We submitted out script to the LIVERPOOL INDIE AWARDS FESTIVAL and we were informed that our script was a FINALIST. Very exciting. The festival was this past weekend and I read all the info on line, best film, best short, nothing about best screenplay. I finally reached out to them and this was their answer:
Thank you for reaching out. We wanted to inform you that this year, the jury decided not to award any project in the BEST SCREENPLAY catagory. We appreciate your interest and hope you continue to support indipendent filmmaking.
But this was the notice they sent me back in February:
We are excited to share the fantastic news that your project, THE SILVER CUP, has been selected as a Finalist at Liverpool Indie Awards Season 2023/24. Out of the impressive 900 submissions we received, your project stood out and secured its place in the group of Finalists.
Please note that the Award Winners will be selected from the Finalist projects and announced during the live screening event. They will receive an award-winning diploma and a grand prize of 500 USD.
I am very disappointed and have never heard of a festival saying, hey you're a finalist along with a bunch of other scripts, but we just don't think any of you are really good enough.
I will NOT be submitted to them in the future.
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You certainly have the right to be disappointed. I would suspect there is language in the submission form that states they have the right to not select a winner in any given category. It would be good form to notify you in advance, however, if at all possible. It does seem suspect.
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No Best Screenplay category? That's strange, D A Stenard. I think you're right to be disappointed. The reason [some] people enter a contest is to win the grand prize.
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I'm wondering if no screenwriters showed up for the actual festival and perhaps htey didnt want to make an announcement with an empty stage? It has taken a little piece of my writer's heart, I must admit.
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Also, this script is set in Ireland and my writing partner and i thought it would have been good publicity to have won a festival in Liverpool, the port where so many Irish arrive in the UK. :(
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Feels to me like you're being very naive to assume they didn't think any of the scripts were good enough. This reeks of outright fraud to me.
There's hundreds upon hundreds of little festivals out there pulling stunts like this. Certain portals have pretty much made it a business model.
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How much was the contest fee?
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Sounds like they get to keep $500.
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Contest fee was not much- I think about 45-50 dollars
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Disappointment is a human emotion. My wife tried to make Sour Dough and it failed, she was disappointed. Of course you should be disappointed. I’d be a little concerned if a person didn’t feel some degree of disappointment when something I desired did come to pass.
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900 entries x $50 fee = $45,000. Great business scam for them if all they're sending to contestants are diplomas.
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That sounds fishy to me, too. Seems like they shouldn't be able to run a contest and then NOT select a winner...
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It’s an unfortunate situation. Sometimes small festivals get themselves into trouble. They appear to have handed out other awards for film, so they must have had some issues.
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Wow that's crazy. Sorry that happened to you
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FWIWorth, D A Stenard, I've had a couple issues with contests which were only listed on Film Freeway. In each instance, the contests were not available for entry on Coverfly. If I'm guessing, I'll bet Coverfly is most likely a bit more stringent with vetting the contests. Film Freeway lists everything under the sun. I actually won one of the contests where there was a problem, but it was still problematic, and I would not go back for another go, despite winning
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I moved to Coverfly as I think most competitions on Film Freeway are vanity competitions. So you only enter for your own ego and get nothing in return.
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I got a response from FILM FREEWAY and they said they would check with Liverpool. If I hear anything more, I will post. Thanks everyone, for your responses. I feel less alone!
You're welcome, D A Stenard.