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The online application will be open from April 1, 2024, 00:00 to April 30, 2024, 23:59.

Before applying, please read the following details and rules.

Details and Rules

1.  Eligibility

1.1)  Applicants of the Open Category must be:
  • a Hong Kong permanent resident who is 18 years old or above by April 30, 2024.
  • the sole screenwriter of the submitted work.
  • have never served as directors, screenwriters or producers for feature-length films, including those that have been released or are currently in production in Hong Kong.
  • provide a recommendation letter written and signed by a faculty member or staff from a recognized tertiary institution* or a professional in the film, television, drama, or media industry. The applicant should also provide the name, contact number, and occupation of the recommender in the application form.
    *For the list of recognized higher education institutions, please refer to the iPASS website at （https://www.cspe.edu.hk/tc/institution-list.html), the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts is also recognized.
    *Click here to download the template of the recommendation letter.
 
1.2)  Applicants of the Professional Category must be:
  • a Hong Kong permanent resident who is 18 years old or above by April 30, 2024.
  • the sole screenwriter of the submitted work.
  • have never served as directors or producers for feature-length films, including those that have been released or are currently in production in Hong Kong. 
  • have served as a screenwriter for at least one but no more than three films released in Hong Kong. Applicants are required to provide the title of the film(s) they have participated in on the application form.
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1.3)  Each applicant is allowed only one application and must upload one synopsis. Duplicate applications will result in disqualification. In addition to the synopsis, applicants in the Open Category are required to submit an additional scene.
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1.4)  The application period is from April 1, 2024, to April 30, 2024. Any applications submitted after 23:59 on April 30, 2024, will not be accepted.
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2.  Submission Guidelines

Open Category :
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2.1a)  Applicants in the Open Category must complete an online application form on the official website. They are required to upload one synopsis with one scene, and a letter of recommendation.
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The synopsis and scene of the Open Category's applicant must be placed in the same file, and the file name should be (in Chinese):
大綱與劇本場口_故事名稱 _新晉編劇計劃2024

​The file name of the recommendation letter should be (in Chinese):
推薦信_編劇名稱_新晉編劇計劃2024

 
Professional Category :

2.1b)  Applicants in the Professional Category must complete an online application form on the official website. They are required to upload one synopsis.

The file name of the synopsis should be (in Chinese):
大綱_故事名稱_新晉編劇計劃2024

 
2.2)  Applicants are required to pay an application fee of HK$180 upon submission of the form. All fees paid are non-refundable.
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2.3)  The organizers will only consider the data and documents uploaded by applicants for the first time through the online application system. Submissions via email will not be accepted. Applicants must ensure that all required information is completed and necessary documents are successfully uploaded at the time of submission. Once submitted, applications cannot be modified, updated, or supplemented with any missing documents. The file size of documents should not exceed 5MB. If you encounter any issues with uploading documents, please reserve time to contact enquiry@hkecca.org before the deadline.

 

3.  Synopsis Requirements

3.1)  The synopsis must fulfill the following requirements:
  • An original story
  • Aim to develop their work into a feature-length film scripts
  • Within 800-1200 words
  • Written in traditional Chinese characters
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3.2)  If the work submitted by an applicant falls under any of the following circumstances, the work will not be eligible for participation, and the application will be invalidated. Under no circumstances can the applicant reapply:
  • The story has been submitted to other competitions without declaring it on the application form.
  • The story has been shortlisted or awarded in other competitions.
  • The story has been filmed, publicly screened, published, or publicly performed as a stage play.
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3.3)  The synopsis should be submitted as a PDF electronic file. Use the font "新細明體" (SimSun) with a font size of 12pt and a line spacing of 1.5. The total word count should be included at the end.
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3.4)  The organizers will present the synopsis to an independent panel of judges in an anonymous manner for evaluation and scoring. Applicants are advised not to include their real names or pen names on the document pages or file names. Only the story title should be retained. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in disqualification.
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4.  Scene Requirements

4.1)  The scene means any completed scene in the screenplay. It is suggested to be written in Chinese script format, and must fulfill the following requirements:​
  • The content should be original but based on the synopsis
  • No more than 8 pages
  • Written in traditional Chinese characters
 
4.2)  The scene should be submitted with the synopsis as a single PDF electronic file. Use the font "新細明體" (SimSun) with a font size of 12pt and a line spacing of 1.5. 
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4.3) The organizers will present the scene to an independent panel of judges in an anonymous manner for evaluation and scoring. Applicants are advised not to include their real names or pen names on the document pages or file names. Only the story title should be retained. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in disqualification.
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5.  Selection Process 

A panel of independent judges will select 20 entries to proceed to the interview stage. The selected screenwriters will receive interview notifications, and it is mandatory for them to attend the interviews in person. Participation via video call will not be accepted as it may result in disqualification. The panel of independent judges and representative from the organizing committee will then select 5 finalists from the Open Category and 5 finalists from the Professional Category. If an applicant does not receive any interview notification by June 30, it indicates that they have not been selected.

