Black Entertainment Television

[fisherman]

Does BET have a screenwriting contest? Are there any Black screenwriting festivals out there at all? Just curious.

[NikeeGoddess]

http://messageboard.donedealpro.com/...ad.php?t=57426
maybe you should ask here: http://www.obswriter.com/

[Ravenlocks]

There's the American Black Film Festival. Fun festival. I covered it for a film mag the year it was in LA. I'm not sure if it has a screenplay component, but you could check.

[fisherman]

Thanks Nikee and Ravenlocks.

I'm printing that stuff out now... Yeah, I know this guy-- Steve Duncan of Tour of Duty fame, he's Black like me, told me that Black film festivals, embarassingly enough, tend not to focus on screenwriting--what does that say about the state of the Black community? I don't know, but I know it isn't good.

[Furious Anjel]

Originally Posted by fisherman

Thanks Nikee and Ravenlocks.

I'm printing that stuff out now... Yeah, I know this guy-- Steve Duncan of Tour of Duty fame, he's Black like me, told me that Black film festivals, embarassingly enough, tend not to focus on screenwriting--what does that say about the state of the Black community? I don't know, but I know it isn't good.

The economic downturn caused a few to be canceled. Lack of sponsors. Tanya Kersey runs the Hollywood Black Film Festival and a website called blacktalentnews.com. She might be able to set you in the right direction. But honestly, I don't know how much clout these festivals and contests have any more. The spec market isn't what it used to be, and it's even worse for "urban" specs. Still, it doesn't stop some of these contests from having pricey entrance fees and usually offering very little in terms of prizes. I believe the winner of the OBS screenwriting contest gets read by a development executive at Overbrook, which isn't too shabby, but I haven't heard of any success stories as a result. Not trying to discourage you from entering black contest/festivals, just go in with your eyes open.

[Tochirta]

props on the blacktalentnews site, Furious. It looks quite good. I'll be checking them out.