May 1, 2008, is the deadline to submit entries for the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' 23rd annual Don and Gee Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting competition.
As per the Academy's press release, the competition "is open to screenwriters who have not earned more than $5,000 writing for film or television. Entry scripts must be the original work of a sole author or of exactly two collaborative authors. Entries must have been written originally in English. Adaptations and translated scripts are not eligible. Up to five $30,000 fellowships are awarded each year."
Among the past Nicholl fellows have gone on to successful screenwriting careers are Doug Atchison (Akeelah and the Bee), Mike Rich (Radio, The Rookie, Finding Forrester), Ehren Kruger (Arlington Road, The Ring, Reindeer Games, Scream 3), and Andrew Marlowe (Air Force One, Hollow Man, End of Days).
Nicholl fellow (1992) and Academy Award nominee (for Erin Brockovich) Susannah Grant, who most recently wrote and directed Catch and Release (2007), will once again act as the Nicholl Committee Chair. Grant's writing credits also include 28 Days, Ever After, In Her Shoes, Charlotte's Web, and Pocahontas.
Last year's competition drew more than 5,000 entries. Since the program's inception in 1985, 103 fellowships have been awarded.
Application information is available now on the Academy's Web site at www.oscars.org/nicholl; entries must be postmarked no later than May 1.
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