Together with Lionsgate, Women In Film, Facebook, Volvo Cars, and author of the Twilight Series – Stephenie Meyer - we are thrilled to present a truly unique opportunity: the chance for female writers and directors to bring original stories to life in the form of Short Films, set in the Twilight universe, based on characters from The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide.

 

The focus of this Competition is to make sure fresh, new voices get the attention they deserve, by inviting bold female writers and directors with courageous and creative perspectives to embrace this opportunity!

 

To learn more about the impetus behind this ground-breaking Competition, check out this video.

 

In this first of its kind endeavor, we are inviting YOU to continue building the dynamic world that was once accessible only in Stephenie Meyer’s imagination.

 

“One of my favorite things about my time with Twilight was the creativity of the fans.  I loved their additions to my imaginary world, especially their visual artistry.  I’m excited to see more visual innovation based around these characters.” – Stephenie Meyer

 

As you undoubtedly know, the roots of Twilight began before 2500 B.C., but Bella and Edward didn't meet until January 2005, so there are plenty of tales to tell. Think of your work as spinning “the story before the story;” yes, we want you to explore the world of Twilight before Bella moved to Forks.

 

There are several different ways you can participate in this initiative. First, fans are invited to vote on which characters should appear in these new stories. Second, female writers submit Screenplay Outlines, and then complete Screenplays featuring one or more of those characters. Last, female filmmakers will create Pitches of how they would direct and produce one of the Winning Screenplays. Winning filmmakers will receive up to $50,000 each to produce their Short Films, Hollywood entertainment industry exposure, and the Grand Prize winner will receive a grand prize of a lifetime, which includes an opportunity to shadow a director on one of Lionsgate’s television shows, and an all-new 2015 Volvo XC90.  See Official Rules for details.

 

But before you run off and write your Screenplay about Jacob's childhood, or cast that guy from the coffee shop who looks just like Edward, make sure to read the rest of the Project Objectives and Details below!

The goal is to create a 5-10 minute Short Film set in the Twilight universe, featuring a character from The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide. Fans of Twilight will vote to select which characters they’d like to see in the Short Films and female writers will create Screenplay Outlines and complete Screenplays featuring those characters. Stephenie Meyer and Women In Film will then select and mentor 5 fresh, bold female filmmakers to bring the Screenplays to life.

 

Let your imagination run wild – don’t be afraid to get creative. Your submissions can be whatever you want them to be: Anime like Cowboy Bebop, or hyper-stylized like Wes Anderson – any genre or style you can dream up! As long as it feels true to the world of Twilight (however you interpret it), the style is considered fair game.

 

You don’t have to be a writer or director to participate – if you’re an actor, editor, cinematographer, etc., let everyone know you’re interested in working on this project here.

 

Please keep the following criteria and creative guidelines in mind as you participate in this project:

 

• You must be female and at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter.

 

• All content must be in the English language or subtitled in English.

 

• All content submitted must be consistent with a rating of G, PG or PG-13. No profanity, offensive language, nudity, excessive violence or otherwise objectionable material may be entered. Be sure to refer to the MPAA ratings definitions, found here.

 

• All content submitted must take place at a time and place prior to the day Edward and Bella met.

 

• All content must remain faithful to the essence and DNA of the characters and their backstories as provided in The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide, and must not contradict any known truths of this world.  For example, if a character does not die in The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide, then that character cannot die in the Screenplays or the Short Film.

 

• For a detailed list of all the Submissions Requirements for each phase of the competition, view the Official Rules. 

Competition prizing will consist of a total of $425,000 in cash as well as other amazing prizes, including an all-new 2015 Volvo XC90 -- the Competition will be separated into 5 Phases: a Character Voting Phase, a Screenplay Outline Phase, a Screenplay Phase, a Director Pitch Phase and a Short Film Phase. Be sure to read the following information carefully as well as the Official Rules for complete details including eligibility restrictions.

 

PHASE 1: CHARACTER VOTING  (Open to Anyone) Vote on which characters from The Twilight Saga: The Official Illustrated Guide should be featured in the short films by clicking here.

 

PHASE 2: SCREENPLAY OUTLINE (Open to Female Writers) In 500 characters or less, Screenplay Outlines should establish a story that could be expanded into a complete Screenplay, and ultimately a 5-10 minute short film.  You will be required to select which character you’re featuring in your Screenplay Outline from a dropdown menu (if using more than one, please choose only one as the main character). Judges will determine the top 20 Screenplay Outlines. These 20 finalists will receive $500 each and write complete Screenplays in the next phase.

 

Submission Requirements:

• The Screenplay Proposal must focus on a Selected Character;
• The Screenplay Proposal must be original, inventive, engaging and dynamic;
• The Screenplay Proposal must provide a solid basis for a five (5) to ten (10) minute film;
• The Screenplay Proposal must include drama and/or conflict; and
• The Screenplay Proposal must be five hundred (500) characters or less.

