Script to Screen has partnered with US-based Catalyst Story Institute to give New Zealanders the opportunity to participate in the Storieroad International program. This program is focused on discovering content creators and advancing creative careers within the global episodic marketplace.
Catalyst’s team of industry professionals will select up to 5 finalists and 10 semi-finalists from each participating country including New Zealand. Script to Screen will then present the 5 New Zealand finalists at a local showcase in Auckland in July 2021. The 5 finalists are also automatically selected to screen at the 2021 Catalyst Content Festival in Duluth, Minnesota. All finalists and semi-finalists will receive at least one meeting with a US-based industry professional/mentor. Applicants must be developing a series, it can be any genre, length or format and they can be at any stage of development.
Catalyst Story Institute runs the Catalyst Content Festival early October each year in Duluth, Minnesota. New Zealand 5 finalists receive 4 VIP passes to the festival but because of COVID-19 it is unlikely the finalists will be able to attend this year. However there will be a virtual festival. COVID-19 also means the meeting with a US based industry professional/mentor will be virtual. Semi-finalists meetings are always virtual.
The 5 finalists living outside of Auckland will have travel costs covered by Script to Screen to attend the local showcase. In the unlikely event it is possible to fly to Duluth, Minnesota for the Catalyst Content Festival in October, finalists will need to pay for their own travel and accommodation. Script to Screen has not sought funding for this because of the global pandemic.
Registrations Open Now: Registration is Free
Registrations Close: 15 April 2021 EST which is 16 April 2021 NZDT
Notification of Finalist: early June 2021
Who Can Register
- Writers, directors, actors & producers ages 16+ and of any experience level
- Each person must register individually
Types of Content Accepted
- Narrative/episodic/serialised content of any genre, length, style, and type: comedy, drama, thriller, scripted, unscripted, documentary, limited series, social media, influencer, short form, “half-hour,” “hour-long,” radio, podcast, reality, talk show, game show, animation, kids, gaming, VR, mobile, etc.
- Projects can be in any stage of development: pitch, script, in-production, post-production, or completed
About Storieroad International
Storieroad includes an international showcase aimed at advancing new voices & storytellers from 10 countries on 6 continents. Thanks to our partnership with Catalyst Story Institute this opportunity now extends to New Zealanders who will be represented in the showcase. Participants have gained jobs, signed with agents, sold projects, and made career partnerships through the Storieroad program.
About Catalyst Story Institute
The Catalyst Story Institute is an arts organisation and an annual festival gathering of artists and executives from around the world to celebrate outstanding independent narrative production. It is a step-by-step pathway of meetings, workshops, seminars, festivals, and social events designed to showcase your stories to the industry, advance your career opportunities, and grow your trusted professional network.
This is a Catalyst Story Institute initiative run in partnership with Script to Screen and in collaboration with “The Innovation Station” at the U.S. Department of State and Careers in Entertainment founded by the Will and Jada Smith Family Foundation.
