How do I apply?
Impact applications are currently closed. Subscribe to our newsletter to be the first to know when applications for our next program are open.
Can I submit more than one idea?
No, only one full application can be submitted per person/team. However, you can list the loglines of a few alternative ideas towards the end of your application.
What kind of idea can I submit?
As of now, Impact is only accepting applications for scripted television series and feature films. You may only submit adaptation ideas if the work is in the public domain or you have all the rights to the IP you would like to adapt. We are not accepting ideas for non-scripted television, variety shows, documentaries, or remakes/sequels, but we have plans to expand into additional formats in the future.
Can I submit the same idea that I submitted for a previous Impact program?
Yes, you may submit the same idea. However, unless the idea and/or your answers to the application questions have been improved upon since your last Impact application, the likelihood of the same idea getting a better result than the first time around are slim!
How do I know you won’t steal my idea?
If you receive as many pitches and ideas as we do, it’s unavoidable that there may be some overlap between ideas that are submitted and ideas of our own that may make it to the screen one day. Imagine does not intend to repurpose any ideas we may read while reviewing Impact applications.
What's on the application?
The application consists of questions regarding you and your project, along with areas for you to upload:
- A 30-second video of you explaining why we should pick you for the Impact program
- A full-length screenplay or teleplay (or play, short story or novel if you’ve never written a screenplay) that showcases your writing ability
- A link to a previously produced work of yours (if applicable) The video and sample written work are required. Any application that does not include them will be disqualified.
How long should my application answers be?
You should use as much space as you need to answer each question but we encourage you to be concise.
How should I pick a writing sample?
You should use your best judgement and upload the completed work that best represents your ability to execute the idea you are submitting. For most people, that would be a completed script that is in the same format and genre as the application idea you are submitting (e.g. if you are submitting an application for a half-hour comedy series idea, your writing sample would be a half-hour comedy pilot that you've already finished). Alternatively, you can upload a draft of the project you are submitting as your application idea.
However, that is a suggestion and not a requirement, and we understand if your best previous work might not be exactly similar to what you want to work on during Impact. We also understand if you are a writer of a different format who's just transitioning to screenwriting and would like to submit a play or novel.
I tried to submit my application but it seems that nothing happened. What do I do?
Usually when an applicant has trouble submitting, that means their application is incomplete. You will notice that the completed questions are outlined in green. Please review your application, looking for a red outlined box that indicates a question that was not filled out. Fill in those red boxes, and click the submit button again.
When will I know if I got in?
Everyone who applies to an Impact program will be notified of their application status within eight weeks of the application deadline.
How do you choose Creators to interview? Why didn’t I get in?
We cannot offer feedback on individual Impact applications, as there is no one reason to explain why someone may or may not have been chosen. The median submission we receive is most likely good. Therefore, rejection doesn’t necessarily mean your application was particularly bad, just that there are a sufficient number of others that seemed like a particularly good fit. We can only interview a fixed number of Creators, no matter how many good ones apply. From that cutoff down to about the halfway point, the applications are pretty good, but they were just pushed down by other applicants who were particularly stellar.