Q: I am an American producer/filmmaker working overseas. May I still apply?
A: Yes. Submissions for the Project Market are open to any U.S.-based filmmakers, meaning any U.S. citizen or anyone working and living in the U.S.
Q: My short film is not complete. Does the Gotham Week Project Market accept work-in-progress short films if the feature-length screenplay is completed?
A: No. U.S. Shorts to Features only accepts projects composed of a narrative shorts films that are complete and have an accompanying completed feature-length screenplay.
Q: My short film has premiered at a festival; am I eligible?
A: Yes, shorts that have premiered at festivals are eligible. You must list in the application all the festivals where the short film has screened, as well as all the festivals it has been submitted to, regardless of acceptance.
Q: Does my project need to be registered with WGA?
A: Yes. All screenplays must be registered with the WGA.
Q: May I submit more than one project?
A: You may submit more than one project, yes, but we do encourage you to choose one project that is your priority moving forward. Please keep in mind that if you wish to submit more than one project you must submit separate applications and pay a submission fee for each project submitted.
Q: I have a completed short film as well as a completed feature-length screenplay, but it’s not the final draft. Am I still eligible to submit?
A: Yes, you are still eligible. Submitted screenplays need not be the final draft. Rather, early drafts of a script are considered and, in past years, have been invited to participate with the hopes of introducing the filmmaker to development-support opportunities at the Project Market.
Q: Is there a minimum or maximum length for submitted scripts?
A: Typically, most feature-length screenplays are between 90 – 120 pages. That being said, we will consider scripts that are shorter or longer than that. There is no length requirement.
Q: How important is the written application in the selection process?
A: Very important. The most important element in the selection is the quality of the work that you submit. However, the written application conveys to us how you are thinking about your work and how you will potentially be talking about it to others in the future – and during your Project Market meetings and networking should the project be selected for U.S. Shorts to Features. You should take the time at the application stage to make this the best presentation that you can. Ideally, your written application in combination with your script should leave us with no questions about the content and purpose of the project you are making. If your project is selected, this material will be used in our online portal available to industry in August to help them decide which projects are of interest to them and for meeting requests.
If you have any questions not addressed here, send an email to [email protected]