U.S. Features in Development submissions for the 2023 Project Market are now closed.

A selection of 20+ fiction feature films at the script stage, U.S. Features in Development offers emerging and established filmmakers the opportunity to introduce new work in development to the Project Market’s attending industry professionals.

Over the course of the Project Market, selected filmmakers are invited to meet with hundreds of industry representatives from companies such as A24, Archer Gray, Kickstarter, IFC Films, MUBI, NEON, Park Pictures, Sony Pictures Classics, Sundance Institute, SFFilm, Topic Studios, WME, and more.

Years before these films made it to the big screen, they participated in the Project Market. Some notable alumni Include:

Notable Project Market alumni currently on the festival circuit include 2023 Sundance premieres such as: Raven Jackson’s All Dirt Roads Taste of Salt; Erica Tremblay’s Fancy Dance; Maryam Keshavarz’s The Persian Version; and Laurel Parmet’s The Starling Girl; as well as recent releases such as Nikyatu Jusu’s Nanny and Andrew Semans’ Resurrection.

For more information about participating in the Gotham Week Project Market, visit our Project Market page.

Dates & Deadlines

— Information Session: March 1, 2023 at 5-6 PM ET (View Recording)

— Early Submission Deadline: March 22, 2023 at 11:59 PM HT (Hawaii–Aleutian)

— Final Submission Deadline: April 12, 2023 at 11:59 PM HT (Hawaii–Aleutian)

— Submission Notifications: mid-July 2023

— 2023 Gotham Week: September 16—22 (Project Market Sept 18—22)

How to Apply

If you are interested in submitting your film to participate in the Project Market, learn more about eligibility, application requirements, and materials below.

All projects must be submitted via the Online Application Form. Before beginning your application, it is strongly advised that you carefully review the application and prepare your materials offline in a separate document, as many components of the application have essay-type answers and word count limits. Applications must be complete and all pertinent materials and fees must be received by The Gotham for your submission to be considered.

Please note, to access the application form, you must log in with your Gotham Membership-associated email address and password. If you do not know your password, use the “Retrieve Password” function.

Eligibility

Active Gotham Membership: To apply to the Project Market, you must be a member of The Gotham. If you are not currently a member, use the code GWPM23 for 15% off of your annual membership fee when you join at the Pro or Essential level. Pro members receive a submission fee waiver. Learn more and become a member.

Submission Fees: You must pay a submission fee to complete your application. The fee for those who submit by the Early Deadline is $45; the fee for those who submit by the Final Deadline is $60. Please note: to apply at the Early Deadline discounted rate, you must finalize and complete payment prior to the deadline.

U.S.-Based Filmmakers: To be eligible to submit your project for consideration, filmmakers must be U.S.-based, meaning U.S. citizens or living and working in the U.S.

Application Materials

To apply to the U.S. Features in Development, you must submit a completed, feature-length screenplay. Submitted screenplays do not need to be the final draft, but they must have a beginning, middle, and end. You may not submit a treatment for consideration.

In addition, submitted screenplays must be registered with the Writer’s Guild of America (WGA). The registration fee is $20 for the general public and $10 for WGA Members in good standing.

Submitted screenplays must be translated into English, however, films that will be produced in a language other than English are eligible.

A complete application also includes:

— Logline (25 words)

— Synopsis (60 words)

— Project Summary/Development Status Update (500 words)

— Artistic Statement (500 words)

— Personal Statement (500 words)

— Biographies for the film’s core creative team (150 words)

— Financial information about the project (such as total budget or financing in place)

Please note, submitted films are not required to have financing in place to be eligible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: I am an American producer/filmmaker working overseas. Can I still apply?
A:  Yes, U.S. Features in Development submissions are open to any U.S.-based filmmakers, meaning any U.S. citizen or anyone working and living in the U.S.

Q: I previously submitted my screenplay to the Project Market, can I apply with the same screenplay?
A: If you have previously submitted your screenplay to the Project Market, we ask that the screenplay be substantially revised before submitting again. We do not recommend submitting the same draft of the screenplay that was previously submitted, or if the revisions have been minor.

Q: Can I submit more than one project?
A: Yes, filmmakers may submit more than one project for consideration. However, we encourage you to prioritize a single project. If you wish to submit more than one project, you must complete separate applications and will pay a submission fee for each project submitted.

Q: I have a completed, feature-length screenplay, but it’s not the final draft. Am I still eligible to submit it?
A: Yes, you are still eligible to submit your screenplay. Submitted screenplays do not need to be the final draft. Early drafts of screenplays are considered and, in past years, have been invited to participate at the Project Market with the hopes of introducing the filmmaker to development support opportunities.

Q: Is there a minimum or maximum length for submitted screenplays?
A: Typically, screenplays are between 90-120 pages, however, there is no length requirement for screenplays submitted to U.S. Features in Development. Screenplays that are longer or shorter than 90-120 pages are considered.

Q: Can I submit my screenplay if it is an adaptation?
A: You may submit your screenplay if it is an adaptation of existing material. However, you demonstrate that you have secured the rights to the material.

Q: Is there a benefit to applying before the Early Deadline?
A: Yes, applicants submitting by the Early Deadline pay a $45 submission fee. Applicants submitting by the Final Deadline pay a $60 submission fee.

Q: How and when do I receive notification that my project was selected to participate in the Project Market?
A: All applicants will receive notification about their submission via email in mid-July. Unfortunately, due to the volume of submissions and the production timeline for the Gotham Week Project Market, if your project is not selected to participate, we are unable to provide individual feedback on specific projects.

Contact Us

If you have any questions about eligibility, the application process, or what to expect from participating in U.S. Features in Development during the Gotham Week Project Market, please contact Zach Mandinach, Director of Narrative Programming, at [email protected].