Top
CineStory Fellowship

The top prize of the CineStory Screenwriting Awards, the Fellowship is a year-long mentorship program during which the writer works one-on-one with two Hollywood professionals.

Read more here.

More contest

Script Guidelines

  • Screenplays must have a CLEAN COVER PAGE. This means the title only on the cover, no author’s name/contact information. If submitting a hardcopy script, please include two cover pages. The first, containing only the title of the entry, should be attached directly to the screenplay. The second including the title, author's name, address and phone number should be submitted unattached to the script. If submitting electronically, please ensure that your name and contact information DOES NOT appear on the title page.
  • Submit one copy of a 85 to 130-page screenplay.
  • Do not send originals. Materials will not be returned under any circumstances.
  • The author's name must not appear anywhere within the body of the script.
  • Body pages must be numbered.
  • No additional materials, artwork, illustrations etc. should be attached to the script.
  • Hardcopy scripts must be bound with two or three brads and in industry-standard format. Cardstock 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.

Official Rules and Guidelines

  • Entrants must be 18 or older.
  • Any screenplay from any genre will be considered.
  • This contest is open to any person without produced theatrically released feature film credits and/or any person who has not made more than $15 000 as a screenwriter.
  • Entered screenplays may not have been previously optioned, sold or produced at the time of entry.
  • 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 unless the writer owns the rights to the original material.
  • 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.
  • Entrants acknowledge that CineStory, its judges, mentors and officers may be exposed to or may develop materials and ideas that may be similar to those of the submitted material. Entrants acknowledge they will not be entitled to any compensation because from such similar material which is independently conceived and created.
  • Entrants agree to never assert against CineStory (or any of its judges, directors, officers, employees or agents) any claim based on an assertion of plagiarism, idea theft, confidential or fiduciary relationship or any other theory relating to the submitted material.
  • 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, emailed 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: $45 per entry postmarked by December 15, 2011
  • REGULAR DEADLINE: $55 per entry postmarked by January 15, 2010
  • LATE DEADLINE: $65 per entry postmarked by February 15, 2011
  • Mail to:

CineStory
P.O. Box 661962
Los Angeles CA 90066

  • 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.