Screenplay/Teleplay Competition Rules & Regulations

General Rules

• The Screenplay/Teleplay Competition is open only to writers who do not earn a living writing for television or film.
• Screenplays/Teleplays must not have been optioned or sold prior to October 23, 2010.
• Screenplays/Teleplays must be the original work of the applicants. If based upon another's life story, applicant(s) must attach a statement attesting to their rights to make such adaptations. Neither the Festival nor its jurists investigates or attests to the authenticity of an applicant's statement of authorship or rights.
• Screenplays/Teleplays that have previously reached the Semifinalist level and beyond are not eligible for resubmission.
• If a submission involves two or more writers as applicants, the award will be divided equally among them.
• Applicants may submit more than one screenplay/teleplay in any chosen category. Each entry requires an application, payment and script (excluding the Sponsored or Sci-Fi Award - no additional script will be required for those).
• We strongly suggest that applicants register or copyright their screenplays/teleplays with the Writers Guild of America, East or the Writers Guild of America, West.

• Mailed-in Submissions:
  • Mailed-in submissions must be accompanied by a $40 (screenplay - early deadline), $50 (screenplay - late deadline), or $30 (teleplay) submission fee PER ENTRY and 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.”
  • Any Drama or Comedy Screenplay to be considered for the Sponsored Award must be accompanied by an additional $20 submission fee PER ENTRY.
  • Any Drama or Comedy Screenplay to be considered for the Sci-Fi Award must be accompanied by an additional $20 submission fee PER ENTRY.

• Online Submissions:
  • Online submissions must be accompanied by a $40 (screenplay - early deadline), $50 (screenplay - late deadline), or $30 (teleplay) submission fee PLUS a $5 processing fee PER ENTRY. An online submission is not considered complete until the online form is filled out, the script PDF is uploaded, rules and regulations have been initialed, and PayPal payment is made.
  • Any Drama or Comedy Screenplay to be considered for the Sponsored Award must be accompanied by an additional $20 submission fee PER ENTRY.
  • Any Drama or Comedy Screenplay to be considered for the Sci-Fi Award must be accompanied by an additional $20 submission fee PER ENTRY.
• Awards are based on overall merit of the entries. Judges reserve the right not to grant an award.
• The Teleplay Competition welcomes all spec scripts for any currently airing network or cable program. No pilot scripts will be accepted.
• If you are entering your script into both Comedy and Drama categories please include two copies of your script along with two entry fees and two completed entry forms.

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.
• Scripts must be narrative feature length (approximately 90-120 pages).
• Pages must be numbered in the top right hand corner.

• Mailed-in Submissions:
  • 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 judging process.

• Online Submissions:
  • Scripts must be in PDF format under 5MB
  • Only the TITLE of the screenplay should appear on the front cover page
  • A second title page with contact information is not required for online submissions
  • The author's name must not appear anywhere in the script in order to preserve anonymity in the judging process.

• NO REVISIONS OR MISSING PAGES WILL BE ACCEPTED ONCE ENTRY HAS BEEN RECEIVED.

Returns and Acknowledgements

• Screenplays/Teleplays will not be returned under any circumstances.
• Please include a self-addressed, stamped postcard for each submission if you wish acknowledgement of the receipt of your screenplay/teleplay (Mailed-in entries only)