 

Judging Criteria: The focus on a central character or protagonist; originality and inventiveness; ability to translate into a five (5) to ten (10) minute film; and the number of votes obtained during the Screenplay Proposal Voting Period (25%).  

 

PHASE 3: SCREENPLAY – (Open to the Finalists from the Previous Phase) The 20 finalists from the previous phase will write complete 4-15 page Screenplays based on their outlines. Judges will determine the top 5 Screenplays. Each winner will receive $3,000.

 

Submission Requirements: 

• The Screenplay must be based upon the Phase 2 Participant’s own Screenplay Proposal;
• The Screenplay must be between four (4) and fifteen (15) pages in length;
• The Screenplay must feature dialogue that is believable and naturalistic;
• The Screenplay must include drama or conflict; and
• The Screenplay should evoke an emotional response.

 

Judging Criteria: The focus on a central character or protagonist; quality of the dialogue; and ability to provoke an emotional response.  

 

PHASE 4: DIRECTOR PITCH – (Open to Female Filmmakers) Submit your Pitch (What Is a Pitch Phase?) convincing the judges why you should be selected to execute a Short Film based on one of the winning Screenplays from the previous Phase. The Director Pitch must present a clear vision for the proposed short film. For further Submission Requirements, please see below:

 

• Text (REQUIRED): 500 characters or less synopsizing how you plan to approach and execute this Short Film.

 

• Portfolio of Existing Work (REQUIRED): Each Director Pitch must include an existing portfolio of work that clearly demonstrates the director’s ability to execute on the proposed Winning Screenplay. Please link to your previous video work and specify your role (producer, director, etc.).

 

• Director Bio (REQUIRED): Tell us a little about yourself in 500 characters or less.

 

• Screenplay (REQUIRED): Select a winning Screenplay you want to work with from the previous phase via the dropdown menu.

 

• Storyboards (OPTIONAL): Additional concept art, storyboards, shot list, anything that helps get your point across.

 

• Headshots/Casting Boards (OPTIONAL): Casting notes or concepts, headshots of actors, etc.

 

• Pitch Video (REQUIRED): Create and upload a video explaining why you should direct a film based on one (1) of the Winning Screenplays from Phase 2. Each Director Pitch should be no longer than three (3) minutes and should include the director’s vision for the cast, crew and location options.    

  

The 5 most compelling Pitches will be selected and, upon submitting the Winner’s Affidavit and the IP Assignment, will each receive up to $50,000 upon budget approval to help create the Short Film (to be funded consistent with the budget you prepare, as discussed below).  Additionally, upon submitting a Short Film that satisfies the criteria laid out in your winning Pitch, the Director Pitch winners will proceed to the Short Film phase for a chance to compete for the Grand Prize.

 

For an example of an effective Pitch, check out The Indie Machines' winning Star Wars & Pringles Pitch video. Remember, of course, that we’re talking about making a short film, not a commercial, so your Pitch video may look a little different.

 

Judging Criteria: Exhibition of an auteur voice; originality; potential to create a short film worthy of conversation; and number of votes obtained during the Director Voting Period.   

 

Important Note: Director Pitch winners will have scheduled check-ins with mentors from Women In Film and the total production funding, up to $50,000, will be released as your budget is approved by Women In Film and the Sponsor.

 

PHASE 5: SHORT FILM – (Open to Female Filmmakers) The 5 winners from the Director Pitch Phase will each create a 5-10 minute Short Film based upon their winning Pitch.

 

All other female filmmakers are invited to enter a Wildcard (What Is a Wildcard?) submission that must be based on one of the winning Characters from the Voting stage.  The Judges will evaluate all eligible Wildcard submissions and choose one winning Wildcard Submission.  Be sure to follow the accounts and pages below to receive helpful advice as you’re putting together your Wildcard Submissions!

 

Twilight on Facebook

Twilight on Twitter

Twilight on Youtube

Twilight on Instagram

Twilight on Tumblr

 

The Wildcard Winner, along with the 5 winning Short Films will be evaluated by the judges in consideration for the Grand Prize. The Grand Prize Winner of the Competition will win $100,000, along with other prizes including a chance to shadow a director and an all-new 2015 Volvo XC90! Each Runner Up will win $5000, along with other prizes!

 

Tongal has partnered with two premiere music providers: Killer Tracks and Epidemic Sound. Either of which can be used to source music for your Short Film submission to this Project. Music from these providers is available to registered Tongal members at no charge solely for their incorporation into Submissions to this Project and will not require a separate Music Release Form. To learn more about using each of these music providers, click on either of the provider’s names above.

 

If you are selected as a winner and choose to use custom/original music, you must fill out and submit our Music Release Form. If you obtain music from other catalog providers, you must purchase the appropriate license at your own expense and submit it with our Music Release Form when you turn in your Short Film paperwork.  

