Before you complete the application, please review the eligibility requirements and check each box below to make sure your story is eligible.  Please be aware that claims on intellectual property are very important in the film industry. We will not be able to advance your story unless the ownership is clear and all paperwork is in order. Please see the FAQ for more details.

1. BIOGRAPHY: 

Who you are is as important to us as your story. In a paragraph or two, please tell us briefly about yourself personally and professionally, including a short bio, where you are based, and what region or area of expertise you cover.  (200 words)

Optional: What would you like us to know about your country of residence or where you’re from?

2. INVESTIGATION’S STORY:

a.) Write a logline: a one-line summary of your story. (This typically includes the setting, protagonist, antagonist, conflict, and goal. “A flamboyant law firm secretary works tirelessly to gain justice for a small town wrecked by a utility company’s pollution,” is the logline for the film Erin Brockovich. “In the timeless town of Macondo, seven generations of the Buendia family navigate love, oblivion, and the inescapability of their past and their fate,” is the logline for the television series One Hundred Years of Solitude.)

b.) Write a brief summary of the investigation. (40 words)

c.) Write a longer description of the investigation. Be as specific as you can about the details, story points, arc, people, and the context/backdrop. (600 words)

d.) Who are the main people (characters) in your story? Please provide a name and a one-sentence description for each character. (Note: They must be real people, not in any way fictionalized or composite characters.)  

e.) We prefer published materials but we will consider unpublished stories. If your published stories have unpublished elements that make the story more interesting, we strongly encourage you to include those in your pitch.

3. TIMELINE:

a.)  When did the story take place? Is it still unfolding today? Please lay out the timeline as clearly as possible. 

b.) When did you begin your investigation and how long did it take you to investigate and publish (if published)?

4. ACCESS AND SCOOP:

a.) Has any part of this story been covered before? Did your story provide any new information? If so, please explain.  Would you consider this a scoop?

b.) Do you have access to sources, relevant players, and the materials used in the investigation? 

c.) Is this story based entirely on your reporting? If not, please provide more details.

d.) Have you been in conversations about your story with the entertainment industry, including film, television, books, or podcasts?

5. WHY:

a.) Write a brief statement that addresses the specific importance of this investigation and its pressing global or local context. Why do you think this investigation is important to the public? (150 words)

b.) Was there impact from this investigation? If so, please describe. If not, what is the impact you would like to see as a result of this investigation?

c.) Optional: Are there films that reflect the kind of story you want to tell or the story you want to see on film?

6. INVESTIGATION CHALLENGES:

What were the challenges in reporting this story? Were there any dangers or threats?

7. NERD CORNER:

Please include any supporting articles, videos, or further information regarding this investigation (links).