ScriptFest and The Great American PitchFest Seek Student Filmmakers

ScriptFest and The Great American PitchFest is taking mentoring to a whole new level with the official announcement of their Student Filmmaker Initiative. The program will sponsor up to 50 high school and college student filmmakers from around the world at their upcoming 14th annual event in Los Angeles on June 23-25, 2017.

Selected applicants will receive training opportunities and networking through the receipt of a complimentary bronze pass (value $300). The program is interested in helping young talents develop as writers and filmmakers who aspire to work in the entertainment industry.

Applications must be received by June 16th. For further details about the program or to apply, visit scriptfest.com/home/student-filmmakers.

This year's event will address the issue: 'How do we, as writers, effect change in the world to make it a better place'. Many of their guests will be discussing this concept and hopefully inspire others into action. Notable guest speakers/panelists include: Dustin Lance Black (Oscar-winning writer of MILK and most recently the celebrated LGBT mini-series WHEN WE RISE; Steve Oedekerk (Oscar nominated and Emmy winning multi-hyphenate best known for his collaborations with Jim Carrey on the ACE VENTURA franchise); and Katharine 'Kat' Kramer (Actress and Founder of Films That Change the World showcasing films that raise awareness about important social issues). Further guests will be announced in the coming weeks.

In addition to the conference, more than 120 top industry agents, managers, and production companies will hear pitches from new writers around the world at the Great American PitchFest, an event presented by ScriptFest.

"Great movies start with great scripts," say co-founders, Bob Schultz and Signe Olynyk. "We wanted to find a way to pay it forward to the next generation of story-tellers, and give emerging talent an opportunity to not only learn how to write a screenplay or TV show, but also to pitch their projects to actual industry executives who can help to get those projects made."

The annual event will be held at the Los Angeles Marriott Burbank Hotel & Convention Center (2500 N Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505).

Nearly 2,000 writers travel from around the world each year to participate in ScriptFest and the Great American PitchFest, also held in Canada and the UK. The upcoming event in Los Angeles is the largest event of its kind, specifically for screenwriters, and anyone can attend.

ScriptFest and the Great American PitchFest will be making a charitable donation to the LA Mission and the "It Gets Better" Project on behalf of all special guests. ScriptFest is a 501(c)3 corporation dedicated to education and career development opportunities for writers. For more information, visit www.scriptfest.com.