 

Submission Requirements:

• The Film must be between five (5) and ten (10) minutes long;
• The Film cannot revise more than twenty percent (20%) of the Winning Screenplay;
• The Film must be produced in accordance with the Approved Budget;
• The Film should not be derivative of other films from the Franchise or the books upon which those films were based;
• The Film should feature high quality production (e.g., cinematography, lighting, sound, makeup, wardrobe and visual effects) and
• Winning Directors may not spend more than the Film Stipend in order to produce their Film.
• Each Wildcard Submission must comply with the Film Requirements, be based upon a Selected Character and be submitted to Sponsor on or before May 29, 2015 (the “Wildcard Submission Deadline”).    

 

Judging Criteria: Exhibition of an auteur voice; originality; creation of a unique world for characters; performance of actors; capability of generating a broad level of public interest; and number of votes obtained during the Wildcard Voting Period (collectively, the “Film Judging Criteria”).

1. The Short Film MUST not exceed 10-minutes in length. Preferred format for upload to the Tongal website is HD 720p 16x9. Acceptable file formats are .mov, .avi, .mp4, .wmv. Acceptable codecs are H.264 (MP4), MPEG-4, H.263, MPGV, WMV, DivX. Should you win, you will also be required to provide a 1080p .mov master file, using a ProRes, Animation, or Uncompressed Codec.

 

2. Unless otherwise provided for in the Official Rules, all work must be your own original creation and free of any protected and/or copyrighted material. You shall provide detailed background information about your work as requested by Tongal.

 

3. In the event you utilize any third party materials (e.g., music, images or video provided by a third party not provided by Tongal), you must obtain full written license and consent from the owner of such third party materials and provide such license and consent forms to Tongal.

 

4. BY SUBMITTING AN ENTRY TO THIS COMPETITION, YOUR SUBMISSION IMMEDIATELY BECOMES THE SOLE PROPERTY OF LIONSGATE OR ITS ASSIGNEES – SEE OFFICIAL RULES FOR MORE DETAILS ABOUT OWNERSHIP OF ENTRIES. YOU MAY NOT PUBLICLY SHARE OR PUBLISH YOUR SUBMISSION IN ANY MANNER AND YOU MAY NOT POST OR UPLOAD YOUR SUBMISSION TO ANY WEBSITE OR VIDEO HOSTING SITE (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, FACEBOOK, YOUTUBE OR VIMEO), WITHOUT THE PRIOR EXPRESS WRITTEN CONSENT OF LIONSGATE.  FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THIS REQUIREMENT MAY RESULT IN DISQUALIFICATION OF YOUR SUBMISSION IN THE PROJECT.

 

5. Submissions cannot contain any profanity, offensive language, nudity or otherwise objectionable material, the determination of which is solely at the discretion of the Sponsor.

 

6. Submissions must not portray the Sponsor or any affiliated entity in a negative way, the determination of which will solely reside with the Sponsor.

 

7. By submitting to this competition, you acknowledge that your work may become subject to public voting on the Tongal site. Public voting may be used to help the Sponsor determine the winners. Sponsors may share your submission via social media during this process.

 

8. Short Films must be in the English language or subtitled in English.

 

9. Limit 5 submissions per entrant, per Phase.

 

10. You must be female, at least thirteen (13) years or older to enter and a legal resident of United States or Canada (excluding Quebec).

11. The Sponsor will be entitled to request reasonable revisions be made to the final Short Film Submissions without providing additional compensation. Remember it's easier to re-edit than re-shoot, so try to get as much coverage as possible.

12. In addition to the standard Tongal W-9, Winner Affidavit, and IP Assignment, winning Video creators MUST also provide Talent, Location, Music (or other) Releases for all assets appearing in their winning Videos, as well as a photograph/headshot OR copy of a photo ID for all On-camera Talent releases, or any other documents requested by Tongal and/or Sponsor. 

13. Please see OFFICIAL RULES for additional competition information, terms and conditions. 

 

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Competition begins on or about November 11, 2014 and ends on July 27, 2015. See Official Rules for how to enter, multiple phases of entry and interim submission deadlines, voting periods, eligibility restrictions, prize descriptions/restrictions/ARVs and complete details. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: Lions Gate Entertainment Inc., 2700 Colorado Avenue, Suite 200, Santa Monica, CA 90404.

 

(1)   The New Voices of the Twilight Saga: Drive to DreamSweepstakes

 

Get excited! The New Voices of the Twilight Saga: Drive to DreamSweepstakes, presented by Volvo Cars, is coming soon! You could potentially win a new Volvo XC60 Crossover! 

 

NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. The New Voices of the Twilight Saga: Drive to DreamSweepstakes, presented by Volvo Cars , is open only to legal residents of the U.S., D.C., and Canada (excluding Quebec) 18 or older (or 19 for residents of NE and AL). Starts on 1/30/15 at 11:00:00 A.M. PT and ends on 7/22/15 at 11:59:59 P.M. PT. Void where prohibited or restricted. See Official Rules available at share.brandmovers.co/VolvoDrivetoDreamSweepstakes.pdf for additional eligibility restrictions, prize descriptions/restrictions/ARVs, and complete details.  Sponsor: VOLVO CARS OF NORTH AMERICA, LLC.