If you would like to submit more than one script, you will need to submit a separate online form (below), entry fee, and PDF for each.

 

FEATURE SCREENPLAY COMPETITIONS

Deadlines & Pricing:

Early: $45 thru March 26
Regular: $60 thru April 16
Late: $70 thru May 21

Drama Feature Screenplay presented by Writers Guild of America, East
The category is open but not limited to feature drama scripts in genres such as historical, western, family, romance, horror, thriller, etc.

Comedy Feature Screenplay
The category is open but not limited to feature comedy scripts in genres such as dark comedy, satire, family, animation, slapstick, horror, etc.

 

TELEPLAY COMPETITIONS

Deadlines & Pricing:

Early: $35 thru March 26
Regular: $50 thru April 16
Late: $60 thru May 21

*no bibles or treatments will be accepted.

Drama Teleplay Pilot
Open to any pilot script written in the one-hour or half-hour format for an original drama television series.

Comedy Teleplay Pilot
Open to any pilot script written in the half-hour or one-hour format for an original comedy television series.

Drama Teleplay Spec
Open to any spec script for a current drama television show in the one-hour or half-hour format.

Comedy Teleplay Spec
Open to any spec script for a current comedy television show in the half-hour or one-hour format.

 

SHORT SCREENPLAY COMPETITION

Deadlines & Pricing:

Early: $35 thru March 26
Regular: $50 thru April 16
Late: $60 thru May 21

Open to any narrative short script in all genres 5 to 40 pages in length.

 

SCRIPTED DIGTIAL SERIES COMPETITION

Deadlines & Pricing:

Early: $35 thru March 26
Regular: $40 thru April 16
Late: $45 thru May 21
Extended: $50 thru July 9

Open to short-form episodic scripts intended for the web. Writers can submit 1-3 episodes of their series totaling no more than 30 pages.

 

SCRIPTED FICTION PODCAST COMPETITION

Deadlines & Pricing:

Early: $20 thru April 16
Regular: $30 thru May 21
Late: $40 thru July 9

Writers can submit up to three episodes 3-30 pages in length of their series with the overall content of the story not going longer than 90 pages. Writers should also include a series outline, detailing the events of the remaining episodes in the series.

 

PLAYWRITING COMPETITION

Deadlines & Pricing:

Early: $20 thru April 16
Late: $30 thru May 21

Open to full-length stage plays 60-90 pages or that could reasonably be performed within 90 minutes on stage.

 

ADDITIONAL AWARD AND FELLOWSHIP CATEGORIES

Additional Awards and Fellowship categories require an additional $20 entry fee per award and may not be applicable to all categories listed above. If you have already submitted and would like to add one of the following additional awards to your existing entry, please email us at screenplay@austinfilmfestival.com and include your Submission ID (found in your confirmation email).

Horror Award
The Horror Award is open to any feature horror script including dark suspense, thriller, sci-fi and macabre themes.

*This award can be added to the following category submissions: Drama Feature Screenplay, Comedy Feature Screenplay 

Sci-Fi Award
Open to science fiction, fantasy, horror, surrealism, myth/legend and fantastical storytelling.

*This award can be added to the following category submissions: Drama Feature Screenplay, Comedy Feature Screenplay 

Enderby Entertainment Award
The Enderby Entertainment Award category is open to feature scripts in all genres with an original concept and distinctive voice that can be independently produced under $10 million. Co-founded by Rick Dugdale and Daniel Petrie, Jr. (Beverly Hills Cop, The Big Easy), the production company acquired the 2008 AFF Finalist script Stranded (now titled Dawn Patrol) which premiered at the 2014 Festival starring Scott Eastwood and Rita Wilson.

*This award can be added to the following category submissions: Drama Feature Screenplay, Comedy Feature Screenplay 

AMC One-Hour Pilot Award
We’re proud to announce that AMC returns as the official sponsor and judge for the One-Hour Pilot Award. The AMC One-Hour Pilot Award is open to any pilot script written in the one-hour format for an original television series. Scripts submitted to this category must be at least 45 pages in length. Scripts submitted under this page-minimum will not be considered.  AMC will review the top scripts submitted in the category and will determine the semifinalists, finalists, and winner.  Finalists will be given the opportunity to meet with a representative from AMC during this year’s Conference (October 21-28) or over the phone at a later date.

