A Stage for Writers to Shine
At Mugafi, we believe every writer deserves a chance to showcase their talent. That’s why we created the 60-Hour Screenwriting Challenge, a thrilling test of creativity, skill, and endurance. Held in October 2024, this fast-paced contest gave aspiring screenwriters a unique platform to prove their storytelling prowess.
With two categories to choose from — Short Film and Mini-Series — participants had just 60 hours to create compelling scripts based on a surprise theme, revealed only at the start of the contest. This year’s theme, “The Diagnosed Adventures of H&M”, brought a fresh spin to romance-comedy, challenging writers to weave a captivating story around Harsh, a high-schooler navigating love triangles, jealous ex-boyfriends, and heartfelt realizations.
Participation & Rewards
Writers from across the country participated, each walking away with:
- Screenwriting Webinar on ‘Master the Art of Screenwriting’ – Led by a seasoned filmmaker, Bharat Misra known for movies like Dream Girl 2 and Aashram, offering valuable insights and a dedicated Q&A session.
- 3 months of free access to VED 1.0 – AI-powered writing tool designed to refine screenwriting skills.
- Certificate of Participation – Recognizing their hard work and creativity.
Celebrating the Winners
The competition was fierce, but one exceptional writer claimed the grand prize:
- Winner: Jyoti Tripathi Shukla – Rs.50,000 cash prize for her winning script “Hi! Bawaal”. Her captivating storytelling and well-crafted characters stole the show.
While there were no official runner-ups, we were so impressed by the talent displayed that we introduced two surprise stand-out prizes:
- Pushkar Kishor Oke – Rs.10,000 cash prize for “LOVE LUPUS”.
- Vishal Srivastava – Rs.10,000 cash prize for “Elaichi – Fragrance of a Love Spell”.
Opportunities Beyond the Contest
Winning at Mugafi is more than just a prize — it’s a stepping stone to bigger opportunities. Our winners have gained:
- Collaboration with Top Production Houses – A chance to bring their stories to life on screen.
- Access to an Exclusive Writer’s Room – Working alongside industry professionals to shape scripts for OTT platforms and major studios.
- Public Recognition – Featured across Mugafi’s website and social media channels to help build their personal brand in the industry.
Voices of the Winners
“A breeze that gave me wings—that’s how I describe the 60-Hour Writing Challenge by Mugafi. As a professor, single mother, and sole earner, this was the first time in years I did something just for myself. It reignited my passion for storytelling. Winning it was life-changing—I now dream of seeing my stories on screen.” — Jyoti Tripathi Shukla
‘The 60-Hour Screenwriting Challenge was intense yet thrilling. Expanding the story and crafting a full season synopsis under pressure pushed my limits. The tight deadline left no room for writer’s block—it taught me the value of writing with discipline. Grateful to Mugafi for recognizing my story and giving it a platform!” — Pushkar Kishor Oke
Fueling the Future of Storytelling
The 60-Hour Screenwriting Challenge proved that creativity knows no limits — and when given the right opportunity, emerging writers can thrive. As winners like Jyoti, Pushkar and Vishal continue working with Mugafi to prepare their stories for production pitches, this journey is only just beginning.
Missed this year’s challenge? Don’t worry! Stay tuned for our upcoming contests and let your imagination take center stage.
Your story could be next. Are you ready to write it?