The history of short films can be traced back before features existed.
In today's new media environment, filmmaking has become more democratized than ever. And short films have become an excellent vehicle for new directors and screenwriters to demonstrate undiscovered talent to audiences and Hollywood professions.
A short film and script contest giving filmmakers increased industry exposure. Winning shorts will also be considered by Hollywood insiders seeking new talent and feature film adaptation deals.
The winning short script will be sent out to our contacts in Hollywood who will consider you for representation or adaptation rights. Depending on scheduling and interest, we'll also send your script to directors who may be interested in shooting a script in your genre.
Scripts are all eligible for a category award, emphasizing the project's achievement within its genre and making the project eligible for IMDb award listings if/when the project has obtained a title page.
All submitted material is considered by our industry contacts including Hollywood professionals and New Media outlets seeking original material.
Do you accept scripts on paper by mail?
No. We aim to stay GREEN and avoid the waste of traditional physical submissions. Please submit your script digitally in PDF format. (Most popular screenwriting software comes with an export feature that allows you to export to PDF. If you have any problems, please consult the customer support of your software.)
I already submitted my short screenplay to other competitions. Can I still submit it to Just 4 Shorts?
Yes.
Can I enter more than one short screenplay?
Yes. There is no limit to how many different scripts you enter. However, you may not enter the same script more than once.
Can I enter a script that's longer than 60 pages?
No. We only accept scripts for short films and the industry generally considers scripts to run approximately one minute per page. We only accept scripts that are 60 pages or less.
What's the minimum length of a script?
There's no minimum. However, it's generally challenging to tell a strong story in a single page. If you can do it, then no one will stop you. In general, most of the highly regarded short films are between 5 to 15 minutes in length, and since it's generally accepted in the industry that one script page is equal to one minute of screen time, you can aim for at least 5 to 15 pages unless your particular story calls for a decision otherwise.
However, rest assured, as long as your film is 60 pages or less, it will qualify and will only be judged on its own merits as a short film script, not based on its length.
Do you accept scripts in languages other than English?
We presently only accept scripts written in English.