deadlines Competition Rules

General Rules – All Competitions Scripted Digital Series Competition PC back back typos crash

1. Once an entry payment has been processed, we cannot provide 1. The Scripted Digital Series Competition is only open to writers typing school to grad grad to whiskey

Script Competition THE END a refund. If a payment is disputed, the account holder may be who do not currently earn a living writing for film or television. TV Change is in the Air subject to any fees. staff writers are still eligible to submit. Feature Screenplay 2. All submissions must be accompanied by the appropriate 2. Applicants can submit 1-3 episodes, either written or produced, The 28th Annual Austin Film Festival & Writers Conference October 21-28

n Early Bird Deadline: March 26 ($45) submission fee PER ENTRY and if submitting by mail a completed totaling no more than 30 pages or 30 minutes - entry form including authors’ original signatures. Please do not 3. Only new series will be considered. Submissions must be the first n Regular Deadline: April 16 ($60) send a photocopy of your signature. Make checks or money one to three consecutive episodes of the series’ first season.

orders payable to “Austin Film Festival.” Only US money orders 4. All series must be in English or, if applicable, have English call

crisis Austin Film Festival is the best phins n mom

Late Deadline: May 21 ($70) endor The old adage tells us, change eye on eye will be accepted. subtitles at the time submitted. donuts mmmm the prize 3. Submissions must be the original work of the applicant(s). 5. Applicants may submit both filmed episodes and scripted epi- existential festival in the world for writers. Short Screenplay & Teleplay Neither the Festival nor its jurists investigates or attests to the sodes of their series, but each will require a separate application is the only constant in life. authenticity of an applicant’s statement of authorship or rights. n Early Bird Deadline: March 26 ($35) and payment. “ I got my start at AFF, first as a 4. If a submission involves two or more writers as applicants, the 6. Entrants that advance to the Semifinalist level will be asked As it so happens, change is the common denominator n Regular Deadline: April 16 ($50) monetary prize and any reimbursements will be divided equally to provide a treatment of their vision for the series and how among them and only one Typewriter Award will be provided. subsequent episodes will unfold. linking the current state of the world and the unwavering second-rounder, then as a finalist. plot films FREE 6am hole! n Late Deadline: May 21 ($60) 5. Awards are based on overall merit of the entries. Judges reserve more watch watch SPACE state of the storyteller.

the right not to grant an award. wakeup Playwriting Competition courage Austin launched my career – from Scripted Digital Series 6. AFF reserves the right in its sole discretion to reject or disqualify 1. The Playwriting Competition is only open to writers who do not any ineligible entries, without a refund. currently earn a living writing for film or television. TV staff writers Good characters, strong plotlines, and impactful theme n Early Bird Deadline: March 26 ($35) 7. Selected Scripts, Films, and Plays Winners: placing in the contests, which led are still eligible to submit. work all depend on change. Does the protagonist stay or n Regular Deadline: April 16 ($40) • AFF has no obligation (other than as stated in these rules or 2. All plays submitted must be in English. on our website) to disclose any of the following information: i) 3. The play must not have been optioned, sold, had a professional does she go? Does the story turn on its heels? Does the directly to getting representation, n identities of readers, screeners, or judges; ii) notes, feedback, or production, or be scheduled to have a professional production this?

Late Deadline: May 21 ($45) wine information relating to the submitted material; and/or iii) details prior to October 23, 2021. A “professional production” is defined staring I wrote I wrote blankly

draft #4 draft message stop us in our tracks? And if it’s not too bold to

tenacity to, a couple of years later, getting n Extended Deadline: July 9 ($50) regarding the submission review or selection process. as a staged production where the playwrights involved were or • Except as explicitly stated, no representations or guarantees will be compensated for their intellectual property or work. Appli- inquire: Does it change us, too? Fiction Podcast Script are made regarding the feedback or comments provided, or the cants must notify Austin Film Festival (“AFF” or the “Festival”) of staffed and my career taking quality thereof. The opinions of the readers, screeners, or judges any changes in status following submission. Meanwhile, here we are in a world, unrecognizable n Early Bird Deadline: April 16 ($20) are their own and do not reflect the opinions of AFF. AFF explicitly 4. Applicants may submit more than one play. entries call for off in earnest. I can honestly say n Regular Deadline: May 21 ($30) disclaims any liability or responsibility for any comments, notes, 5. Full-length plays, original or adapted, will be accepted. One-act from a mere year ago, perhaps even a changed version dog fetal fetal or opinions expressed about a submission, whether by AFF or by plays, musicals, and screenplays will not be considered. 3am idea quad table- table- binge AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL AUSTIN I look forward to returning to the editing

