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Marilyn Horowitz / PANO Screenwriting Award

PANO NETWORK INC

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Funding Amount

$5,000

Deadline

Rolling / Open

Grant Type

foundation

Overview

Marilyn Horowitz / PANO Screenwriting Award

Status: Program concluded; PANO organization ceased operations in 2025

Award Amount: $5,000 unrestricted cash prize

Geographic Scope: Primarily New York-based, but open to applicants nationally/internationally

Eligibility:

  • Applicant must identify as a woman, non-binary, or gender non-conforming writer

  • Must have written at least two completed feature film screenplays

  • Must be a paid member of PANO in good standing (Filmmaker or Veteran membership)

  • Non-members can submit with entry fee that includes one year of qualifying membership

  • Must apply with the same name listed on PANO profile

  • Must use real name and contact information

  • No co-writers or writing teams

  • Each eligible applicant may submit only one application

  • Ineligible: Produced scripts; scripts with major studio affiliation; scripts that have secured U.S. distribution; films in development, produced, financed, or initiated by major film studio or television network

    • Focus Areas: Original screenwriting for feature films with strong original voice

    What They Don't Fund:

  • Projects that promote hate or excessive violence

  • Pornographic or obscene content

  • Commercial advertising or products

    • Prize Details (Grand Prize Winner):

  • $5,000 unrestricted cash award

  • Two NYU textbooks by Marilyn Horowitz: "The 4 Magic Questions" and "How to Write A Screenplay in 10 Weeks"

  • "How To Sell Your Screenplay in 30 Days" written with Paula Landry ($100 value)

  • One hour of coaching with Marilyn Horowitz ($500 value)

  • One hour of coaching with Paula Landry ($300 value)

    • Prize Details (2nd Prize):

  • Two NYU textbooks by Marilyn Horowitz

  • "How To Sell Your Screenplay in 30 Days" ($100 value)

  • One hour of coaching with Marilyn Horowitz ($500 value)

  • One hour of coaching with Paula Landry ($300 value)

    • Prize Details (3rd Prize):

  • Two NYU textbooks by Marilyn Horowitz

  • "How To Sell Your Screenplay in 30 Days" ($100 value)

    • Requirements:

  • Screenplays must be 85-120 pages

  • Must be proofread and in industry-standard PDF format

  • Must be copyrighted and registered with the WGA

  • No produced or previously distributed scripts

  • Winners must share news of winning on website/social media with PANO's name and @panonetwork tag

  • Grand Prize Winner must submit report after 6 months on how grant was spent

  • Grand Prize Winner required to submit personal information (email, phone, address, bank info) for grant disbursement

    • Background: PANO (formerly NYC Women Filmmakers) served thousands of underrepresented filmmakers from 2015-2025. This award honors Marilyn Horowitz's contribution to screenwriting education and supports emerging female screenwriters.

    How to Apply

    Application Process

    Submission Deadline (Last Round):

  • Non-members: February 15, 2023

  • Current members: February 28, 2023

  • Winners announced: April 1, 2023

  • Awards event: May 2023 (weather and safety permitting, hosted in NYC)

    • Required Materials:
    1. Completed screenplay (85-120 pages, PDF format)
    2. Application form with personal information
    3. Entry fee (non-members; includes one year PANO membership)
    4. Proof of WGA registration for screenplay
    5. Proof of copyright on screenplay

    Submission Requirements:

  • Submit screenplay as PDF file

  • Industry-standard screenplay format required

  • Proofread and polished copy

  • Applicant information must match PANO profile name

  • Real name and contact information required

    • Terms & Conditions Agreement:

  • Applicants must agree to follow all rules and terms

  • Applicants grant PANO non-exclusive, royalty-free, sublicensable license to use project name, synopsis, description, genre, excerpts, images, and applicant name/likeness for promotional purposes in perpetuity

  • Winners agree to publicize their win on social media and websites

  • Grand Prize Winner must submit 6-month progress report

  • All selections by judging committee are final

  • Submission materials are non-returnable

  • Entry fees are non-refundable

    • Judging:

  • Panel of industry professionals and judges

  • All selections are final; no appeals process

    • Contact: Email or message PANO Network through their website

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    Focus Areas & Funding Uses

    Fields of Work

    womencreative-writing

    Categories

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