Deadlines
This contest is now closed. Subscribe here to be notified when the next Diverse Voices contest is open to submissions — on January 15th, 2021!
This contest is now closed. Subscribe here to be notified when the next Diverse Voices contest is open to submissions — on January 15th, 2021!
Semifinalists – Nov 15th, 2020 – Top 20%
Finalists – Dec 15th, 2020 – Top 5%
Winners – Jan 20th, 2021 – Top 3-4
Free Feedback. A 4-Day Industry Lab.
WeScreenplay’s MOST EFFECTIVE talent-discovery screenwriting lab is back, and we’re excited to unveil this season’s judges and mentors. Grand Prize winners will be offered a flight to Los Angeles for a Diverse Voices Four-Day Screenwriting Lab.
Managers and agents are signing writers from underrepresented backgrounds in record numbers as the industry is finally taking strides to become more inclusive and diverse. All readers for this program come from diverse backgrounds, and all entrants will receive a page of written feedback on their script from their first round’s judge.
Diverse Voices is a screenplay contest and lab that strives to encourage stories that are told from perspectives that are often underrepresented in Hollywood today. This includes writers of color, women writers, writers with disabilities, writers over 40, writers in the LGBTQ+ community, and any other voices that have historically been ignored by Hollywood.
Joy is the President of Tracy Oliver’s (GIRLS TRIP, FIRST WIVES CLUB) production company, Tracy Yvonne Productions, which is committed to championing diverse voices of all genres, across TV, film, and digital media.
Powderkeg is Paul Feig’s digital content company that aims to champion new voices with a commitment to female and LGBTQ creators and filmmakers of color.
Jess is a TV writer currently staffed on the CW show IN THE DARK — and he happens to be blind himself.
Louisa is a literary agent at Blake Friedmann Literary Agency in the UK who focuses on representing diverse talent responsible for top projects including THE BEACH HOUSE, THE SECRET, WORLD WAR Z, and more.
Top 3 – 4
Cash value of ~$2,500
Top 25
Cash value of ~$85
The Grand Prize Winners will be flown to Los Angeles and put up in an iconic LA Hotel for a Diverse Voices Four-Day Screenwriting Lab. The Lab will include hands-on development with industry executives, WeScreenplay staff, writers, and each other. It’ll also include meetings with executives and managers about the writers, their career, and their projects in development.
Beyond that, the winners’ work will be strategically sent to producers, agents, and managers with whom WeScreenplay has a relationship. All Finalists will be publicly recognized through our website and e-mail lists.
Past winners have signed at Gotham Group, Heroes and Villains, and Industry Entertainment. Check out more successes here.
Founded by Ava DuVernay, Array is an independent film distribution and resource collective comprised of artist advocacy organizations, maverick volunteers, and rebel member donors worldwide. Their work is dedicated to the amplification of independent films by people of color and women filmmakers globally.
Diverse Voices is happy to provide a fellowship for a talented writer to attend The Stowe Story Labs. We want to continue our mission to champion and celebrate new and unique voices in Hollywood. The Diverse Voices Fellowship includes tuition for the labs and a travel stipend for the chosen recipient.
Diverse Voices has raised over $20,000 for charity since starting only 3 years ago. Thank you to all the amazing writers who’ve helped us get there.
Check out more of our Success Stories.
Dallas Rico
Staffed on a HBO Show
“First, the feedback has been incredibly insightful and validating. Secondly, I got a meeting with a manager through WeScreenplay who I really dig, and now that manager is considering signing with me. Stay tuned!”
Tips for fellow screenwriters
“Make your writing as polished as possible. I see so many aspiring writers out here, desperate to get read by an exec, yet their work is not even ready to share. You want your script to be so remarkable that when an exec finally reads it they have no choice but to meet this undeniably talented writer.”
Jim Maceda
Got a paid writing gig
“WeScreenplay has been instrumental in my career. Its coverage was tough love, but honest and insightful. Their readers not only highlighted my weaknesses but always offered ways how I might improve. It gave me the confidence to get my stuff out there, and to place in a number of screenwriting competitions. After winning its 2018 Feature runner-up award, WeScreenplay’s staff took me under its wing and hooked me up with successful pros“
Tips for fellow screenwriters
“It can be a cruel, lonely business, so do it only if you love it. And if you do, then persevere, persevere again and persevere some more. And never forget to network with your peers.”
Nevil Jackson
Signed with Zero Gravity Management
“I think one of the things standing between many writers and their goals is access. Theres plenty of talented writers who’ve yet to get their shot because they can’t get their work in front of the people making the decisions. But, entering WeScreenplay got me noticed and got me management.“
Tips for fellow screenwriters
“Consume everything; Input is just as important as output. Give written notes on your friends’ scripts; it forces you to examine a script from structure, to character voice, to tone, and strengthens your ability to examine your own work… and it helps your friends.”
Evyn Williams
Signed with manager, John Bauman
“I’m amazed at how much WeScreenplay champions their writers. After I won the TV competition, they jumped right in to support me with amazing advice, resources, and career chats. They have consistently been there to cheer me on.“
Tips for fellow screenwriters
“Network and form community with other people who are right where you are — writing and striving to get better. The people I met in my writing classes, writer’s groups, and co-working spaces really became my community, and I wouldn’t be where I am in my career without their support, kindness, feedback, and soul-searching coffee chats.”
All scripts are read by a first round judge and receive at least 1-page of written feedback.
Read by second round judge for all Semi-Finalist scripts.
Occurs for all of the Finalist scripts to determine the winners.
Top scripts will be scored and discussed by a jury to select the winners. Note: these are the only scores that are not made available to writers as they are completed in verbal meetings.
You can contact us with anything related to script coverage or this contest and we'll get in touch with you as soon as possible.
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