its readers, judges, and sponsors. for read n Late Deadline: July 9 ($40) 6. Preferred page length is around 60 – 90 pages. Plays will not be position of ourselves. espresso • Winners will be announced on October 23, 2021. The judges’ disqualified if the page length does not fit these parameters as Austin Film Festival each and Playwriting Competition decision is final. long as it could reasonably be performed within 90 minutes on This is a time that is rife with stories—stories in the making, • Winners receiving cash prizes are solely responsible for payment stage. n Early Bird Deadline: April 16 ($20) of all applicable local, state, and federal taxes. 7. Be sure that a Character Breakdown precedes the script. Please stories crying out to be told, stories yet to be fully realized. every year. include age and gender of each character. The breakdown should Jimmy Mosqueda, writer of n Late Deadline: May 21 ($30) Screenplay, Teleplay, and not exceed one page. Throughout our history, storytelling has been a saving Legacies and Schooled Fiction Podcast Competitions

1. All feature screenplays/teleplays/shorts/fiction podcasts Originality and Permissions; INDEMNITY – grace: from swapping tales on how to adapt to simply

(collectively, “Scripts”) submitted must be in English. All Competitions US! LIKE This project is supported in part by the Cultural Arts Division of The City of Austin Economic Development Department and The Texas Commission on the Arts. the on Commission Texas The and Department Development Economic Austin of City The of Division Arts Cultural the by part in supported is project This “

finding solace in our shared humanity. And so it is written: Film Competition /AUSTINFILMFESTIVAL 2. The Screenplay, Teleplay, and Fiction Podcast Competitions are 1. Films/Scripts/Plays must be the original work of the applicants. If only open to writers who do not currently earn a living writing for a film is based upon another person’s life or upon a book or other stories will continue to serve a greater purpose as we 2021 Film Competition film or television. TV staff writers are still eligible to submit. underlying work, applicant(s) must secure any necessary rights

n 3. Scripts must not have been optioned or sold prior to October 23, to make such adaptations. However, it is not necessary to submit move through the inevitable changes that await us.

Early Bird Deadline: March 26 ($50) US! FOLLOW

2021. Applicants must notify Austin Film Festival (“AFF” or the the adaptation rights agreements to the Festival. Neither the

@AUSTINFILMFEST Guidelines. Brand

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“Festival”) of any changes in status following submission. Festival nor its jurists investigates or attests to the authenticity squar Rounded n Regular Deadline: May 21 ($60) icon Social At Austin Film Festival, we are committed to supporting 4. Scripts that have reached the Semifinalist level or above in of an applicant’s statement of authorship or rights secured. By n Late Deadline: June 25 ($75) previous years within any of the Austin Film Festival Competitions entering the competition, you are acknowledging that you have storytellers. Our mission is to champion, to inspire, to

are not eligible for resubmission. secured all necessary rights. July 9 July Extended | 21 May

n Extended Deadline: July 9 ($75) Late

5. The Teleplay Competition welcomes spec scripts for any currently 2. Applicants are solely responsible for obtaining all necessary entertain, to provoke, and, yes to create change through

April 16 16 April Regular | 26 March

airing network or cable program AND original pilot scripts. In rights and permissions for third-party materials included in Early 2021 Produced Digital Series order for spec scripts to be eligible for consideration, the program the film, including but not limited to music, trademarks, logos, DEADLINES SERIES DIGITAL SCRIPTED the transformative power of storytelling.

n Early Bird Deadline: March 26 ($35) must not be canceled prior to the start of the current television copyrights, and other intellectual property rights. AFF expressly

May 21 May Late | 16 April Regular | 26 March

season (September 2020). Specs for new programs must have a disclaims all liability or responsibility for any violations of the Early And we’re waiting for you with open arms.

