Screenplay Competition

 

The Sedona International Film Festival — now in its 30th year — provides a unique natural backdrop and an enlightening festival experience for our three SCREENPLAY COMPETITION winners. Meeting filmmakers, producers and executives from all over the world in conversations at lunch and dinner, with cuisine provided by Sedona’s finest restaurants for all VIP personnel are just the beginning. Parties at Sedona’s best hotels, restaurants and clubs will allow mingling with Industry contacts to continue. Between going to panels, films, Q&As, meals and parties, you’ll explore the red rocks of Sedona, one of the most beautiful places on earth. Besides the prizes (below) you’ll come away with an unforgettable experience that could kick-start your budding screenwriting journey, and become SIFF alumni forever!


SCREENPLAY COMPETITION CATEGORIES:
• Feature Screenplays
• Short Screenplays
• TV Pilots: 1/2-Hour or One-Hour


DEADLINES:
Super Earlybird: May 31, 2023
Earlybird: July 31, 2023
Regular: September 30, 2023
Late: November 30, 2023
Extended: December 31, 2023

 

AWARDS AND PRIZES:
1st place FEATURE SCRIPT: One VIP pass, up to 4 nights in hotel, a TABLE READ by actors of portions of the winning script, a personalized engraved award presented at the festival awards brunch, a festival TV interview, full script coverage and feedback.
1st place TV PILOT (1/2 hr. or 1 hr.): One VIP pass, up to 4 nights in hotel, a TABLE READ by actors of portions of the winning script, a personalized engraved award presented at the festival awards brunch, a festival TV interview, full script coverage and feedback.
1st place SHORT: One VIP pass, up to 4 nights in hotel, a TABLE READ by actors of portions of the winning script, a personalized engraved award presented at the festival awards brunch, a festival TV interview, full script coverage and feedback.

 

WINNERS ANNOUNCED BY:
Quarterfinalist: January 7, 2024
Semifinalist: January 14, 2024
Finalist: January 21, 2024

 


RULES AND ELIGIBILITY:

  • All writers from all countries are welcome to submit; however, all screenplays must be submitted in English, and application fees must be paid in U.S. dollars.
  • Arizona writers get a $10.00 discount on all three categories. Contact us for discount code: email operations@sedonafilmfestival.com or call 928-282-1177, ext. 10.
  • Writers under the age of 18 years old must have parent or legal guardian’s permission to participate.
  • Script must be the original work of the submitting writer and may not be encumbered by any third party.
  • Screenplays adapted from the submitting writer’s own self-published books, plays, or other source materials are eligible if the writer retains all rights to the work.
  • Scripts that have been sold, produced for a profit, or are currently under option are not eligible.
  • Prior contest-winning scripts from other contests are acceptable.
  • Original full-length feature screenplays are accepted, and short scripts, as well as TV scripts (1/2 hour; and hour), are eligible. Length requirements for full-length features: 40-130 pages. 1/2 hour TV Pilots 20-40 pages. Hour TV scripts/pilots 40-70 pages. No exceptions.
  • Script must be in industry standard format. Formatting is taken into consideration in judging. Standard title pages can be included: listing the script title, name of author(s), telephone number, and email address. Applicants will not be disqualified if these elements are not included. Under no circumstances should the writer include name or contact information within the body of the script.
  • Adaptations from other works are permissible provided the writer has written permission by the owner to adapt the material. Adaptations of works in the public domain are permissible.
  • Multiple authorship is acceptable. If the screenplay wins an award, that award will be divided among the writers, by the writers.
  • Multiple submissions by one writer are accepted with separate payments.
  • Applicants must submit materials and payment online only.
  • A revised draft of a script may be accepted if it is entered as a new application with the appropriate fee.
  • Promotional discounts or waivers offered may only be utilized at the time of submission. Promotional discounts or waivers offered may not apply on all submission platforms (i.e., FilmFreeway).
  • Applicants must accept without reservation the decisions rendered by the judges.
  • The writer understands that it is his/her sole responsibility to register material to be submitted with the U.S. Copyright Office and/or with the Writer’s Guild of America or the appropriate agency in his/her country.
  • Applicants awarded or chosen understand and accept that SIFF will be free to use his/her name and likeness for advertising or promotional purposes without additional consideration.
  • Writers retain the rights to their screenplay.
  • Applicants are non-exclusive and may submit their screenplay to any other person, competition, producer, agent, publisher, and/or organization.
  • No transfer, substitution, or cash equivalent for prizes is allowed.
  • SIFF is not responsible for any applicant errors or omissions on any submitted application materials.
  • Synopses, casting suggestions, letters, resumes and photos will not be considered, please do not send.
  • Applicant accepts without reservation that the submitted screenplay will be reviewed by staff and/or panel of Judges for evaluation and that any one of these employees or judges may have been or may be exploring ideas similar to the submitted material, and the applicant hereby waives any claim that the staff or judges may have misappropriated any ideas or portions of the submission, logline or screenplay.
  • You should retain master copies of the submitted material. Any material we receive cannot and will not be returned under any circumstances.
  • To submit your materials and be considered, you must agree to these Rules and Terms.


SUBMIT:

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Click here to submit your SCREENPLAY today through FilmFreeway!
For more information, please call the festival office at (928) 282-1177.

Click here to submit your SCREENPLAY today through Direct Submit to the Sedona Film Festival!
For more information, please call the festival office at (928) 282-1177.