SCREENLABS CRITERIA

PARTICIPANTS

Participants must create an original script for the Screenlabs Challenge and meet the following criteria:

• Applicants must be current residents of the State of Minnesota and have resided in the state continuously for one full year before the applications deadline. Applicants may be required to provide other documentation in addition to a drivers license if residency is in question.

• Applicants must be current members of the non-profit Screenwriters’ Workshop.

• Only one (1) application and one project per applicant are allowed.

• The 2008 Screenwriters Challenge is open only to individuals and writing partnerships of no more than two (2) writers. Organizations and companies may not apply.

• The applicants(s) must be the sole creator(s) of the screenplay.

SCREENPLAY

Screenplays intended for production must meet the following criteria:
• Be an original work reflecting the theme “Unrequitted Love: Agony & Bliss”

• written and produced to constitute approximately (but not exceed) 12 minutes of screen time; films exceeding 12 minutes in length will be disqualified;

• use a maximum of four (4) locations, one being the Witches Hat Water Tower in Prospect Park, Minneapolis;

• include no more than four (4) characters

Applicants who do not meet all of these requirements will not be considered for awards and should not apply.

The Location

The Witches Hat Water Tower sits at the center of the venerated Prospect Park neighborhood of Minneapolis and is the tallest natural land point in the city of Minneapolis. The tower is nestled next to the University of Minnesota campus, has served as a destination for many college student seeking an adventure or spectacular view of downtown Minneapolis.

The Witches Hat Water Tower and surrounding park ground is the site for the annual "Ice Cream Social" and many solstice rituals because of its associations with mysticism and the occult. The Witches Hat Water Tower is considered to be one of Minneapolis' most romantic spots and is a registered historic landmark by the National Register of Historic Places.

Prospect Park Water Tower and Tower Hill Park (added 1997 - Historic Site - #97001426)
Also known as The Witch's Hat Water Tower
55 Malcolm Ave. SE, Minneapolis

Historic Significance: Architecture/Engineering, Event
Architect, builder, or engineer: Cappelen, Frederick William
Architectural Style: Late 19th And 20th Century Revivals
Area of Significance: Education, Community Planning And Development, Architecture
Period of Significance: 1900-1924
Owner: Local Gov't
Historic Function: Industry/Processing/Extraction, Recreation And Culture

IMPORTANT DATES AND MAILING ADDRESS

Completed films/videos must be received at the IFP Minnesota Center for Media Arts no later than 4:00pm on Friday, August 15, 2008. This is an in-office deadline. Films will not be accepted by mail or walk-up after this time. No exceptions. Filmmakers can mail or deliver completed applications to:

Screenwriters Workshop's ScreenLabs Challenge
c/o IFP Minnesota Center for Media Arts
2446 University Avenue West, Suite 100
St. Paul, MN 55114

Online voting for the Audience Award will commence Wednesday, August 20, 2008. All winners will be announced at the Screenwriters Workshop's Annual Membership Meeting in October, to be held at Minneapolis Community and Technical College, 1501 Hennepin Avenue, Minneapolis, MN 55403.

Mark your calendar: A ScreenLabs Challenge 2008 filmmaker informational/orientation meeting will take place at 7pm, Thursday, April 24, 2008, at IFP Minnesota Center for Media Arts (address above). The 2007 Challenge winners will be on hand to screen their films and answer questions.

April 24 - 2008 ScreenLabs Challenge filmmaker orientation
June 13 - Email registration deadline
August 15 - Submission deadline
August 20 - Online voting begins
October 10 - Online voting ends
October - Winners announced at Screenwriters Workshop Annual Membership Meeting (date to be announced)

PRIZES

Submitted works will be judged by a panel of jurors who are film/video artists and professionals. Winners will be awarded the following cash prizes:

First Place - $1,000
Second Place - $500
Best Screenplay - $250
Audience Award - $250

The Audience Award will be conducted via online viewing and voting. Disclaimer: The online poll isn't scientific and reflects the opinion only of visitors who choose to participate. Reasonable efforts have been made by Screenwriters Workshop to make the voting process secure.