Scriptable - Application Guidelines
Annual program. 2023 applications open: 3 July – 15 August 2023.
Whether just out of university/film school, still completing a degree, or looking to enter the industry – Queensland Writers Centre’s annual, national Scriptable program is an opportunity for emerging screenwriters to develop their scripts and careers.
Applications of unproduced scripts are accepted across a broad range of genres and formats, including feature screenplays, television and web series, short films and short film collections. A Youth Category for writers aged 16-25 is offered.
Successful (shortlisted) applicants to the program will receive consultation with Queensland Writers Centre (QWC) staff and 5 hours of one-on-one mentorship with a matched industry professional, with the aim of sparking ongoing creative and professional connections for writers in the local screen industry.
One-on-one Feedback Sessions with QWC staff to receive reader feedback on the submitted script and discuss next steps (regardless of the application outcome), are available as an add-on for all applicants.
To ensure all writers receive value from their application, QWC has committed to providing a relevant development workshop to applicants free of charge during the Program, tailored to address commonalities found by reviewers across the cohort of applications.
Please read the guidelines below carefully before making your application.
How to apply
Applications are accepted only via the online Application Form (www.surveymonkey.com/r/Scriptable2023).
Applicants are required to submit:
For a feature screenplay: the first 50 pages of a completed script.
For television series and web series: up to 50 pages of completed script/s. (This can include multiple episodes but should begin with the first episode, or pilot.)
For a short film: a complete short film script.
For a collection of short films: multiple completed short film scripts as a collection, up to 50 pages of content in total.
Other script formats, including experimental forms, may be accepted on a case-by-case basis. Contact the Centre for guidelines.
Scripts are accepted in PDF format and must be presented according to standard formatting in alignment with Screen Australia’s Suggested Script Layout, available via www.screenaustralia.gov.au/about-us/doing-business-with-us/document-library.
Please include the title of your manuscript in the file name. Do not include your name or identifying details on any portion of the manuscript or synopsis, nor should you include the competition name, Scriptable or Queensland Writers Centre.
Submissions not meeting the requirements outlined in these guidelines may be deemed ineligible.
Application criteria
Scriptable is for emerging screenwriters. For the purpose of the program, ‘emerging screenwriters’ are defined as writers who are unproduced, or who have had no more than 50 minutes of a feature screenplay produced, or no more than 45 minutes of a television/web series produced.
Applicants must be Australian citizens or permanent residents in Australia and must currently reside in Australia.
Applicants must submit their own original, unproduced work.
Where there is Indigenous content or participation in the work, applicants should comply with Australia Council for the Arts’ Protocols for using First Nations Intellectual and Cultural Property in the Arts, available via australiacouncil.gov.au/investment-and-development/protocols-and-resources.
Applicants under 18 years are eligible but should contact the Centre prior to making their application. If applicants are under 18 years and are selected for the Program, they will need permission from their guardian to continue.
A minimum of 2 places in the mentorship program will be reserved for Queensland-based writers. A Queensland-based writer is defined as a writer currently residing in Queensland.
A minimum of 1 place in the mentorship program may be reserved for applicants to the Youth Category for writers aged 16-25.
Applicants who have entered work into previous years’ competitions are eligible to re-enter, however resubmissions of work without substantial changes are not eligible. Shortlisted writers from previous Scriptable competitions are ineligible to enter.
Membership of QWC is not required to apply, though discounted application fees are available for members of writers’ centres in the National Writers’ Centre Network, and you may take advantage of discounted QWC membership as part of your application.
Key dates
Applications open: Monday 3 July – Tuesday 15 August 2023
Shortlist notified/announced: Late September 2023 (mentorship commences shortly afterwards)
Feedback Sessions: October 2023
Successful applicants will be publicly announced on QWC’s website, social media channels and Pen & Pixel email newsletter. Applicants will be personally notified of the outcome of their application prior to public announcements.
Entry & assessment process
Applications must be made via the online Application Form – see How to apply. Applicants must submit the complete materials requested in the Form.
Once submitted, application materials cannot be modified or amended.
