“Come Into the Bowl! Halfway Through the Competition, Prizes and Investors Are Waiting!”
First “Chinese Writers Association in the U.S. Cup” Global Micro-Series Scriptwriting Competition Reaches Midpoint
July 30, 2024
The inaugural “Chinese Writers Association in the U.S. Cup” Global Micro-Series Scriptwriting Competition has officially reached the halfway point. While many entries have already been submitted, the organizing committee has received numerous inquiries from prospective participants about submission rules and procedures. To clarify the details, our reporter Fanyu conducted an online interview with Dr. Li Xian, Chairman of the Organizing Committee, answering the most frequently asked questions.
Why Launch This Competition?
Dr. Li explained that the rapid growth of the internet, short videos, and portable HD devices has made micro-series a rising phenomenon in global film and television culture. “This competition aims to promote innovation in micro-series while giving writers a platform to showcase their talents,” he said. Organized by the Chinese Writers Association in the U.S., hosted by Dreamood Pictures, and co-organized by the World Chinese Microfiction Research Association, the event seeks to discover outstanding scripts and compile winning entries into an anthology titled Winning Works of the First ‘Chinese Writers Association in the U.S. Cup’ Global Micro-Series Scriptwriting Competition. Dr. Li also emphasized that the initiative hopes to support the production of winning scripts into fully realized micro-series.
What Makes This Competition Unique?
According to Dr. Li, the competition stands out in three key ways:
It focuses specifically on “micro-series for film and television,” defining the type of eligible submissions.
It emphasizes the “literary script” as the required format.
Unlike many other competitions, it offers cash prizes and invites Hollywood investors to review submissions and potentially invest in production.
“Micro-series production shifts the focus from directors to writers, highlighting the scriptwriter’s central role,” Dr. Li noted. “Having been a full-time TV drama writer in China, I have a deep passion for scripts. Launching this competition on a global scale reflects that passion.”
Prizes and Investment Opportunities
The competition will award:
First Prize: $1,000 (1 winner)
Second Prize: $500 each (2 winners)
Third Prize: $300 each (5 winners)
Special Awards: Best Newcomer, Best Creativity, and Excellence Awards (20 recipients, certificates only)
Dr. Li clarified that submission of entries implies consent to allow the organizers to publish, promote, and disseminate works online. Winning works may also be translated into other languages. If a script is adopted by a production company, authors negotiate fees directly with the company; prizes from the competition are independent of any production contracts.
Themes and Eligibility
Participants may choose from five themes reflecting current micro-series trends:
Triumphant Comeback: Overcoming adversity and achieving success.
Personal Growth: From ordinary to extraordinary through character development.
Romantic Love: Exploring the complexity of love through passion and enduring relationships.
Feminism: Characters pursuing equality, freedom, and empowerment.
Cultural Clash: Depicting cross-cultural encounters, conflicts, and reconciliation.
The competition is open globally, with submissions accepted in Chinese or English. More than 30 literary organizations worldwide support the event, including associations in North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania.
Ensuring Quality and Authority
To guarantee fairness, top industry experts have been appointed as advisors, including acclaimed writers, professors, producers, and executives from the film and television sector. Notable advisors include Ye Xin, Cao Wenxuan, Lisa Yang, and Liu Siran. Their involvement ensures the competition maintains the highest standards of credibility and authority.
Submission Requirements and Deadline
Entries must be original and include:
A synopsis under 2,000 words
Character bios
Scripts for 20 episodes
Each episode should run 1–2 minutes, with 60–80 episodes in total, not exceeding 90 minutes. Submissions are accepted from May 15 to August 30, 2024. Dr. Li encouraged aspiring writers: “This is the chance to turn your scripts into micro-series, produce them, and share them with the world. As M&M’s says: ‘Come into the bowl!’”
How to Submit
Participants can submit entries via the QR code for the competition and send all documents to: support@chinesewritersusa.org
