HOLLYWOOD SEARCHES FOR THE WORLD’S BEST SCRIPT

Top Scriptwriting Software Publisher Launches its 5th Annual Big Break™! International Screenwriting Contest

April 16, 2004 – Los Angeles, CA

The Big Break! Contest is looking for you. Marc Madnick, President and CEO of Final Draft, Inc. (www.finaldraft.com) announced today the 2004 launch of the Big Break! International Screenwriting Contest. With a panel of Hollywood judges and high profile sponsors, the contest rewards screenwriters with prize money and entrée to entertainment industry executives and agents.

Marking its fifth year awarding screenwriters for authoring new and creative scripts, the contest opens new doors for aspiring writers. “Our objective is to bring recognition to promising screenwriters across the globe, paving the way for the next generation of film artists,” said Mr. Madnick.

Awarding an average of $14,000 per year since 2000, this year’s contenders get an opportunity to win the Grand Prize of $10,000 and an all-expense paid trip to Los Angeles to network and pitch their ideas with industry professionals. The second-prize winner will receive $3,000 and the third-prize winner receives $1,000.

“For the past five years this competition has fostered an environment where writers get a real chance at having their scripts made into a film,” commented Liz Alani, Big Break! Contest Director. She continued, “We’re excited to offer writers an inroad into an increasingly impenetrable industry, and we’re eager to meet the new writers coming up in the talent pool.”

“The contest truly is a launching pad for writers," comments D.J. Richardson, 2003 First Prize winner for Do Not Remove. “I wasn’t prepared for the number of calls and meetings that were coming my way.” Immediately following his win, D.J. entered negotiations with a producer on the acquisition of Do Not Remove, and is now putting the finishing touches on a follow-up script.

2002’s Big Break! winner, Shawn Corridan says, "Final Draft's software and Big Break! Screenwriting Contest opened doors that countless query letters, screenwriting how-to books and a thousand thankless hours of writing could not.” After winning the contest with 8 Track, Fox 2000 picked up Shawn Corridan's script with directing team the Malloy brothers on board to helm and Gil Netter to produce.

The 2004 contest is supported by The Writer’s Guild of America, west. Final Draft is a preferred file format and the only scriptwriting software with an authorized agreement to integrate with WGAw Online Script Registration.

2004 Big Break! sponsors include: Creative Screenwriting, Scr(i)pt, Gotham Writers' Workshop, and The Writer's Store. These sponsors award magazine subscriptions, writing workshop attendance and gift certificates to the top ten finalists.

For more information about the Big Break! Contest log onto www.finaldraft.com and click on the Big Break! Logo.

About Final Draft, Inc.
Founded in 1991, Final Draft, Inc. (http://www.finaldraft.com/) develops and publishes the entertainment industry’s top-selling scriptwriting software. A pioneer and innovator in the scriptwriting software market, the company’s products manage style and formatting while allowing writers to concentrate on the creative process. Located in Calabasas, California, the company distributes its products throughout the United States, Europe, Asia, India and South America.

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Final Draft: Maggie Nye, maggie@vendely.com
Elizabeth Vendely, elizabeth@vendely.com
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