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The Old Lady Project

The Old Lady Project

The 2026 cycle opens for submissions in November 3, 2025 through December 15.

SUBMIT HERE: : https://filmfreeway.com/OldLadyProject

The Old Lady Project is an initiative to encourage the development of screenplays, scripts and theatrical works with significant roles for women over 55, a demographic mostly unseen in mainstream media. 

The projects accepts the submission of scripts and screenplays which are read by a national panel of producers and directors.  Winners receive a staged reading of their script by professional actors

2025 Selected winners:

It’s All in the Game by Ellen Abrams
In the game room of the Shangri-la Senior Living Community, two residents bond over ping pong, life after death,…and Frank Sinatra. Part of the fun is that the game is played in pantomime, with the actors making a clicking noise each time their "racket" makes contact with the "ball." In fact, there is no table, there are no rackets or balls.
 
Just Upriver by Charles Hertz
Two women, the closest of friends and co-workers for decades, uncover tensions between them which surface upon the occasion of the elder’s retirement. They must navigate political differences, economic pressures, and moral complexities to salvage their relationship and carry on, each separately as she must.
 
Yes Dear by Lucy Coolidge
Two women meet and bond over buying shoes in a department store where the young sales person has set ideas about style for women of a certain age.
 
This project is funded in part by the Illinois Arts Council, A State Agency.

Submissions:

PREVIOUS WINNERS

Intrepid 3000 by Sharon Goldner 

Sylvia and Estelle, two widows in their 70s have been best friends since before they can remember.  Both women have a few things left on their bucket list and Estelle for one has a  guaranteed device to help her achieve her goals: the Intrepid 3000.  Who knew that a vibrator could come with so many secrets and lies!

Contact Sharon Goldner at shargoldner@comcast.net

The Bare Truth by Howard Brown

A retired couple, recently settled in South Florida, are tired of their daughter and married son constantly intruding in their life-- and that's not counting the grandchildren. With the help of a neighbor couple, these "old folks" decide on a drastic and innovative way to get some needed time alone.

Contact Howard Brown at brownswan@netzero.com

2023:

Grandmothers Incorporated by Crystal V Rhodes and Lillie M. Barnett

Four widows, looking for a weekend of peace and quiet, have their serenity disrupted by the appearance of an unwelcomed stranger who threatens their safety. Chaos reigns as they resolve their dilemma with hilarious results.  Based on a book series.

Contact C. V. Rhodes and L. Barnett Evans at grandmothersinc50@yahoo.com

The Matter with Family by Amy Tofte

A story of two sisters of a certain age who are caught in a crisis of their relationship. Two other sisters try to help them fix it.

Contact Amy Tofte at amy_tofte@yahoo.com

Women of a Certain Age by Steve Duprey

In a character-driven comedy, four college friends in their sixties discover that one of them has been “gifted” with an abandoned baby, they try to figure out what’s next. This play examines the themes of lasting friendships, female empowerment amongst older women, and the current adoption system.

Contact Steve Duprey at dupreyart123@gmail.com

Elephant’s Graveyard by Marjorie A Williamson

In this bittersweet comedy, childhood best friends Margot and Smitty grapple with the fate of their lives and with the choices they have made to get here; asking questions like how should we live; how will we die; and how the heck did we end up here? 

Contact Marjorie Williamson at margie.williamson@sbcglobal.net

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