The Clout ranking system on By Storm is truly transparent. There’s no guessing at the algorithm. There's no wondering why your script is ranked where it is or how to improve the ranking. Here's how it works:

- If your script places in any festival (whether it's quarterfinalist, semifinalist, honorable mention or the like), it receives 3 Clout points.
- If your script places as a finalist in any festival, it receives 5 Clout points.
- If a script receives the top prize in any festival, it receives 10 Clout points.
- If you submit to Concierge, and receive a recommendation, you receive either 1 or 3 points. Click here learn more!
- If you submit to any other feedback service available on By Storm, and receive a recommendation, you receive 1 point. 

That's it. Clean and simple.

If I've Already received a 'This is so close" Or "You own this Town" acknowledgment from Concierge, is it possible to earn more clout if I resubmit the same script?
Yes. With one caveat. It must be a new draft. If you earn a 'You own this town" acknowledgment from Concierge, and you send us an even better draft, you are eligible to receive additional Clout, especially if you have applied our notes.

what if I finished the 12-month cycle ranked second? Do i have to start over the next cycle?

The short answer is no. If you were ranked second during last cycle, you will start out the new cycle ranked first. The top nine heading into the new cycle will be awarded 12 - 4 points, respective of their rank. After that, the next third of the highest ranking scripts will receive 3 points, the next third will receive 2 points, and the remaining third will receive 1 point.

you say you're transparent, but there's an asterisk next to 12 month cycle?

The website is still in beta and will remain in beta until Dec. 31 2025. That is when the first 12-month cycle will officially begin. During beta, if you would like to help us improve, feel free to send us a comment. We'd love to hear your thoughts!

does that mean I can't submit until December?

No. You may submit via By Storm during beta, and all Clout acquired during beta will be rolled over into the first cycle. So the first cycle will technically be longer than 12 months, hence the asterisk.

what does it mean that the script with the most clout at the end of the 12-month cycle will be optioned?

By Storm, LLC will offer a one year option of $10,000 USD to the script with the most Clout at the end of every 12-month cycle. The script will enter pre-production as financing and producing partners are put into place. You may, of course, decline the option if you so choose. Note: There is no cash reward if you decline the option.
 
What if I've earned festival placements after submitting on other platforms? Will those placements earn clout?
 
We are excited to announce a new program to honor the accolades earned by writers who submitted to Coverfly before their closing announcement in April of 2025. We want to give those writers caught in an unfortunate circumstance the ability to earn Clout on our platform. If you submitted to a festival via Coverfly between January 1st and April 30th and earn/earned an accolade (Honorable Mention, Short List, Quarter-finalist, Semi-Finalist, Winner, etc...) at any point between May 1st and December 1st, 2025, email us a screenshot or link and we will apply Clout to your profile. To be eligible, you must have a writer's profile on by-storm.com

Okay. so who options the script?

By Storm, LLC will pay the option. The project will be packaged and shopped by Formation Talent, who will also help in acquiring additional financing.

you say that every festival on by storm offers feedback. is that true?

Yes. We find feedback to be an invaluable tool for improving as a writer, and we have insured that every festival on our platform offers it. Many of them offer it for free.
 
i like this. like By storm, I'm invested in the future of independent film. how do i submit?

Create a profile by clicking the hamburger menu, selecting Sign up, and choosing Writer. Then fill out your profile, upload your screenplays (only the titles and log lines are available to the public), choose from our list of festival and feedback services and get started today!