Grab some red bull, kids

It's that time again.

The Nicholl, BlueCat, Austin, Final Draft, Disney/ABC, Scriptapalooza, and PAGE (among many others) deadlines are coming up within the next few months.

Nicholl Fellowship Competition:

"Back in 1985, when Gee Nicholl, Julian Blaustein and later the Academy’s Jim Roberts and Bruce Davis had the initial conversations about what would become the Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting, they knew they wanted to create a program that would aid new screenwriters. What they did not know, what they could only have hoped for, was the tremendous effect the Nicholl program would have on the entire community of fledgling screenwriters."

This is perhaps the biggest competition in the industry, and is certainly one of the most respected, if not the most respected.

Deadline: May 1, 2008
Cost: $35.00 per screenplay

BlueCat Screenplay Competition:

"We are the leading voice for the development and inspiration of the undiscovered screenwriter, and our community welcomes you to challenge yourself by entering your screenplay in the 2008 competition!"

BlueCat is run by Gordy Hoffman (among others) who just so happens to be Phillip Seymour Hoffman's brother. Not sure why that matters, but I thought it was an interesting bit of trivia.

Deadline: March 3, 2008 (at midnight)
Cost: $50.00 per screenplay

Austin Film Festival Screenplay and Teleplay (and film) Competitions:

"The Austin Film Festival is dedicated to championing the work of aspiring and established filmmakers, defined as screenwriters, directors, editors, producers, actors and all artists who use the language of film to tell a story. The AFF furthers the art, craft and business of filmmaking by providing unique cultural events and services, enhancing public awareness and participation and encouraging dynamic and long-lasting community partnerships."

My school takes film kids to the Austin Film Festival every year. *jealous*

Screenplay and Teleplay:

Deadline: May 15, 2008 for screenplay, June 1, 2008 for Teleplay
Cost:$40.00 per screenplay, $30.00 per teleplay

Film

Deadline: June 5, 2008
Cost: $40.00 per film

Final Draft's Big Break

"With cash, rewards, mentorship, and industry exposure, Big Break lives up to its name. Winners and finalists alike have had their screenplays optioned and produced and have secured high-profile representation as well as lucrative writing deals.

We are dedicated to bringing recognition to promising screenwriters around the globe. Good luck to all!"

I swear by Final Draft and I've heard good things about this contest. I also hope that some of JJ Abrams' writing magic rubs off. (He uses Final Draft) I'm just saying.

Deadline: June 1, 2008
Cost: $50.00 per script

Disney/ABC Writing Fellowship

"Begun in 1990 in partnership with the Writers Guild of America, west, this has become one of the industry’s best known and most respected writing fellowships. More than 200 alumni number among Hollywood’s elite, including screenwriters, directors and television showrunners. A limited number of full-time fellowships are available each year for both feature film and television projects."

M and I were "this close" to entering last year but decided to wait until 2008. Throw some love our way. We're gonna need it.

Deadline: July 1, 2008
Cost: Free. Yes, it's free. No, I'm not kidding. It really is free to enter. Now you've got no excuse.

Scriptapalooza

"We now accept scripts by email or regular mail."

That's all you really need to know.

Deadline (screenplay): April 15, 2008
Cost: ($45.00 per script by March 5) $50.00 per script

Deadline (teleplay): April 30, 2008
Cost: $40.00 per teleplay

Page International Screenwriting Awards

"The PAGE Awards were established by an alliance of Hollywood producers, agents, and development executives. Our goal: to discover the most exciting new scripts by up-and-coming writers from across the country and around the world. And due to the success of our winning writers, the PAGE International screenplay competition is rapidly becoming one of the most important sources for new screenwriting talent within the Hollywood community and worldwide."

The 2007 winners of the Page Screeplay Competition were also finalists in the Nicholl Competiton...so I think they know what they're doing.

Deadline: (regular) March 15, 2008, (late) April 15, 2008
Cost: (regular) $49.00, (late) $59.00



So...happy writing! :)