Festival dossier

Diverse Story Showcase

United States · Est. 2016 · Established legitimate festival with meaningful track record

Tier BTrusted
United States
65
Legitimacy Score

Should I submit?

Solid signals — do normal diligence

Tier B looks established enough for many filmmakers. Check fees, programming fit, and recent editions before submitting.

  • No physical screenings
  • 10 years of verifiable history
  • 3 verified pro signals

Overview

The Diverse Story Showcase recognizes scripts, books, short stories & stage plays in any genre that features a story with diverse elements (such as a lead character from, or a story about, an under-represented community. "Under-represented" may include race, gender, sexual orientation, religious group, political affiliation, or physical or mental challenges. The showcase is designed to support new(ish) and aspiring writers by awarding a cash prize to help sustain, or kickstart, a writing career. == SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS == SCREENPLAYS *Feature film screenplays - up to 165 pages *Television scripts - up to 90 pages *Short scripts - up to 25 pages *Stories in any genre *Produced or unproduced BOOKS, MANUSCRIPTS & SHORT STORIES *Fiction or narrative nonfiction *Any length *Stories in any genre *Published or unpublished STAGE PLAYS *Any length *Stories in any genre *Produced or unproduced TITLE PAGE IS REQUIRED Must include: *Title *Name(s) of writer(s) *If an adaptation, also include the title & writer(s) of the source material ***PLEASE NOTE*** -- The Diverse Story Showcase is not a film festival - it is a writing showcase and is conducted exclusively online. There is no in-person event. There is only one round of judging, and only one winner is selected each year.

Last updated Sep 12, 2026

Legitimacy Analysis

Positive Indicators (+30 pts)

  • 10 years of verifiable history
  • 3 verified pro signals
  • Verified trusted status
  • Legitimacy signals outweigh concerns (3 vs 1)

Red Flags (-15 pts)

  • No physical screenings

Trust Signals

Positive Signals

  • FilmFreeway Gold festival
  • Documented history with archived programs
  • Has FilmFreeway community ratings

Festival Details

Founded

2016

Visit Festival Website

FilmFreeway communityGold festival

Avg. rating

3.8/ 5

Reviews

22

Synced 4 days ago

  • Filmmaker

    Thank you for including my TV pilot, “My Favorite Narcissist” in your competition. It was an honor to be included.

  • Filmmaker

    The Diverse Story Showcase is vital in today’s fractious climate, and I appreciate its courage and commitment. I am honored to have been selected for my theatrical stage play, featuring both BIPOC and LGBTQIA characters. Representation matters.

  • Filmmaker

    I was honored to have my script South Wind Come selected in the Diverse Story Showcase.

  • Filmmaker

    A great news venue for writers to gain exposure.

  • Filmmaker

    I would try this competition again when I can afford to.

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At a glance

Legitimacy Score65/100
TierTier B
Reviews0
Community Reports0
FilmFreeway3.8★ · 22

How scoring works

Scores are calculated from structural indicators: accreditations, physical screenings, award category count, submission frequency, and acceptance rate. Higher scores reflect more verifiable legitimacy signals.

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