Applications for the prestigious and lucrative Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Don and Gee Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting are now open for 2014.

This international screenwriting competition awards up to five fellowships of US$35,000 each year. Since 1986, 133 fellowships totalling $3,600,000 have been awarded.

Who Can Enter

This international screenwriting competition is open to writers based anywhere in the world, regardless of citizenship. All entrants must be aged over 18.

In order to be eligible for these fellowships, an entrant’s total earnings for motion picture and television writing may not exceed US$25,000 before the end of the competition.

It is a requirement that all fellowship winners complete a new script in the year of their fellowship.

The Prizes

Up to five $35,000 fellowships are awarded each year to promising new screenwriters.

In addition to the cash prize, winners of the Nicholl Fellowships will be invited to participate in awards week ceremonies and seminars in November. The successful applications are also expected to receive many networking opportunities to help complete their next script.

How to Enter

Applicants must submit an original feature film screenplay, approximately 90 to 120 pages in length. The shortest script to earn its writer an Academy Nicholl Fellowship was 80 pages long; the longest was 153 pages.

If the script is based on a true story/events, historical or contemporary, the ‘based on true story’ button should be selected within the online application form.

Click here to set up your Academy Nicholl Fellowships Online Application Account

Nicholl Fellowships 2014 Timeline

28 February – early bird entry deadline ($35 entry fee)

10 April – regular entry deadline ($50 entry fee)

1 May – late entry deadline ($65 late entry fee)

Late July / Early August – quarter-finalists notified

Late August – semi-finalists notified

Late September / Early October – finalists notified and asked to submit supporting materials.

Late October – fellowship winners notified and announced

Early November – fellows honoured at the Nicholl Awards Dinner.

A record 7,251 entries were received in 2013. All scripts are read at least twice in the competition. About 15 percent are read a third time. About 5 percent of entries advance to the competition quarter-finals, about 2 per cent advance to the semi-finals and about 10 entries reach the final round.

Important Note

Make sure you read the detailed FAQs section of the Academy Nicholl Fellowship website as there are very specific requirements about formatting and entering your script. Non-US entrants be warned: your script must be formatted to American 8.5″ x 11″ sized paper.

Contact Information

Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting

1313 Vine Street

Hollywood California 90028

United States of America

Ph: +1 310 247 3010

nicholl@oscars.org

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