Cinequest Screenplay Competition Rules & Regulations
FORMAT:
- All genres are accepted.
- All countries are eligible.
- Screenplays must be submitted in English.
- Screenplays should be between 80 (minimum) and 125 (maximum) pages not including the title page.
- Scripts should be properly formatted. Digital subissions in PDF format only.
- Please include ONLY the title and the tracking number on the submitted manuscript to prevent reader biases. Full contact info, writer, title and company information should not be printed on any part of the actual screenplay.
- Rewritten/corrected pages WILL NOT be accepted once the entry has been received.
RESTRICTIONS:
- Script must not have been previously optioned, purchased, in production or produced.
- No entry fee refund.
- Scripts written as adaptations of other works must have secured rights before being submitted.
ENTRY FEES:
- The entry fee is USD $50 for the regular submission deadline of October 09, 2009. Early submissions will be accepted for the discounted price of USD $45 if submitted by July 31, 2009.
- A Cinequest Coverage option is available with extensive feedback on screenplays for an additional fee of USD $50 through Withoutabox.
- Visa and Mastercard Credit Cards as well as Debit Cards ONLY for submission payment.
- Please DO NOT send cash or checks.
DEADLINES:
- The deadline to submit is October 09, 2009. Early submissions will be accepted for a discounted price if submitted by July 31, 2009.
- The 10 finalists will be notified on January 10, 2010.
PRIZE CLAIMS:
- Winning scripts by more than one writer will have the cash prize split evenly amongst the team.
PRIZES:
Top Prize
- USD $5,000
2nd Prize
- A one-on-one consulting session with award-winning playwright and screenwriter Hal Ackerman, Co-Chairman of the UCLA Screenwriting Program, and author of "Write Screenplays That Sell...The Ackerman Way."
- Screenwriting: Beyond the Basics. Sitting around a conference table, you and legendary UCLA Screenwriting Chairman, Prof. Richard Walter, will recreate the authentic film school experience. He'll analyze script pages written by some of the class participants, show you how professionals really judge scripts, and send you home with a solid grasp of the unfailing principles of successful screenwriting. Included: a follow-up reading of your entire screenplay, plus lunch and book.
ALL Top Ten Finalists will:
- Get their script read by top industry professionals on the finalist panel. Past final jury panelists have included:
- Tim Albaugh, Producer at Popular Films.
- Nate Bolotin, Co-Founder, Production and Film Financing for XYZ Films.
- Gilles Chiasson, Director of Development at Moresco Productions.
- Josh Grossman, Senior Vice President of Development for The Goldstein Company (Pretty Woman, The Mothman Prophecies, Under Siege, Under Siege 2: Dark Territory, Ringmaster).
- Leslie Kallen, Manager at Leslie Kallen Management.
- Eugene Mandelcorn, Principal for Film Artists Cinema & Television (FACT).
- Judit Maull, Production Executive at Happy Madison Productions (You Don't Mess With the Zohan, Click, The Longest Yard, Billy Madison, Happy Gilmore).
- Hernany Perla, Creative Executive at Lions Gate Films.
- Kate Sharp, Occupant Films.
- Lucy Shuttleworth, Co-Writer and Associate Producer of The Secret of Moonacre.
- Nancy Rae Stone, President and Producer at First Light Films.
- Jacques Themalaque, President of Filmmakers Alliance, President of 5 Minute Film School and Co-President of FA Productions.
- Jessica Yingling, Production Executive at Cheyenne Enterprises (Live Free or Die Hard, Hostage, The Whole Ten Yards).
- Receive two roundtable sessions during CQFF20 with industry producers, agents and experts to discuss the business aspect of writing.
- Exclusive roundtable at CQFF20 on "The Business of Screenwriting" with producers leading.
- Be invited to the Screenwriters Appreciation Lunch.
- Be invited to the Screenwriters Networking Reception including world renowned writers—past participants included Academy AwardŽ Winners Michael Arndt (Little Miss Sunshine), David Peoples (Twelve Monkeys), Christopher McQuarrie (The Usual Suspects), and Diablo Cody (Juno).
- Receive two Filmmaker Passes with all access to films, forums and parties at CQFF20.
- Receive filmmaker hotel deal during CQFF20.
- Be given exposure and further opportunities to have scripts read by literary agencies, studios and influential producers.
- Receive recognition in two Cinequest press releases.
- Receive recognition on the Cinequest website.
Email Script to:
Cinequest Screenwriting Competition (screenplay@cinequest.org)
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