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You must be a current member of the Catalyst Film Collective to submit a script.
Become A Member

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By submitting, you are committing to a Catalyst Film Collective co-production. Catalyst Film Collective will serve as the Executive Producer. **Be sure to review the guidelines and fine print below before submitting.**
Submit Script Here

 

Content must align with our mission.
10 pages or less (if you submit a script longer than 10 pages, judges may only read the first 10).
No more than seven speaking roles.
Maximum two locations.
Limit to two-day shoot.
Produce-ability on a shoestring budget will be taken into account.
While all applicants are welcome, there is a special emphasis on people from marginalized populations.

Catalyst Film Collective does not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices based on race, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, color, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, marital or parental status, pregnancy or childbirth, disability, age, religion, creed, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. We encourage and respect different viewpoints and experiences as being essential to the process of innovation. We strive to acquire, grow, and maintain a diverse and inclusive workforce that applies principles and standards equitably while supporting the needs and accommodations of individuals.

Production Guidelines
Sample Budget

 

How much experience in film do I need?

Winners of this grant have spanned the entire spectrum of film experience. We have had winners who have never stepped foot on a set before; people who have experience in certain departments, but have never directed before; very experienced directors who have made many films before; and everything in between. If you want to direct and have no experience directing, we will help with some training before production starts, and can help find a mentor or co-director if needed.

Do I have to direct the film if I win?

No. We have had winners who wanted to be Director of Photographers, Script Supervisors, or simply shadow another position on set to learn more about how filmmaking works. You choose what role you would like to play and we help make it happen.

Can I make my film anywhere?

Nope. We are a Portland, OR based nonprofit. Our collective members live in Portland and the surrounding area. Our funding comes from local sources. Our mission is to impact the local film community here. Your film must be made in or within driving distance of Portland, Oregon. You can be based elsewhere. However, we require our top three screenwriters to pitch their project at our Pitch Party. And throughout pre-production and production we expect you to be available and locally-based for meetings, locations scouts, casting, etc. If you have no connection whatsoever to the Portland film community, it is unlikely your script will be chosen.

Can I use generative AI to write any part of my script or application or to make my film if I win?

No.

How many scripts can I submit?

We highly encourage you to find your strongest script and submit one screenplay. There is zero chance more than one of your scripts will be finalists, so we ask you to do the work to select your strongest contender, rather than having us do it for you. That said, if necessary, we can accept two screenplays from one person. Any more than two will be automatically disqualified.

Does two locations mean two physical shooting locations, or would interior / exterior of the same shooting location count as two locations for the script?

If it involves a full company move, it counts as a new shooting location. If it is several rooms or locations within or surrounding the same address, it counts as one. This guideline could be flexible. It comes down to whether the script can be filmed realistically on a low budget two-day shoot.

How strict is the page limit for submissions?

Pretty strict. Our 10-page limit is in place 1) for our panelists, who are reading many scripts, 2) because $10K-$15K total budget means paying crews pretty low rates, and we don’t want them to have to commit to many days of filming at those rates, and 3) to make sure the film will really get finished within a year.

Our judges are told they can stop after 10 pages if the submissions are longer, but they can also choose to keep reading. If it is slightly longer than 10 pages, they will likely finish it. If it’s over 17, you will be asked to let us know which 10 pages of your script you would like read, and the rest of the script will not be read. Excerpts from features or partially executed proof of concepts that do not standalone as their own short film will not be competitive in this process.

That said, scripts of course continue to be edited after winning, and sometimes they do get a bit longer in the rewriting process. The longest script we’ve ever produced was 14 pages (though when it won, it was only 7).

Who holds the copyright for the film? If the film makes money, who gets it?

When you win Script to Screen, Catalyst Film Collective becomes an Executive Producer on the project. We retain the right to post the completed film on our website and channels, and to use any media created. For example, we may excerpt a portion of the film to use in organizational videos, or post bts photos or videos on our social channels.

But this is your film. If the film goes on to make money, that money goes to the writer (and their production team based on their agreement).

Will I be expected to fundraise beyond this grant?

Most of our filmmakers do additional fundraising beyond the grant from CFC so they can pay their crews more competitive rates, and so they have money for post-production. To stay within budget, often projects are filmed over a single weekend, though sometimes people do end up with a skeleton crew pick up day.

Who can be hired as crew?

We do not mandate certain people get hired for productions (and legally we cannot do so). What we do is set a high bar for diversity and equity goals, particularly in positions of power, and we do request that demographic information be collected and that every effort is made for the entire process to be in alignment with our mission. So that looks like fair and equitable hiring practices where jobs are posted publicly; and budget transparency, so department heads get paid the same flat project rate, assistants get paid the same, and interns get paid the same (there is a sample budget on our website). You and your producer will hire crew, create your budget, and set the rates. Being extremely intentional about equity is very important to make sure the onset atmosphere stays aligned with our mission, and that everyone feels safe, and supported.

How much is Catalyst involved throughout the process?

We trust you and your team to work out the details of it all, and generally we can be as involved or uninvolved as needed depending on the experience of the filmmaker. If there are certain roles you are having trouble filling, we can help. If you want to make requests for donations, and you think it would be better coming from us, we do that. If you need to find a producing partner that carries production insurance, we got you. If you don’t need help, and just want to send in a couple update reports about how it’s going, great! For casting, we have a casting agency that donates its services, however, if you choose to use them, they do require that actors get paid SAG minimum rates, so that can be more than low budget films can afford. If you do not choose to go that route, we can help with promoting casting calls, and where to post them.

Who should I use as application references if I have never worked on a set?

You can include any two professional references, and just make sure to say how you have worked together.

How many times/different years can I submit the same (re-worked) script?

Twice. You may re-write a previously submitted script and submit it one more time. Any scripts that have been submitted twice already will be automatically disqualified.

Can I replace my submitted script with an edited version?

You can email us and ask. If the panelists have already read the original submission, the new one will not be read. But if you catch us before it’s been read, we can swap it out.