2024 RisingStories International Story Pitching Competition Launches, Inviting Original Submissions from Asian Screenwriters
TAIPEI, August 22, 2024 - The highly anticipated "2024 RisingStories International Story Pitching Competition" is set to launch on August 26, marking its third edition as a premier platform for discovering and nurturing creative talent in storytelling across Asia and beyond. Organizers announced the competition's exciting new features and expanded scope at a press conference held today in Taipei.
Organized by Studio76 Original Productions, in collaboration with Taiwan’s industry leaders CK Stanley International Media, Muwav Digital Studio, SunStrong Entertainment Malaysia and Paul Monkey Creatives, along with regional media partners ContentAsia, PIXNET Digital Media, and Sanlih E-Television, the competition has seen remarkable growth since its inception in 2021. The event has evolved into an important launchpad for aspiring writers and creators looking to break into the competitive Asian entertainment industry.
Dennis Yang, Managing Director of Studio76, highlighted the competition's impressive trajectory. "In the competition’s last edition, we received nearly 800 Chinese and English submissions from over 15 countries and regions, marking a 50% increase from our inaugural event. This growth underscores the vital role Asian Stories plays in connecting fresh talent with industry opportunities," he stated.
The competition's impact extends beyond mere numbers. Yang pointed to success stories from previous years, including "Fix My Life," a story adapted from a Hong Kong submission, and "Throw Away Your Life," which has found success on Singapore's MediaCorp Channel 8. Other notable projects, like the original bank-heist story "Money On Fire" and "The Swamp Thing," continue to gain traction at prestigious industry events such as the Golden Horse Film Project Promotion(FPP) and Taiwan Creative Content Fest(TCCF).
This year's competition introduces several exciting new elements designed to push creative boundaries and respond to evolving industry trends. Highlights include:
- A special focus on romance under the subtheme "Romancing RisingStories," aiming to revitalize the beloved genre of romantic dramas and films that have long captivated Asian audiences.
- The introduction of a "micro-short drama" category, catering to the growing demand for bite-sized, high-concept content. This new format calls for series comprising 30-50 episodes, each running 1-3 minutes.
- A groundbreaking collaboration with ContentAsia to co-organize the ContentAsia Premiees, which will showcase outstanding Asian series during the competition's submission period.
"We're particularly excited about our 'Romancing RisingStories' subtheme," Yang elaborated. "Taiwanese romantic comedy and idol dramas have maintained a strong influence on Asian audiences for years. We hope to spark a renaissance in this genre, creating new peaks in idol dramas, romantic series, and love movies that resonate with today's viewers."
The competition has assembled an illustrious jury led by chair Angie Chai, known as the top-branded leader of Taiwan Idol Dramas. The panel includes a carefully selected group of established talents, such as Taipei Film Festival Best Actress Sandrine Pinna, Festival Internazionale del Film di Roma Best Actor Frederick Lee, Golden Bell Award-winning screenwriter Fan Chih-Chi, top Boys Love drama writer Lin Pei-yu, and Golden Bell Award-winning director Lai Meng-Chieh.
The competition offers a screenwriting contract worth NT$100,000 (or US$3,150) to each of the top three stories. This prize not only provides financial support but also offers a solid foundation for screen adaptation, connecting talented writers with industry professionals who can bring their visions to life.
The submission period for the "2024 RisingStories International Story Pitching Competition" runs from August 26 to late September 2024. Creators from all nationalities and regions are encouraged to participate, with submissions welcomed in Chinese.
"We're not just looking for good stories; we're searching for voices that can define a generation," Yang concluded. "Asian Stories is more than a competition—it's a movement to elevate Asian creativity on the global stage."
For more information, including submission guidelines and past winners, interested parties are encouraged to visit the official website (https://risingstories.com) and the official Facebook page of the "2024 RisingStories International Story Pitching Competition."
About Asian Stories:
The RisingStories International Story Pitching Competition, now in its third edition, is one of Taiwan's top events dedicated to discovering and nurturing creative talent in the Asian entertainment industry. By providing a platform for writers to showcase their original stories and connecting them with industry professionals, Asian Stories aims to bridge the gap between fresh ideas and screen adaptation, contributing to the vibrant landscape of Asian media content.
