Storyteller FAQ’s 2012
HBFF 2012
STORYTELLER FAQs
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL SCREENPLAY SUBMISSIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED THROUGH WITHOUTABOX (WWW.WITHOUTABOX).
Q: WHAT ARE THE DATES OF HBFF 2012?
The12th Annual Hollywood Black Film Festival will be held October 25-28, 2012 in Hollywood, California.
Q: WHAT ARE THE STORYTELLER SUBMISSION DATES FOR HBFF 2012?
Submissions will be accepted June 29, 2012 through August 31, 2012.
The Early Bird submission deadline is August 3, 2012.
The Regular submission deadline is August 21, 2012.
The Late submission deadline is August 31, 2012.
Q: HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO SUBMIT A SCRIPT TO THE HOLLYWOOD BLACK FILM FESTIVAL?
$65 for entries received on or before August 3, 2012.
$75 for entries received between August 4 and August 21, 2012.
$85 for entries received between August 22 and August 31, 2012.
Q: IS THERE A STUDENT DISCOUNT?
Yes…the submission fee for student filmmakers is a flat rate of $50 for the duration of the submission period! A copy of your current student id is required with your submission.
Q: HOW DO I SUBMIT MY ENTRY?
A: All entries should be submitted online through www.withoutabox.com. Entries submitted outside Withoutabox will not be considered. If there are any problems with the online submission system, please contact Withoutabox technical support for help. Storyteller is accepting online scripts ONLY in .pdf or Final Draft format. Go to withoutabox.com for complete submission information. DO NOT include the writer(s) name, WGA number, any kind of contact or other identifiable information on the cover or anywhere within the script. Noncompliance with this criteria is grounds for disqualification.
Q: HOW DO I PAY MY FEES?
Fees can be paid by credit or debit card (VISA, MC or AMEX) online with the script submission.
Entry fees are non-refundable.
SUBMISSIONS WILL BE CONSIDERED INCOMPLETE AND WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED WITHOUT THE ENTRY FEE PAYMENT. DO NOT include the writer(s) name, WGA number, any kind of contact or other identifiable information on the cover or anywhere within the script. Noncompliance with this criteria is grounds for disqualification.
Q: CAN HBFF WAIVE MY SUBMISSION FEE?
A: The festival is unable to waive submission fees. HBFF is a non-profit organization and submission fees are necessary to operate the festival. While we recognize the financial difficulties that some writers face, we also recognize the importance of fairness and maintaining a level playing field for all competitors.
Q: WHAT TYPES OF ENTRIES DO YOU ACCEPT?
A: We accept full-length features, shorts, documentaries, and teleplays.
Scripts must meet industry standards and be properly formatted (see The Complete Guide to Standard Script Formats, by Cole/Haag). HBFF suggests Courier 12 point or that closest to typewriter print. Feature length screenplays should average between 70 and 120 pages, shorts between 5 and 50 pages. Pages must be numbered. DO NOT include the writer(s) name, WGA number, any kind of contact or other identifiable information on the cover or anywhere within the script. Any submission that does not at least meet the basic standards mentioned here will be disqualified and not read.
Q: HOW DOES THE STORYTELLER COMPETITION WORK?
A: Script submissions are read and critiqued anonymously by story editors, readers, producers and/or writers. They are scored on originality, structure, marketability and appearance among other criteria. The highest-scoring scripts become semi-finalists. Those scripts are read and scored again. From that group, the top three finalists are chosen and ranked to determine the winning script. Storyteller semi-finalists are invited to the festival to participate in a workshop developed exclusively for them. This workshop is led by top industry writers, directors, producers or story consultants, and includes script consultations. Excerpts from the three finalist scripts are read/performed during a Live Staged Reading. The winning script is announced at the close of the festival.
Q: WILL I RECEIVE A CRITIQUE OF MY SUBMITTED SCRIPT?
A: Yes. Our readers provide feedback that may be helpful in further rewrites as you develop the script into a finished product.
Q: WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
A: Black writers, producers, directors, actors and/or other person(s) who write or co-write the submitted script(s) are eligible. DO NOT include the writer(s) name, WGA number, any kind of contact or other identifiable information on the cover or anywhere within the script. Noncompliance with this criteria is grounds for disqualification.
Q: WHAT TYPES OF PRIZES ARE AWARDED?
A: Prizes have included scriptwriting software, script consultations, screenwriting workshops, and the opportunity to have scripts read by leading motion picture studio and production company development executives.
Q: WHEN ARE FINALISTS NOTIFIED?
A: All storytellers should be notified by or before September 15, 2012 of their status in the competition.
Q: WHAT IF I HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?
A: Send us an email at: storyteller@hbff.org.
I am interested in submitting a screenplay for this festival. For the life of me, I can’t find how much the Entry Fee is. Even when I go on withoutabox website, it has no mention of the price. How much is the Fee, please!
The Storyteller FAQ’s have been updated to reflect submission dates and pricing for script submissions. Good luck! This information will be passed along to the withoutabox.com team.
I would like to submit a teleplay for an original TV pilot. Can I or should I include a Synopsis of the pilot, Character List, Additional Information about the series?
Hi Rick,
Yes, you can include a synopsis, character list and any additional information about the series that you feel is relevant.
My script is 140 pages. I can’t reduce it any further. Will it still be accepted for the competition?
Per Alexia Peebles, Director of the Storyteller Competition, we will accept a script of 140 pages in length.
May I submit a short script today?
Hi Lewis,
Please email programming@hbff.org directly and ask for a waiver code to submit your script to the Storyteller competition after the final deadline. Please give your reasons for the delayed entry. The final decision whether or not to grant the waiver will be up to our Programming Staff.
– Web Admin
Are the finalist for storyteller competition going to be listed soon?
@Kenneth — Storyteller finalists should be notified by October 3, 2012.
I listed a contact number on my withoutabox submission form (storyteller category), that may not be available anymore. If my screenplay gets selected will I be passed over or will they contact me by email?
Yes, you will be contacted be email. Feel free to email your updated information to Storyteller@hbff.org.
–Web Admin
Thank you so much.
When will the announcement be made as to which scripts will be accepted into the Storyteller competition as finalists?
Hello, I was told, a few days ago, that thos finalists would be contacted by October 3. I hope this helps. All the luck.
Will the storyteller finalists still be announced this Wednesday
@Jaci — Finalists should be notified by October 3. Feel free to email Storyteller Director, Alexia Peebles for the latest notification information. Email address: storyteller@hbff.org
–Admin
Where can I find info on the winning scripts in previous years Storyteller competition?
@Mia — Please email Alexia Peebles, Director of the Storyteller Competition, email: storyteller@hbff.org
–Admin
has anyone been notified yet?