Features, shorts and documentaries, all screenplays welcome; 5 prizes in each category: By Siraj Syed

Nil Production in New York opens a call for its second, top-level international screenwriting competition for feature films, short films and documentaries, in association with Albanian Film Week & Art for Human Rights. The theme of the screenplays should be about freedom and human rights.

It is the brainchild of Mrika Krasniqi, from Kosovo, who was honoured as the “Woman of the Year 2016” by U.S. Congress for international work in the field of art, culture and business. Mrika is known as the host of "Albanian Film Week Festival" in America, which presents Albanian films in the USA. In addition, she also works as a producer, director and screenwriter in her production company, “Nil Production,” with headquarters in Prishtina and New York, as well as co-operates with other international companies, in Europe and America.

A few months ago, she held the premiere of her documentary “Soldier” after the successful organisation in New York of the Albanian Film Week, which is dedicated to the promotion of the Albanian film and artistes around the world. One of the latest works of Mrika Krasniqi is the documentary “You are not alone”, which is dedicated to the children with Down syndrome; she has said in her previous interviews that she is preparing a feature-length film.

According to the NIL Production press release, “As our invitation extends to screenwriters from all over the world, we offer the rare opportunity to enter the contest with a 2-5 page plot.

We will give out the following 15 monetary awards to encourage screenwriters around the world.”

Feature

-Feature Film 1 – $6,000.00

-Feature Film 2 – $5,000.00

-Feature Film 3 – $4,000.00

-Feature Film 4 – $3,000.00

-Feature Film 5 – $2,000.00

Short

-Short Film 1 – $5,000.00

-Short Film 2 – $4,000.00

-Short Film 3 – $3,000.00

-Short Film 4 – $2,000.00

-Short Film 5 – $1,000.00

Documentary

-Documentary Film 1 – $4,000.00

-Documentary Film 2 – $3,000.00

-Documentary Film 3 – $2,000.00

-Documentary Film 4 – $1,000.00

-Documentary Film 5 – $500.00

All screen writers are invited to apply with their script before the deadlines:

 Early deadline:  October 5, 2016, Application fee: $20

Regular deadline: November 5, 2016, Application fee: $25

Latest deadline: December 5 2016, Application fee $35

Extended deadline: January 5, 2017, Application fee $50

Please read the following rules carefully before applying:

-The plot must be submitted in English only.

-The script length must be minimum 2 pages and not exceed 5 pages

Screenwriters can apply with a maximum of three different scripts.

-Scripts cannot change after application.

-All fees are non-refundable.

The results of the competition will be out in May 2017.

Winners of Screenplay Contest 2016 were

Short film

-First prize $5000.00  –Anne Kobayashi –“Game over” (Japan )

-Second prize $3000.00 –Giuseppe Bocci – “School District” (Italy)

-Third prize $2000.00 –Mirela Kurti – “Outside” (Albania)

-Forth prize $1000.00  –Sabina Puessos –“ Specific Time” (Brazil)

-Fifth Prize $500.00 –Benjamin Tarovski – “My Age “ (USA)

 Documentary Film

-First prize $3000.00 –Tayiha Gurman – “Address of Guardian” (USA)

-Second prize $2000.00 –Artur Sopi  – “Welcome to Prishtina” (Kosova)

-Third prize $1000.00 –Norman Shriber –“Al Shall Amin” (Israel)

-Forth prize $500.00 – Dren Husaj –“Silence women” (Kosova)

-Fifth Prize $300.00 – Andrea Bockeler – “Asylum “ (Germany)

APPLY HERE: www.nilproduction.net