Brigitte Hales, Ryan P. Hall, Raamla Mohamed, n Regular Deadline: May 21 ($45) series premiere date no later than May 2021. Any ineligible spec foregoing. DEADLINES TELEPLAY & SCREENPLAY script will be disqualified and no refund will be provided. 3. BY SUBMITTING THE MATERIAL, THE APPLICANT HEREBY and Pamela Ribon talk meetings and the

n Late Deadline: June 25 ($50) May 21 May Late | 16 April 6. No show bibles, treatments, or reality show formats will be AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND DEFEND THE Early process creatives go through from honing

accepted for the Teleplay Competition. FESTIVAL, ITS EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS, REPRESENTATIVES, n Extended Deadline: July 9 ($50) DEADLINES PLAYWRITING 7. Applicants may submit more than one Script in any chosen AND AFFILIATES FROM ANY LIABILITY, CLAIMS, AND DAMAGES a pitch to following up.

category. Each entry requires an application, payment, and script IN CONNECTION WITH THE SUBMISSION AND FROM ANY FEES

July 9 July Late | 21 May Regular | 16 April

(excluding the Enderby Entertainment Award, Horror Award, and AND EXPENSES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO REASONABLE Early Sci-Fi Award, in which only one script is necessary – applies to ATTORNEYS’ FEES, THAT ANY OF THEM MAY INCUR IN DEADLINES PODCAST FICTION

Screenplay Competition only). CONNECTION THEREWITH.

July 9 9 July Extended | 25 June

8. Returns and Acknowledgments: Late

May 21 21 May Regular | 26 March Early conference • Scripts will not be returned under any circumstances. For formatting rules and category specifications, please visit • Please include a self-addressed, stamped postcard for each www.austinfilmfestival.com/submit

submission if you wish acknowledgement of the receipt of your DEADLINES SERIES DIGITAL PRODUCED & FILM Austin Film Festival’s Writers Conference boasts over 175 panels, roundtables, pitch sessions,

screenplay/teleplay (mailed-in entries only).

• Online submissions will receive 2021 21-28, OCTOBER and workshops, covering every nook and cranny of the art, craft, and business of storytelling

a confirmation email.

• Notification letters will be sent by CONFERENCE writers & through film, television, and online platforms. By making the pure art of storytelling its compass, email and postal mail by

mid-September. Semifinalists FESTIVAL FILM AUSTIN ANNUAL 28TH the will be contacted by phone AFF has kept a true path, serving as a creative greenhouse for conversations, ideas, and projects

around this time.

1-800-310-FEST by this era’s great screenwriters and filmmakers. Industry icons, inventive executives, and indie 1801 Salina Street | Austin, Texas 78702 Texas Austin, | Street Salina 1801 breakouts will disclose seasoned tips and techniques in what Vince Gilligan coined “a haven Girlfriends creator Mara Brock Akil discusses her The Old Guard director Gina for storytellers” or what Jonathan Demme called “a sprawling but intimate movie party where experience in writing and producing nearly 400 Prince-Bythewood talks filmmaking at episodes of television at the 2020 conference. the 2020 conference. writers are the honored guests and the magic of storytelling is the name of the game.” SCRIPT COMPETITION other entries FILM COMPETITION

