TRY OUR COVERAGE PROGRAM
Competition entrants can opt-in to receive a brief summary of one Reader’s overall notes. These are a brief, overall summary of what one reader thought of your work. But if they leave you wanting more, our Coverage Program guarantees at least four (and up to ten) pages of in depth feedback on every aspect of your script. Submit to coverage today!
The Writers Conference
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Script Competition Category Descriptions (please review before you submit)
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: 3/22/24 – $60
Regular: 4/19/24 – $70
Late: 5/24/24 – $90
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: 3/22/24 – $50
Regular: 4/19/24 – $60
Late: 5/24/24 – $75
*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: 3/22/24 – $50
Regular: 4/19/24 – $60
Late: 5/24/24 – $75
Open to any narrative short script in all genres 5 to 40 pages in length.
SCRIPTED DIGITAL SERIES COMPETITION
Deadlines & Pricing:
Early: 3/22/24 – $45
Regular: 4/19/24 – $50
Late: 5/24/24 – $55
Extended: 7/6/24- $65
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.
PLAYWRITING COMPETITION
Deadlines & Pricing:
Early: 3/22/24 – $25
Regular: 4/19/24 – $25
Late: 5/24/24 – $35
Open to full-length stage plays 60-90 pages or that could reasonably be performed within 90 minutes on stage.
FICTION PODCAST AWARD
Deadlines & Pricing:
Early: 3/22/24 – $40
Regular: 4/19/24 – $40
Late: 5/24/24 – $45
Extended: 7/6/24- $50
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.
ADDITIONAL AWARD AND FELLOWSHIP CATEGORIES
Additional Awards and Fellowship categories require an additional $30 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 presented by Vertigo Entertainment
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
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 fifth 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 2023 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 28, 2023. 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.
Entry Requirements:
- Must be entered in: Comedy or Drama Feature, or TV Pilot categories.
- Finalists in Feature and TV pilots categories are in consideration for this fellowship
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 for 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
TV Comedy Fellowship sponsored by the Nickelodeon Writing Program
Founded in the year 2000, the Nickelodeon Writing Program is a launching pad for diverse and emerging creatives. To continue to grow their partnership with AFF and its community of writers, they are excited to announce the TV Comedy Fellowship Sponsored by Nickelodeon Writing Program.
The fellowship winner will receive:
- $1,000 cash prize and $500 travel allowance to attend the Austin Film Festival
- feedback from Nickelodeon executives on the winning script
- meetings with Nickelodeon executives in either the live-action or animation field
- the option of a studio visit.
Entry Requirements:
- Requires additional $30 entry fee
- In order to be considered for this Fellowship, you must be entered into the Comedy Teleplay Spec or Comedy Teleplay Pilot categories. Scripts are suggested to be half-hour comedy scripts, no longer than 40 pages, with a particular focus on joke heavy subjects with broad comedic sensibilities and family friendly content
Big Indie Pictures Screenplay Fellowship
Big Indie is a film and television production company based in New York City and are a genre agnostic company that works across film, television, and documentary. We are filmmaker forward with a great emphasis on strong and unique voices.
The Big Picture Screenplay Fellowship winner will receive:
- $1,000 cash prize and $500 travel allowance to attend the Austin Film Festival
- Big Indie Pictures will provide winner industry guidance to help develop and potentially produce a feature through the Fellowship Program
- The Fellowship will take place from January 2025 through June 2025 during which the winner works on their next feature script
- Specific script to be determined by Big Indie Pictures and Winner
- Specific Dates to be determined between Winner and Big Indie Pictures
- Conversations during the program may include, but not limited to:
- Insight on pitfalls to avoid and methods to constantly stay active and involved in the industry.
- Tips on career guidance
- Best practices advice.
- Opportunity to continue work with Big Indie Pictures after Fellowship per the discretion of both parties
YMH Studios is the home of ten amazing podcasts. Every week, millions of people of all races, religions, numerous genders, varying criminal records, and disgusting sexual fetishes tune in from every continent around the world to share a laugh with Tom, Christina, Bert, Danny, Lauren, Rob, Jamie-Lynn, Josh, Ari, Garth and all of the fascinating, unpredictable, and very funny people who are friends with them.
- $1,000 cash prize and $500 travel allowance to attend the Austin Film Festival
- YMH Studios’ representative will provide initial feedback and notes on the winning fellowship script
- Fellow(s)* will take meetings with YMH Studios executives and development team
- Opportunity to continue work with YMH Studios after Fellowship per the discretion of both parties
The fellowship is open to Comedy Feature scripts constructed with easily understandable and rewatchable themes, prioritizing a comedic storytelling approach.
Entry Requirements:
- Requires additional $30 entry fee
- In order to be considered for this Fellowship, you must be entered into the Comedy Feature categories of the AFF Screenplay Competition
The fellowship is open to Drama or Comedy feature scripts from writers with a unique take on a genre or contemporary conversation that feels fresh and can be produced independently.
