Optimus Feedback Screenplay Competition
WHERE WE FOCUS ON FEEDBACK
2025 OPTIMUS FEEDBACK SCREENPLAY COMPETITION
Enter the Optimus Feedback Screenplay Competition to enhance your cinematic skills. Receive constructive feedback on your script and grow as a storyteller. Every submission is a chance to refine your work and strive for excellence. Your voice matters here, and your stories are treasured, empowering you to excel in your writing journey.
How does this work?
Okay, we know there are hundreds of other screenplay competitions out there, but we are focused on giving you the best feedback and then connecting your script to the right producer, manager or agent.
What can I submit?
We are accepting feature length screenplays, between 90-125 pages.
Is this an international competition?
Yes, we accept screenplays from around the world.
What does the feedback look like?
You will get 4 to 5 pages of feedback and a synopsis of your entire script. Our goal is to furnish you with sincere, insightful, and constructive feedback while providing information and ideas that will assist you in the ongoing development of your screenplay. EXAMPLE OF COVERAGE
What happens after I get my feedback?
After you get your feedback, you can re-submit to the competition for free.
Do you guys use AI to do the coverage?
No, not at all. We don't believe in that. Getting coverage from a machine is not the same as a real person.
Who judges the scripts?
Our judges are literary agents, literary managers, and development executives sourced from diverse production companies.
When is the deadline?
Our regular deadline is November 4, 2024. Final deadline is January 6, 2025.
What's the entry fee?
Regular deadline is $125.
Final deadline is $150.
When do we announce the winners?
We announce the winners on March 3, 2025.
YOU'RE GETTING 6-7 PAGES OF FEEDBACK, WHETHER YOU LIKE IT OR NOT.
YOU
1st Place winner
$1000 Cash
Script sent to producers/managers
Professional Screenplay Analysis
5 pitches from Virtual Pitch Fest
6 month Citizen membership from Talentville
Industry Read with hour-long one on one notes from RoadMap Writers
Screenwriting software from Write Brothers
2nd Place winner
Script sent to producers/managers
Professional Screenplay Analysis
3 pitches from Virtual Pitch Fest
6 month Citizen membership from Talentville
1 Month Subscription to the Pitch Fitness Club from RoadMap Writers
Screenwriting software from Write Brothers
3rd Place winner
Script sent to producers/managers
Professional Screenplay Analysis
3 pitches from Virtual Pitch Fest
6 month Citizen membership from Talentville
1 Month Subscription to the Pitch Fitness Club from RoadMap Writers
Screenwriting software from Write Brothers
10 Runners-up
Script sent to producers/managers
Professional Screenplay Analysis
1 pitch from Virtual Pitch Fest
1 Month Subscription to the Pitch Fitness Club from RoadMap Writers
OUR ANALYSTS HAVE WORKED FOR
What's so important about feedback?
Getting screenplay feedback or analysis is vital for a screenwriter for several reasons:
Fresh Perspective
As a writer, it's easy to become too close to your work. Feedback from others offers a fresh perspective that can help identify blind spots, inconsistencies, or areas for improvement that you might have missed.
Identifying Weaknesses
Constructive criticism can help pinpoint weaknesses in your screenplay, such as plot holes, underdeveloped characters, or pacing issues. Knowing these weaknesses allows you to address them and strengthen your script.
Validation or Rejection of Ideas
Feedback can confirm whether your story resonates with your target audience or if certain plot points or characters aren't working as intended. It helps you gauge whether your ideas are effectively communicated and engaging.
Objective Evaluation
Feedback provides an objective evaluation of your screenplay. While you may be emotionally invested in your work, feedback offers an impartial assessment based on the reader's perspective.
Revision and Iteration
Screenwriting is a process of revision and iteration. Feedback guides you through this process, helping you refine your screenplay through multiple drafts until it reaches its full potential.
JUDGES PROCEDURE
The competition is exclusively evaluated by seasoned professionals hailing from the film and television industry.
They bring with them years of expertise in analyzing and shaping scripts for acclaimed Hollywood studios, agencies, management firms, and production companies.
In the evaluation process, your script remains anonymous. Upon submission, it is assigned a unique number, ensuring judges only identify entries by title and number. Importantly, during each competition round, judges are matched with scripts that resonate with their personal interests and expertise.
Consequently, your screenplay is consistently reviewed by individuals who truly understand and appreciate its essence.
SOME OF OUR JUDGES
Peter Mohan - Lucky Devil Entertainment
Sean Charles - AMC Networks
Alex Ranarivelo - ESX Productions
Jacklyn Saferstein-Hansen - Renaissance Literary
Rebecca Gibson - Eagle Vision
William Raccio - Verve Literary Agency
Joey DeAngelis - My So-Called Company
Chase Jeffrey - Megalomedia
Chad Oliver - Warner Bros.
Shaun Piccinino - Film Director
Mackenzie Gabriel-Vaught - Shine Thyme Entertainment
Neil Champagne - Tiny Giant
WE ARE PROUD TO PARTNER WITH THESE COMPANIES
I am completely happy with the overall feedback and am amazed at the length and thoroughness given. It is actually more than I anticipated when I submitted the script for feedback.
- Phil Rossetto
It was super-helpful. I really appreciated the pitch ideas at the end as well as the detailed synopsis.
- Andy Epstein
Thanks for the detailed review. We can now identify a number of things to focus on to improve the script overall.
- John Klauder
I received a review attentive to detail, an in-depth analysis for a demanding market. A good stage for a screenwriter.
- Anna Morelli
Thank you for the feedback on my script. The criticism was constructive and will be helpful to me. The reviewer made me aware of a movie that was similar to my script, which was an added benefit.
- Paul Silverman
Finally! Actionable feedback! I so appreciate the great pros and cons and the in-depth analysis.
- Shelley Chester
RULES
• Submissions are accepted via electronic submission only.
• There is no limit to the number of projects you may submit.
• All submitted material must be owned by the writer(s),
however the material may be based on other works not
owned by the writers.
• Material must be submitted by the writer. Material written by writing teams must be submitted by one of the writers, with consent of the other(s).
• If a writing team is chosen as a winner, prizes will be given
to the person who submits the project. Each team is
responsible for dividing or sharing the prize money.
• Resubmissions are free after you get your feedback from us.
• It is recommended that original material be registered with the WGA or The Library of Congress before submitting to any competition, however we do not require registration.
• Contact info may be included on the cover page of the screenplay, however it is not required.
• Optimus Feedback Screenplay Competition claims no ownership nor option on your work. All ownership and rights to the scripts submitted to this contest remains with the original rights holders.
• Optimus Feedback Screenplay Competition reserves the right to change deadline and announcement dates at any time.
• Optimus Feedback Screenplay Competition reserves the right to amend these rules at any time.
In Los Angeles' literary scene, five passionate individuals from top literary agencies have joined forces to revolutionize screenplay competitions.
With diverse expertise in script analysis, representation, and storytelling, they've launched a unique competition focused on providing feedback to every entrant. Their collective insight aims to nurture talent and amplify voices often overlooked in Hollywood's bustle.
ABOUT US
ADVISORY BOARD
Stan Spry - CEO The Cartel
Zach Cox - Literary Manager, Circle of Confusion
Evan Gruters - Literary Coordinator, Culture Creative Entertainment
Mark Andrushko - CEO Scriptapalooza Inc.
Copyright 2024 // Optimus Script LLC // All Rights Reserved.
