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
Types of Content Accepted
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.
Six filmmaking teams have been selected for funding through the 2020 round of Fresh Shorts and will each receive a grant of $15,000 to make their short film.
The final six were selected from a pool of 97 applications. 18 teams were shortlisted and given feedback from independent assessors. Supported by Fresh Shorts facilitator Miriam Smith they submitted a more detailed application to Whiringa Tuarua – Stage Two in January. From the 18 submissions, six were selected.
Script to Screen and the New Zealand Film Commission will partner to support the development of these films with a two-day lab in March and a six-week mentorship process following the lab to get the teams shoot ready.
Chris Payne, Head of International Relations and Fresh Shorts panel member at the New Zealand Film Commission said, “The panel was impressed with the originality, diversity, and strength of the directors’ voices, they all have something important to say, and we’re excited to support their progression.”
Jackie Dennis, Executive Director of Script to Screen who was also part of the selection process said, “This is a fantastic group of filmmakers who have really engaging stories to tell – and it’s a ground shift to see five of the six directors are female! We are now tailoring the two-day workshop and mentorship support to match the needs of each team and their project.”
The 6 selected teams and their projects are:
Fresh Shorts is a New Zealand Film Commission initiative run in partnership with Script to Screen.
The South Shorts Mentorship programme returns in 2021 with ten emerging filmmakers selected to take part. Under the leadership and guidance of renowned screenwriter and director Briar Grace-Smith (Cousins, The Strength of Water), participants will develop their short film projects through a script-focused mentorship.
Now in its sixth year, the programme guides emerging South Auckland affiliated talent to develop their short film scripts. Over a sixth-month period, the participants get individual script notes from Briar Grace-Smith, meet for workshops where they do group script read-throughs, and hear from guest filmmakers about their experience making short films.
“Since its inception in 2015, South Shorts has seen numerous alumni gone on to make films. The programme provides a safe space for aspiring and emerging South Auckland filmmakers to gain confidence in themselves as writers while building a sense of community within the industry,” says Eloise Veber, Script to Screen Programme Manager. “Ultimately we want to see more stories from South Auckland filmmakers produced and seen by audiences. We feel so privileged to continue to do this work thanks to support from our funders.”
The search for South Shorts Mentorship participants begins with our annual two-day South Auckland Short Film Workshop held each year in October.
Congratulations to the filmmakers selected for South Shorts 2021:
The South Shorts Mentorship Programme is made possible thanks to generous support from Foundation North with additional support from the New Zealand Film Commission.
Script to Screen and the New Zealand Film Commission take great pleasure in announcing the 18 projects and teams who have been shortlisted for Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts 2020.
A panel of external film industry assessors shortlisted 18 projects out of a total of 97 applications. These shortlisted teams have been invited to apply for Whiringa Tuarua – Stage Two where they submit a full application. The 18 teams will be supported throughout the Whiringa Tuarua – Stage Two process to help them put their best foot forward.
Six projects from the 18 shortlisted teams will be selected, giving the teams a one in three chance of workshopping their project with industry experts and receiving a grant of $15,000 to make their film.
Script to Screen and the New Zealand Film Commission thank all the filmmakers who applied, there was a wealth of great ideas and some extremely strong filmmaking teams to select from.
Congratulations to the 18 teams shortlisted for Whiringa Tuarua – Stage Two:
Script to Screen and New Zealand Film Commission work in partnership to deliver the Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts programme.
Image: Ways to See dir. Jessica Sanderson. Stills Photography by Jen Raoult
Script to Screen is delighted to announce the projects and teams selected to take part in Series Bootcamp 2020, a programme created to nurture emerging and mid-career writers and producers as they develop their series concepts.
