Summer Feature Script Contest
Eligibility
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Location:
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​Open to all residents of the Greater Pittsburgh area (if you’re within a 2-hour drive, you can submit). Includes SW PA, NE WV, SE OH, NW MD.
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Originality:
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​Scripts must be the original work of the entrant and not currently optioned or sold.
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Human-Made:
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​No AI scripts.
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Script Requirements
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Content:
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​Appropriate for a crew of high school students and emerging filmmakers (PG-13 sensibility).
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Length:
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80 to 110 pages.
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Format:
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Standard industry screenplay format (PDF).
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Setting:
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Must be capable of being filmed in the Pittsburgh area.
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Submission Guidelines
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The Pitch:
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​All scripts must be accompanied by a 2-minute pitch video. We don’t care about the production value; we just want a short summary of your idea.
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Status:
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Scripts must be in finished form.
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Platform:
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Submission via Film Freeway (Digital PDF and MP4 files only).
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Entry Fee & Process
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Deadline:
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May 24, 2026.
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Entry Fee:
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$20. This is really just a “yes, you are serious about this” fee.
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Financial Aid:
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If you can’t afford the fee, contact us for a waiver.
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Judging Criteria
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Producibility:
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Can we actually make this?
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Student Enthusiasm:
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Will our students be excited to film it?
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Value:
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Artistic merit, cultural merit, educational value, and community enthusiasm.
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Viability:
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Grant/donation-worthiness and possibility for distribution.
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Pro-Tip:
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If you own access to resources that would make something producible, please let us know in your pitch!
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The Prizes
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Production:
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The winning script will be produced as the Magic Hour Academy Summer Feature Film.
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Credit:
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The writer will receive a "Written By" credit and will be invited to collaborate in the production.
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The Fun Stuff:
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Fame and glory!
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ExposureBucks!
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Priceless Experience!
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Magic Hour Magic!
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OWNERSHIP & RIGHTS
The writer retains the copyright to their script. By entering, the winner grants Magic Hour Creative a non-exclusive license to produce and distribute the resulting film.
FEE WAIVERS
Need financial aid? [Contact Us] if the fee is a barrier for a no-questions-asked waiver.