 

6.  Scheme Details and Funding

6.1)  The shortlisted screenwriters will have a four-month writing period during which they must attend a total of 11 creative meetings in person. These meetings include: 
  • 3 regular meetings  
  • 4 meetings among the selected screenwriters 
  • 4 meetings with industry producers/ directors/ screenwriters 
 
6.2)  ​The organizers will provide a total subsidy of HK$40,000 to each shortlisted screenwriter in two installments of HK$20,000. This financial support is intended to assist them in completing their scripts during the writing period. 
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6.3)  ​Once the shortlisted screenwriters submit their complete feature film scripts, the organizers will compile them into a book for public sale.  Screenwriters who submit their complete scripts for inclusion in the book will receive an additional subsidy of HK$40,000. 
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6.4)  ​The organizers will arrange a public read-through and allow the live audience, as well as readers who purchase the book, to vote. The script with the highest number of votes will receive a prize of HK$50,000. The script with the second-highest and the third-highest number of votes will each receive a prize of HK$25,000. 
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7.  Copyright

7.1)  Each of the applicants must be the sole copyright owner of the synopsis and the scene they submit. The synopsis and scene submitted must be an original, unpublished, and unperformed piece. In the event of any copyright disputes on the synopsis and the scenes, the applicants must take full responsibility and legal liability, as the organizers will not intervene in any manner in resolving such disputes.
 
7.2)  Each of the shortlisted screenwriters must be the sole copyright holder of the script created during the scheme. In the event of any copyright disputes on the script, the shortlisted screenwriters must take full responsibility and legal liability, as the organizers will not intervene or be involved in any manner in resolving such disputes. 
 
7.3)  Applicants must understand that this scheme aims to allow selected screenwriters to network, exchange ideas, and have an opportunity to showcase their work to the public. Therefore, if selected, the story concept, synopsis, script outline, and complete script will need to be shared with other screenwriters and industry professionals for feedback and discussion. To protect the intellectual property rights of the selected screenwriters, the organizers encourage them to register their story concept, script outline, or complete script with the Film Script Registration service provided by the Federation of Hong Kong Filmmakers. (http://www.hkfilmmakers.com.hk/services/filmscript/) 
 
7.4)  Under all circumstances, each of the applicants must ensure that each of them do not violate the Copyright Ordinance (Chapter 528 of the Hong Kong legislation) or any other Hong Kong law or infringe upon any person’s intellectual and industrial property rights (regardless of their nature) through the receipt, review, possession, handling, processing, storage, or any other use and utilization of any documents, data, or content submitted by the applicants to the organizers as part of their application. The organizers accept no liability if applicants ignore these terms and conditions. Each of the applicants agrees to fully indemnify the organizers against third party claims arising from any breach of them.
 
7.5)  The synopsis and the scene of the non-selected applicants will be destroyed after the completion of the scheme. 
 
7.6)  The selected screenwriters retain full ownership of intellectual property rights to the original script, but grant certain rights to the organizers as follows:
  • The right to publish their scripts as a book for sale (the copyright and proceeds of the script book will be held by the organizers, and the proceeds will be allocated back to the scheme budget to offset administrative expenses). 
  • The right to conduct public read-through of their scripts and to live-stream, record, and broadcast the public read-through online. 
  • The perpetual right to use script-related information, such as the title and synopsis, for promotional purposes. 
  • The perpetual right to use the full name, photograph, and related information of the screenwriters for promotional purposes. 
  • During the scheme's various activities, photography, videography, and audio recording may take place for promotional purposes. 
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8.  Disciplinary measures for rule violations 

If any of the following situations occur, the shortlisted screenwriter will be disqualified from the competition, and the organizers reserve the right to reclaim any previously disbursed funding: 
  • Unjustified absence from any scheduled regular meetings during this period. 
  • Inability to personally attend the creative meetings (no video call participation is accepted). 
  • Failure to submit the complete feature film script by the end of the writing period. 
  • Plagiarism, infringement, or violation of someone else's copyright. 
  • Violation of any laws of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. 
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If any applicant or selected screenwriter, due to negligence, plagiarism, infringement of others' copyrights, or violation of laws in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, causes the organizers to be involved in legal disputes or liabilities, the selected screenwriter agrees to take responsibility and bear the legal liability. They will also be required to compensate the organizers for any losses incurred as a result. 
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【The organizers reserve the right to adjust the scheme's schedule and have the authority to modify, change, or suspend any activities within the scheme.】

【Scheme details and rules are subject to the Chinese version, which takes precedence. The organizing committee reserves the right to supplement and modify the terms of this scheme. In case of any disputes regarding the details and rules of this scheme, the organizing committee's decision will be final and binding.】

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