Cafe Diem Mini Competition

Join our story from your angle
An open call for alternate truths, unwritten scenes, and new emotional angles.

🎬 About the Competition

This isn’t your typical fan contest. It’s a chance to take part in the evolving language of storytelling. One scene, one sentence at a time. Cafe Diem is a short film about grief, silence, and emotional detours. But what if the story took a different turn? That’s up to you.

We’re inviting viewers (not just professionals!) to shape the story from their angle.

You don’t need to be a screenwriter. You don’t need formatting. You just need a voice.

🎥 About the Film

Cafe Diem is the second original short film developed through Terafty’s signature scenario contest-to-screen process where stories aren’t just submitted, they’re selected, refined, and shaped into cinema.

Originally the runner-up of our 2nd Korean Short Film Scenario Contest, Cafe Diem stood out for its morally complex protagonist and its exploration of grief, death, and renewal through quiet provocation.

A funeral-themed therapy center. A savior dressed in black. Clients unsure if they want to live.

If you’ve ever rewritten a scene in your head after watching a film, this is for you.

✍️ Four Ways to Participate

Pick the angle that speaks to you.

1. Next Scene: What happens next?
2. Alternate Ending: Rewrite the final moments.
3. Tagline: One line that describes the film.
4. Review: Reflect, reframe, or interpret the film in your own voice.

No industry experience needed. No screenplay formatting required.
Just language — as raw or as refined as you want it to be.

🗓️ Key Dates

• Open for submission: May 27 – June 13, 2025
• Finalist announcement: June 18, 2025
• Winner announcement: June 20, 2025

🏆 What You’ll Receive

🎖️ Winner & Finalist Laurels
📣 Feature on Terafty’s global social channels
🖼️ Cafe Diem Photocard Set
💵 Cash Prize
Top entry in each category will receive a cash prize as follows:
– Next Scene – $40
– Alternate Ending – $40
– Review – $30
– Tagline – $20
🎯 Bonus Perks for Winner & Finalists
If you’re selected as a finalist or a winner in this competition:
– You’ll receive fast-track evaluation in the 4th Scenario Contest, with shortlisting results guaranteed within 1 week of submission.
– You’ll also receive feedback to strengthen future submissions.

*All listed prizes are for winners unless otherwise stated for finalists.
*Finalist count may vary (target: 2–4).
*Bonus perks apply to one entry only in the next Scenario Contest, even if multiple are submitted.

📤 How to Join

1. Watch the short film here (It’s free to watch)
2. Pick a category
3. Write your entry
4. Submit it at bit.ly/cafecomp

📌 Rules & Guidelines

• Languages: Entries accepted in English or Korean
• Word Limits:
  1. Next Scene / Alternate Ending: up to 500 words
  2. Review: up to 750 words
  3. Tagline: up to 15 words
• Submissions: One entry per category is allowed. You may submit to multiple categories.
• AI Use: AI-assisted writing is permitted, but must be clearly disclosed.
• Breach of any of the above rules, including undisclosed AI use, multiple entries in the same category, or exceeding word limits, may result in immediate disqualification.
• Rights: You retain full copyright. However, by submitting, you grant Terafty the right to feature your work (with credit) for promotional and showcase purposes.
• Cash Prize: Winners will receive their prize via PayPal only. Failure to provide a valid PayPal account may result in forfeiture of the cash prize (other non-cash rewards will still be granted).
• While we encourage writers of all levels to participate, we reserve the right not to select a winner in any category if the submitted entries do not meet the minimum standard for narrative clarity, originality, or fit.
• Terafty reserves the right to modify competition details, including dates, prizes, and terms, at its sole discretion.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I submit to more than one category?
→ Definitely. You’re encouraged to submit entries in as many categories as you like

2. Can I win all four categories?
→ Yes. Theoretically, it’s absolutely possible to win all four if your entries stand out in each one.

3. Will I be penalized for writing a negative review?
→ No. Constructive criticism is welcome. We care more about thoughtfulness than praise.

4. Is this competition only for professional writers or filmmakers?
→ Not at all. This is open to everyone! Fans, students, first-time storytellers, and professionals alike.

5. Do I need to speak Korean or be based in Korea to enter?
→ No. The competition is global. You can submit your work in English.

6. Will the winners be featured on Terafty or social media?
→ Yes. Winning entries may be showcased on Terafty’s platform and official channels with credit.

7. Will I be disqualified if I exceed the word limit?
→ While it’s not a hard cutoff, we strongly recommend staying within the limit to ensure fair evaluation.

📩 Inquiries: cs@terafty.com