The Applause Screenwriting Competition is an international competition open to all screenwriters writing feature-length screenplays in the English language.

Scripts must be the original work of an author or authors. Scripts must never have been optioned by a producer or other production entity for any dollar amount. Adaptations (no documentaries) are welcome provided the author assumes sole legal responsibility for obtaining copyrights to the adapted work.

ENTRY GUIDELINES

1. A completed entry form must accompany each screenplay submitted. The entire release/entry form must be mailed (including the release page), or the entry may be delayed.
2. Each screenplay should be bound in the industry-standard manner with bookstock covers and bound with two brad fasteners.
3. The screenplay cover should include title only.
4. Each entry should include one unbound sheet containing only the name of the screenplay, contact name, address, phone and email address. In the case of co-authored screenplays, one writer must be designated as the main contact.
5. No substitutions of new drafts, corrected pages, or new versions of entries will be accepted under any circumstances.
6. Include two stamped self-addressed envelopes with your entry. One will be used to acknowledge receipt of your entry and one to send you a list of the winning scripts.
7. Each screenplay submitted must be accompanied by a separate fee and entry form.
8. Make checks/money orders/cashier's checks payable to Applause Screenwriting Competition.
9. A $25.00 returned check fee will be charged for all returned checks.
10. Screenplays must be postmarked on the date of the early or late deadline and include the entry fee specified for that deadline or be disqualified without refund. Screenplays thus postmarked must be received within 10 days of said deadline.
11. DO NOT SEND SCRIPTS VIA PARCEL POST! Do not send certified or registered mail. Use media mail, first class, priority, or overnight mail or require signatures. Packages with insufficient postage will be refused and returned to the sender.

RULES

A. Screenplays must must be the original work or an author or authors and must not have been previously optioned, purchased or produced when entered. Screenplays that are optioned or purchased after entry will be disqualified from competition and entry fees not refunded.
B. Adaptations are welcome provided the author assumes sole legal responsibility for obtaining copyrights to the adapted work. ASC reserves the right to disqualify winning entries that do not meet these criteria.
C. Screenplays should be registered with the WGA, U.S. Copyright Office, or other registration service.
D. Screenplays will not be returned and should not be the sole copy of the author(s).
E. If a winning screenplay has been written by two or more writers, one author should be designated as the main contact.
F. Screenplays must be in English.
G. Screenplays must be feature length 90-140 pages typed in 12 point courier font and formatted according to industry standards (see links for helpful resources).
H. We are not responsible for screenplays lost, stolen, or lost in transit.
I. Judges' decisions are final.
J. In the case of co-authored screenplays, only one prize set will be mailed to the main contact. Cash prizes will be equally divided among winning co-authors. Gift prizes must be divided by the authors among themselves.
K. Gifts cannot be exchanged for their cash value and exposure gifts must be utilized within six (6) months of receipt or forfeited.
L. ASC makes no promises, warranties, guaranties, or claims about the outcome of script submission to production companies, literary agencies, or film studios.
M. If insufficient entries are received to cover prize awards, or the quality of entries falls below judging standards, ASC may cancel any contest and refund entry fees, combine (pool) the entries for two or more contests, and/or extend contest deadlines. Entries that arrive after the deadline but before finalists have been selected may be included in the competition to avoid disqualification.
N. Competition semifinalists and finalists will be announced on the Winners page of this website and will be contacted by email/US mail. Winners will be announced on the Winners page this website, by press releases to the media and Hollywood industry representatives and by US mail to all entrants.

For more information check the links above, or contact:

Applause Screenwriting Competition
aplcontest@comcast.net