Entry Requirements:
- Requires additional $30 entry fee
- In order to be considered for this Fellowship, you must be entered into the Drama and Comedy Feature categories of the AFF Screenplay Competition
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 (please read before you submit)
Badge refund requests for the upcoming 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, 2024. All refunds will incur a $75 processing fee. After July 15, 2024, all payments are non-refundable for any reason, including but not limited to illness, acts of God, or travel-related problems. All merchandise, Badge add-ons, Film & Food tickets, Film Passes, Competition entries, Coverage, membership, individual film tickets, special events, AFF Presents, or Conversation in Film purchases are non-refundable for any reason.
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 2024 Badge or Film Pass
- Transfer your registration to 2025’s Austin Film Festival Live event (dates TBD)
- Support our organization by donating the price of your Badge or Pass to our organization as we continue to support the writing community! Austin Film Festival is a year-round 501(c)(3)non-profit 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. AFF does not refund unused credentials. Unused credentials cannot be credited for future years’ attendance.
Badge and Film Pass credentials 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 a separate ticket for entry.
– FYI –
– If you’re having issues submitting payment via PayPal, please try disabling pop-ups in your browser. If this does not remedy the issue, please contact us at either screenplay@austinfilmfestival.com or 512-478-4795.
– Your PayPal payment may take some time to go through. Please only submit your payment once.
– The Survey section of our online form requires input. Each entrant has the option to select “Prefer not to answer”. This information is used to help us better understand our audience’s background.
– Having Trouble Submitting an Entry?-
Submitting Your Script or Teleplay
Step 1: To start off, fill out the required fields in the “Information about you” and Address Information” section.
Step 2: In “Screenplay Information” put your script title, and name of the writer (if they are more than one writer, please click the “+ Add Writer” button and fill out their name and email.
Step 3: Next is the “Survey” – we have certain awards that apply to certain demographics, so we ask that you fill out the survey to the best of your ability.
Step 4: In “Screenplay and Teleplay Categories” this is where you will choose the category your script is in as well as awards that have populated based on your answers in the “Survey” section. This is also where you will have the option to purchase add-ons such as Badges, Film & Food, Pitch Tickets, and/or Awards Luncheon Tickets.
Step 5: You will see the total fee amount next.
Step 6: The next section is “Upload Screenplay file in a PDF format” your PDF file must be 5MB or below. If it is over, you can compress the file in Adobe. This is also where you opt-in to receive reader comments, there is a check box below if you would like to receive them and they are free.
Step 7: The “Competition Certification” is next, please read and review them before initialing. The “Refund Policy” is last, please read and review them as well.
Step 8: Double Check Info to ensure that everything is correct and then scroll on the actual form to show the submit button. (This will be at the bottom of the submit form and not the website page) Make sure your pop-up blockers are off in your browser to ensure that the pay window shows.
How to Turn off Pop-up Blockers (In order for the PayPal pop-up to populate you will need to turn off your pop-up blocker.)
On Chrome
Step 1: Go to the menu at the top of your chrome window (right side), “click settings”, then go to “privacy and security”, then “site settings”
Step 2: Continue you by going to “pop-ups and redirects” and then finally click “sites can send pop-ups and use redirects”
Step 3: Go back to the form to finish and submit.
Step 4: Once you hit submit, the PayPal window should populate. If you do not have an account, it is okay to submit as a guest. Just hit “pay with a debit or credit card”
Step 5: Once you submit your PayPal, you will receive a confirmation email, as well as a submission confirmation. The submission email can take up to five days to receive.
If you are still having any issues with submitting, please contact us at 512-478-4795 or scriptdirector@austinfilmfestival.com
If you are still having any issues with submitting, please contact us at 512-478-4795 or scriptdirector@austinfilmfestival.com
SUBMIT YOUR SCRIPT
*Submissions will only be processed when the online form and payment have been submitted in the same session.
Submissions are not received until payment has been processed. Once you have paid via PayPal and have your PayPal receipt, your submission is complete. Due to high volume of submissions, a separate email confirmation from Austin Film Festival may not be received immediately, and will be sent within five business days.
**When you click submit on this form, you’ll be automatically added to our newsletter as notifications are sent through this system. You can opt out at any time by clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of the newsletter.
SUBMIT BY MAIL
Return your signed, completed entry form, along with your entry fee and other required materials.
MAIL TO:
Screenplay Competition
Austin Film Festival
1801 Salina Street
Austin, TX 78702
Please include a self-addressed, stamped postcard for each submission if you would like acknowledgement of the receipt of your entry.
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 Screenplay Department Manager: Grace Donaldson –scriptdirector@austinfilmfestival.com
For questions regarding reader inquiries and opportunities, please contact our Script Competitions Manager: Cynthia Cano scriptmanager@austinfilmfestival.com or call us at 512-478-4795.