The Niraj Bhatia SCRIPtease Challenge

Thanks to the The Niraj Bhatia Scholarship For Excellence, Hardfun is proud to announce that three applicants will receive SCRIPtease Narrative Podcast productions of their scripts with professional actors and post-production. Recorded for both Audio and Video, the Scriptease format highlights the writing of the piece and the potential of the project. Stand out from the other scripts on the "to read" pile by bringing your vision to life . Perfect for fundraising, pitching, selling, or promoting your work and your voice however you choose. Free to apply for a limited time, so don't wait -- we want to help you make you script come alive for agents, producers, executives and talent!

Hardfun is proud to announce The Niraj Bhatia SCRIPtease Challenge --

Thanks to a generous donation from The Niraj Bhatia Foundation, Hardfun is now able to offer three applicants the chance to have their scripts turned into a narrative audio/video podcast they can use to promote, fundraisers or sell their projects, valued at $3,000.

Drawing inspiration from the tradition of informal staged readings in the theatre — the SCRIPtease format celebrates writing with no frills or fakery, utilizing the spontaneity and instincts of the performers in the moment. The actual script pages scroll by on screen, while the actors bring it to life with mics and headphones visible, allowing the story to leap off the page and leaving you itching to see it fully realized.

“Supporting the creation of these Scriptease Podcasts is my way of supporting the next generation of filmmakers. I believe anybody with a passion for storytelling should get a shot at seeing their vision realized. I can’t wait to see what amazing stories you make. I’ll be watching closely, and who knows -- maybe someday I’ll be working with you on set.”

— Niraj Bhatia, Producer, Filmmaker, and Philanthropist.

Free to apply through the month of October 2025. After November 1st there will be a nominal $15 processing fee.

Final application deadline will be December 1st, 2025 11:59pm PST

The Challenge is open for anyone to apply, just fill out a simple form and upload the first 20 pages of your script. If you ware applying after November 1st 2025 and have extenuating circumstances why the $15 administrative fee is prohibitive, please contact us for a fee waiver.

Unfortunately, we are not accepting Writing Teams.

HOW TO APPLY:

Please fill out this simple form and upload a writing sample as PDF. Please no adaptations unless you are the author of the source material.

APPLICATION FEE:

Free to apply through October 31st, 2025 11:59 PST

$15 processing fee after November 1st.

Applications will be closed December 1st 11:59pm PST

Apply Now

* Indicates required info

INTRODUCTION to yourself, your interests and ambitions regarding writing, your influences, what you think your strengths are, where you feel you can improve. 500 words max.

LOGLINE of the project you want to start or continue work on. 200 character max.

SUMMARY of the project. 500 words max.

ADDITIONAL info you would like us to know that would make a you a good fit for this program and/or deserving of the Niraj Bhatia Scholarship. 250 words max.

WRITING SAMPLE from the project you would like the produce as a SCRIPtease. For The Niraj Bhatia SCRIPtease Challenge please limit the submission to 15-25 pages. If a longer work, look for most dramatic point that will leave the audience wanting more, e.g. the first act of an hour-long pilot, or feature. Be sure to include a cover page that attributes you as author.

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