*This award can be added to the following category submissions: Drama Teleplay Pilot, Comedy Teleplay Pilot 

 

Warner Brothers Pilot Award sponsored by WarnerMedia

We’re excited to announce WarnerMedia as the official sponsor and judge for the Warner Brothers Pilot Award. The award is open to any pilot script and any writer. WarnerMedia will review the top scripts submitted in the category and will determine the finalists and winner. Finalists will be given the opportunity to meet with a representative from WarnerMedia during this year’s Conference (October 21-28) or virtually at a later date. The winner will have the opportunity to meet with WarnerMedia executives either in LA or virtually.

The winner will also receive a $1,000 prize; 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.

*This award can be added to the following category submissions: Drama Teleplay Pilot, Comedy Teleplay Pilot

 

The Rooster Teeth BIPOC Fellowship
The Rooster Teeth BIPOC Fellowship seeks scripts from underrepresented writers in the industry. While open to any genre, submissions should generally align with Rooster Teeth’s voice: an emphasis on comedy concepts that feature ordinary people in extraordinary situations, coming-of-age stories, or other engaging journeys of self-discovery.

The winner will receive a $2,500 prize and will be flown (travel-expenses covered) to Austin for a week-long mentorship with Rooster Teeth’s team. The winner will meet with Rooster Teeth executives and their development team.

*Note: This category is only open to writers who identify as BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color). To submit to this category please select one of the options within the Demographics section in this form. Applicants from underrepresented communities are highly encouraged to apply.

The Rooster Teeth Women & Animation Fellowship
The Rooster Teeth Women & Animation Fellowship seeks scripts from women looking to enter into the field of animation. While open to any genre, animation scripts should generally align with Rooster Teeth’s voice: an emphasis on comedy concepts that feature ordinary people in extraordinary situations, coming-of-age stories, or other engaging journeys of self-discovery.

The winner will receive a $2,500 prize and will be flown (travel-expenses covered) to Austin for a week-long mentorship with Rooster Teeth’s team. The winner will meet with Rooster Teeth executives and their development team.

*Note: This category is only open to writers who identify as female. Applicants from underrepresented communities are highly encouraged to apply.

Josephson Entertainment Screenwriting Fellowship

Acclaimed producer Barry Josephson has been a longtime supporter of AFF since the very first festival in 1994 when he optioned the winning script from the Screenplay Competition. For the third year, Barry will present the “Josephson Entertainment Screenwriting Fellowship” which will provide a one-on-one mentorship for the writers of two scripts – one feature script and one teleplay pilot – selected from the Final Round of the 2021 Screenplay Competition. Finalists will be invited to apply and AFF will select the top writers for Josephson Entertainment to further review. The selected fellows will be announced and presented by Barry Josephson at the Awards Luncheon on October 23, 2021. Each fellow will be flown to LA to be mentored by Barry and take meetings with various executives from Josephson Entertainment to take their writing to the next level.

*Finalists of the Drama Feature, Comedy Feature, Drama Teleplay Pilot, and Comedy Teleplay Pilot categories will be invited to apply for this fellowship.

 

VIRTUAL PITCH COMPETITION

Send in a 90 second video pitch, based on the feature script you’re submitting. If it passes our initial judging round, you’ll be invited to the finals where you’ll perform your pitch live (virtually) in front of a panel of industry judges. The winner will receive a one-on-one conversation with an industry professional. All who submit a video pitch will receive written feedback from the first round of judges.

*This competition can be purchased following category submissions: Drama Feature Screenplay, Comedy Feature Screenplay, Drama Teleplay Pilot, and Comedy Teleplay Pilot 

Rules for video pitch submissions:

• All entrants must submit a feature or TV pilot script to the 2021 Script Competition. The pitch must be about the script submitted.
• Video submissions cannot be longer than 90 seconds.
• Pitches must be in English.
• Pitch video should not be edited; but rather, performed as if one is pitching live in front of someone.
• Video must be in .mp4 or .MOV format and less than 300 MB.
• Only allowed to submit one (1) video pitch per script entry.
• You will receive instruction for how to send in your video in your submission confirmation email. The deadline to submit your video pitch is 11:59pm PST, May 21, 2021.

