In honor of screenwriters everywhere, New Jersey’s Premier Independent Film Festival, the Garden State Film Festival has partnered with the Palm Springs Women in Film & Television (PSWIFT) and with Stage 32 with supporting the launch of the first of its kind Short Script Competition open to filmmakers from all countries from around the world. 

The winning script will be produced by PSWIFT!s "Filmmakers Lab” for a guaranteed budget of $10,000. The Filmmakers Lab has produced 3 award winning short films and a six episode season of the variety talk show, “PS After Dark,” starring Tristan Rogers. The members of the Lab will judge the projects and the winner will be announced August 15. The Project will be produced in the Fall of 2023. 

Stage 32 and PSWIFT will guarantee the film to be screened at their partner festivals "HollyShorts” in Hollywood, the "California Independent Film Festival,” in Orinda, CA and the globally recognized "Garden State Film Festival (GSFF),” in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The project is also guaranteed to be streamed on Roku!s, ZPTV platform.  

Stage 32 will provide the winner with a Mentor, Steve Desmond, writer of M. Night Shyamalan's new film KNOCK AT THE CABIN and director of MONSTERS, which won the Stage 32's Short Film Program.

The top 15 finalists will receive an exclusive one-page written feedback report from one of Stage 32 judges and Semi-Finalists and Quarter-Finalists will receive laurels from PSWIFT and Stage 32. 

The scripts should be between 5 and 15 pages and submitted in English and owned by the person submitting. The story location must be conducive to the Palm Springs area. There is no age limit and no limit on the number of scripts a writer may submit.

"This wonderful grant opportunity provides filmmakers with the resources to take
their vision and make it a reality which is in alignment with our organization.  For the past twenty-two years, GSFF has conducted a robust educational program to inspire, educate and introduce young people to the 21st century vocations the film industry offers," executive director, Lauren Concar Sheehy.   

"We are thrilled to be partnering with Stage 32 who is one of the leaders in educating filmmakers and offering a worldwide digital space for them to network. Our collaboration on this innovative competition will help to make a filmmakers dream come true of having their project produced by creative professionals and screened at a prestigious festival,” said Kim Waltrip who is Chair of the Filmmakers Lab and past PSWIFT President. 

"Palm Springs Women in Film has been a key organization committed to providing hands-on opportunities for filmmakers and we are thrilled to partner with them to provide a Filmmakers Lab that will shepherd the craft and career of an undiscovered filmmaker,” said Stage 32 CEO Richard Botto. 

Early Bird Entry is January 16th through February 16th, 2023 with a price of $40.00.  Regular Entry Fee is Feb. 17 through March 17th, 2023 with a price of $45.00 and a Late Entry from March 18th - April 18th, 2023 with a price of $50.00.

Quarter Finalists will be announced July 1st,  2023 Semi Finalists announced July 7th, 2023 Finalists announced July 14^th, 2023 Winner announced August 1, 2023. 

Submission link: https://www.stage32.com/blog/announcing-the-palm-springs-women-in-film-stage-32-short-film-competition-3232

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