Other Worlds Austin SciFi Screenwriting Contest

Objective

The universe is an infinite expanse of limitless possibility, teeming with unknown worlds and untold stories. The blank page opens, a white inexhaustible void, punctuated only by the monolithic black cursor. What wonders lie in its indefinable depths?

Other Worlds is dedicated to fostering and promoting creativity in Science Fiction at every stage of development, so we are proud to announce our annual SciFi Screenwriting Contest is now currently open and accepting submissions! The contest runs concurrently with the film program, and will award prizes for the top feature, short or teleplay.

Deadline/Entry Fees

Rules

All entrants certify to the originality of the entered script, or in the case of Specs and Retro-Specs, the originality of their handling of the material. Entrants warrant there are no disputes regarding the ownership of the submission and that the submitted material does not defame or invade the rights of any person living or dead. Entrants fully indemnify Other Worlds Austin and its agents against any claim made for such violations of law.

Scripts must be works of Science Fiction, no horror or fantasy themed scripts will be considered. Hybrid genres (SciFi Horror ala Aliens/Event Horizon/etc.) are perfectly acceptable.

In the event of shared authorship, all writers will share prize money equally. It will be up to primary entrant to communicate all notices and divide all prize money with the other writers.

Entrants may submit more than one screenplay/teleplay in any chosen category, as well as enter different scripts in different categories. Each script entry requires a separate application and fee. All entries and payment must be made through the Festival Freeway website, no cash or check payment will be accepted.

Once an entry has been made, we cannot provide a refund. If a payment is disputed, the account holder may be subject to any fees.

All scripts will be judged as entered, no revisions will be accepted.

All scripts must be entered as .pdfs. No physical copies.

All scripts must be in English.

No supplementary material should be sent. No show bibles, treatments, or reality show formats will be accepted for the Teleplay competition.

Consulting can only be done on winning scripts. No substitutions.

By entering the script in the competition, the entrant is agreeing to all rules and regulations of the competition. Entrant agrees to hold Other Worlds Austin and its agents harmless from and defend them against all claims, demands, losses, damages, judgments, liabilities, and expenses (including attorney’s fees) arising out of or in connection with any and all claims of third parties, whether or not groundless, based on any script.

Entrant gives Other Worlds Austin the non-revokable right to use your name and the script title, synopsis, and short excerpt (no longer than 10 pages) in our marketing materials in perpetuity.

Please register your script. Although this is not a requirement, it is highly suggested. The only true protection for a writer in any dispute is a proper registration with the US Copyright Office, this is in addition to any registration with the WGA West or WGA East.

All decisions of the festival and its agents are final.

See website for additional guidelines.

Awards

$250 awarded to Category winners in all three categories (Features, Teleplays, and Shorts) PLUS an additional $250 for the Grand Prize Winner selected from all three.

All entries will receive feedback on their scripts at the conclusion of the Other Worlds Film Festival, if desired. All feedback will be distributed by March of the following year at the latest.

NOTE: there must be at least 50 entries in a category to be awarded a cash prize. Categories with less than 50 entries may be combined with other categories when awarding cash prizes. However, a winning script will still be selected in each category (no matter the total entries).

First prize in the Under-18 Contest will receive a free student license of Fade In screenwriting software.