Competition Rules
RULES
1. You may enter as many scripts as you like, but each must be accompanied by a separate Official Entry Form and the required entry fee (check or money order made payable to Gotham Writers' Workshop).
2. Entries must be written in English. The screenplay(s) must be original and unproduced (meaning purchased for production or actually produced) at the time of submission. Optioned scripts are acceptable for entry. If your script is purchased after submission you can withdraw it from the competition, however the entry fee is non-refundable. This is due to staff time involved in processing your entry, bank charges associated with processing entries and refunds, and the judge time involved in scoring your script.
3. Entries may be submitted by mail or online.
Online Entry: Online entry can be accepted for screenplays submitted Final Draft (.FDR or .FDS) or Adobe (.PDF) formats with the entry fee paid by credit card. To enter online click here. Screenwriters who wish to pay by check or money order, or those who work in Word (.DOC), Text (.TXT), and MovieMagic file formats, must submit their entry by mail.
Mailed Entry: Mailed entries must include a completed entry form, entry fee (check or money order payable to Gotham Writers' Workshop) and one copy of the screenplay, properly bound (white cover stock front and back with brass brads). A4 paper is acceptable for entries from outside the USA. If submitting more than one script, you may mail all entries in the same envelope and write one check for the total entry fee, but remember to attach a separate Official Entry Form to each script. You may mail separate entries in separate envelopes as well. Entries should be mailed to:
2. Entries must be written in English. The screenplay(s) must be original and unproduced (meaning purchased for production or actually produced) at the time of submission. Optioned scripts are acceptable for entry. If your script is purchased after submission you can withdraw it from the competition, however the entry fee is non-refundable. This is due to staff time involved in processing your entry, bank charges associated with processing entries and refunds, and the judge time involved in scoring your script.
3. Entries may be submitted by mail or online.
Online Entry: Online entry can be accepted for screenplays submitted Final Draft (.FDR or .FDS) or Adobe (.PDF) formats with the entry fee paid by credit card. To enter online click here. Screenwriters who wish to pay by check or money order, or those who work in Word (.DOC), Text (.TXT), and MovieMagic file formats, must submit their entry by mail.
Mailed Entry: Mailed entries must include a completed entry form, entry fee (check or money order payable to Gotham Writers' Workshop) and one copy of the screenplay, properly bound (white cover stock front and back with brass brads). A4 paper is acceptable for entries from outside the USA. If submitting more than one script, you may mail all entries in the same envelope and write one check for the total entry fee, but remember to attach a separate Official Entry Form to each script. You may mail separate entries in separate envelopes as well. Entries should be mailed to:
12th ASA International Screenplay Competition
c/o Gotham Writers' Workshop
555 Eighth Avenue, Suite 1402
New York, NY 10018-4358
4. All scripts must conform to standard screenplay format. For more details on standard formatting, please visit goasa.com or refer to The Screenwriters Bible.
5. Scripts must be between 80-130 pages in length. We will give leeway of a few pages either way if your script is just under 80 pages or just over 130 pages. All pages other than the first page should be numbered .
6. To avoid distracting the judges from the content of your entry, please:
6. To avoid distracting the judges from the content of your entry, please:
Do not attach additional materials, such as illustrations or casting suggestions.
Do not include a synopsis, treatment or logline with your entry.
Do not write on the spine of the script
Do not include your name anywhere on the script, it should appear only on the entry form
7. Script collaborations are allowed, however, each writer must sign the application form (space is provided on the form), and the work must be the sole and exclusive property of the collaborators.
8. Once a screenplay has been submitted, substitutions of new drafts will be not accepted under any circumstances. This is because your script is processed immediately upon receipt and given to a judge for reading, therefore we cannot accept new versions of the same script.
9. Do not send your only original copy of the script. Materials will not be returned.
10. Writer(s) retain ALL rights for their entry(ies) when entering our competition.
11. Adaptations are acceptable for entry in our competition only if you have all the appropriate and/or required approvals/waivers/permissions from any and all right holders. If you are unsure, please consult an entertainment attorney for your own protection.
