SET IN PHILADELPHIA

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Festival Description

The Joan Bressler Set in Philadelphia 2026 Screenwriting Competition (SIP), which is presented by the Greater Philadelphia Film Office, is open to all screenwriters, world-wide, who submit a feature length screenplay OR an original TV pilot length screenplay that can be shot in the Greater Philadelphia Metropolitan Area.

Whether you’re an experienced writer or fresh talent, we want to celebrate voices in storytelling while highlighting the opportunity and potential of Philadelphia locations by focusing on scripts that can be brought to life locally. Showcase the city and surrounding region as a viable and compelling setting for film and television. Your screenplay has the opportunity to carry forward a legacy of creative excellence, supported by the resources and partnerships of our city’s film office community.

All genres accepted.

Writers do NOT need to be from Philadelphia, and scripts do NOT need to be explicitly set in Philadelphia. They must simply be feasible to shoot in the Philadelphia region (including surrounding counties).

Deadlines

Short Description

Grand Prize Winner - $10,000 cash prize
Writers do NOT need to be from Philadelphia, and scripts do NOT need to be explicitly set in Philadelphia.

mail@film.org

Official Website

http://film.org

Rules+Terms

The Joan Bressler Set in Philadelphia 2026 Screenwriting Competition (SIP)

Rules & Terms

A multi-prized screenwriting competition for feature-length or TV pilot scripts that could be filmed in the Greater Philadelphia region.

Writers do NOT need to be from Philadelphia, and scripts do NOT need to be explicitly set in Philadelphia. They must simply be feasible to shoot in the Philadelphia region (including surrounding counties).

1. Eligibility & General Requirements

Screenplay must be able to be produced in the Philadelphia region (including surrounding counties).

Scripts will be judged on their overall quality and the extent to which they project “shootability” in the Greater Philadelphia region.

All genres will be accepted.

All genres and storytelling approaches are acceptable unless otherwise specified by Prize requirements.

You may submit multiple feature-length or TV pilot scripts; however, only one entry per application is permitted. Each submission requires a separate entry form and fee.

Screenplays that are currently in production are ineligible.

If there is more than one writer, each must sign the release form for the application to be accepted.

Judges’ decisions are final and binding.

2. Submission Deadlines & Fees

Early Deadline:

October 31, 2025 by 11:59pm EST

$75.00 (includes processing fee)

Final Deadline:

November 15, 2025 by 11:59pm EST

$100.00 (includes processing fee)

Winners Announced:

April 2025

Submissions must be electronically time-stamped by the stated deadlines. Late entries will not be accepted.

Submission fees are non-refundable, regardless of disqualification, withdrawal, or non-selection.

Electronic submissions only.

Submissions will be processed through the FilmFreeway platform, which will prompt you to include all relevant documents and payment.

By submitting, you authorize us to use any trusted third-party online and cloud-based services and databases for hosting, managing, and/or transmitting your submission files.

3. Formatting Requirements

Title Page:

A title page with only the title must accompany the screenplay.

No author identification may appear on the title page.

Scripts will be numbered for confidentiality.

Feature-Length Screenplays:

Must be between 85–130 pages in length.

Written in standard screenplay format (8.5" x 11", 12 pt. Courier font, numbered pages, simple front/back cover).

Prime Time TV Scripts (Pilots):

Should be half-hour or one-hour.

Single-camera pilots.

Under 70 pages in length.

Written in standard screenplay format (8.5" x 11", 12 pt. Courier font, numbered pages, simple front/back cover).

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy:

Purpose & Disqualification: Set in place to protect the integrity of the competition. The use of AI in any part of the creative process will result in immediate disqualification.

Human Authorship Only: All submissions must be created solely by the entrant(s). Submissions generated in whole or in part by artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including but not limited to ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, or similar systems, are not permitted.

Certification of Originality: By entering the Competition, entrants certify that their submission is entirely their original human-authored work and free of AI-generated content.

Investigation and Enforcement: The Competition reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to request verification of authorship and to disqualify any submission suspected of AI involvement.