n Those who advance in the competition also gain access The Enderby Entertainment Award The Original POD: AFF’s Fiction AFF’s Film Competition From FADE OUT to Second Rounder and above Roundtables at the This award returns for another year to offer the Conference—intimate, open-ended sessions with agents, With one of the most noteworthy film competitions in the winner with a script that has an original concept Podcast Competition to BREAK IN managers, writers, and producers. industry, AFF has a rich history of catapulting filmmakers and distinctive voice that can be produced under What do the television shows Homecoming, Dirty John, and n into life-changing careers. (The likes of Jason Reitman, Second Rounders and above have the chance to enjoy $10 million the opportunity to be mentored by It’s no secret that Austin Film Festival’s script Limetown have in common? They were all podcasts first. The Jeff Nichols, Maggie Carey, Cary Joji Fukunaga, and Ray interactive opportunities such as going out to lunch with Rick Dugdale and Daniel Petrie, Jr. podcast medium is quickly becoming a lucrative way to break competitions are among the most revered big-name Conference panelists and participating in live McKinnon — to name a few— walked through our doors into the industry, and is a storytelling pursuit that can be done long before they became, well, Jason Reitman, Jeff Nichols, in the industry. Each year, some of the best script reading workshops where selected scripts from the Capri Residency Fellowship from the comfort of your bedroom closet. We’re thrilled to embark Competition are read aloud by a cast of actors and dis- Maggie Carey, Cary Joji Fukunaga, and Ray McKinnon.) emerging voices are discovered and go on The Capri Fellowship Residency hopes to provide upon the fifth year with this unique competition, while also helping Your story may have started on the page or the screen, but cussed in a personalized setting during the Conference. Good director Justin Etheredge and lead actor Keith David speak a place where writers can find their voice and tell bridge the space between microphone and phone call with your we make sure it doesn’t stop there. From industry-renowned to have groundbreaking careers. We take n about their film which premiered at the 2020 conference. All Semifinalists, Finalists, and Winners loglines and their most compelling stories. The winner of the next job offer. With judges who have hailed from Sony Pictures judges across all categories to specialized Conference great pride in the care that goes into the contact information will be included in AFF’s renowned Drama Feature Screenplay Award will be provided Television, Authentic, and QCode to Conference panels that ex- sessions and roundtables for entrants and winners to (new!) “Producers Book” which is distributed to over 1,000 the opportunity to stay at the Capri Residency in plore the nuts and bolts of narrative podcasting, this is a competition process, from hand-selecting fellowship and jury advisory opportunities, the red carpet NEW! Enderby Entertainment industry professionals, ranging from agents, managers, Marfa, Texas, for 2 weeks (stay based on Capri competition with opportunities like no other. treatment starts the moment you hit “submit.” highly qualified readers and bringing on producers, and the 2021 roster of Conference panelists. Residency availability and must be scheduled Insider tip: No need to start from scratch. If you already have Filmmaking Fellowship Award big-name jurors to crafting special opportuni- from November 2021-December 2022). a play, teleplay, or screenplay, you’re almost there. With a little From Small Steps to Big Leaps The Enderby Entertainment Filmmaking Fellowship ties for our entrants at the annual Conference tweaking, your podcast script could be your new calling card. Award is open to short films entered under the Narrative Josephson Entertainment The coveted AFF Bronze Typewriter isn’t the only thing Short and Narrative Student Short categories. Founded and shepherding them through all the you may be going home with in October. Along with the Screenwriting Fellowship by Daniel Petrie, Jr. (Beverly Hills Cop, The Big Easy) and Setting the Stage: memories made at the annual Festival & Conference logistics so that their famous last words Acclaimed producer, Barry Josephson, has been a Rick Dugdale, the production company will provide each October, we make it part of our mission to connect longtime supporter of AFF since the very first Festival airfare and hotel accommodations for a week-long trip are not, in fact, “FADE OUT.” AFF’s Playwriting Competition writers to the people that can inspire and elevate their in 1994 when he optioned the winning script from the to Enderby’s Los Angeles offices, complete with seasoned Ah, the original form of entertainment: the theatre! So much of careers. AFF thrives on discovering the next crop of brilliant Screenplay Competition. For a fourth year, Barry will guidance and the invitation to shadow executives and the technique informing a writer’s repertoire stems from the art of stories for distribution deals, such as the 2020 Dark present the “Josephson Entertainment Screenwriting filmmakers on-site. playwriting; it is no surprise, then, that this art form is not only be- Matters Audience Award Winner Stalker (formerly known Watchmen creator/showrunner Damon Fellowship” which provides a one-on-one mentorship loved by the writing community as a whole, but also is sought out as Blinders) which was acquired by Vertical Entertainment, Lindelof at AFF 2020. for the writers of two scripts—one feature script and by those in the film and television industry when scouring for new or the #AFF26 film The Bygone, currently streaming on NEW! Jury Advisory Program one teleplay pilot—selected from the Final Round of talent. AFF’s Playwriting Competition returns in this light for its