img img

Program Description

Let us take you there!

See your script brought to life in a professionally directed table read in front of a live audience in Cannes during the Festival next May! Not only will you be flown to the South of France during one of the biggest festivals in the world, but you'll participate in a table read of your award-winning script with professional actors, directed by acclaimed director, Paul Lindsay (Us, Tell Me Lies, Woke, Grey's Anatomy).

Plus, you'll get access to the festival Pavilion, films, panels and more. Then, you'll be considered for the ISA Development Slate, helping you find representation and/or connect you to producers to get your project into production. Writers on the Slate have met with and signed deals with industry executives from companies like CAA, ICM, Sony, MAX, Amazon/MGM Studios, Lucky Chap and many more. Past Table Read winners have been staffed, and their projects have been optioned, premiered at Cannes, and been nominated for Oscars among other successes. 

Deadlines and Fees

Mega-early
Sept. 19, 2024
Early
Nov. 07, 2024
Regular
Dec. 19, 2024
Final
Jan. 30, 2025
Feature
Standard Fee
$39
$49
$59
$79
$34
$44
$54
$74
Television
Standard Fee
$39
$49
$59
$79
$34
$44
$54
$74

Program Benefits

GRAND PRIZE WINNER

Flight and Accommodations
Cannes, France During the Cannes Film Festival

Cannes Festival Badge (Marché Du Film)
Access to screenings, events, panels and more

Live Staged Table Read of Your Script During the Festival
with a Professional Director and Actors

General Meeting with Development Exec
Amelia Mysko - Director of Development, International at Stampede Ventures

Meeting with an ISA Development Exec
Access to our industry contacts' current mandates plus development of a personalized producer outreach plan.

Consideration for Acceptance onto the ISA Development Slate
Development Slate writers are championed to top agents, managers and producer contacts.

Two 1-Hour Consultation Sessions with Suzanne Gundersen of ScreenwriteNOW
Suzanne mentors screenwriters and industry creatives to clear the path that lets their writing flow.

1-Year Scriptation Industry Pro Subscription
A premium toolkit which unlocks all the advanced features Scriptation has to offer

12-Month ISAConnect Membership
Access to the most comprehensive platform for screenwriters.

Professionally Designed Movie Poster
for promotion of your table read and project

Writer Interview Published on Film Inquiry

--------------------------

TOP 10 FINALISTS

Consideration for Acceptance onto the ISA Development Slate
Development Slate writers are championed to top agents, managers and producer contacts.

1-Hour Consultation Session with Suzanne Gundersen of ScreenwriteNOW
Suzanne mentors screenwriters and industry creatives to clear the path that lets their writing flow.

3-Month Scriptation Industry Pro Subscription
A premium toolkit which unlocks all the advanced features Scriptation has to offer

6-Month ISAConnect Membership
Access to the most comprehensive platform for screenwriters.

1-Year Membership to Film Inquiry
Access to over 6,000 articles, ranging from in-depth beginner’s guides, to film theory, to reviews of historical films and the most recent releases

Success Stories

img

Table Read My Screenplay winning Script CLEANING HOUSE in pre-production

Mark Grisar - Screenwriter
Mark Grisar's script Cleaning House (Table Read My Screenplay Grand Prize Winner - London 2016) is currently under option and in pre-production with Goldcrest Pictures. Shooting is scheduled for early 2018. Nick Quested is attached to direct and Omari Hardwick (STARZ Series POWER) attached as lead.
img

Eclectic Pictures Re-ups Shopping Agreement

Travis J. Opgenorth - Screenwriter
As their original agreement was coming close to an end, and with a second company showing interest in Distortion, Eclectic Pictures (Angel Has Fallen) re-upped their shopping agreement with Travis Opgenorth for another full term. Eclectic Pictures has a number of financiers and co-producers equally interested in the project, and...
img

Elaine Loh - Signed with Paradigm and Staffed by HBO Max

Elaine Loh - Screenwriter
After being named a Top 25 Writer by the ISA, Elaine was accepted into the HBO Access Writers Program. She also won the Silver Prize for the PAGE Awards and is currently in the Top 50 for Launch Pad by the Tracking Board. Shortly after starting the HBO program, Elaine...
img

Top 25 Screenwriters to Watch 2023

Adelita Lopez - Screenwriter, Actor
Adelita and co-writer/sister Amanda made the list of ISA's Top 25 Screenwriters to Watch in 2023. Adelita said, "This is a fabulous and thrilling honor."
img

