AUSTIN, TX (April 3, 2024) – Realm, an independent audio entertainment company, announces a brand new partnership with Austin Film Festival to sponsor the 2024 Fiction Podcast Competition. The partnership includes a distinguished Fiction Podcast Award and Fellowship presented by Realm at this year’s festival.
Molly Barton, CEO and Co-Founder of Realm, said about the sponsorship, “At Realm, we develop, produce and distribute many different kinds of podcasts, though audio drama holds a special place on our slate. We’ve put more scripted podcasts on Apple’s top charts than any other company, and are particularly focused on producing original horror and thriller podcasts. So we are especially excited to partner with the Austin Film Festival to identify and celebrate new audio storytelling talent through AFF’s Fiction Podcast Competition.”
The Fiction Podcast Award and Fellowship presented by Realm is looking for audio series in the Horror, Thriller, or Romance/Soapy space focusing on Millennial or Gen-Z women. Realm is looking for pilot scripts with a rough page count of 25-40 pages. This pilot should establish the world of the show, primary character and a sense of the journey they will go on, and the stakes and tone of the show, as well as evaluating it for audio-forwardness. Scripts should be already adapted for audio, they are not currently evaluating screenplay or teleplay material.
Winners will receive a $1,000 cash prize and a $500 travel reimbursement to attend the 31st annual Austin Film Festival happening October 24 – 31, 2024. In addition, Realm executives will also have one-on-one meetings with fellowship winners and provide script feedback.
AFF’s 2024 Podcast Script Competition is now open for submissions. Podcast submission deadlines are as follows: Early Bird Deadline March 22, Regular Deadline April 19, Late Deadline May 24, and Extended Deadline July 6.
ABOUT REALM:
Led by Molly Barton and team members from CAA, Disney, Warner Brothers, Spotify, and NBC Universal, Realm is an industry-leading studio and global podcast network. Realm partners with top-tier talent and entertainment companies, including Blumhouse, Paramount, Warner Bros, DC, AMC Networks, Marvel, Spotify, and iHeart, to develop, produce, distribute, and monetize immersive audio series that deeply engage audiences.
Realm has brought more top-charting fiction shows to audiences than any competitor, with 8 shows hitting #1 on Apple Podcasts. Realm’s podcasts have been nominated for and won numerous awards, including Audies, Ambies, Webbys, Signal Awards, and iHeart Podcast Awards. Realm Originals have been translated into over a dozen languages, reaching listeners in over 195 countries. 8 Realm Originals are currently in development for Film/TV.
Notable titles include the #1 Spotify podcast HARLEY QUINN & THE JOKER: SOUND MIND starring Christina Ricci and Billy Magnussen, THE FLASH: ESCAPE THE MIDNIGHT CIRCUS starring Max Greenfield, and fan favorites OUTLIERS voiced by Rory Culkin, IF I GO MISSING THE WITCHES DID IT starring Oscar-nominated actress Gabourey Sidibe; ORPHAN BLACK: THE NEXT CHAPTER and POWER TRIP starring Emmy-winner Tatiana Maslany; MARIGOLD BREACH starring Jameela Jamil and Manny Jacinto; and ECHO PARK starring Harry Shum Jr. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
ABOUT AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL & WRITERS CONFERENCE
Entering its thirty-first year, Austin Film Festival & Writers Conference is a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the art, craft and business of writers and filmmakers and recognizing their contributions to film, television, theater, and new media. AFF champions the work of aspiring and established storytellers by providing unique cultural events and services, enhancing public awareness and participation, and encouraging dynamic and long-lasting community partnerships. This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of The City of Austin Economic Development Department and Texas Commission on the Arts. The 31st Annual Austin Film Festival will take place October 24 – 31, 2024. All attendees and events are based on permitting schedules and are subject to change and/or cancellation without notice. Badges and passes are available for purchase online at www.austinfilmfestival.com or by phone at 1-800-310-FEST.
