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Austin Film Festival & Writers Conference
1801 Salina St.
Austin, TX 78702
United States
[email protected]
austinfilmfestival.com/submit/screenplay-and-teleplay-submissions-2/
| | Description: | Our Screenplay Competition is one of the most acclaimed in the industry. It has nurtured and established careers of many up-and-coming writers, and past entrants have signed with major agencies and had their scripts optioned, acquired and produced by signatory production companies.
| | | Objective: | At AFF, story comes first and foremost above all else. We fully acknowledge the hard work and passion you put into your script and, rest assured, your story is in good hands. Our team of readers are an integral part of the AFF family and their contribution over the past 20 plus years have helped launch the careers of many aspiring writers. All of our readers within the Screenplay Competition are recruited through referrals from individuals closely associated with AFF and undergo a rigorous screening process.
Once approved, readers are given strict guidelines and closely monitored throughout the duration of their participation. All readers are required to provide constructive notes for each script which will later be made available to all entrants at no additional cost. Most importantly, they are also required to read each script in its entirety to give full consideration which each writer deserves. We care about our process and we care about your work.
| | | Entry Fee: | Film/TV - $50/$40 (early: March 25), $65/$55 (regular: April 18), $80/$65 (late: May 16)
| | | Type: | Screenplay, Short Screenplay, TV Scripts
| | | Promotes: | Students, Minorities
| | | Originates From: | United States
| | | Occurrence: | Yearly
| | | Sponsored By: |
| | | Start Date: | 12/10/2021
| | | Submission Deadlines: | 5/16/2022
| | | Winners Announced: | Finalists are notified by early October. Winners will be announced on October 29, 2022
| | | Year of Origin: | 1994
| | | Rules: | 2022 Screenplay Competition Rules
GENERAL ELIGIBILITY
All screenplays/teleplays (collectively, “Scripts”) submitted must be in English.
Scripts must not have been optioned or sold prior to October 29, 2022. Applicants must notify Austin Film Festival (“AFF” or the “Festival”) of any changes in status following submission.
Scripts that have reached the Semifinalist level or above in previous years within the Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition or Digital Series Competition are not eligible for resubmission.
All submissions must be accompanied by the appropriate submission fee PER ENTRY and if submitting by mail a completed entry form including authors’ original signatures. Please do not send a photocopy of your signature. Make checks or money orders payable to “Austin Film Festival.” Only US money orders will be accepted.
AFF reserves the right in its sole discretion to reject or disqualify any ineligible entries, without a refund.
Originality and Permissions; INDEMNITY
Scripts must be the original work of the applicant(s). If based upon another person’s life or upon a book or other underlying work, applicant(s) must secure any necessary rights to make such adaptations. However, it is not necessary to submit the adaptation or rights agreements to the Festival. Neither the Festival nor its jurists investigate or attests to the authenticity of an applicant’s statement of authorship or rights secured. By entering the competition, you are acknowledging that you have secured all necessary rights.
BY SUBMITTING THE MATERIAL, THE APPLICANT HEREBY AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND DEFEND THE FESTIVAL, ITS EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS, REPRESENTATIVES, AND AFFILIATES FROM ANY LIABILITY, CLAIMS, AND DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE SUBMISSION AND FROM ANY FEES AND EXPENSES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES, THAT ANY OF THEM MAY INCUR IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.
Additional Information
If a submission involves two or more writers as applicants, the monetary prize and any reimbursements will be divided equally among them and only one Typewriter Award will be provided. The Typewriter Award is not offered to Fellowship or Development deal winners.
Once an entry payment has been received we cannot provide a refund. If a payment is disputed by an entrant for any reason, the entrant may be subject to any transaction fees or similar amounts incurred by AFF in connection with the dispute.
No revisions or missing pages will be accepted once an entry has been received.
Awards are based solely on the overall merit of entries. Judges reserve the right not to grant an award.
We strongly suggest that applicants copyright their materials with the U.S. Copyright Office and/or register their screenplay/teleplay with the Writers Guild of America, East or Writers Guild of America, West. Please consult an attorney regarding any questions about these.
FEATURE SCREENPLAY AWARD RULES
All General Rules listed above apply.
The Feature Screenplay Competition is only open to writers who do not currently earn a living writing for film or television.
If you are entering a feature script into both Comedy AND Drama categories, please include two copies of your script along with two entry fees and two completed entry forms.
SHORT SCREENPLAY AWARD RULES
All General Rules listed above apply.
The Short Screenplay Competition is only open to writers who do not currently earn a living writing for film or television.
Short scripts that have already been produced are ineligible.
Short scripts are open to any narrative short script in all genres but are not eligible to be entered in any of the sponsored award categories.
TELEPLAY AWARD RULES
*All General Rules listed above apply.
*The Teleplay Competition is only open to writers who do not currently earn a living writing for film or television.
*The Teleplay Competition welcomes spec scripts for any currently airing network or cable program AND original pilot scripts. In order for spec scripts to be eligible for consideration, the program must not be canceled prior to the start of the current television season (September 2021). Specs for new programs must have a series premiere date no later than May 2022. Any ineligible spec script will be disqualified and no refund will be provided.
*No show bibles, treatments, or reality show formats will be accepted for the teleplay competition.
GENERAL FORMAT RULES
*Screenplays/teleplays should be formatted according to current industry standards.
*To follow standard guidelines for format, consult any popular screenwriting or teleplay writing text for assistance.
*Font size must be 12 point and in Courier type.
*Feature Screenplays must be approximately 90-120 pages in length.
*Short Screenplays must be 5 – 40 pages in length.
*Teleplays should be the appropriate length depending on the format. The recommended length for single camera sitcoms is approximately 22-40 pages and 45-70 pages for single camera one-hour programs. The recommended length for multi-camera sitcom pilots is approximately 52-58 pages.