12. Every entrant will receive an email confirmation up receipt of his or her script. If you do not have an email address, you may enclose a self-addressed stamped postcard along with your mailed entry to receive notification of the receipt of your script. We cannot return submitted scripts.
13. Our competition is currently for FEATURE FILM scripts only. We are not accepting television, documentary or short film scripts at this time.
14. Any script that has won $5,000 or more in other competitions is not eligible for competition prizes.
15. The following are not permitted to enter the contest: employees of the American Screenwriters Association, or Gotham Writers' Workshop faculty, staff, and their immediate family.
| Early Entry Deadline October 31, 2008 |
Final Entry Deadline November 30, 2008 | |
| Entry Fee: | ASA Member*: $40.00 Non-ASA Member: $50.00 Student**: $25.00 |
$50.00 |
* ASA member discount rate applies to Professional and Platinum members whose membership is paid and current. Discounted entry fee does not apply to free Associate memberships.
** Student rate is valid for full-time students only. Proof of student status is required with entry.
** Student rate is valid for full-time students only. Proof of student status is required with entry.
Early Entry Deadline: Postmarked by October 31, 2008
Final Entry Deadline: Postmarked by November 30, 2008
First Round Judging: Begins December 1, 2008
Quarterfinalists Announced: February 28, 2009 or earlier
Quarterfinalist Round Judging: March 1, 2009 - April 15, 2009
Semifinalists Announced: April 30, 2009 or earlier
Semifinalist and Finalist Round Judging: April 15 - May 31, 2009
Semifinalist and Finalists Announced: Finalists will be announced in mid-June.
* Note: We make every effort to adhere to our timeline. However, sometimes due to circumstances beyond our control, the timeline may be altered without notice to allow for adequate judging time, notification time and/or the awarding of prizes. Announcement of each round of judging may occur slightly ahead of or behind schedule.
1. Judging will be anonymous. Upon receipt, your screenplay(s) and entry form(s) will be assigned corresponding numbers, and your screenplay(s) will be identifiable to the judges by number only.
2. Judges' decisions are final. Prizes are non-transferable. Winners are responsible for any taxes.
3. Individuals active in the film and screenwriting community will conduct preliminary judging. The top scoring scripts will continue to the Quarterfinal Round. The Quarterfinal scripts will be re-read and re-judged. Five Finalists will be selected from the Quarterfinal Round to advance to the Finals. A panel of industry experts and screenwriting professionals will conduct the final round of judging. (A list of previous judges is available on the ASA site.)
4. In the event a collaborative screenplay is selected as the First Prize winning entry, the writers must determine who will receive the prizes. Only one First prize package will be awarded.
2. Judges' decisions are final. Prizes are non-transferable. Winners are responsible for any taxes.
3. Individuals active in the film and screenwriting community will conduct preliminary judging. The top scoring scripts will continue to the Quarterfinal Round. The Quarterfinal scripts will be re-read and re-judged. Five Finalists will be selected from the Quarterfinal Round to advance to the Finals. A panel of industry experts and screenwriting professionals will conduct the final round of judging. (A list of previous judges is available on the ASA site.)
4. In the event a collaborative screenplay is selected as the First Prize winning entry, the writers must determine who will receive the prizes. Only one First prize package will be awarded.
5. Every entrant will receive an email confirmation upon receipt of his/her script. If you do not have an email address, you may enclose a self-address stamped postcard along with your mailed entry to receive notification of the receipt of your script. We cannot return submitted scripts.
6. Quarterfinalists will be posted on the ASA site prior to March 31, 2009. An announcement will also be sent out in the ASA e-newsletter, Script Notes (if you are not on the ASA newsletter list, you can sign up here). The First through Fifth-place winners will be notified by mail before May 31, 2009, and on the web at www.goasa.com. Prizes will be awarded by September 15, 2009.
6. Quarterfinalists will be posted on the ASA site prior to March 31, 2009. An announcement will also be sent out in the ASA e-newsletter, Script Notes (if you are not on the ASA newsletter list, you can sign up here). The First through Fifth-place winners will be notified by mail before May 31, 2009, and on the web at www.goasa.com. Prizes will be awarded by September 15, 2009.