FAQ's

Q: I’ve heard a lot of buzz about Stardom Films. What is Stardom Films all about?
A: Stardom Films was founded by a passionate writer with a vision who joined forces with several movie industry professionals who all want to see really great stories (screenplays) made into movies. Just like the hundreds (even thousands worldwide) of other screenplay competitions and film festivals, Stardom Films is an opportunity to have your exceptional script recognized. Cool, right? It's about time!
Q: What does Stardom Films promise that is so different from ALL the others?
A: All the other screenplay competitions & film festival writing contests award you a winning laurel certificate if your screenplay is the lucky one chosen out of 1,000, 5,000 or even 10,000 other scripts submitted. Even if your script wins BEST screenplay, there’s less than 3% odds that your WINNING screenplay ever gets made into a movie under the old, outdated model. Less than 3%! Let that sink in.
Stardom Films will also award you a winning laurel certificate if your script is selected. But, your screenplay will get financed AND produced into a real, feature-length motion picture and seen by audiences around the world!
Q: You mention MUCH better odds… what are my exact odds?
A: With Stardom Films we limit the number of screenplay submissions to a maximum of 300 for these two contests. What's that! 300! Yes, you heard right. That means that your hard work and your screenplay will be carefully read & reviewed and you will be competing against no more than 299 other screenplays! Boom!
That’s another game changing piece of our business model FOR YOU! In every other screenplay writing competition or film festival script contest we’ve seen there are literally no limits or caps to the number of submissions. In many cases, some festivals or competitions can have thousands, even tens of thousands of submissions! With other competitions you've got a 1 in tens of thousands of chances to win a laurel and you have to pay for that privilege.
Q: What are my requirements to be selected?
A: Can we quote our dear departed friend Sir Alfred Hitchcock on this one when asked what makes a great movie? “A great script, a great script...a great script”. So, to answer you.... nothing but talent and a great script. You do NOT need to be WGA, nor will we ask if you’ve attended film school or taken any writing classes. We will also NOT ask about your sexual preference, race or religion. But, you WILL need evidence of ownership (copyright registration, Chain of Title, etc.) for your script.
Q: Is there an award or citation if my script submission is not picked as BEST screenplay?
A: Stardom Films will be making announcements and giving laurels and an official certificate for the number two and three writers, as well as honorable mention recognition. Our Stardom Films’ writing committee will also provide you coverage and valuable writer’s feedback (without charging you a $50 fee like some other screenplay competitions). Stardom Films may even offer a discount if you wish to submit another screenplay to a future Stardom Films project.
Q: What is the Stardom Films submission process? A: Simply send us proof of ownership of your script and pay the $99 USD registration fee, provide a logline, synopsis and full script. Just follow the easy to navigate Stardom Films portal and that’s it!
Q: What else do I get if my script is selected?
A: You will get a full, above the line, opening “Written by…” credit in the movie, 1.25% gross revenues from the film in perpetuity (even if you are not a WGA member!) and $2,500 upon breaking production escrow and after receiving your signed agreement. The winning scriptwriter will also be invited to the wrap party and, of course, receive a VIP ticket to the red carpet movie premiere, although travel may be at your expense.
Q: How do I know my script will actually be funded and produced into a real movie if selected?
A: We are self funding movies while registration monies are being collected and we almost have the first million in escrow for our first UK movie as you read this. Stardom Films has retained legal counsel and they protect us and you, and they will be safeguarding additional registration money until pre-production begins. These two projects represent two different script directions and two separate and distinct entities of the Stardom umbrella; Stardom Films - UK and Stardom Films - Vietnam.
Q: Who is going to read my script and what happens after I submit it?
A: A panel of reviewers hired by Stardom Films will include a mix of advisory board members, film professionals and film students (all with knowledge of screenwriting). Most importantly to you, many of Stardom Films’ Board are experienced film producers, people producing films for exactly the audience you want to get your script in front of. The review process will be executed into 300 submissions or less and one of those scripts will be selected, based SOLELY on the quality of the script, period.
Q: How long will it take once I submit my script to where the winners are notified?
A: After all 300 submissions have been received, the person who submitted the winning screenplay should be notified within approximately 6 - 8 weeks. Stardom Films will also notify the 2nd and 3rd runner-up and the Honorable Mention at that time.
Q: Will I know who is reading my script and where I stand in the contest as it proceeds?
A; No, this is standard practice for any screenplay competition. Stardom Films doesn’t want any of our review panel and/or judges being swayed or influenced. At the same time, if anyone on the Stardom Films review team has ANY potential conflict of interest with any of the writers submitting or the screenplays themselves, they must immediately recuse themself.
Q: Can you really make a movie for $500,000 to $1,000,000? And what happens to the movie after it’s made?
A: Yes, in today’s high-tech world, Stardom Films can make a great movie for $500,000 (total budget with sponsorships, potential incentives, tax credits, etc. may be up to $1 million). After the movie finishes post-production, there are many options, including submitting and potentially releasing the film through a traditional distributor or possibly self-distribution of the film through our own Stardom Films platform.
Q: Is there a catch? Any other fine print?
A: Well, your screenplay (story) must be told for under $1M, so if you have a period piece WWII movie with thousands of background talent, is set in an exotic location and you’re expecting Tom Cruise, Jennifer Lawrence and other A-Listers to appear in your movie, you’re probably not a good fit. In that case, try pitching to the large movie studios or streaming giants. Very long shot odds, but if that’s the route you want to go, we wish you all the best. Us? Think great properties long on character and magical storytelling, less on Avatar special effects. We're all about storytelling. Thank you again Sir Alfred Hitchcock.
Q: Can I submit more than one script?
A: Yes, it’s first come, first served. We are evaluating scripts and wanting to see great products. If you've written more than one, bring it on.
Q: This sounds too good to be true.
A: Gee, we've never heard that before. We ARE making movies, period… with you on board hopefully, either way we are making movies. You've been getting laurels, or trying to, for how long? Now, it's time you go for the brass ring. The Super Bowl just showed up.
So, what are you going to do? We suggest you get your story made into a motion picture and never look back. It's your time. To quote Rocky, "Go for it!