*Pages must be numbered in the top right-hand corner.
NO REVISIONS OR MISSING PAGES WILL BE ACCEPTED ONCE ENTRY HAS BEEN RECEIVED.
MAILED-IN SUBMISSIONS FORMAT:
*Pages should be two or three-hole-punched, bound between cardstock covers and fastened by two or three metal brads.
*Pages may be double-sided.
*Only the TITLE of the screenplay should appear on the front stock cover (legibly written or typed).
*A second title page with all contact information (TITLE, AUTHOR, AUTHOR’S ADDRESS, PHONE NUMBER, E-MAIL ADDRESS, and a BRIEF SYNOPSIS) should be included but kept separate from the script. The author’s name must not appear elsewhere in the script in order to preserve anonymity in the judging process.
*Payments made with a check are subject to our Bounced Check Policy: If we receive a returned check from our bank for a payment you made, you will be invoiced for the original amount of the check plus a $25 bank fee. The payment of the invoiced amount will be due within 30 days of the invoice date. We will not re-submit the original check, nor will we accept another check for repayment. Repayment must be made by money order or cashier’s check.
ONLINE SUBMISSIONS FORMAT:
*Scripts must be in PDF format and under 5MB.
*Only the TITLE of the screenplay should appear on the front cover page.
*The author’s name, contact information, or any other information that may reveal the identity of the writer(s) must not appear anywhere in the script in order to preserve anonymity in the judging process.
Selected Scripts and Winners
AFF has no obligation (other than as stated in these rules or on our website) to disclose any of the following information: i) identities of readers or judges; ii) notes, feedback, or information relating to the submitted material; and/or iii) details regarding the submission review or selection process.
Except as explicitly stated, no representations or guarantees are made regarding the feedback or comments provided, or the quality thereof. The opinions of the readers are their own and do not reflect the opinions of AFF. AFF explicitly disclaims any liability or responsibility for any comments, notes, or opinions expressed about a submission, whether by AFF or by its readers, judges, and sponsors.
Winners will be announced on October 29, 2022. The judges’ decision is final.
Winners receiving cash prizes are solely responsible for payment of all applicable local, state, and federal taxes.
RETURNS AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
*Scripts will not be returned under any circumstances.
*Please include a self-addressed, stamped postcard for each submission if you wish acknowledgment of the receipt of your screenplay/teleplay (mailed-in entries only).
*Online submissions will receive a confirmation email.
*Notification letters will be sent by postal mail by mid-September. *Semifinalists will be contacted by phone around this time.
QUESTIONS?
For the most up-to-date information about the Screenplay Competition, please visit www.austinfilmfestival.com or please feel free to contact [email protected].
| | | Prizes and Awards: | All Awards are presented during the Austin Film Festival Awards Luncheon*. Those advancing to the Second Round level or beyond will have the option to attend exclusive panels hosted by participating panelists. Those advancing to the Semifinalist level or beyond will also be included in the Producers Book, distributed to competition judges and other industry professionals.
SCREENPLAY COMPETITION PRIZES (ONE WINNER PER CATEGORY)
The Drama Award Winner Receives: $5,000 cash; reimbursement of round-trip airfare (up to $500 per script, excluding frequent flyer miles); hotel reimbursement (up to $500 per script); and AFF Bronze Typewriter Award.
The Comedy Winner Receives: $5,000 cash; reimbursement of round-trip airfare (up to $500 per script, excluding frequent flyer miles); hotel reimbursement (up to $500 per script); and AFF Bronze Typewriter Award.
The Horror Award Winner Receives: $2,500 cash; reimbursement of round-trip airfare (up to $500 per script, excluding frequent flyer miles); hotel reimbursement (up to $500 per script); and AFF Bronze Typewriter Award. In order to be considered for this award, you must be entered in the Drama or Comedy Feature categories.
The Sci-Fi Award Winner Receives: $2,500 cash; reimbursement of r
ound-trip airfare (up to $500 per script, excluding frequent flyer miles); hotel reimbursement (up to $500 per script); and AFF Bronze Typewriter Award. In order to be considered for this award, you must be entered in the Drama or Comedy Feature categories.
The Short Screenplay Winner Receives: $1,000 cash; reimbursement of roundtrip airfare (up to $500 per script excluding frequent flyer miles); hotel reimbursement at the Film Festival (up to $500 per script); and the AFF bronze typewriter award.
TELEPLAY COMPETITION AWARDS (ONE WINNER PER CATEGORY)
The Comedy Spec Winner Receives: $1,000 cash; reimbursement of roundtrip airfare (up to $500 per script excluding frequent flyer miles); hotel reimbursement at the Film Festival (up to $500 per script); and the AFF bronze typewriter award.
The Drama Spec Winner Receives: $1,000 cash; reimbursement of roundtrip airfare (up to $500 per script excluding frequent flyer miles); hotel reimbursement at the Film Festival (up to $500 per script); and the AFF bronze typewriter award.
The Comedy Pilot Winner Receives: $1,000 cash; reimbursement of roundtrip airfare (up to $500 per script excluding frequent flyer miles); hotel reimbursement at the Film Festival (up to $500 per script); and the AFF bronze typewriter award.
The Drama Pilot Winner Receives:$1,000 cash; reimbursement of roundtrip airfare (up to $500 per script excluding frequent flyer miles); hotel reimbursement at the Film Festival (up to $500 per script); and the AFF bronze typewriter award.
Finalists in All Categories Receive: one complimentary Producers Badge to attend the Austin Film Festival and Conference (value $695).
All Semifinalists may purchase a Producer's Badge at the discounted price of $250.
*Awards Luncheon tickets are only available to Producers and Conference Badgeholders.
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