Rules

General Eligibility

All screenplays submitted must be in English.
Submissions are only accepted electronically through Film Freeway.
Submissions must be the original work of the writer(s), and all rights must be wholly owned by the writer(s).
All submissions must be accompanied by the appropriate submission fee PER ENTRY.
If a submission involves two or more writers as applicants, the winning prizes will be given to the Primary Applicant, whose FilmFreeway account the submission has come through.
Once an entry payment has been received, we cannot provide a refund.
No revisions or missing pages will be accepted once an entry has been received.
There is no limit to the number of projects you may submit.
Submissions must be received on or before the deadline(s) and payment must be made in full at the time of submission.
Applicant(s) retain all rights to their work.
Submissions that have been previously optioned, purchased, or produced are not eligible. If a submission becomes optioned, purchased, or goes into production between the time of submission and the end of the competition, writer must notify Palm Springs Screenplay Awards and the screenplay will no longer be eligible.
Awards are based solely on the overall merit of entries. Judges reserve the right not to grant an award.
Palm Springs Screenplay Awards reserves the right in its sole discretion to reject or disqualify any ineligible entries, without a refund.
Palm Springs Screenplay Awards strongly suggest that applicants copyright their materials with the U.S. Copyright Office and/or register their screenplay with the Writers Guild of America, East or Writers Guild of America, West. Please consult an attorney regarding any questions about these.

Copyright

Screenplays must be the original work of the applicant(s). If based upon another person’s life, a book, or any other underlying work, the applicant(s) must secure any necessary rights to make such adaptations. Palm Springs Screenplay Awards does NOT investigate or attests to the authenticity of an applicant’s statement of authorship or rights secured. By entering the competition, the you are acknowledging that you have secured all necessary rights.
Palm Springs Screenplay Awards strongly suggest that applicants copyright their materials with the U.S. Copyright Office and/or register their screenplay with the Writers Guild of America, East or Writers Guild of America, West. Please consult an attorney regarding any questions about these.

Formatting

Screenplays should be formatted according to current industry standards.
Font size must be 12 point and in Courier type.
Feature Screenplays must be between 46 to 130 pages in length.
Short Screenplays must be between 5 to 45 pages in length.
TV Pilots should be the appropriate length depending on the format. The recommended length for single camera sitcoms or single camera half hour dramas is approximately 22-40 pages, and 45-70 pages for single camera one-hour shows.
Pages must be numbered in the top right-hand corner.
Screenplay's cover page should include title, name, and contact information.
Scripts must be in PDF format and under 5MB.
No revisions or missing pages will be accepted once entry has been received.

Indemnity

BY SUBMITTING THE MATERIAL, THE APPLICANT HEREBY AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND DEFEND PALM SPRINGS SCREENPLAY AWARDS, ITS EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS, REPRESENTATIVES, AND AFFILIATES FROM ANY LIABILITY, CLAIMS, AND DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE SUBMISSION AND FROM ANY FEES AND EXPENSES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES, THAT ANY OF THEM MAY INCUR IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.
Palm Springs Screenplay Awards, including its employees, directors, representatives, affiliates, and judges accept no liability whatsoever for any claims of damages, real or perceived, by any entrant as a result of their participation in this competition.
By entering the Palm Springs Screenplay Awards, you hereby accept and agree upon all the rules described above.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Palm Springs Screenplay Awards?

Palm Springs Screenplay Awards is an online screenplay competition that celebrates the art of screenwriting by showcasing and promoting the very best international and independent unproduced screenplays as well as its authors.

When will Palm Springs Screenplay Awards announce its winners?

Palm Springs Screenplay Awards will be announcing the winners of its 1st Edition on July 7th, 2024.

What do I win if my script gets selected as the Best Screenplay in its category?

Our winning prizes for Best Feature Screenplay, Short Screenplay, and TV Pilot (one winner per category) include our Official Palm Springs Screenplay Awards Laurel, 3 VPF (Virtual Pitch Fest) Pitches, Promotion & Social Media Visibility, and our Official Winner T-Shirt.

However, every single entrant will receive 1 VPF (Virtual Pitch Fest) free pitch just for submitting their screenplay to us!

What is VPF (Virtual Pitch Fest)?

VPF is a platform for TV/Film professionals seeking scripts and writers to represent. With VPF, writers can submit Written Pitches to 500+ networks/studios, producers and agents with the assurance of a guaranteed response. You can find more info about them here: https://virtualpitchfest.com

Who will be reading & judging my screenplay? Who will be providing my coverage?

Palm Springs Screenplay Awards is proud to have a group of incredibly talented and experienced readers, screenwriters, directors, and executives who will ensure that every entry is carefully read, evaluated, and considered. Likewise, our expert staff will guarantee that the right coverage is provided to the screenwriter, in the cases where the Coverage option is added to their entry on FilmFreeway.

Does my screenplay need to be formatted?

Yes. All submissions must be in PDF format and should follow the standard industry format. For more information, you can take a look at the "Formatting" list on our Rules section here on our website.

Where do I submit my screenplay?

All submissions must be made through Palm Springs Screenplay Award's profile on FilmFreeway. You can find links to it on our Home & Categories section here on our website.

I don't live in the US. Can I still submit my screenplay?

Absolutely! We love receiving scripts and reading stories from all over the world. As long as your screenplay is in English, and you can make your submission through FilmFreeway following all the necessary steps, you're in!

Can I submit more than one screenplay?

Yes, there's no limit to the number of screenplays you can submit. However, each screenplay must be submitted with a new entry and will incur a new entry fee.

What information should I have on my title page?

Your screenplay's cover page should include title, name, and contact information.

Why do you need my contact information?

The information you provide will be used to communicate with you about your submission and the delivery of prizes to winners and entrants.

Do I need to register my screenplay to enter?

No, but we strongly encourage all applicants to copyright their materials with the U.S. Copyright Office and/or register their screenplay with the Writers Guild of America, East or Writers Guild of America, West.

Will you claim any rights to my script or any percentage of future profits?

No, you retain all rights to your screenplay at all times.

What is taken into consideration during judging?

As it's the case with most independent films that have a successful run in this challenging industry, originality and relevance are key and fully encouraged. Engaging stories tend to triumph and sustain more traction over time. With that said, our experienced staff of readers & screenwriters will also evaluate all aspects involved in the craft of screenwriting, including story, structure, characters, arcs, dialogue, theme, tone, pace, etc.

What will I be getting if I add coverage with my entry?

If you add the Coverage option to your entry on FilmFreeway, our staff of experienced readers and screenwriters will provide you with an industry-standard 2-3 page script coverage document within 2 to 3 weeks of your completed submission. In that document, we will evaluate and highlight the strengths of your screenplay, as well as the places where we consider that some improvements could be made, always looking to enhance your originality and make your script & story shine even brighter.

Can I add revised or missing pages after I completed my submission?