The teams will workshop their series concepts over two stages. At stage one, each team will have an online session with an advisor from the U.S. The two advisors, Laurence Andries (VP of Programming at the Writer’s Guild Foundation, How to Get Away with Murder, Blue Bloods, Six Feet Under) and Jill Goldsmith (Boston Legal, Law & Order, Rizzoli & Isles), will give feedback on how to further develop the concept to appeal to an international audience. The teams will bring that feedback to stage two and attend a two-day intensive workshop to continue to develop their concepts with exceptional local story and producer advisors. Some participants are experienced in other formats so the workshop will also cover the nuances of writing and producing series for the screen.
For this first Series Bootcamp, Script to Screen received 61 applications. Three external selectors went through a robust process compiling a shortlist of 15 and ultimately selected seven projects to be developed. They said “there was so much evident talent – freshness, originality & skill. We wished there were more places to offer. To have made the shortlist was a real mark of quality, and the selection was passionately argued. Our congratulations to all the chosen teams – the future is bright!”
Script to Screen thanks all the filmmakers who applied.
Congratulations to the teams whose series concepts will be developed at Series Bootcamp 2020:
Series Bootcamp is made possible thanks to generous support from the New Zealand Film Commission, US Embassy and the US Arts Envoy.
“South Shorts not only opened the door for me to discover my skills as a writer but also gave me the confidence to know that I can actually do this, anyone can. I’m so grateful to have had this opportunity”
– 2019 South Shorts Participant
South Shorts is an intensive development programme that supports up to nine new and emerging screenwriters from the South Auckland community to develop a short film script. Under the guidance of renowned screenwriter Briar Grace-Smith, participants are lead through focused script development over a six-month period. The programme will start in early 2021 and participants will attend a series of one-day hubs between March and September.
During these full-day ‘hubs’ participants will get together to workshop and discuss their short film scripts. At the hubs, writers will take part in script read-throughs, get individual script notes from a mentor, do writing exercises, and hear from filmmakers about their experiences making short films. Each participant will also have individual script sessions with their mentor between hub days.
Dates for the South Shorts Mentorship Programme will be set in December 2020. The hub days usually take place on Saturdays, 9 am-5 pm.
This initiative is intended for people who either live in South Auckland or who feel connected to South Auckland (maybe you grew up there, have whānau there, have worked there for years, feel connected to the community in someway, etc.) and is made possible with assistance from Foundation North.
Applications open: Tues 27th October
Applications close: Tuesday 24th November, 5pm
Applicants notified of outcome: Friday 18th December
Script to Screen is delighted to announce the projects and filmmakers awarded places at Story Camp Aotearoa 2020, a residential feature film lab that fosters craft, voice and vision. The lab, which takes place in Port Waikato, is tailored to meet the specific development needs of each project. Nine selected projects with 11 writers and six producers will workshop their feature films over the week with exceptional local advisors, and international advisors who are attending virtually.
This year Script to Screen received an astounding 116 applications. Three experienced independent practitioners went through a rigorous process compiling a shortlist of 19 and ultimately selecting nine projects to be developed at Story Camp in November. We would like to thank all the filmmakers who applied.
“The calibre of applications this year surpassed expectations, making the selection process both tough and rewarding for the selectors. We are delighted with the breadth of exceptional stories selected, and particularly excited to see emerging filmmakers secure places within this highly competitive round” says Story Camp Programme Director Esther Cahill-Chiaroni.
Congratulations to the filmmakers whose feature film projects will be developed at Story Camp Aotearoa 2020:
The 2020 Kōpere Hou Fresh Shorts round is now open.
This year the application process for Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts has been changed making it simpler for teams to apply. It is now a two-stage application process.
Whiringa Tuatahi – Stage One you will continue to need a writer, director and producer, and a written script. Read the Whiringa Tuatahi – Stage One Application Pointers to find out what else is required. Applications are made via the Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts Funding Portal, you will need to register a User Account.
A shortlist of 18 teams will be invited to submit a Whiringa Tuarua – Stage Two application. This detailed application is the same as previous years to ensure all bases are covered and the team have all the support they require to make the film.
The full criteria and requirements for the assessment of both Stage One and Stage Two are in the Guidelines.