TWO IN A MILLION Optioned/Oscar Producer in Development

Emily Wahlund - Screenwriter
TWO IN A MILLION was put on a shopping agreement with Creative Screenwriter Productions, and as a result has lead to further development meetings with Academy Award winning producer Lisa Bruce at Salt Pictures.
img

ODIUM going into production in January

Annika Pampel - screenwriter
Per a deadline article from yesterday, Annika Pampel's film ODIUM is slated to shoot in January 24 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Fully funded and with the SAG interim agreement, we are finalizing cast. Annika will also be directing and making her directorial feature debut. Markeba Media Group, Ardvella Entertainment are producing.

General Meeting with Development Exec

Amelia Mysko

Amelia is the Director of Development, International at Stampede Ventures.

An Unparalleled Table Read Experience

See your script brought to life in a professionally directed table read in front of a live audience in Cannes during the Festival next May!

Table Read Director - Paul Lindsay

As a natural story teller, Paul knows exactly what it takes to create a compelling vision and has cultivated a deep understanding of the filmmaking process as a whole. He has written 7 pilots (3 award winners), 4 features and directed numerous shorts. As a seasoned Assistant Director, he has had the rare opportunity to observe and work with many prolific directors, becoming part of the new generation of storytellers.

 

Top-Rated Feedback Available

Announcement Dates

Quarter-Finalists

Feb. 27, 2025

Semi-Finalists

Mar. 12, 2025

Finalists - Top 10

Apr. 02, 2025

Grand Prize Winner

Apr. 02, 2025

Sponsored by

Scriptation International Screenwriters' Association Screenwritenow

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: When are the deadlines?

Mega-Early: Sept. 19th - $39
Early: Nov. 7th - $49
Regular: Dec. 19th - $59
Final: Jan. 30th - $79

Q: When are the announcement dates?

Quarter-Finalists: Feb. 27th
Semi-Finalists: Mar. 12th
Finalists - Top 10: Apr. 2nd
Grand Prize Winner: Apr. 2nd

Q: Will the Table Read be held in person or virtually?
A: The Table Read will be held live in Cannes, France during the festival. 

Q: What forms of payment do you accept?
A: Paypal and all major credit cards.

Q: Can I mail a copy of my Screenplay, Submission Form and Payment?
A: No, we’re sorry. We only accept online submissions and payments at this time.

Q: Should I include my contact information on my title page?
A: Yes, but it does not affect judging either way if you forget to include it.

Q: Who will be reading my screenplay/judging the contest?
A: The final panel of judges will be comprised of members of the Los Angeles Film Community, including but not limited to producers, managers and established writers.

Q: Will you fly me to Cannes if I win?
A: The Feature/Pilot Grand Prize winner will receive coach airfare and accommodations resulting in a three-night stay.

Q: When will the Table Read be scheduled for the Grand Prize Winner?
A: The showcase reading will be held in May 2025 during the Cannes Film Festival, following the Grand Prize Winner announcement. If the final date as selected by TRMS does not work for the winner, TRMS will not provide any cash value matching for the non-accepted airfare and hotel, or movie ticket expenses turned down by the winner. We will be as flexible as possible, but the ultimate decision resides solely with TRMS.

Q: How does the Grand Prize Winner participate in the Table Read itself?
A: You are invited to collaborate with the producer and director as we cast, rehearse and record scenes from your winning screenplay or you can sit back, relax, and observe. Either way, this is a tremendously valuable experience that will greatly inform your writing.

Q: Do I maintain the rights to my screenplay?
A: YES, you retain all the rights to your screenplay. Table Read My Screenplay seeks to support and empower writers, rather than claim their hard work for ourselves. If we select your script for recognition, you agree to grant us the right to hold a live Table Read and promote your success, but the script itself is still yours.

Q: Do I need to submit a Synopsis?
A: Synopses are not required, and are not considered during the judging process.

Q: Can I submit a screenplay under a pen name?
A: Yes, you may use whatever name you wish, understanding that this is the name TRMS and the ISA will use to promote your script, should you win.

Q: Does my screenplay have to be registered with the Writers’ Guild or another organization?
A: No, but we do recommend registering your work with the WGA West, the Library of Congress Copyright office or other similar organization in your country. It’s really easy and a VERY smart thing to do.

