for live-action narrative short screenplays.

Submissions must be an unproduced screenplay that hasn't been turned into a film, TV show, or any other visual media project brought to life on screen.

Length:

Screenplays 25 pages or less (excluding title page).

Content:

The thread of the story must focus on the Black Experience in the United States, told through the lens of its Black characters.

Screenplays will be judged by ten essential script writing categories:

• •Premise
• •Format / Presentation
• •Story Structure
• •Plot
• •Characters
• •Dialogue
• •Theme
• •Pacing / Emotional Investment
• •Style & Tone
• •Originality

Who Can Apply:

Screenwriters, Directors and Producers who self-identify as Black and own or have rights for the copyright on the submitted screenplay.

Creative Team:

The credited Screenwriter(s), Director, and lead Producer on the submitted project must self-identify as Black.

Additionally, the applicant must be a resident of Los Angeles, California.

All other members of the creative team (e.g., Executive Producer(s), Associate Producer(s), & Crew) can self-identify as any race/ethnicity and can reside anywhere in the world.

Prior Experience:

Screenwriter, Director OR Producer of the submitted project must have completed and been credited as either a writer, director or producer on a previous project (short or feature of any genre and subject, web series, TV , etc.). A sample of previous work (Vimeo link) is required on the application.

PRODUCTION TIMELINE / DELIVERY

Principal Photography slated to occur Spring / Summer 2024

Final Cut Delivery Deadline: December 1, 2024

TRT: 30 minutes or less including credits