Max Santana

Head of Script Competition

Raindance Film Festival • Freelance

Jan 2025 - Present • 1 yr 4 mos

As Script Competition Coordinator, I have overseen thousands of script submissions, with tasks including reading, evaluating, and judging. My role has been to ensure all deadlines are met, assign scripts to readers, and recruit a trusted team by evaluating their reading reports and experience. In addition, I have managed the jury for the script competition at the Raindance Film Festival. As leader of the jury, my responsibilities included recruiting jury members—all award-winning industry professionals—assigning scripts, and coordinating timelines to meet the final deadline. I was also in charge of engaging with the writers invited to the festival, making sure everything was in order during the ceremony. More recently, with the mission to revamp the competition, I have taken on the coordination of my first full edition from the ground up. My role includes reaching out to award-winning production companies to establish strategic partnerships with the festival, successfully securing development meetings for winners and selected participants, alongside building several additional collaborations currently in progress. Notable partnerships include Bosena (Rose of Nevada) and Tempo Productions (I Swear), two of the most exciting and forward-thinking production companies working in the UK today. This has given me valuable experience interacting with industry professionals, securing deals, and finding a balance where all needs are met and partnerships benefit both sides. Continuously, I oversee all submissions entering the festival, offering written feedback and one-on-one consultations when needed. I act as the primary interaction point for the competition, which is part of the Raindance Film Festival, the largest in the UK focusing on independent cinema.