fifth Netflix. Big leaps for promising artists who took the the 2021 Screenplay Competition. The Jury Advisory Program will facilitate opportunities year, straddling the connections that exists between the stage and simple first step of submitting their projects to the for entrants across all nine of AFF’s film competition The Judiciary Rooster Teeth Fellowship screen, and embracing the universal elements of storytelling that Film Competition. categories sourced from selected in-competition films. writing for theatre embodies. Past jurors have included writers Each Jury Winner per competition category and at least Writer, producer, and director Ed Solomon Committee We are excited to announce our third annual such as Sofia Alvarez, Kelly Masterson, and Brain Yorkey, along with Film Categories: one additional selected in-competition filmmaker per speaks about his career at the 27th annual Rooster Teeth Fellowship Award. Rooster Teeth will representatives from Samuel French. Finalists have the unique category will have the chance to participate in advisory Your placement in AFF’s script competition comes with n Narrative Feature n Documentary Feature Austin Film Festival. offer a one-on-one mentorship for the writer(s) of chance to have live readings produced at the Festival, and sessions with members of the AFF Jury. some serious bragging rights. Not only are you in line for the the winning fellowship script. other advancing playwrights have access to exclusive panels, n Narrative Short* n Documentary Short* coveted Bronze Typewriter Award, you can tell your writing Members of the 2020 Jury included representatives workshops, roundtables, and networking opportunities. n Narrative Student Short n Dark Matters Feature group you were read by the likes of industry heavy-hitters from notable companies such as ESPN Films, Participant, The 360 Treatment n Animated Short* n Comedy Vanguard Feature such as Richard LaGravenese, Raamla Mohamed, Paula So really, the only question left is: To submit, or not to submit? Powderkeg, Stage 13, Sony Pictures Animation, Rain As an organization dedicated to all things story, we take Pell, Eric Heisserer, and Trey Ellis, just to name a few of our Not ready to submit? * Jury Award winners of our Narrative Short, Documentary Short, and Management Group, Writ-Large, and Verve. things like good character, solid structure, and happy end- recent competition jurors. Last year alone, judges includ- Animated Short categories officially qualify for an Academy Award®. ings seriously. We’ve got a well-oiled machine with our com- ed representatives from Netflix, Lit Entertainment, United Try our Coverage Program! Swipe Right: Scripted and petitions, from providing excellent communication to endless Talent Agency, Meridian Artists, Circle of Confusion, Maven AFF’s Coverage Program provides a detailed Produced Digital Series resources for our entrants. Just some of the perks Pictures, Walt Disney Television, Bellevue Productions, and constructive evaluation of your script for $105 of submitting to the script competitions include…. Cartoon Network. Believe us when we say: We’re all about (feature script) or $85 (teleplays and shorts). That’s Competition Young Filmmakers n taking this competition—and your career—to the next level. a small fee for a potential life-changing return on All entrants receive FREE reader comments, with those who As episodic content grows and diversifies, AFF has expanded its your investment. The final Competition entry deadline place in the Second Round and above (roughly Digital Series Competition to include separate entries for both Competition the top 20%) receiving even more detailed feedback. is May 21 so with a turnaround time of 60 days or less, produced and Scripted submissions. We’re looking to discover At Austin Film Festival, we strive to support the next this script coverage will still give you enough time for n All entrants receive special deals on Badges to attend and promote serial storytellers who can grip an audience with generation of storytellers, and are proud to offer our feedback before entering. the annual Austin Film Festival & Writers Conference, with their unique voice and innovative narrative approach. FREE Young Filmmakers Competition for filmmakers greater discounts available the higher they place. Submit your coverage request at ages 13 -18. At the Young Filmmakers Showcase held Filmmakers and screenwriters can submit the first 1-3 episodes www.austinfilmfestival.com/submit/coverage-program/ at the annual Austin Film Festival, selected animated, n Second Rounders and above have the opportunity to of their series, (less than 30 minutes or 30 pages in total). documentary, and narrative films from all around the participate in exclusive, specially curated panels at the Semifinalists will be required to fill out a treatment form from world play on the big screen in front of a supportive annual Writers Conference. Past sessions have included AFF about how the series will further develop. Past judges have audience of Festival-goers. It’s never too early to start topics such as finding representation, demystifying the included representatives from Warner Bros, New Form Digital, development process, and hands-on revision workshops your filmmaking career! Shorts filmmakers Austin Hall (writer/director Molly Robber), Submit today! Learn more at Rooster Teeth, and Powderkeg among others. with legends such as Lindsay Doran, John August, and Zach Visvikis (writer/director Molly Robber), Amy Aniobi (writer/ austinfilmfestival.com Submit today! Learn more at: Craig Mazin. director/producer Honeymoon), Zora Bikangaga (writer/director The Get Together creators Will Bakke, Chad Werner, and Jon Michael austinfilmfestival.com/yfp/competition/ Auntie Zariyah) talk their craft at the 2020 Austin Film Festival. Simpson at live screening and Q&A event for the 2020 conference.