Creative World Awards Screenwriting Contest

Rules

This contest is open to any screenwriter worldwide who meets the enclosed criteria. Entry into the competition is void where prohibited by law.

Competition is open to all writers 18 years or older. We will accept collaborative work, but by no more than two authors. Each writer, however, must fill out and sign the online entry application and release form individually. If selected as a winner, the prize money will be split equally between them.

Submissions must be the original work of the applicant(s) and may not be based, in whole or in part, on any other fiction or nonfiction material, published or unpublished, produced or un-produced that is not already in public domain.

Each script entered is allotted one genre category in the price of the submission. Please do not enclose letters, resumes or photos with your submission. They will not be forwarded to our partners or the judges.

Writers are free to enter their submitted material to other contests; however, they must not have already received a screenwriting prize that includes a “first look” clause, an option, or any other quid pro quo involving the writer's submitted entry to Creative World Awards LLC. If a submitted screenplay becomes optioned or purchased between the time of submission and the end of the Creative World Awards judging period, the applicant must notify us and that screenplay will no longer be eligible for an award.

Scripts must be typed in English, with pages numbered; be headed by the title page, which includes title of work and WGA registration date/number if applicable; font must be 12-point Courier, Courier New or Courier Final Draft (no exceptions).

Scripts should attempt to adhere to standard lengths. No entry will be disqualified but these lengths are considered the norm throughout the industry.

Feature length screenplays: approximately 90-125 pages
Original TV Sitcom Pilot: 50 pages or less
Original TV Drama Pilot: 70 pages or less
Existing ½ hour Sitcom: 50 pages or less
Existing 1 hour Drama: 70 pages or less
Short Film Scripts: up to 40 pages

The writer's name should not appear on the title page, and not on any other page of the script. No other information outside of title of work and WGA registration (if applicable) should appear on the title page. CWA reserves the right to return the script if the above procedures are not followed. If the script is based on a true story, it should be noted on the title page.

Submissions must be transmitted electronically on or before the deadline, and the entry fee paid in order to qualify for the respective submission rate. Online entries may be submitted up until midnight Pacific Time on the final deadline date. Any entries transmitted or payments postmarked after the final deadline will be disqualified. Creative World Awards, LLC reserves the right to extend the entry deadline.

Submission fees can be submitted by mail. If paying by mail, we accept money orders only. It must be mailed via the United States Post Office (USPS) or another delivery method that does not require a signature. If sending by mail, the address is:

CREATIVE WORLD AWARDS
4712 Admiralty Way, #268
Marina del Rey, CA 90292

However, we encourage all entrants to Go Green and if possible, submit payments online. You may choose to submit payments only via mail as long as we receive them by the respective deadline.

Online script submissions must consist of a standard script format (Final Draft or Movie Magic). *Please note, PDF files are the recommended format file to send, and each of the above writing software programs allows you to convert your script easily to a PDF file. Open your script file is opened, simply click on the ‘File/Save or Export as PDF’ option. If you do not have one of the above software programs, you may submit in a Word .doc as a last option, but it must contain the industry standard format.

Once a script has been submitted, no revised drafts or corrected pages will be accepted to the original unless you pay a separate resubmission fee of $45. At that point, you must notify us via email to discard the original entry, and we will treat your revised draft as a new eligible submission. Email us at info@creativeworldawards.com for instructions.

The competition is not responsible for submissions that are lost, stolen, or damaged in transit.

All entrants understand and agree that there are a diverse amount of story contexts and ideas, and in no way is Creative World Awards LLC responsible not now or in the future of borrowing or stealing from an idea, copy written concept, or storyline from a script entry.

All winners will be responsible for their own U.S. income tax withholding. Creative World Awards LLC is not responsible for withholding any taxes or payments to any government agency, at any level, be it state, local or federal.

Contest applicants must accept without reservation the decisions rendered by the jurors.

Entry fees are payable by Credit Card (online) or US Money Order (by mail). Entry fees are nonrefundable.

Employees and the relatives of Creative World Awards LLC are not eligible, nor are competition judges and their immediate families.

Each applicant will receive an e-mail notifying them of the competition results. All writers must keep their personal contact information on file with us updated and current. Creative World Awards has no responsibility for correspondence that is misdirected as a result of writer(s) failure to provide us with current contact information. We also encourage entrants to add CWA to your email address list to ensure email correspondence is not sent to spam or bulk mail.

