Anyone over 18 who has a completed screenplay that falls within our guidelines is eligible to apply.

This program takes place virtually and is open to anyone no matter where they reside. The hours of the program are based on Pacific time.

Yes, writing partners can submit. If accepted, both writers must attend all events.

Yes.

We are looking for completed, feature-length, live-action screenplays in any genre. No documentaries, specs, short films, partial drafts, web series, pilot series, or animated series will be accepted. All submissions must be in English.

Page count varies depending on the story and genre. Typically a screenplay is between 90 and 120 pages. There is a charge of $1 per extra page over 120 pages (only applicable if your script is 121 pages or more).

Yes. Each submission must be in a separate application with its own application fee.

Before you begin applying, you’ll need to create a Coverfly account. Under “My Projects,” click “Add Project” and upload your full feature script as a PDF. Within that project profile, make sure to add your writer bio and your website. If there are two writers, please add both bios. Then, when you click “Submit Now” on Moonshot’s Feature Accelerator application page, you will be asked to select which project you are applying with. You will also need to answer a few brief questions to complete your application. You may submit a pitch deck if you have one, but it’s not required.

No. We are only looking for screenplays, not produced scripts.

No. Our team is only reviewing screenplays for consideration and will not be watching any reels, shorts, or other materials. You may submit a pitch deck if you have one, but it’s not required.

No. We are only accepting full feature film screenplays. As part of the application, you may submit a pitch deck if you have one, but it’s not required.

All applications will be reviewed by the Moonshot team, past fellows and semi-finalists, and our volunteer readers. Semi-finalists’ scripts will be read by industry judges, including successful feature writers and other industry members. Those judges will help our team select finalists to interview. We will choose 8 fellows out of those finalists.

No. Unfortunately, due to a high volume of submissions, our team is unable to provide any sort of notes, feedback or critique on any submission.

No, we are not able to share which judges have read which projects. At the semi-finalist level, each script will be read by two industry judges. If the judge indicates that she would like to meet with you based on the script, we will facilitate that meeting.

As a policy, we will not share contact information of our judges or readers, nor can we connect applicants with them or pass along any messages on applicants’ behalf. Please do not contact any of our judges or readers about your application.

You cannot update your application after you submit it so please make sure you are ready. Scripts are read as soon as possible so chances are we have already read your script multiple times by the time you want to update your application. If you have made significant changes, we suggest submitting it as a new application so that we can assign new readers to it.

No, but we will reach out to the final contenders to schedule short interviews via video call before selecting the fellows.

You will be notified via email through Coverfly of any changes to your status (if your application has been rejected or if you have moved to the next round). If you get to the second stage, you will be notified at the end of January and you will be required to submit a two-minute video. Instructions for the video will be provided at the time of notification, and there will be a tight turnaround (a few days for submitting the video). Quarter-finalists will be announced at the beginning of February. If you are a semi-finalist, you will be notified through Coverfly by the beginning of March and you’ll be invited to a networking event for semi-finalists. The next level is finalist. If you make it to the finalist round, you will be notified via email through Coverfly by the second week of March and will have to respond within 24 hours to choose a Zoom interview date between March 13-21. The fellows, those who will attend our three-week program and pitch to studio executives, will be announced in April. The fellows will be notified before the public announcement so that they can officially accept the fellowship, confirm that they will be in attendance for all program dates, and sign the participant contract.

Please let us know if you are no longer able to be present for all program dates, as we want to ensure that we are advancing the applications of only those who could participate if selected. You will be much more likely to advance through our future programs if you notify us of any conflicts that will prohibit you from fully participating in this program.

To increase the access to career-changing opportunities regardless of economic situation, we have instituted a scholarship fund for our Accelerator, however, this fund is limited. Please click the link below to apply for financial aid. We cannot offer full waivers, but we can provide discount codes to make it more affordable. Request a discount here.(https://forms.wix.com/r/7166517584882303535) Want to help us increase our scholarship fund for the future? Please encourage your community to make a tax-deductible donation.(https://www.moonshotinitiative.org/donate)

If you are accepted into the program as a fellow, you will be notified at the end of March. You will have approximately 3 weeks to read the other fellows’ screenplays, prepare a 10-minute pitch, and watch several recorded workshops before the program begins. Our accelerator workshops take place on April 22, April 24, April 29, April 30, May 1, May 6, May 7, May 8. As of now, the times for these sessions are set for 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. Pacific. These exact times are subject to change. All of these workshops are mandatory. Fellows will pitch their screenplays to studio executives, production companies, investors, reps, and producers between May 12 and May 16. The exact time of these virtual pitches will be assigned closer to the date. These pitch meetings are dictated by the schedules of execs, so they may take place at any time of day May 12-May 16, and potentially in the days before or after. Fellows must keep their schedule flexible during this time. This is an intensive time commitment, and there will be lots of work to do outside of the sessions. Please only apply if you are eager to commit fully to this schedule.

All applicants must pay a submission fee to apply. This fee ranges depending on when you submit. The accepted fellows will participate in the program at no cost.

If you make it to the finalist round that means that you received an incredibly high score from our industry judges — congrats! All finalists will go through an interview on Zoom as the last stage of the competition. Out of that group of finalists, 8 fellows will be selected. These fellows are the official participants of the accelerator program and will have a chance to pitch to studio execs and producers at the end of the program.

No, you will not be pitching to everyone on board. Your screenplay will not be a good fit for every single studio, production company and producer signed on to hear pitches — for example, if you wrote a drama and they are only looking to develop comedies. Each studio, production company and producer who is on board will receive the loglines of all of the fellows’ screenplays. They will select at least three pitches to hear. This ensures that we respect the time of everyone who is signed on to hear pitches and that your pitch is only being heard by people who are actually interested, which means there’s a higher likelihood of your meeting(s) being successful.

Each pitch meeting will be scheduled for 20 minutes, with about 10 minutes to pitch and 10 minutes for you to answer questions.

This program will operate entirely online. Workshop sessions and pitches will be hosted through Zoom. You must have a reliable internet connection and video/audio capacity.

Yes, all applicants and accepted fellows retain the rights to their material. If a fellow sells their screenplay, Moonshot Initiative will publicly promote the accelerator’s role in the film’s development and sale.

All parties who will read scripts and hear pitches — including Moonshot members, script judges, production companies, studios, and program guests — are working in the industry and may already have similar projects in development. Submission waivers allow these parties to see your work without jeopardizing their own projects. You will be signing a submission waiver that is standard for the industry.

It is always a good idea to register your script with the WGA. We do not post any submitted materials online or share application materials publicly. We will only share your work with our trusted team of readers and judges.

If you sell your screenplay through this program, congratulations! We recommend getting an entertainment lawyer involved before signing any contracts. If a fellow sells a script as a result of participation in this program, Moonshot will receive acknowledgement in the credits and will publicly promote the accelerator’s role in the feature film’s development and sale. While our team at Moonshot will continue to champion our past fellows and promote their work, Moonshot Initiative will not be on board as a production company for any of these projects.

No, there is no required contribution. In the spirit of giving back, we hope that fellows who found the accelerator beneficial will give back to our scholarship program for our accelerators to help the next wave of writers.