 

Conference Registration Discounts For Entrants

All entrants receive a discount on Conference Registration. Second Rounders and above receive greater discounts. If you register now and advance (notification letters sent through postal mail by mid-September), we’ll gladly refund you the difference.

REFUND POLICY: Austin Film Festival has the right to refuse a sale or admission for any AFF product or event at its sole discretion. All merchandise, membership, individual film tickets, special events, AFF Presents, Virtual Badges, Virtual Film Passes, or Conversation in Film purchases are non-refundable for any reason. By making a purchase you understand that your email address will be added to AFF’s email list. If you are not interested in receiving emails you can opt out. Refund requests for the upcoming live Austin Film Festival must be in writing and sent by U.S. first class mail or email to refunds@austinfilmfestival.com, postmarked by July 15, 2021, and all refunds will incur a $75 processing fee. After July 15, 2021, all payments are non-refundable for any reason, including but not limited to illness, acts of God, or travel-related problems. All add on purchases are nonrefundable. In the event that Austin Film Festival has to cancel our physical event, Badge and Film Pass Holders (only applicable to live event purchases) will have the following options: A full refund of your 2021 Badge or Film Pass, Apply the purchase price of your registration towards our virtual experience* (Depending on original purchase price, you may owe additional funds for your Virtual transfer), Transfer your registration to 2022’s Austin Film Festival Live event (10/22/22 – 11/2/22), Support our organization as we continue to support the writing community! Austin Film Festival is a year-round 501(c)(3)non-profit organization. In the event that we are not able to host a physical event, we hope you consider contributing the price of your Badge or Pass to our organization. Badges are non-transferable and are the property of Austin Film Festival, Inc. Refunds will be issued either via the original method of payment or other method approved by Austin Film Festival, if such original method is not available. Unused registrations cannot be credited for future year’s attendance. Badges and Film Pass privileges may be revoked at any time for any reason without liability to Austin Film Festival. You hereby release and hold harmless Austin Film Festival, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliated companies, successors, assigns, and licensees, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims resulting in attendance of an Austin Film Festival, Inc. event. Special events may require purchase of separate ticket for entry. If you have any questions about the Festival, your membership, badge, or film pass purchase, please contact info@austinfilmfestival.com or call 1-800-FEST (3378). Badge credentials and privileges may be revoked at any time for any reason without liability to Austin Film Festival. You hereby release and hold harmless Austin Film Festival, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliated companies, successors, assigns, and licensees, and their respective officers, directors, employees, and agents from any claims resulting in attendance of an Austin Film Festival, Inc. event. Special events may require purchase of separate ticket for entry. If you have any questions about the Festival, your membership or badge purchase, please contact info@austinfilmfestival.com or call 1-800-FEST (3378). AFF may, in its sole discretion and at any time determined by AFF, cancel or refuse from any individual or company the following: Credentials, purchases, and/or hotel reservations made through AFF. AFF will not be responsible for any penalty, fee, loss, or expense that might result from such action. Unused Credentials have no monetary value and cannot be refunded, credited to future years, or events. AFF will not issue refunds or credits due to failure to redeem a discount coupon during the registration process. Discounted prices are based on the date payment is received in the AFF office. Lost or stolen Credentials will not be replaced. In the event Credentials are lost or stolen, new Credentials will need to be purchased for a Participant’s continued access to the Events, including showcases, parties and conference content. AFF reserves the right to revoke a Credential for any reason in AFF’s sole discretion (for example, if anyone other than the authorized individual tries to use a Credential). AFF will not issue refunds for Credentials that have been revoked. You are solely responsible for ensuring AFF receives full payment for any AFF purchases you make. If such payment cannot be charged to your credit card or if a charge is refunded for any reason, including chargeback, you agree that we reserve the right to cancel your order. If you have already received your Badge or merchandise you agree to immediately correct any payment errors upon notice of such error. AFF reserves the right to collect a $100 administrative fee in addition to any unpaid amounts in connection with any bad checks or uncorrected payment problems. 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 invoice date. We will not re-submit the original check, nor will we accept another check for the re-payment. Competition entry fees are not refundable at any time.

Payments are accepted through PayPal by account transfer or credit/debit card. Submissions are not complete until payment is made. Once an entry payment has been processed we cannot provide a refund. If a payment is disputed, the account holder may be subject to any fees