Team Leader & Crew Requirements

• BC Residence: The Team Leader must live in British Columbia.

• Open Age: Participants can be any age.

• Open Experience: All skill levels can join.

If you are an author AND filmmaker, submit your script and then stay tuned to sign up your film team on August 28th!

Production Constraints

• Music / Stock Footage Rights: You must own or license all stock footage / audio used.

We welcome completed works including novels, novellas, short stories, children’s and young adult books, graphic novels, memoirs, narrative nonfiction, and other works suitable for short-film adaptation.

All genres and perspectives are welcome. We are proudly LGBTQ2S+ friendly and encourage stories that reflect diverse identities, cultures, relationships, faiths, and lived experiences. Religious, political, and socially focused stories may be submitted, provided they do not promote hatred, discrimination, harassment, or violence toward individuals or communities.

Filmmakers must identify any sensitive or mature content, including:

• Violence, abuse, self-harm, sexual content, or substance use

• Strong language, discrimination, or hate speech

• Religious or political extremism

• Illness, pregnancy loss, animal harm, or other potentially distressing themes

A content note will not automatically disqualify a submission. It helps organizers, cast, and production teams make informed decisions.

We will not accept works that promote hatred, exploitation, sexualize minors, glorify non-consensual conduct, encourage dangerous or illegal activity, or use AI-generated content or copyrighted material without permission.

The festival may decline or request changes to any submission that cannot be adapted safely, respectfully, legally, or within the event’s production guidelines.

1. Pitch: Authors submit their book and adaptation idea.

2. Review: Our team reviews pitches for eligibility and film potential.

3. Select: Approved pitches are shared with filmmakers, who rank their favourites.

4. Match: Authors and film teams are matched based on rankings and production fit.

5. Create: Teams produce a film adaptation of five minutes or less.

6. Submit: Completed films and release forms are submitted by the deadline. Eligible films are shown at the festival.

Participation is $20 per team.

Submissions are now closed for Shelf to Screen Fest 2027.

If you are interested in joining an existing team, please join our instagram or Facebook community!