Intellectual Property Responsibility: Entrants remain fully responsible for the originality and authenticity of their work. The Competition will not be liable for disputes arising from the submission of AI-generated material.

4. Prize-Specific Eligibility

The Nina Lo Presti Award:

Female screenwriters, ideally with a connection to the Philadelphia region (resided, worked, matriculated, etc.).

Both features and TV pilots are eligible.

The Content for Kids Prize:

Writers with a connection to the Philadelphia region (resided, worked, matriculated, etc.) who submit content appropriate for audiences aged 12 and under.

Both features and TV pilots are eligible.

The Oscar Micheaux Award:

Applicants must provide a signed Micheaux eligibility form.

This is a regional award. Proof of residency in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, or Montgomery County (legible copy of driver’s license, deed, or passport).

Co-authors must meet the same requirements.

Both features and TV pilots are eligible.

5. Notifications

Applicants will be contacted based on the status of their screenplay. Communication will be made through email.

Applicants are encouraged to subscribe to the Greater Philadelphia Film Office (GPFO) Newsletter for competition updates here.

Finalists will also be posted publicly on the GPFO website by the end of November:
https://film.org/greater-philadelphia-filmmakers/sip-screenwriting-competition/

6. Consideration & Awards

Submitted screenplays will be considered for all prizes for which they are eligible.

Awards are based solely on the overall merit of entries, as determined by the judges.

Prizes may not be granted if entries fail to meet the required standard.

All applicants are encouraged to register their work with the Writers Guild of America (East or West) (Creates a dated record of a writer's claim to authorship) or the U.S. Copyright Office (Confers legal ownership and protects the expression of an idea).

7. Additional Rules & Terms

Confidentiality: Judges and readers are instructed to treat submissions as confidential; however, applicants acknowledge that similarities in theme, story, or concept may occur and that no liability is assumed by the Competition or its affiliates.

Refunds: No refunds will be issued under any circumstances, including disqualification, withdrawal, or failure to meet submission requirements.

Disqualification: Submissions may be disqualified if they:

Fail to meet formatting or page count requirements.

Contain author-identifying information on the title page.

Include plagiarized, defamatory, or unlawful material.

Publicity: By entering, applicants grant permission for their name, headshot, bio, title, and logline to be used in press releases, social media, and promotional materials if selected as a finalist or winner.

Liability: The Competition is not responsible for technical issues, data loss, corrupted files, or failed uploads.

Taxes: Prize winners are solely responsible for payment of any applicable local, state, or federal taxes.

Co-Authors: In the case of multiple authors, prizes and reimbursements will be divided equally, unless otherwise agreed to in writing by all authors. Only one award designation (certificate, trophy) will be provided.

Rights Retained: Applicants retain all rights to their submitted work. The Competition will not option, produce, or exploit any submitted material.

Feedback: The Competition has no obligation to provide notes, feedback, or comments. If feedback is provided, it is not guaranteed and does not reflect the opinions of the Competition.

Awards + Benefits

SIP Finalist Judges are high profile producers, writers and actors who have a Philadelphia connection. Scripts will be judged on their overall quality, and the extent to which they project “shootability” in the Greater Philadelphia region.

Feature Length Screenplay
Grand Prize Winner - $10,000 cash prize

Prime Time TV Pilot,
Sponsored by Comcast/NBCUniversal
$5,000 cash prize

The Oscar Micheaux Award for a Regional Screenwriter of the African Diaspora, Sponsored by VestedIn
$2,500 cash prize

Nina Lo Presti Award for a Female Screenwriter,
Sponsored by Laurie Lo Presti
$1,500 cash prize

Content for Kids,
Sponsored by Hallee & David Adelman
$5,000 cash prize

ALL FINALISTS:
Recognition & Prestige – the winning screenplay(s) will be showcased as the overall competition winner, highlighted in official announcements, and on the GPFO website.

Industry Insight & Spotlight – Finalist(s) will receive constructive notes from our panel of judges, offering valuable professional insights to support writers' growth and guide future work. The writer will be introduced to our network of readers, judges, and industry sponsors, providing visibility that extends beyond the competition itself.

