Show us your screenwriting talent for a chance to train as a writer in Vancouver, Canada

You must complete the following to apply:

1. A completed scholarship application form.
2. A 6-8-page short film script, written in English, with 1-3 speaking characters. The script must be a “feel-good” story that praises positive principles such as solidarity, loyalty, forgiveness, kindness, love, compassion, hope, sympathy, joy, etc. Scripts that do not meet these criteria will be disqualified. The jury will critique all scripts using the following criteria:
   
   1. Narrative Structure.
   2. Creation of Dialogue.
   3. Character Creation.
3. In addition to uploading in the submission form below, physical copies of the following documents must be couriered to Calle Manuel M. Ponce 347, Col. Guadalupe Inn, Alvaro Obregon. CP. 01020 Mexico: 
   
   1. A clear copy of a government-issued photo ID indicating your date of birth and legal name.
   2. Two letters of recommendation that include the contact information for your references. References should include comments on your creative ability, work ethic, ability to take criticism, ability to work in a team environment, and previous accomplishments.
   3. Transcripts from any institution you attended within the past five years (copies will suffice).
   4. If English is not your native language, you must submit proof of your English proficiency, which can include any of the following (credentials must be valid at the time of submission):
      • IELTS (Academic) - Band 6.5 
      • TOEFL iBT - score of 80
      • TOEFL PBT - score of 550 
      • PTE - score of 55+
      • TOEIC - score of 785
      • CELPIP- Level 8
      • B2 First (formerly Cambridge English: First (FCE)) - Grade A
      • LPI - Level 5
      • Duolingo - score of 120
      • Transcripts from an English-speaking high school or an accredited English-speaking post-secondary institution.
4. A resume detailing your work history and education.
5. An open letter (500 - 750 words) addressed to the VFS Scholarship Committee explaining why you feel you deserve to win this scholarship. Outline exactly how you intend to leverage this scholarship towards your career in the entertainment industry.
   Explain why you believe you can be successful in the industry and your plan on achieving success if you receive the scholarship.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Scholarship winners must pay $150 CAD application fee if they accept the scholarship.

IMPORTANT NOTE: These requirements are mandatory, without exception. All documents (except transcript) must be in English and total files cannot exceed 10MB.

• The deadline to apply is May 24, 2024. Winners will be announced on June 7, 2024. Late submissions or incomplete applications will not be accepted.
• Scholarships must be redeemed for the following start dates: January 6 or May 5, 2025.
• Applicants must be at least 19 years old or have graduated high school during or after the 2018 school year.
• The Vancouver Film School – Latin America Writing for Film, Television & Games Scholarship applies only to the Writing for Film, Television & Games program at VFS and cannot be applied to any other VFS program.
• If selected, the student must cover their flight, accommodation, meals and international insurance (assess approximate cost of living in Canada). Given the intensive nature of VFS's programs, it's unrealistic for you to plan to work while studying your year at VFS.
• The selected winners will need to send their portfolio required by VFS for the program selected.
• All materials supplied with the application will not be returned.
• Applicants who have already been accepted into a VFS program can apply for this scholarship; however, this scholarship must be used singularly and cannot be used in combination with any other bursary or scholarship already received. Previous applicants must re-submit their application with a completed scholarship application form.
• Employees and contractors of scholarship providers, media partners, and members of the scholarship selection committee and their spouses or immediate family members are not eligible to apply for this scholarship.
• If the winner cannot commit to attending VFS for any reason within two weeks of being notified that he or she has been selected to receive a scholarship, another scholarship winner will be chosen.
• Scholarships will be awarded based on the applicant’s talent, creativity, discipline, and focus, as well as the selection criteria outlined for this scholarship, and the applicant must meet all admissions requirements.
• The winning recipient will be required to maintain a weekly blog that captures and illustrates their experience in attending the VFS Writing for Film, Television & Games program. All setup and hosting costs will be covered by VFS.

• Winners will be announced on June 7, 2024.
• The judging committee will consist of faculty and representatives from VFS, as well as scholarship providers. All committee decisions are final and irrefutable.

• Vancouver Film School reserves the right to cancel this competition at any time, at its sole discretion, in the event of any administrative conflict or error. Vancouver Film School reserves the right to modify the rules of this contest in any way or at any time as long as reasonable notice is given. This competition is void where prohibited by law and is subject to all applicable Federal, Provincial, State, and local laws and regulations.
• Acceptance of a scholarship allows Vancouver Film School to use your name, photograph or likeness and testimonials in print, broadcast or online media in perpetuity, in any manner in which VFS may deem appropriate in connection with promoting this competition or any other competition or promotion sponsored by VFS, without further compensation.
• By participating in this competition, you agree that Vancouver Film School, members of the Selection Committee and those involved in the development, production, implementation and distribution of this competition and their respective parent companies, affiliates, subsidiaries, service providers, and agencies and their directors, officers, agents, employees, attorneys, and any other person or entity associated with such entities and/or this compassion (hereafter collectively called the “Sponsors”) are not liable for any claims, damages, losses or injuries, including third party claims, arising from or relating to, in whole or in part, this competition, including your entry and participation in this competition, the submission of your application package, the evaluation of your application package, acceptance, use or misuse of the scholarship or any injury to you or any other person’s computer related to or resulting from downloading or receiving via return e-mail any part of this competition information.
• You further agree that you will not hold Vancouver Film School, their affiliates, subsidiaries, directors, officers, agents, employees, attorneys, and any other person or entity associated with Vancouver Film School liable for any claims, losses, damages or injuries, arising from or relating to their use of your name or address for mailing and any other promotional materials. You also agree that in the event of any third-party claims, damages, losses or injuries arising from or relating to this competition, you will indemnify Sponsors from any and all such claims, including the attorney’s fees related thereto. Sponsors shall not be liable for applications that are delayed, lost, misdirected, miss- delivered, marked postage-due, illegible, mutilated, incorrect or incomplete and such entries will not be eligible for this competition.
• This scholarship has no cash value.

Thank you for applying. The amount of time and effort demonstrated in submitting this application tells us how dedicated you are. We wish you the best of luck in pursuing the Latin America Writing for Film, Television & Games Scholarship!