Academy Launches 2012 Nicholl Screenwriting Competition

Posted on February 15, 2012

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) has started accepting entries for the 2012 Don and Gee Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting competition. AMPAS says as many as five $35,000 fellowships will be awarded through the program in November.

The competition is open to individuals who have not earned over $5,000 from the "sale or option of a screenplay or teleplay, or received a fellowship or prize of more than $5,000 that includes a 'first look' clause, an option or any other quid pro quo involving the writer's work."

The regular entry fee is US$52. An early-bird entry fee of US$35 is available through March 15, 2012. You can find online applications, rules and other details here. A FAQ can be found here.

Last year's competition drew a record 6,730 entries. AMPAS says 123 fellowships have been awarded since the program began in 1985.