SUNVALE SCREENPLAY CONTEST
Helping emerging screenwriters to get produced and discovered.
ABOUT
The Sunvale Screenplay Contest was developed to connect undiscovered screenwriters with filmmakers and offer them an opportunity to see their work on the screen.
The Grand Prize Winner will get a proof of concept (PoC) or short film produced based on their screenplay.
PoCs provide an example of the writing, directing and cinematography that will go into the full-length film and demonstrates the film's viability on the big screen.
This is our fifth season, and we accept features, TV pilots and short screenplays in 5 different categories (Action/Adventure, Horror/thriller, Drama, Comedy, Female screenwriters).
Submit a new version of your screenplay for free up to the final deadline!
Season 4 winners:
Grand Prize winner: Found at a Funeral by Noah J Welter
Girl's Night Out by Janet L. Loftis (Horror/thriller)
TESStosterone by Erin Elizabeth Keefer (Comedy)
I'm Matt Damon by Michael Yocum (Drama)
THE OPERATOR by Pamela Perry Goulardt (Female screenwriter)
Smoke by Carlos Perez (Action/Adventure)
May Madness 2023 winner:
The Letters by Bre Fowler (in post-production)
Season 3 winners:
Grand Prize Winner: Anna Incognito by Laura Preble (watch on our YouTube channel)
The main purpose of a PoC is to sell your screenplay or to get funding for it by giving a glimpse of what the story will be about. Many famous movies were sold based on proof of concepts including Sin City, District 9, and Whiplash.
PRIZES AND CATEGORIES
We accept features, TV pilots and short screenplays in 5 different categories
Action/Adventure
Horror/thriller
Drama
Comedy
Female screenwriters
GRAND PRIZE WINNER:
A fully produced PoC or short film.
The winning screenwriter will receive copies of the final product to help promote/sell the screenplay.
*The prize is non-exchangeable, non-transferable, and is not redeemable for cash or other prizes. Sunvale Screenplay Contest reserves the rights to pick the scene(s) from the full script to shoot.
5 CATEGORY WINNERS
Free entry to future Sunvale contest.
We are also partnering with ScreenReaders (https://www.myscreenreaders.com/testimonials) who are sponsoring the following prizes:
One finalist (chosen randomly) will receive their free regular package.
Finalists will receive 50% off any screenplay coverage package.
Semifinalists will receive 35% off any screenplay coverage package.
Quarter finalists will receive 25% off any screenplay coverage package.
SUBMIT TO CONTEST
We only accept submissions via filmfreeway.
RULES
1. You will keep all rights to your screenplay.
2. All writers 18 years or older are eligible.
3. The screenplay must be submitted in standard screenplay format, font, spacing and margin, in English and in PDF format. Any submission not meeting these qualifications will be disqualified without further notice.
4. Screenplays submitted to other competitions or contests are eligible.
5. Previously produced screenplays or screenplays that will become optioned, sold, or produced during the contest will be ineligible or will be disqualified.
6. Adaptations are eligible if the writer holds all rights.
7. Page limits are as follows: Feature: 60-120 pages, TV pilots: 20-60 pages (we only accept original TV pilots), shorts 1-30 pages.
TERMS OF SERVICE
All scripts are judged based on the following: concept, story, character, dialogue, marketability, structure, and clarity. Quarter Finalists, Semi Finalists, Finalists, and Winners will be notified by email. Announcements will be made within 30 days following final submission deadline. We reserve the right to amend these rules at any time.
COPYRIGHT AND OWNERSHIP
All ownership and rights to the scripts submitted remains with the original rights holders until and unless other agreements are made.
PUBLICITY
Except where prohibited by law, submission of written materials constitutes each entrant’s consent to Sunvale Screenplay Contest and its agents’ and sponsor’s use of entrants’ names, likenesses, photographs, and/or personal information for promotional purposes in any media, worldwide, without further payment or consideration. This includes audio-visual information pertaining to the in-house development, analysis, and coverage in relation to writer’s submitted works. All uses of any entrants’ information will at all times be in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
REFUND POLICY
All fees submitted are non-refundable.
SUBMISSION CONDITIONS AND RELEASE
BY SUBMITTING YOUR MATERIALS YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO THESE CONDITIONS. You agree to release and hold harmless Sunvale Screenplay Contest, its subsidiary, parent and affiliated companies, prize contributors, judges, screenplay analysts, sponsors, and any other organizations responsible for administering, advertising or promoting your submission of material, and every one of their respective members, directors, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, the “Released Parties”) past and present from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liability, including but not limited to damages and negligence to property and persons, including but not limited to invasion of privacy, defamation, slander, libel, violation of right of publicity, copyright, infringement of trademark or other intellectual property rights relating to a participant’s submission of materials and/or acceptance or use or misuse of prize; provided however, that such release will not apply to any commercial exploitation of the script by a Released Party in violation of your rights under applicable copyright law; and (c) indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Sunvale Screenplay Contest and its sponsor, agents and employees from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liabilities (including reasonable attorneys fees) relating to an entrant’s participation in the Contest and/or entrant’s use or misuse of Prize. Employees of Sunvale Screenplay Contest and their immediate families are ineligible to submit materials. Any such submission will be immediately disqualified. SUBMISSION OF MATERIAL IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED or restricted by any Federal, State or Local law. Voided submission fees will be refunded. Recipients’ eligibility will be verified before the grant is awarded and the winner may be required to sign an affidavit of eligibility.
CONTACT US
SUBMIT TO CONTEST
We only accept submissions via filmfreeway.