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Abu Dhabi Festival Unproduced Screenplay Competition

In the belief of Al Ain International Film Festival in the importance of the screenplay, as one of the basic components of the film, the initiative of Al Ain International Film Festival comes to establish “Abu Dhabi Festival for Unproduced Screenplay” competition for the short film, with the support of Abu Dhabi Festival, the strategic cultural partner.

The competition aims to discover the new talents that will create a new generation of Emirati writers, who can enrich local content with unique topics that are presented to the cinema, as well as creating a creative environment.

Prizes

The jury for this competition will choose the best three Unproduced screenplays for short films.

Competition Dates

  • Screenplay submission opens on 25th June 2023.
  • Screenplay submission closes on 10th of September 2023.

Terms and Conditions:

  • The scriptwriter must be an Emirati national.
  • The screenplay must be original and written directly for the cinema, or (inspired by /based on) a published literary work.
  • The script must be fictional, not documentary.
  • The applicant must be no more than 35 years old.
  • The submitted screenplay must be Unproduced.
  • The screenplay is to be produced in 2023, so that its world premiere will take place at the 6th Edition of Al Ain Film Festival, in Feb 2024.
  • The owner of the intellectual property rights of the screenplay must be the scriptwriter or a group of scriptwriters who are free from copy rights violation to any party.
  • Screenplays are accepted in Arabic or the local Emirati dialect.
  • The submitted screenplay must cover 30 minutes or less.
  • Adopting the screenplay structure and scene headings (day / night), (exterior / interior), and page numbering.
  • Adopting a low budget production cost.

How to apply:

  • The screenplays are sent to the following e-mail, info@alainfilmfest.com. Please write the title of the screenplay and the scriptwriter’s name in the subject.
  • The screenplay must be in World or Pdf format, Arial font, black, size 12.
  • If the screenplay is based on a literary work, the written approval of the original author of the story to converting it into a script, must be attached by the scriptwriter applying for the competition.
  • A copy of a valid Emirates ID and UAE passport.
  • The scriptwriter’s CV in Arabic / English.
  • Screenplay Details in Arabic & English include (must sent in Word Document files only):
  • The screenplay title.
  • The screenplay writer(s) full name.
  • The nationality of the writer(s).
  • The age of the writer(s).
  • The address of the writer(s).
  • Writing about the main idea / 40 words maximum.
  • A brief summary / 200 words or less.