Applicants may submit more than one manuscript to the Program (i.e. multiple submissions). However, each submission will require a new application and incur a separate administration fee.
QWC staff, tutors and trained readers will assess all submissions.
All applicants will be personally notified of the outcome of their application via email.
One-on-one Feedback Sessions (up to 30 minutes) with QWC staff are available as a paid add-on, for applicants to receive reader feedback on their manuscript and discuss next steps. All feedback is constructive and the opinion of the reader/s.
Any advice given will be based off the submission and synopsis, and is provided to allow writers to work through the rest of their script.
QWC will select up to 5 applicants, at its discretion, for the Program shortlist and to continue in the mentorship program.
QWC reserves the right to ask applicants to submit full works (within 72 hours of being notified). Please note that this submission is required for proof of completion of the script, and may not be read or assessed in its entirety by QWC’s reading team.
For shortlisted writers: once matched with a mentor, the format of the meetings will be agreed upon by the writer and mentor. QWC will continue to monitor progress.
Correspondence with QWC will be a mixture of remote and in-person communication depending on availability. All required elements of the Program will be made available in an online format.
QWC is committed to providing a relevant development workshop, delivered by an industry professional, to all Program applicants free of charge, regardless of application outcome. QWC will endeavour to tailor the content of the session to address commonalities found across the cohort of applications.
Fees & charges
Standard application fees:
Member application fee ($50)
Non-member (standard) application fee ($55)
Fees include GST. Fees contributes toward administration expenses of QWC in administering this Program.
Discounted member application fees are available to current members of state writers’ centres in the National Writers’ Centre Network. If you’re not a member of QWC, you may be asked to verify your membership of another Centre.
Participants will be required to arrange and pay for other expenses throughout the Program, if applicable, except as expressly identified by QWC in written agreements.
Application fees with add-ons:
Application fee + One Year Membership ($105)
Application fee + Feedback Session ($99)
Application fee + One Year Membership + Feedback Session ($154)
Applicants can take advantage of a discounted One Year Membership ($50 usually valued at $89) with QWC as part of their application. If the applicant is already a member of QWC their current membership will be extended by one year.
Applicants can take advantage of a half-price Feedback Session ($49 usually valued at $99). After applications close, Feedback Sessions may be made available to book separately at full price ($99) for a limited time through QWC’s Writer’s Consults program.
Additional terms
QWC does not guarantee the future production of scripts submitted to or developed during the program.
Application materials will be disposed of securely once QWC completes the selection process. QWC will record and keep information provided on the application form for up to 9 months.
The final numbers selected for the Program shortlist are to be at QWC’s discretion, and may depend on the quality and number of applications received.
Every effort is made to ensure an appropriate and mutually beneficial match between Scriptable shortlisted writers and industry professional mentors. However, QWC acknowledges creative relationships are subjective and may not always be found to be suitable for both mentor and writer; in these circumstances QWC will negotiate for the best possible mutual outcome but is unable to guarantee the provision of mentorship hours or further administration, additional to what is ordinarily provided to participants as part of the Scriptable program.
QWC reserves no rights over scripts submitted to or developed during the program. QWC allows writers to share and/or submit their script to competitions, courses, or producers prior to, during or following their participation in the Program.
QWC does not take a percentage of any future royalties or sale of submitted work, and all rights and intellectual property remain with the author, regardless of their final placement in the competition.
Successful applicants will be expected to promote and support the program and QWC through social media sites, website, and other forms of media. Successful applicants may also be requested to provide a testimonial for the competition.
Any credit offered towards QWC and the Program - on social media sites or media releases - must comply with any direction given by QWC, the proper logo and/or approved graphics used, and notification given of your intention to credit QWC.
Whilst not obligated and ultimately at the applicant’s discretion, if successful in future due to exposure or experience gained from the Program, appropriate credit and acknowledgement of QWC’s role is expected.
QWC may offer unsuccessful applicants the opportunity to participate in a tailored Program at a cost additional to the initial application fee.
These Application Guidelines were developed and updated for the 2023 Scriptable program.