Screenplay Competition Rules
General Eligibility
- All screenplays/teleplays (collectively, “Scripts”) submitted must be in English.
- Scripts must not have been optioned, have a shopping agreement, or sold prior to October 24, 2024. 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 close entries at any time.
- 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 and/or received WGA writing credits.
- 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 and/or received WGA writing credits.
- 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 and/or received WGA writing credits.
- The Teleplay Competition welcomes spec scripts for any past or currently airing network or cable program AND original pilot scripts.
- 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 $50 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 26, 2024. 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
For questions regarding submissions and special inquiries, please email our Screenplay Department Director: Alyssa Alvarado – scriptdirector@austinfilmfestival.com
For questions regarding reader inquiries and opportunities, please contact our Script Competitions Manager: scriptmanager@austinfilmfestival.com
COMPETITION IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.
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).
- 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 general questions our FAQ can be read here and our Rules can be viewed here.
Still in need of assistance? The AFF Screenplay Department is happy to help!
For questions regarding submissions and special inquiries, please email our new For questions regarding submissions and special inquiries, please email our Screenplay Department Director: Alyssa Alvarado – scriptdirector@austinfilmfestival.com
For questions regarding reader inquiries and opportunities, please contact our new Script Competitions Manager: scriptmanager@austinfilmfestival.com