Script Swap

2025

A New Opportunity for Screenwriters

The Script Swap program offers Australian screenwriters an opportunity to receive constructive feedback from their peers and gain recognition for their achievements.

Six screenplays will also have the chance to win one of the Best Screenplay Awards at the 2025 Adelaide Independent Film Festival.

How to Participate

Please submit your screenplay(s) via FilmFreeway or email aiff@auteursforum.com between
28 March - 25 April 2025.

On 14 June 2025, you will receive an email with the screenplay assigned to you for review.

For more information on how to participate, please refer to the FAQ section below.

Best Screenplay Awards

Best Screenplay
All screenplays entered (excl. South Australia) will be considered for the Best Screenplay Award.

Best South Australian Screenplay
The AIFF is delighted to announce a new award for South Australian screenwriters.

All South Australian screenplays entered will be considered for the Best South Australian Screenplay Award, proudly sponsored by The Mercury.

Nominations
The nominations for the 2025 Script Swap program will be announced on 17 August 2025.

A panel of judges will review six screenplays, with the winners announced at the 2025 Adelaide Independent Film Festival.

Feedback

By participating in the Script Swap program, you are required to provide constructive feedback. A form will be provided for you to complete and return to the AIFF by 12 July 2025.

On 13 September 2025, you will receive the feedback associated with your screenplay.

Note: If you submit multiple screenplays, please be prepared to complete additional forms.

Feedback (Industry)

This year, the AIFF is delighted to offer you the option to receive feedback from an industry professional.

Please submit your screenplay(s) under the Feedback (Industry) category on FilmFreeway. If you would like to participate in the Script Swap program, please tick the appropriate box when submitting, and we’ll include it in the program.

Please refer to the FAQ section below for the specific eligibility requirements.

Note: You are not required to participate in the program if you only want feedback from an industry professional.

2025 Timeline

28 March - 25 April: Submissions open

14 June: Screenplays assigned for feedback

12 July: Feedback due

17 August: Nominations

13 September: Screenwriters provided with feedback

18 October: Best Screenplay Awards winners announced

“For screenwriters, exploring craft and wrangling story in a short format is great experience and a pathway to production. It's the haiku of storytelling, wrapping up tone, character, setting and story into a package with constraints. Script Swap offers something fresh and unique for Australian writers: constructive feedback along with the opportunity to have your work recognised and noticed.”

Jonathan Champ
Screenwriter

Are you working on a grant application and must polish your screenplay before submitting it?

Are you approaching principal photography and must refine your screenplay to avoid shooting unnecessary scenes?

FAQs

  • The Script Swap program is a new initiative that provides Australian screenwriters an opportunity to receive constructive feedback from their peers and gain recognition for their achievements. Six screenplays will have the chance to win one of the Best Screenplay Awards at the 2025 Adelaide Independent Film Festival.

  • Screenwriters who wish to participate can submit their screenplay(s) through FilmFreeway or via email. Each screenplay will be assigned to another participant for review. All participants are required to complete a feedback form by the due date. After the program concludes, we’ll provide the feedback to the respective screenwriters. For details regarding the Best Screenplay Awards, please refer to the awards section above.

  • To participate in the Script Swap program, please submit under the SCRIPT SWAP category through FilmFreeway and complete the application form between 28 March - 25 April 2025.

    Alternatively, you’re welcome to send us an email with your screenplay(s) attached.

    Note: Screenplays must be under 20 pages and formatted to the industry standard. Please review the specific FAQs for the eligibility criteria.

  • Please submit your screenplay(s) under the SCRIPT SWAP category between 28 March - 25 April 2025. If you’re a first-time user, you’ll need to create a FilmFreeway account. For returning users, simply add your screenplay to a new project. Once your project is set up, select the free category and follow the submission process.

    For helpful tips on setting up an account or creating a new project, please visit FilmFreeway’s Help Centre

    Alternatively, you’re welcome to send us an email with your screenplay(s) attached.

    Note: Screenplays must be under 20 pages and formatted to the industry standard. Please review the specific FAQs for the eligibility criteria.

  • To be eligible for the program, screenplays should be 20 pages or less. If you have a screenplay that is longer, please only submit 20 pages and outline in your application the total pages of your screenplay. For example, 30 pages in total.

  • Yes! We don’t charge any fees to participate in the program. If you'd like feedback from an industry professional, please submit your screenplay(s) under the paid option labelled FEEDBACK (INDUSTRY).

  • Of course! Follow the ‘How do I participate in the program?’ to get started. The Script Swap program is open to all screenwriters across Australia.

  • All participants are required to provide constructive feedback on the dedicated feedback form. If you submit multiple screenplays, please be prepared to complete additional feedback forms. Your feedback is due no later than 12 July 2025.

  • Your screenplay will be assigned to another screenwriter participating in the program and vice versa. If you’re an established screenwriter, we’ll aim to pair your screenplay with a screenwriter who has similar strengths.

  • If we’ve not received your feedback by 12 July 2025, you’ll be ineligible for the Best Screenplay Awards.

  • The Script Swap program is designed to strengthen screenplays for production or grant applications through peer-to-peer feedback.

  • The AIFF has no intention of producing your screenplay without going through the Option Purchase Agreement process and legally obtaining the rights. We also have strict rules that each participant must adhere to throughout the program.

  • Please use one of the free software programs or format your Microsoft Word document to match the industry standards. If your screenplay is not formatted correctly, it’ll be considered ineligible for the program.

  • You’ll receive the feedback associated with your screenplay via email on 13 September 2025.

  • Absolutely! If you’ve completed the feedback form before 12 July 2025, you’re more than welcome to send it to us earlier. However, please ensure you have reviewed your feedback for any spelling mistakes prior to sending it to us.

  • As long as each screenplay is no longer than 20 pages, you can submit as many as you like. If you submit multiple screenplays, please be prepared to complete additional feedback forms.

  • Please submit your screenplay(s) using the paid option labelled FEEDBACK (INDUSTRY) on FilmFreeway and follow the submission process.

    If you’re a first-time user, you’ll need to create a FilmFreeway account. For returning users, simply add your screenplay to a new project.

    For helpful tips on setting up an account or creating a new project, please visit FilmFreeway’s Help Centre

    Note: Screenplays must be under 20 pages and formatted to the industry standard. Please review the specific FAQs for the eligibility criteria.

  • No. If you want to participate in the Script Swap program, simply tick the appropriate box when submitting your screenplay for feedback, and we’ll include it in the program.

    Please note: Participation in the Script Swap program is only valid between 28 March - 25 April 2025.

  • Of course you can. We’ll assign your screenplay to another student (if available) in the program to review and vice versa.