Any rule-abiding screenwriter whose screenplay is not currently optioned.

Yes, the Big Break does charge an entry fee to cover the costs of administration and reader fees.

Entry fees:

$40 - Early Bird Deadline - March 1, 2010
$50 - Standard Deadline - June 1, 2010
$65 - Extended Deadline - June 15, 2010

Dates reflect deadlines for electronic submission of scripts. All entries must be electronically submitted by their respective deadlines.

The 2010 entry deadline is June 1, with an extended entry deadline of June 15.

The semifinalists will be announced on August 20, 2010. The finalists will be announced in September. The winners will be announced on or around October 22, 2010.

Semifinalists, finalists, and winners will be notified by the contest director via phone and email.

All genres are accepted and our script analysts do not judge by genre, or commercial versus independent, but by the merit of the story and the strength of the writing. The readers and judges look for qualities such as craft and execution, originality, dialogue, characterization, and structure.

We accept Final Draft (.FDX, .FDR or .FDS) or Adobe Acrobat (.PDF) files.

No, we're a feature film contest only.

We're environmentally conscious and only accept digital scripts. We accept Final Draft (.FDX, .FDR or .FDS) or Adobe Acrobat (.PDF) files.

The Big Break entry system has been streamlined for your convenience and by popular demand. As part of our dedication to conserving valuable natural resources, please note that we no longer accept paper submissions.

Yes, you may enter as many different scripts as you wish.

Our readers are professional script analysts who carefully evaluate each entry and sign confidentiality agreements to ensure that your work is protected. After screenplays are narrowed to finalists, a panel of notable industry professionals conducts the final judging to determine the winners. These jury members represent award-winning writers, producers, and A-list executives. The 2010 judges will be announced as they are confirmed.

The Big Break is a rewards-based contest and offers cash, prizes and Hollywood meetings for the winner -- no feedback or coverage.

No, you do not have to use any Final Draft, Inc. products to enter the Big Break Contest. Complete information on eligibility can be found here: http://www.finaldraft.com/products-and-services/big-break/rules.php.

So long as the submission is a PDF, you are able to submit your screenplay no matter what program you used to create it.

Yes, but the revised script will be counted as a new entry and must be submitted separately.

Yes, many entrants revise their scripts several times and re-enter. Some have gone on to become finalists after doing so.

Yes, you and one other writing partner will be credited and take meetings and share prizes.

Spec scripts are judged both in the industry and in our contest on the merit of the story and the writing skills. As such, we cannot accept any supplemental materials along with your script.

You will be notified by email within 15 to 20 days after your submission is received, allowing time for processing.

Suggested length is 90 to 120 pages. Entries over 135 pages WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.

To clear the title page:

1. Go to Document > Title Page;
2. Select all the text with Apple+A on Mac and Control+A on Windows;
3. Press the Delete key to clear the page;
4. Go to File > Close to return to your script.

After the script is saved, when it's next opened in Final Draft, Document > Title Page will be blank.

To remove the title page from the PDF export:

Final Draft v.6:  Simply clear the title page as directed above.  This will cause the title page to be removed from the PDF export.

Final Draft v.7:  Click HERE.

Final Draft v.8:  Click HERE.

For information on how to create the title page, click HERE.

Yes, you retain all rights until you choose to sell or option your screenplay.

We recommend that you register your script with the WGA (http://www.wgawregistry.org/webrss/) and/or the U.S. Copyright Office (http://www.copyright.gov/). We do not require such registration for entry but we recommend that you take at least one of those steps to protect your intellectual property. Our contest has been running for over a decade and we are very careful with our entrants' scripts. However, those easy steps will help ensure that your work is protected.

Yes, you would simply have to inform us that the script was optioned or sold and we would remove it from the judging.

Any script that is currently NOT under option (or contract) is eligible to enter the contest. If a pre-existing option has expired, you are able to enter.

We do accept adaptations of true stories, however, you must be sure that the people represented in the script have given you permission to use their names and stories. In order to enter, you must be able to grant the rights to the story you wrote to a producer, should he want to option the script. Securing the rights to the source material is the responsibility of the screenwriter. If you feel that the rights are available, you may certainly enter. Regrettably, we cannot offer any advice on whether or not the rights are available. We recommend that you consult an attorney if you plan to pursue the project, as the question regarding rights - even life rights - would eventually come up and need to be addressed prior to anyone's optioning or buying the script.

We do accept adaptations, however, you must be sure that the novel is in the public domain. In order to enter, you must be able to grant the rights to the story you wrote to a producer, should he want to option the script. Securing the rights to the source material is the responsibility of the author. If you feel that the rights are available, you may certainly enter. Regrettably, we cannot offer any advice on whether or not the rights are available. We recommend that you consult an attorney if you plan to pursue the projects, as the question regarding rights would eventually come up and need to be addressed prior to anyone's optioning or buying the script.