Ready, steady, go!
The 2025 edition of the
Write a Screenplay For… screenwriting lab begins
The seventh edition of the Write a Screenplay For… contest, held in partnership with the American Independent Film Festival (AIFF), is looking for authentic stories to become original Romanian screenplays. Creatives from the film industry and other artistic fields who want to see their ideas for feature film or TV mini-series scripts become films now have the opportunity to participate in a project that can bring them to life on the small or big screen. This year, the lab is again organized by the Cinemascop Association with the support of PRO TV. The lab is organized in two sections: stories for the development of fiction feature film scripts and stories for the development of TV mini-series (6-8 episodes).
Because we live in times when we increasingly wonder what is true and what is not, the organizers have chosen the theme TRUE STORIES | stories inspired by real life for this year’s mini-series scripts. There is no imposed theme for the feature-length section. Authenticity, emotion, originality, characters with strong stories that have the power to stay in the mind and soul of the viewer for a while are appreciated. Whether those things happened to you, your family, the people around you, you heard them told or you read them in newspapers, magazines or on the internet, if you have the power to transform them into a coherent and impactful little story, then get writing as soon as possible.
“Stories from true events have the power to inspire, to teach and to transform. We are looking for those authentic stories that are waiting for their way to the screen and the audience – from biographies that reveal the extraordinary lives of prominent personalities, to investigations that explore the challenges of contemporary society. We are not just talking about true crime, although this also has its place, but about the entire palette of real experiences: dramas inspired by events that marked destinies, stories that intertwine humor with deep themes or narratives that address family dynamics, social justice, the strength to prevail and the determination to overcome any form of adversity.” tells us Gabriela Iacob, Head of Scripted Content Development, PRO TV
Write a Screenplay For… can be participated by professional screenwriters or writers, as well as creatives who are just starting out, from any field, with a talent for writing and in love with the world of film. At this stage of the competition, participants do not need to have their final scripts. After the selection stages, those who will reach the final will develop them under the guidance of mentors, during workshops that provide them with specialized training. The winning projects will be developed later with the support of the contest organizers, PRO TV will choose the TV mini-series project, and the Cinemascop Association the feature film.
This year’s new feature is the WSF+ program, an extension of the screenwriting lab, designed to add value to the participants’ experience. WSF+ facilitates meetings between screenwriters and consultants, providing professional and structured feedback, regardless of the selection in the final stages of the Write a Screenplay For… contest. More details will be available on www.filmedefestival.ro.
Director Cristian Mungiu, founder of the Write a Screenplay For… screenwriting lab, remains involved in this year’s project for the crucial phase of developing ideas into captivating stories. This stage is essential in the process of writing a script for a film or TV series. Along with him, the competitors will have mentors throughout the lab: Marietta von Hausswolff von Baumgarten (film and television screenwriter), Gabriela Iacob (Head of Scripted Development, PRO TV) and Massimiliano Nardulli (screenwriter, artistic director and creator of film festivals). This year, Massimiliano Nardulli joins the group of mentors, bringing a rich cinematic experience in festivals, screenwriting and mentoring. Nardulli, originally from Rome and based in Romania, is a recognized screenwriter and composer, with an extensive career in the field of cinematography spanning approximately two decades.
“There is nothing more absurd than real life, so I expect to read stories that surprise you and make you daydream,” says Massimiliano Nardulli.
Applications are due by email at info@cinemascop.eu by April 1, 2025. A logline (no more than 3 sentences), a story description, an artistic statement, a detailed synopsis for the mini-series, an outline for the feature film and/or a pitchdeck of no more than 3 pages, a conflict scene with dialogue from the script (no more than 2 pages) and a professional CV are expected. More details about the competition regulations, selection stages and other useful information are available on Write a Screenplay For – Festival Films.