Challenge is closed
Winner

Aftermath

Lisa Bell Roden

Writer/Director

A couple deal with the aftermath of an EMP.

RUNNERS-UP

Mother by Morteza Halimi

Head's Up by Robert Rosenbaum

Oh, how we rely on the conveniences of modern technology today. This month’s challenge invites you to craft a scene where technology creates a colossal obstacle for your main character(s). Does the internet cut out during an important, life-changing event? Or does a power outage strike at the most unfortunate time imaginable? Perhaps the phone dies in the middle of a high stakes moment? Create a scene that takes us inside “the blackout.” The role of technology should create conflict, heighten tension, and become a character onto itself in the scene. Your final written submission can be in any genre and should be no more than 10 intense-filled pages that has the audience on the edge of their seats. 



SUBMISSION LIMITS

One entry per person, per Challenge. 

Written work must be no longer than 10 pages. 

Deadline to submit: October 29, 2021 at 2PM PT.



CHALLENGE RULES

Our monthly challenges are open to everyone in the Sundance Collab community. One entry per person, per challenge. All submissions will be viewable to the community. All submissions will be given equal consideration and the final winner will be determined by the consensus of the designated Sundance judges.  


Only those submissions that meet the criteria outlined in the submission guidelines can be selected as the winner.


The challenge closes on October 29, 2021 at 2PM PT.


If you have questions regarding the challenge, please email collabsupport@sundance.org. Please do not contact members of the jury directly.



PRIZES

Winner will receive: 

  • Their work featured on Sundance Collab
  • A one-on-one mentorship session with a Sundance Advisor
  • Sundance Collab Annual Creator+ membership (12 months) which includes:
    • Post-event community breakout sessions
    • Collab Connect networking sessions
    • One-on-one office hours with a Sundance Advisor

Two runners-up will receive a Sundance Collab Annual Creator+ Membership.


Submission Guidelines

One entry per person, per Challenge. Your written work must be no longer than 10 pages. Please do not use copyrighted material without permission as part of this monthly challenge.

Technical Details

Scripts should be in PDF format.

If your script is not a PDF file, please contact us and we will try to see if we can accommodate it.

Marie Schlingmann
Juror
Originally from Berlin, Germany, Marie Schlingmann is part of a writing and directing team with her wife, Samantha Buck. Their short films THE MINK CATCHER and CANARY have played at Telluride, SXSW, Palm Springs, Indie Memphis and others. Their first feature SISTER AIMEE premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and is currently streaming on Hulu. more...
Samantha Buck
Juror
Samantha Buck is part of a writing and directing team with her wife, Marie Schlingmann. Their short films THE MINK CATCHER and CANARY have played at Telluride, SXSW, Palm Springs, Indie Memphis and others. Their first feature SISTER AIMEE premiered at the 2019 Sundance Film Festival and is currently streaming on Hulu. more...
Simone Ling
Juror
Los Angeles | London
Simone Ling has a particular interest in working with diverse voices behind and in front of the camera. Producing credits include Spirit Award nominated MOSQUITA Y MARI, THEY, an Official Selection of the Cannes Film Festival nominated for a Queer Palm and Camera d’Or, and Tribeca X Award winner EMERGING RADIANCE. A member of the Producers Guild of America, MPEG/IATSE, and BAFTA/LA, she Deputy Chair's BAFTA/LA’s Learning, Inclusion and Talent (DE&I) Committee. Spearheading intersectional outreach for the Sundance Institute’s Feature Film Programs, Simone curates and advises for a number of labs and festivals worldwide. A Fulbright Scholar, she holds Masters degrees from the University of Oxford and Stanford University, and is a Senior Lecturer in story and development at AFI, the American Film Institute's Conservatory. more...

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