1. Entries must be postmarked or downloaded by June 30, 2008. No script submissions will be returned.

  2. Must be original screenplays (no adaptations) written in the English language.

    • Must NOT be published, produced, sold, or under option at the time of submission.
    • Personal information should only be included on the entry form.
    • Must be between 70-140 pages in length. All pages must be numbered, and no writing is permitted on the spine of the script.

  3. Format standards are as follows:

    • Industry standard (speculation) format when writing your script.
    • Place your name only on the Coverpage.
    • Courier is the industry standard font style and the font size should be no less than 12 point. If your script exceeds 140 pages, edit it down.
    • Cheated margins are very obvious.
      • Click here for a sample script page
      • Miscellaneous items (i.e., artwork, tapes, CDs, etc.) that are sometimes included to "accompany" the reader while reading the script are never looked at or listened to. Send only the script.
  4. If we are alerted that you have attempted to contact The Board members (final round of judges) - directly or indirectly - you will be immediately disqualified from the competition with no refund. These wonderful producers and executives have graciously donated their time and only accept literary material through the proper channels.

  5. All entries must include an original screenplay (between 70 and 140 pages), a completed Registration form and the appropriate entry fee(s). All checks must be payable to ScriptShark. Visa, MasterCard, and American express are also accepted.

  6. You can submit as many scripts as you like. However, please note the following:

    • You must fill out a separate Registration form for each entry.
    • An entry fee must accompany each screenplay.

  7. Judges will include professionals from the entertainment industry. The judging will take place over the course of two rounds:

    • Round One - Analysts from the film and screenwriting industries will select the top one hundred entries.
    • Round Two - A different set of analysts from the film and television industry will rank the top ten and choose the top five finalists.
    • Round Three - The members of the The Board as of June 30, 2008 will read and score the top five screenplays. The top score, based on the sum of all Round Three judging, will become the Grand Prize winner of the competition. All other prizes will be determined by descending scores.

  8. Judging will be anonymous. Your name, address, phone number, email (if available), and title of your screenplay should be included on a cover page that is NOT attached to the script. All judges' decisions are final.

  9. Writing criteria for judging will be based on a 1-10 point grid system developed to analyze a screenplay. This will include:
    • Mechanical Execution - format, page count, font and general presentation.
    • Character Development - Character arc, motivational implementation, and dramatic interactions.
    • Conceptual Integration - understanding of the script's genre and market compatibility.
    • Story Structure - Implementation of standard story structure, proper use of transitions, story reveals, and plot reversals.

    *To request a sample copy of the scoring grid before you enter, please email us at scriptshark@blssi.com with Request Scoring Grid in the subject line.

  10. The finalists will be posted on our Website and notified directly by phone and email.
  11. Writers may collaborate on screenplays, however, individual names must be included on the submission form, and each writer must be able to provide proof that the work is the sole and exclusive property of those that submitted. In the event that a writing team is a prize-winning entry, the writing team is responsible for the division of all prizes and money.

  12. This contest is open to anyone except all employees, directors, associates, the immediate families of the ScriptShark Insider, and all of its affiliates and/or sponsors.

  13. The screenplay must be registered with, or, on the date the screenplay is submitted to the Contest, in the process of being registered with the United States Copyright Office (see http://www.loc.gov/copyright/forms/) and/or the Writer's Guild of America. Each Screenplay Contestant or Writing Team, as applicable, will be required to provide Contest Providers with documentary proof of such registrations promptly upon Contest Provider's request.

  14. Submitted materials will not be returned. Make sure to keep a copy for your records.

  15. Contest is only open to residents of the United States of America and Canada. Please see the Complete List of Rules for full list of restrictions..
Click Here for a complete list of rules.