Accepted Formats + Categories

Feature Length Screenplay - Grand Prize: The Grand Prize for Feature Length Screenplay is the competition’s highest honor, recognizing the most outstanding screenplay across all categories. Feature-Length Screenplay Requirements: Must be between 85–130 pages in length. Written in standard screenplay format. The winner will receive: $10,000 Cash Award – presented to the writer whose work demonstrates exceptional creativity, storytelling, originality, and has strong potential for recognition within the industry. Recognition & Prestige – the winning screenplay will be showcased as the overall competition winner in this category, highlighted in official announcements, & on the GPFO website. Industry Insight & Spotlight – Finalists will receive constructive notes from our panel of judges, offering valuable professional insights to support writers' growth and guide future work. The writer will be introduced to our network of readers, judges, & industry sponsors, providing visibility that extends beyond the competition itself.

Prime Time TV Pilot: The Prime Time TV Pilot for the most compelling and dynamic prime time TV script, sponsored by Comcast/NBCUniversal. Prime Time TV Scripts (Pilots) requirements: Should be half-hour or one-hour. Single-camera pilots. Under 70 pages in length. Written in standard screenplay format. The winner will receive: $5,000 Cash Award – presented to the writer whose work demonstrates exceptional creativity, storytelling, originality, and has strong potential for recognition within the industry. Recognition & Prestige – the winning screenplay will be showcased as the overall competition winner in this category, highlighted in official announcements, and on the GPFO website. Industry Insight & Spotlight – Finalists will receive constructive notes from our panel of judges, offering valuable professional insights to support writers' growth and guide future work. Writers will be exposed to industry professionals.

The Oscar Micheaux Award for a Regional Screenwriter of the African Diaspora: Named in honor of pioneering filmmaker and novelist Oscar Micheaux, this award celebrates the creative contributions of the African Diaspora to screenwriting. By highlighting stories rooted in the African Diaspora experience, the prize continues Micheaux’s legacy of challenging conventions and amplifying underrepresented perspectives in cinema. Sponsored by VestedIn. Feature-Length Screenplays Requirements: Must be between 85–130 pages in length. Written in standard screenplay format. Award Requirements: Applicants must provide a signed Micheaux eligibility form. Regional award. Proof of residency in Philadelphia, Bucks, Chester, Delaware, or Montgomery County (legible copy of driver’s license, deed, or passport). Co-authors must meet the same requirements. Both features and TV pilots are eligible. The winner will receive: $2,500 Cash Award, Recognition & Prestige, Industry Insight & Spotlight – Finalists will receive constructive notes from our panel of judge.

Nina Lo Presti Award for a Female Screenwriter: Nina Lo Presti Award, sponsored by Laurie Lo Presti, for a Female Screenwriter for women-identified and nonbinary screenwriters, ideally with a connection to the Philadelphia region (resided, worked, matriculated, etc.). Made possible by Lo Presti’s daughter, Laurie Lo Presti. Feature-Length Screenplays Requirements: Must be between 85–130 pages in length. Written in standard screenplay format. Both features and TV pilots are eligible. The winner will receive: $1,500 Cash Award, Recognition & Prestige, Industry Insight & Spotlight – Finalists will receive constructive notes from our panel of judge.

Content for Kids, sponsored by Hallee & David Adelman: Content for Kids Prize, sponsored by Hallee & David Adelman, for Writers with a connection to the Philadelphia region (resided, worked, matriculated, etc.) who submit content appropriate for audiences aged 12 and under. Both features and TV pilots are eligible. The winner will receive: $5,000 Cash Award – presented to the writer whose work demonstrates exceptional creativity, storytelling, originality, and has strong potential for recognition within the industry. Recognition & Prestige – the winning screenplay will be showcased as the overall competition winner in this category, highlighted in official announcements, and on the GPFO website. Industry Insight & Spotlight – Finalists will receive constructive notes from our panel of judges, offering valuable professional insights to support writers' growth and guide future work. The writer will be introduced to our network of readers, judges, and industry sponsors, providing visibility that extends beyond the competition itself.

Notification

01/15/2026

Submission Fees

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SET IN PHILADELPHIA

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