Genre: These awards are for live-action short narrative films.

Length: Submitted screenplays must be 25 pages or less and completed projects should be no more than 30 minutes (including film credits)

The thread of the story must focus on the Black Experience in the United States, told through the lens of its Black characters.

The story should also incorporate the theme of illustrating, challenging and/or changing social inequities with topics that may include, but are not limited to race; social, educational, environmental and/or economic justice; mass incarceration and the criminal justice system; police brutality; LGBTQ rights; gentrification; homelessness; immigration; civil rights/human rights; workers’ rights; and gender discrimination.

Screenwriters, Directors and Producers who self-identify as Black and own or have rights for the copyright on the submitted screenplay.

All of the credited Screenwriter(s), Director(s), and Producer(s) on the submitted project must self-identify as Black.

Additionally, the applicant must be a resident of Los Angeles. All other members of the creative team (e.g., Executive Producer(s), Associate Producer(s), & Crew) can self-identify as any race/ethnicity and can reside anywhere in the world.

Prior Experience:

Screenwriter, Director OR Producer of the submitted project must have completed and been credited as either a writer, director or producer on a previous project (short or feature of any genre and subject, web series, TV , etc.). A sample of previous work (Vimeo link) is required on the application.

Screenplay submissions period will be announce in 2025.

Other Requirements:

The credited Screenwriter, Director, and Producer of each winning project must be able to attend a one (1) day Filmmaker Summit in Los Angeles. Exact date TBD.

Please be advised that attendance at the Filmmaker Summit is mandatory and travel and housing accommodations will not be provided.

Each submission requires a $50.00 submission fee.