From the shortlist, six projects will receive $15,000 grants. The teams behind each of these projects will attend a two-day development workshop in March 2021 and then be matched with an experienced industry practitioner and receive six weeks’ mentoring to get their project ‘shoot ready’.
KEY DATES
WHIRINGA TUATAHI – STAGE ONE
APPLICATIONS OPEN NOW (Apply via Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts Portal)
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 1pm, Monday 19 October 2020
ANNOUNCEMENT OF SHORTLISTED TEAMS: Week commencing 16 November 2020
WHIRINGA TUARUA – STAGE TWO
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 1pm, Monday 11 January 2021
ANNOUNCEMENT OF FUNDED TEAMS: Week commencing 8 February 2021
DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP DATES: 6-7 March 2021
KŌPERE HOU – FRESH SHORTS WEBINAR
Wondering about the new application process for Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts?
Watch these webinars with Miriam Smith (Fresh Shorts Facilitator), Jude McLaren (Talent Pathways Manager, NZFC) and Jackie Dennis (ED, Script to Screen) to hear about what’s needed for Whiringa Tauatahi – Stage One and how to put your best foot forward in your 2020 Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts application.
WEBINAR #1
An overview on the new application process to guide you through the selection criteria.
WEBINAR #2
An in-depth look into the application portal, the director’s visual inspiration and how to think from a reader’s perspective when writing your application.
Still have questions about Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts Stage One applications? Then this webinar is for you!
Join us for our second live webinar on Thursday 08 October at 5:30pm to ask all your last-minute questions about Whiringa Tauatahi – Stage One and how to make your 2020 Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts application shine ✨.
Teams needs to register on the Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts Portal to access the application. If you are considering applying, register now and familiarise yourself with the application portal. If it raises any questions for you they can be answered next Thursday.
You need to sign up for the webinar in advance. There will be an opportunity to send questions during the webinar but you can also submit your question ahead of time to help shape the discussion.
The webinar will be available for you to view on Script to Screen’s YouTube and Facebook afterwards if you are unable to join the discussion live, and for you to refer to afterwards.
KŌPERE HOU – FRESH SHORTS KEY DATES
APPLICATIONS OPEN NOW(Apply via Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts Portal)
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 1pm, Monday 19 October 2020
ANNOUNCEMENT OF SHORTLISTED TEAMS: Week commencing 16 November 2020
APPLICATIONS CLOSE: 1pm, Monday 11 January 2021
ANNOUNCEMENT OF FUNDED TEAMS: Week commencing 8 February 2021
DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP DATES: 6-7 March 2021
USEFUL LINKS:
Read Guidelines
Read Application Pointers
REGISTER FOR KŌPERE HOU – FRESH SHORTS APPLICATION PORTAL
Wondering about the new application process for Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts?
Watch this webinar with Miriam Smith (Fresh Shorts Facilitator), Jude McLaren (Talent Pathways Manager, NZFC) and Jackie Dennis (ED, Script to Screen) to hear about what’s needed for Whiringa Tauatahi – Stage One and how to put your best foot forward in your 2020 Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts application. The purpose of the webinar is to give an overview on the new application process and guide you through the selection criteria.
This webinar took place on Thursday 17 September at 5:30pm.
Kōpere Hou – Fresh Shorts Webpage: https://script-to-screen.co.nz/development-programmes/fresh-shorts/
Full Application Information: https://script-to-screen.co.nz/fresh-shorts-application-info-2/
Guidelines: https://script-to-screen.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2000/09/Ko%CC%84pere-Hou-Fresh-Shorts-2020-Guidelines-10.09.2020.pdf
Pointers: https://script-to-screen.co.nz/wp-content/uploads/2000/09/Ko%CC%84pere-Hou-Fresh_Shorts_Stage-One-Application_Pointers__10.09.2020.pdf
Email the Fresh Shorts Facilitator: FreshShorts@script-to-screen.co.nz