Big Break Contest

Description

Over $30,000 in cash and prizes, plus mentorship and industry meetings

With cash, rewards, mentorship, and industry exposure, Big Break lives up to its name. Winners and finalists alike have had their screenplays optioned and produced and have secured high-profile representation as well as lucrative writing deals.

About the Contest
Big Break is an annual, global screenwriting contest designed to launch the careers of aspiring writers. Big Break rewards screenwriters with cash, prizes and A-list executive meetings. Winners and finalists alike have had their screenplays optioned and produced and have secured high-profile representation as well as lucrative writing deals.

Since its inception in 2000, Big Break has awarded screenwriters with over $100,000 in cash and prizes and invaluable industry exposure. A panel of notable industry professionals conducts the final judging.

Contest Objectives
Our objective is to discover talented screenwriters and help them find success in today's screenwriting industry.

Entry fees:
$40 - Early Bird Deadline March 2, 2009; $50 - Standard Deadline June 1, 2009; $65 - Extended Deadline June 15, 2009. Dates reflect deadlines for electronic submission. All entries must be electronically submitted by their respective deadlines.

Please email us at bigbreak@finaldraft.com if you have any questions.

Deadlines and Fees

Awards

Over $30,000 in cash and prizes, plus mentorship and Hollywood industry meetings!

First Place Prizes
$15,000 total cash plus finalist prizes. One-year mentorship with two mutually selected industry professionals, in addition to 3-day unique and intensive CineStory Screenwriting Retreat, where industry executive mentors work one-on-one with writers' scripts, move their projects to the next level, & provide pathways to a professional life in the business. Also, airfare to Los Angeles and 3-night hotel stay (unless winner resides in or around Los Angeles).
Second Place Prizes
$4,000 total cash plus finalist prizes. Unique & intensive 3-day CineStory Screenwriting Retreat, where industry executive mentors work one-on-one with writers' scripts, move their projects to the next level, & provide pathways to a professional life in the business. Also, airfare to Los Angeles and 3-night hotel stay (unless second & third place winners reside in or around Los Angeles).
Third Place Prizes
$2,000 total cash plus finalist prizes. Unique & intensive 3-day CineStory Screenwriting Retreat, where industry executive mentors work one-on-one with writers' scripts, move their projects to the next level, & provide pathways to a professional life in the business. Also, airfare to Los Angeles and 3-night hotel stay (unless second & third place winners reside in or around Los Angeles).
Top 10 Finalist Prizes
$500 cash
Final Draft software
Script read by top industry companies
Gotham Writers' Workshop 10-week class
Pitch Perfect video pitching from StoryLink.com
One-year Script magazine subscription
$150 gift certificate from The Writers Store

Formats

Screenplay - Feature

Genres

Action, Adventure, Comedy, Crime, Detective, Drama, Fantasy, Horror, Musical, Mystery, Myth, Political, Romance, Science Fiction, Thriller, War, Western

Rules

Please read and follow these directions. Submissions that do not follow these guidelines will be disqualified.

Contest Rules and Conditions:

1. The Big Break Contest only accepts online entries. No printed scripts will be accepted. You may enter online at http://www. finaldraft.com/bigbreak Our easy-to-use online entry system will work you through the process.

2. Entry fees: $40 - Early Bird Deadline March 2, 2009; $50 - Standard Deadline June 1, 2009; $60 - Extended Deadline June 15, 2009. Dates reflect deadlines for electronic submission of scripts. All entries must be electronically submitted by their respective deadlines.

3. Entrants may submit multiple entries. Each submission must include its own "New Project Form" (using the Without A Box (WAB) online entry system) and entry fee.

4. All submissions should consist of full-length screenplays (approximately 90 to 120 pages) in standard industry format for motion picture screenplays, written in English. SCREENPLAYS OVER 135 PAGES WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. All necessary information is captured upon entry of digital submissions, and title pages are not required. Do NOT include personally identifying information (name, etc.) on any page of your script. If you are using a word processing program that automatically formats screenplays, such as Final Draft, select the Screenplay format template.

5. Screenplays written by up to two people may be entered in the contest. Only one entry fee is required for such entries. Both writers' names should be listed on the online entry. List the writer who will be the primary contact first, and include the address, telephone and email address for that person only. Both writers must authorize submission of the entry. By clicking Submit, both writers authorize the submission. If a screenplay written by two writers is any of the top-three prize winners, Final Draft, Inc. will pay airfare and hotel for both writers, and both writers will have the option to attend meetings with studio executives and agents. All cash awards will be split equally between both writers. If a screenplay written by two writers is any of the top-10 finalists, prizes will be divided at writers' discretion.

6. To enter your script electronically, you must submit your screenplay in Final Draft (.FDR or .FDS) or .PDF format.

7. If you are using a program that has the capability of including macros in the screenplay file, do NOT include such macros. If macros are included, or if a file contains or appears to contain malicious or other harmful code, Final Draft, Inc. may, at its discretion, reject the submission.

8. Optioned screenplays are not eligible.

9. Big Break contest entrants retain all rights to their screenplays.

10. Entries will not be returned. Be sure to retain a copy of all material submitted.

11. By entering the Big Break contest, you acknowledge that contest judges receive numerous submissions of ideas, stories and scripts, and that your entry, and the ideas and stories embodied in it, may be similar or identical to other material received and/or developed by one or more of the judges. You agree that you are not entitled to any compensation or credit for use by contest judges of any such other material.

12. By entering the Big Break contest, you represent that your entry is your original work, and does not infringe on the copyright or other rights of other people.

Announcements

The semifinalists and finalists will be announced on or around September 1, 2009. The winners will be announced on or around October 16, 2009.

Discussion

Be the first to start a topic of discussion.