Frequently Asked Screenplay Contest Questions

You have questions?  Here are the answers!

 
What makes this contest worth entering?
​
The Santa Barbara International Screenplay Awards stands head and shoulders above other "contests" which don't even identify their senior judges. Our judges have, in the aggregate more than 1,000 produced​ film and television credits, and we're delighted to identify them by name and reputation. If you want your material read and assessed by working industry professionals (and NOT by unpaid "interns" or hopeful writers who have never actually sold a script), this is the competition where true value lies.
 
Who will be reading and scoring my script?

Your script will NOT be read by an unpaid intern with limited experience as a screenwriter or judge of material. EVERY reader-analyst who first sees your material is a bona fide professional with produced credits and genuine insights into the screenwriting craft and trade.

If I win the contest, what happens to my rights? Do I retain copyright?

You will always retain copyright to your material; The Santa Barbara International Screenplay Awards retains no interest in your material, nor does it accept responsibility for copyright infringement by any third parties.
 
How do I know you won't steal my ideas or give them to someone else?
 
That's simply not the business we're in. We are neither managers, agents, or producers of any submitted material. Winning scripts will be sent to our network of managers, agents, and producers only with the express written permission of the writer. The fact is, screenplay ideas are very rarely "stolen" by anyone. Industry professionals have plenty of great material to choose from without stealing your ideas or those of anyone else.
 
Can I send you a hard copy of my script?
 
No. We only accept digital files. Your pages should be submitted as a PDF file only. Nothing else will be accepted, including Final Draft, Scriptwriter, or any other screenwriting software formats. Submissions in any file format other than PDF are automatically disqualified from the scoring competition.
 
Can I talk to my reader or any of the judges?
 
The readers and judges are private individuals and working professionals with busy daily schedules, part of which involves reading contest script materials. Those writers entering at the Line Notes & Consultation level will have the opportunity to participate in a one-on-one personal 60-90 minute Zoom conference with a Senior Judge who will go over entered scripts line-by-line, making written notes directly on the submitted script.This is a professional "notes" session with strategies for selling material and finding paid writing gigs. Submissions at this level will receive an Mp4 recording of the session. Other than that, no contact with judges or analysts will be offered during the term of any competition.
 
What should I put on the cover page?​
 
Always put the title of your script, your name, and your contact information on the cover of any submission. Hint: do NOT indicate "WGA Registered" or any legal warnings on your script cover if you want someone to read it!
 
Where are you located?
 
The Santa Barbara International Screenplay Awards are located in...Santa Barbara, California. For over 100 years, Santa Barbara has had a very strong connection with the motion picture industry and the Hollywood studios. Today, it's the home of a vast number of prominent actors, writers, producers, agents, and executives, all of whom are looking for the next generation of screenwriting talent.
 
Do you withhold taxes from the prize money?
 
Monies will be paid to winners via Paypal only. No other payment options (check, bank transfers, money orders, etc.) are available. All prize money recipients must submit valid tax ID (W9 or W8BEN)  prior to payment posting.
 
How soon after the end of the contest are finalists and winners announced? 
 
​Within two weeks. Cash payments are made as soon as winners are announced..
 
Can I enter the contest if I live outside the United States?
 
Yes, of course. Many of our winning screenplays have come from writers living in foreign countries. Your entry must be submitted in English.
 
Can I submit a script for an animated film or tv show?
 
Yes. We've had several winners and some of our most competitive and entertaining submissions in the animation genre.
 
Will my tv pilot be read by someone with experience in broadcast or cable television?
 
Absolutely. Several of our Senior Judges have serious track records pitching and selling TV pilots. All TV material is judged by those experts. (As with any entry--feature film or TV script--there are never unpaid interns reading anything at The Santa Barbara International Screenplay Awards.
 
Can I submit my script to another contest at the same time?
 
Yes. Your entry into The Santa Barbara International Screenplay Awards is non-exclusive. You have the right to submit it to any other contest concurrently.
 
If I win the contest, will my name be made public?
 
Unless the writer indicates a preference to remain private, we actively publicize the identity of Finalists and Winners in order to promote their writing profile throughout the entertainment industry. When you submit your material to us, you grant us the right to publicize your name and your work in all worldwide media.
 
Can you help me get an agent?
 
We are not managers, agents, or producers and we do not in any way function in that regard. Winning feature screenplays and TV pilots are forwarded at our option to our network of leading Hollywood literary managers and agency representatives for potential representation.
 
If I make changes to my script after entering the contest, may I send them in?
 
Because the pages you submit go immediately into the hands of the analysts and judges, no re-submissions are accepted. Revisions should simply be submitted as a new contest entry (go to your account page on Film Freeway and enter revised draft as a New Project) after contacting contest administrators who will grant you a 20% Discount Code for purposes of resubmitting a new draft.
 
Can I send my script in as a Final Draft file?
 
No. Submissions must be in PDF file format, with the title ONLY indicated in the PDF file name (do not write anything else in the file name). Submissions as Final Draft or Movie Magic Screenwriter files will not be read, scored, or judged and refunds will not be available. Titles of submissions and writers’ names should be in upper and lower case formatting. “All caps” entries will be recorded as such and may be scored lower.
 
Can I enter the same script for different levels of feedback?
​
You may submit the same material multiple times in a single contest, but they must be entered individually. When the same script is entered simultaneously for multiple levels of analysis, only the highest level of analysis will be provided, with no refunds for lower levels of scoring, comments, or analysis. You should always submit your entry at the highest level of scoring/analysis you are comfortable with.
 
Can you send my script out to managers and agents?
 
Winning screenplays and selected Finalist screenplays and TV pilots are forwarded at our option and at the discretion of senior judges to major Hollywood literary managers and agents for representation consideration without any expressed or implied guarantee of third-party response of any kind. By submitting material to the contest, you give us permission to promote you and your writing at our option and sole discretion and with the understanding that we are not managers, agents, or producers and do not guarantee any results or success for your material.
​

Still have questions?
Reach out on the Contact Page or drop us a line: [email protected]

---