Following the close of the season, the Grand Prize Winner will be given a choice to either receive $1,000 additional cash prize money, or elect to use that $1,000 as payment in full for writing a short version of their winning feature script (the short script will be ten pages or less). If Creative World Awards (CWA) produces the short script, it will be used by CWA as a tool to help promote the Grand Prize Winner’s feature script, and also give the writer imdb credit once it premieres at the Richmond International Film Festival. The Grand Prize Winner agrees that if they elect to forgo the additional $1,000 cash and instead choose to use that money as payment in full for their writing contribution on the short film production, that The Moving Image Xchange LLC and CWA will have full ownership of the produced film, however, the writer will still retain full ownership of their feature script. The short production will have no impact on the ownership of the writer’s feature length script; the writer will maintain complete ownership. The Grand Prize Winner also understands that should they elect to use the additional $1,000 for payment in full for writing the short version of the script rather than as cash, that they are responsible for working with the CWA Co-Founders in a timely manner to create the content of the short script. The Moving Image Xchange and CWA may elect not to produce the script if the writer does not meet the deadlines in a timely fashion. CWA Co-Founders will work with the writer to develop the short script in the months of September and October, with a tentative shoot date set for December each year. The film will then premiere at the Richmond International Film Festival in February, and be used by CWA for promotional purposes on the writer’s and contest’s behalf. Producing the short script is at the sole discretion of CWA and The Moving Image Xchange, LLC. Should CWA and The Moving Image Xchange elect not to produce a short version of the Grand Prize Winner’s feature script, the Grand Prize Winner will still receive the additional $1,000. If the Grand Prize Winner consists of more than one writer, it is up to the writers to split the additional $1,000 between them.

Please read and understand the above Rules and Regulations. Failure to adhere to the Creative World Awards contest guidelines could result in disqualification and forfeiture of an entry fee and/or eligible prize.

FAQs

Q. What do I need to enter the competition?

A. An original feature film screenplay or short film or teleplay, a signed application with release form, and a US$ entry fee. Please check the prizes and deadlines page for appropriate cut off dates for all respective entry deadlines. *NOTE: Entrants are offered the Judge's Scorecard and a brief summary of notes for $30.  If you would like to forgo this option, select 'entry only' at the time of check out. 

Q. When are the application forms available?

A. Mid November through mid-June.

Q. How do I enter the competition?

A. CWA is 100% green. You can enter the full application online (this includes your application/release form, paid entry fee via PayPal's secure site, and script submission). Alternatively, you may send a money order if you prefer to pay by mail, however, you must still complete the application and release form online.

To begin the online application, click on ENTER NOW or go to the online application on the Creative World Awards contest page and follow the instructions. For first time entrants, you will need to create a user name and password, which will then guide you through the application process. After you have completed your online application, you can check back by logging onto our website to see if your full application requirements have been met.

As always, we encourage everyone to go green and submit all requirements online. If you do choose to pay with money order by mail, follow the same initial process of filling out the online application/release form, and once you are done with that section, select the alternative route to pay by postal.  You may send a money order by the appropriate deadline of entry to the address below:

Creative World Awards
4712 Admiralty Way, #268
Marina del Rey, CA 90292

Q. As a foreign citizen, I have difficulty obtaining United States dollars. May I use a check in my own currency to pay the entry fee?

A.  Entry fees must be paid with either a credit card through our online system or a money order by mail. With the online application system, entrants may use any major credit card to pay the required entry fee.

Eligibility, Adaptations and Collaborations

Q. Who can enter the competition?

A. Any screenwriter 18 years or older.

Q. Can collaborative teams enter this competition?

A. Yes, if the team consists of exactly two writers who are equal partners in all aspects of the creation of the script. Please note, however, that each collaborator must fill out and sign the online application release form.

Q. Are citizens of countries other than the United States eligible?

A. Yes. Any writer who writes in English and meets the other eligibility requirements is welcome to enter the competition.

Q. Do you accept short screenplays, features, and teleplays?

A. Yes.

Q. What's the minimum/maximum required page length for features?

A. Approximately up to 120 pages, however, a script will not be disqualified based on length.

Q. Does that mean that an 85 or 130 page script will be disqualified?

A. No. We include the word “approximately” in the competition rules to allow for some flexibility, however, generally 90-120 pages is the preferred industry standard where possible. *Please note: If an entrant orders a script analysis or judge's highlights, a $1 per page fee applies if the script is at 125 pages or more.

