Sithengi Writers Forum - Call for submissions

DEADLINE: TUESDAY 30 SEPTEMBER 2003
This year, Sithengi is launching its first Writers Forum with the intention to match writers with producers. In the past, Sithengi has always opened the Fiction Co-Production Market to both writers and producers of fiction screenplays but International co-producers, financiers and distributors who attend the market want to work with developed projects, which have secured financing or have a pre-sale in place.

It is for this reason that we have separated producers from writers and made the Feature Film Co-Production Forum open to producers only. Sithengi realises, however, that writers need a space to meet with producers to secure a working relationship and a future for their script.

The Writers Forum will offer talented writers the opportunity to meet various African producers through a series of one-on-one meetings. After an initial selection process, the chosen applications will be forwarded to producers who will select which projects and writers they would like to meet with. Writers will then be able to 'pitch' their story ideas to interested producers at the Writers Forum. This will ensure that you will be 'matched' with the correct people - those who are genuinely interested in your project with the capacity to come on board as a producer.

Once a producer is secured, the aim is for the project to be developed to a point where it has either 20% of the budget secured or a pre-sale or distribution agreement in place and can be entered into the next Sithengi Feature Film Co-Production Market.

The criteria for entry are:

- At least a 1st draft of the script/screenplay, that you want to submit, must be written already; or
- If you are still working on the 1st draft, you have to have previously completed a full screenplay that has been bought or produced.
- You have to be a paid up delegate or member of Sithengi.

Entry Procedure:

Email the following to Taryn da Canha at :
- A top sheet including the following information under each individual heading:
- Full Name
- Contact details (Address, Telephone number, email)
- Project Name/Title
- Genre (ie Romance, Horror, Science Fiction)
- Titles of previously written screenplays that have been bought or produced. (if you are still working on the 1st draft of the project you will be submitting).
- Cutline (The one sentence or part of a sentence that you would read on the poster - max. 20 words).
- Logline (2-3 sentences (50-100 words max.) that introduce you to the main characters and conflict with words that reveal the genre).

- A fuller 2 page synopsis/treatment.
- A 1-page character description/breakdown of central characters.
- A 1-page company profile or biography of the writer.
- A signed declaration that the project you will submit to the Writers Forum is at least at a first draft stage and will be made available upon request; OR if the project is not yet at a 1st draft stage, the writer has had previous work either bought or produced.
(Total number of pages of application: 6)

NOTE:
The lengths of the above application material must be strictly adhered to. Any incomplete applications or application material that is longer than required will be disqualified and no correspondence will be entered into.

We look forward to receiving your applications and 'Matching Writers with Producers'!

For further information contact Taryn Da Canha:
Email:
Tel: + 27 21 430 8427 or + 27 21 430 8160