CINESTORY SCREENWRITING AWARDS

Script Guidelines

• Submit one copy of a 90 to 130 page screenplay.
• Do not send originals. Materials will not be returned under any circumstances.
• If submitting a hardcopy script, please include two title pages. The first page, containing only the title of the entry, should be attached directly to the screenplay. A second page including title, author's name, address, and phone number must be submitted unattached to the script.
• If submitting electronically, please ensure that your name and contact information does not appear on the title page.
• The author's name must not appear anywhere within the body of the script.
• Body pages must be numbered.
• No additional materials should be attached to the script.
• Hardcopy scripts must be bound with two or three brads and in industry-standard format and card stock covers are required. Consult any screenwriting text or format guide.
• Screenplays must be in English.
• Screenplays must be on plain white paper. Single or double-sided accepted.

Entry Guidelines

• Any screenplay from any genre will be considered.
• This contest is open to any writer without produced feature film credits.
• Entered screenplays may not have been previously optioned, sold or produced.
• Multiple entries are accepted, provided a signed entry form and appropriate entry fee is attached to each submission.
• Multiple authorship is acceptable. However, if the screenplay wins an award, only one award will be given and it will be divided equally among the writers.
• Screenplays must be the original work of the author. If based on another person's life story, a statement attesting to the rights obtained must be attached.
• No adaptations of other written work will be accepted.
• There must be no dispute about the ownership of submitted screenplays or the writer's right to submit a screenplay.
• CineStory recommends registering your screenplays with the WGA or the Copyright Office of the Library of Congress.
• No substitutions of new drafts or corrected pages for entries will be accepted under any circumstances. However, you may submit a new draft as a separate submission.
• Judges' decisions are final and no correspondence will be entered into. Sorry, we cannot provide individual feedback from the judges.
• Entries that fail to follow competition rules and guidelines will be disqualified.
• No refunds for entries that do not comply with competition rules and guidelines.
• Winners will be responsible for their own U.S. income tax withholding.
• Entering the contest constitutes permission to use the winners' names and likenesses for publicity and promotions with no additional compensation.
• All entries must be postmarked or uploaded by the appropriate deadline.
• CineStory reserves the right to extend the final deadline however an extended deadline is not guaranteed.
• CineStory is not responsible for entries lost, stolen or damaged in transit.
• CineStory notifies winners only.

Mailing Guidelines

• EARLY DEADLINE: $40 per entry postmarked by November 16, 2009
• REGULAR DEADLINE: $50 per entry postmarked by December 31, 2009
• FINAL DEADLINE: $60 per entry postmarked by January 31, 2010
• For confirmation that your screenplay has been received, please include a self-addressed stamped postcard.
• CineStory is not responsible for screenplays lost, stolen or damaged in transit.

Send submissions and entry forms to:

For any questions e-mail: info@cinestory.org