Q. What elements of the script are taken into consideration during the judging?

A. The judges take into consideration how well your screenplay depicts the following: Structure (Distinguishable Act I, II, & III), Plot, Characterization, Dialogue, Style/Description, Clarity, Originality, and Marketability.

Q. Does my script have to be registered?

A. No, however, you should always make it a priority to copyright your work. You can register your work very easily through the Writers Guild of America (WGA) website or the Library of Congress copyright office.

Q. Does the writer maintain rights to their screenplay?

A. Yes, the writer maintains full rights of their screenplay. 

Q. Do I need to submit a synopsis?

A. No, only a 2-4 sentence logline.

Q. What genres do you accept?

A. We accept and welcome all genres, and each script will be judged according to its own genre category.

Q. What forms of payment do you accept?

A. All major credit cards or US money order.

Q. Is an adaptation of a published novel eligible?

A. No, not unless the novelist and screenwriter are one in the same and/or the screenwriter has full legal rights to original material.

Q. Can I make a change to a submission?

A. Only if you send in your revised draft and then pay a $45 resubmission fee. If you would like to resubmit, email us at info@creativeworldawards.com to complete processing of the new script. Once the new script is submitted and the $45 fee paid, your revised script will be considered a new submission.

Q. How will I know you received my script?

A. You will receive an email confirming that your entry has been received. Please note: We suggest you try to submit all materials together at one time. If you would like to check the status of your application, you can also log into the website. 

Q. What type of script files do you accept?

A. Adobe Acrobat (.pdf file) is preferred, however, we will also accept Final Draft and Word doc. If you have Movie Magic, please convert to a PDF before uploading your file.

Q. What information do you want on the title page?

A. Please only include the title of your project. You may include your WGA registration number if applicable (Please do not include your name or contact information anywhere within the body of your script).

Q. Does my script have to be formatted?

A. Yes. All font should be 12 pt courier and it should follow the standard industry format. Handwritten scripts will not be accepted under any conditions. Also, make sure to keep copies of your work as scripts will not be returned.

Q. If I win a prize, do I lose any rights to my screenplay?

A. No. The writer retains the rights to their screenplay.

Q. How does the Grand Prize Winner Short Production Award work?

Following the close of the season, the Grand Prize Winner will be given a choice to either receive $1,000 additional cash prize money, or elect to use that $1,000 as payment in full for writing a short version of their winning feature script (the short script will be ten pages or less). If Creative World Awards (CWA) produces the short script, it will be used by CWA as a tool to help promote the Grand Prize Winner’s feature script, and also give the writer imdb credit once it premieres at the Richmond International Film Festival. The Grand Prize Winner agrees that if they elect to forgo the additional $1,000 cash and instead choose to use that money as payment in full for their writing contribution on the short film production, that The Moving Image Xchange LLC and CWA will have full ownership of the produced film, however, the writer will still retain full ownership of their feature script. The short production will have no impact on the ownership of the writer’s feature length script; the writer will maintain complete ownership. The Grand Prize Winner also understands that should they elect to use the additional $1,000 for payment in full for writing the short version of the script rather than as cash, that they are responsible for working with the CWA Co-Founders in a timely manner to create the content of the short script. The Moving Image Xchange and CWA may elect not to produce the script if the writer does not meet the deadlines in a timely fashion. CWA Co-Founders will work with the writer to develop the short script in the months of September and October, with a tentative shoot date set for December each year. The film will then premiere at the Richmond International Film Festival in February, and be used by CWA for promotional purposes on the writer’s and contest’s behalf. Producing the short script is at the sole discretion of CWA and The Moving Image Xchange, LLC. Should CWA and The Moving Image Xchange elect not to produce a short version of the Grand Prize Winner’s feature script, the Grand Prize Winner will still receive the additional $1,000. If the Grand Prize Winner consists of more than one writer, it is up to the writers to split the additional $1,000 between them.

Q. Who will read my script?

A. The first round of judging is done by readers that are hand selected, highly qualified industry professionals. If your script advances beyond the preliminary round, it will then be read by multiple industry professionals who will determine which scripts advance to the semifinalist and finalist rounds. The top three in each category will be read by leading industry executives not only for potential consideration, but also to help determine the winners of the 2013 Creative World Awards. All decisions of the judges are final.