Q: Is an adaptation of a published novel or other work written by someone else eligible?
A: You must have the legal rights to adapt the book to enter your screenplay. Either the original work must be in the public domain, or you must have the author’s permission to adapt it. Spec scripts without written permission will not be considered.

Q: Can I send you a revised copy of my script?
A: Once we have received your entry, you have 24 hours to contact us about any replacements you need to make. After the 24-hour period is through, NO script revisions will be accepted FOR ANY REASON. If you would like to enter a revised version of your screenplay, you may do so as a new entry.

Q: What stops you from taking my idea and developing it yourself?
A: Our panel of judges is comprised of respected industry professionals, and they have no intention of stealing your material. If you make it to the Finalist round, your work will be seen by these professionals, which in turn, gets you one step closer to getting your screenplay produced. You can sit at home and protect your ideas all day long hoping for that one right person to come along, or you can get your work out there and show us what you’ve got!

Q: What’s the minimum/maximum required page length?
A: Guidelines for suggested page lengths:

Features: 70 to 120 Pages
TV Pilots: 20 to 70 Pages

Q: My Feature script is over 120 Pages. Will I be disqualified?
A: Scripts that run over suggested page lengths will not be disqualified; however, extra pages can affect everything from pacing to structure to marketability, so we would advise you to get your script as close as possible to where the industry expects it to be.

Q: Will I be charged more if I go over 120 pages?
A: The entry fee does not change. However, if you purchase feedback, we will need to invoice you $1 per page above 120 for the Reader, who will receive every cent of the additional fee.

Q: Can I enter two scripts in one document?
A: You may enter up to four scripts per entry, but all scripts MUST be in their own individual PDF document.

Q: Can I submit an episode from my series besides the Pilot for consideration?
A: We would advise against this, as our judges consider all TV episodes as if they are the first in the series. No one would read a film script that starts on page 20.

Q: Does the choice of genre matter in my submission?
A: Yes, but only to determine what your goal is for your work; ie, if you submit your script as a Comedy, we would expect it to be funny. All genres are in competition with one another, and there are no genre-specific prizes.

Q: Can multiple scripts from one writer place in the Semifinalists list?
A. Yes, some writers may have more than one script reach the Top 100. Table Read My Screenplay is interested in promoting scripts as well as writers, and as such we choose the Top 100 scripts that we receive to move on to the Semifinals.

TRAVEL QUESTIONS

Q: I don’t live in the United States—am I still eligible?
A: Yes, we accept International entries, but all submissions must be in English.

Q: My country currently cannot do business with the US so I cannot pay; may I receive a waiver?
A: Unfortunately, at this time we cannot grant waivers.

Q: Will you pay for my flight even though I don’t live in Europe?
A: Table Read My Screenplay will pay up to $1,500 for an international flight, and up to $800 for a domestic flight.

Q: If I choose not to fly or stay in your hotel, is there a cash equivalent?
A: No. If you decide not to utilize the flight or hotel, they are simply forfeited.

Rules

All contest participants understand and agree with the following:

  • This competition is open to anyone except all employees, directors, associates, and immediate families of the Table Read My Screenplay Competition.
  • We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, national origin, color, sex, age, veteran status, or disability. It is our intention that all qualified submissions be given equal opportunity and that selection decisions are based on script-related factors alone.
  • Promotional discounts offered may only be utilized at the time of submission and no partial refund for a promotional code may be issued after an entry has been officially submitted.
  • Promotional discounts or waivers offered may not apply on all submission platforms (i.e. ISA, Film Freeway).
  • Once material has been entered, no substitutions of new drafts or corrections will be considered past 24 hours from original submission time and date. After this time the writer may fill in an entry form and pay the appropriate entry fee to submit any script revisions or changes as many times as they like up until the deadline.
  • The writer understands that feedback can take up to 90 days turn-around time and may not be received before the end of the contest.
  • TRMS Grand Prize winners from previous seasons may only submit to a contest city outside of the city in which they won and may only submit with a new screenplay.
  • TRMS 2nd-10th Place Finalists may submit again with a completely different screenplay. Those who have placed as a top 10 (2nd-10th place overall) winner three times with three different screenplays in two different cities (3 in each city for a total of 6 placements) are ineligible to submit in any future contest season.
  • Adaptations from other works are permissible, provided the writer has the original author's written permission to adapt the work.
  • Adaptations of works in the public domain are permissible, however the writer is responsible for the legalities of this.
  • Collaborative work is eligible; the writers are responsible for the distribution of the contest prize(s).
  • Writers under the age of 18 years old must have parent or legal guardian’s permission to participate.
  • The work or submitted material must not be in a current option agreement, or may not have been previously sold or produced for profit.
  • Writer understands and accepts without reservation that he/she is an independent contractor and that the contest administrators are not responsible for withholding any taxes or payments on prize money to any government agency, at any level, be it state, local or federal.
  • Writer understands that it is his/her sole responsibility to register material with the U.S. Copyright Office and/or with the Writers Guild of America West or the appropriate agency in his/her country.
  • Recommended length of work:
    Feature – (70 – 120 pages), TV Pilots – (10 – 60 pages)
  • If a screenplay is submitted for feedback and is over 120 pages, an additional fee of $1 per page will apply and the contestant will be contacted and billed separately for the extra, or only the first 120 pages will be read.
  • All entries must be received by Final Deadline. TRMS reserves the right to extend the contest deadline up to 90 days.
  • TRMS is not responsible for late, lost, unacceptably formatted, corrupt, or incorrect submissions.
  • Contestants may submit their screenplay to any other person, contest, producer, agent, publisher, and/or organization.
  • Contestants retain all rights to their screenplay, subject to the terms and agreements contained herein.
  • TRMS will only accept submissions if the writer assures us that to the best of their knowledge they are the sole originator of the idea and that they have the legal right to submit it for judging to TRMS.
  • The writer understand that their logline and / or screenplay will be reviewed by our employees and/or our panel of Industry Judges for evaluation. The writer also understands that any one of these employees or judges may have been or may be exploring ideas similar to the submission and hereby waives any claim that TRMS, its employees or judges may have misappropriated any ideas or portions of the submission logline or script.
  • No agreement for compensation, other than the TRMS prizes listed, has been implied.
  • If the writer wins an ISAConnect membership, the membership will auto-renew after the free term if they do not cancel it, and they will be billed the regular monthly fee.
  • TRMS intends to submit the Finalists to respected producers with the writer's permission, which will be granted upon clicking the ‘I have Read and Understand the Contest Rules’ button. The writer can withdraw from this process at any time.
  • When the writer's screenplay, application, and payment have all been received, they will be notified by email only. If the writer's email address changes, it is their responsibility to let us know.
  • By entering this contest and in the event the writer / their screenplay places in the competition, they understand and accept that TRMS will be free to use their name and likeness for advertising or promotional purposes without additional consideration.
  • If the writer is a GRAND PRIZE Winner, they agree to give TRMS permission to post their video and/or audio Table Read on its web site.
  • TRMS reserves the right to award a cash prize, at its discretion. A Grand Prize Winner is under no obligation to accept the associated prizes but will not be awarded or owed a cash replacement upon electing not to move forward with prizes offered. This includes local winners.
  • International flight not to exceed $1,500. Domestic flight not to exceed $800. There is no cash reimbursement for flights that cost more than the limit nor will there be a disbursement of the difference for flights that are less than the $1500 / $800 limit.
  • TRMS may develop a series or documentary style program based on the inner workings of the contest and the production resulting there from. TRMS reserves the right to contact contestants with offers to participate in any such production. Contestants are under no obligation to participate therein.
  • Contest applicants must accept without reservation the decisions rendered by the judges.
  • There are no refunds for submissions at any time for any reason.
  • TRMS has the right to change or add to the prizes at any time, without notice, and/or substitute prizes of equal or lesser value.
  • There are no refunds for submissions at any time for any reason.
  • Additional rules may be amended at the sole discretion of TRMS.
  • By submitting to this contest, the writer's email address will be added to the contest database as well as the International Screenwriters' Association newsletter for weekly updates, contest promotions and other notifications. The writer may unsubscribe at any time.
  • It is our full intention to fulfill all prizes as posted. However, due to any unlikely “force majeure” event (whether an act of God or otherwise), we reserve the right to update or edit prizes in our sole and absolute discretion, including, without limitation, the right to move any prizes and/or packages to an online format.
  • By selecting ‘I have Read and Understand the Contest Rules’ on the entry page and submitting, the writer agrees to all of these rules.

Contact Information

img
Conversations
img
Typing....
close
Privacy Notice

We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you accept and understand our Privacy Settings.