What Makes an Award-Winning Feature Film Screenplay

SCRIPT 726.18

Identify what makes acclaimed feature films so powerful and compelling in this lecture on award-winning films.

What you can learn.

Identify similarities of top award-winning films in terms of plot and characterization
Identify how to develop outstanding narrative structure and lead characters
Get insight into qualities and techniques that help films reach wider audiences and earn accolades
Leave with a better understanding of how to incorporate award-winning patterns into your own feature film screenplays

About this course:

What do all the Oscar, BAFTA or Golden Globe award-winning/nominated features have in common? All share vital underlying similarities in terms of plot and characterization. By analyzing exactly why these screenplays reached much wider audiences than many anticipated, universal methods for developing outstanding narrative structure and lead characters are illuminated. Upon the conclusion of this seminar you leave with a better understanding of the patterns that are prevalent in these acclaimed works, empowering you to apply them in your own work.

Winter 2026 Schedule

March 8

Sunday 10:00AM - 1:00PM PT

Future Offering (Opens November 03, 2025 12:00:00 AM)

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Instructor: Barney Lichtenstein

406348

Live Online

Location: Remote Classroom

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Notes

Enrollment limited; early enrollment advised. Visitors not permitted. Internet access required.

This course is held via video teleconference. As such, instructors use Zoom to offer a live class meeting at the designated time. Students must be present at the course meeting time to participate in the class.

Course Requirements

Internet access required to retreive course materials.

Schedule

Type

Date

Time

Location

Online

Sun Mar 8, 2026

10:00AM PT - 1:00PM PT

Remote Classroom