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Contest Rules

Please read and follow these directions. Submissions that do not follow these guidelines will be disqualified.

Contest Rules and Conditions:

1. The Big Break Contest only accepts online entries. No printed scripts will be accepted. You may enter online at www.finaldraft.com/bigbreak. Our easy-to-use online entry system will work you through the process.

2. 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.

3. The Big Break Contest is open to any individual who is 18 years of age or older at the date of entry and has access to the Internet. Employees, officers, directors and agents (and their immediate families and household members regardless of where they live, or members of the same households (whether related or not) of Final Draft, Inc. and its respective divisions, affiliates, subsidiaries, agents and advertising agencies (collectively, the "contest providers")), are not eligible to participate in the Contest or to win any prize. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED OR RESTRICTED BY LAW. All federal, state and local laws and regulations apply.

4. Entrants may submit multiple entries. Each submission must include its own "New Project Form" (using the Without A Box online entry system) and entry fee.

5. All submissions should consist of full-length screenplays (approximately 90 to 120 pages) in standard industry format for motion picture screenplays, written in English. SCREENPLAYS OVER 135 PAGES OR UNDER 80 PAGES WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. All necessary information is captured upon entry of digital submissions, and title pages are not required. Do NOT include personally identifying information (name, etc.) on any page of your script. If you are using a word processing program that automatically formats screenplays, such as Final Draft, select the Screenplay format template.

6. Screenplays written by up to two people may be entered in the contest. Only one entry fee is required for such entries. Both writers' names should be listed on the online entry. List the writer who will be the primary contact first, and include the address, telephone, and email address for that person only. Both writers must authorize submission of the entry. By clicking Submit, both writers authorize the submission. If a screenplay written by two writers is among any of the top-three prize winners, Final Draft, Inc. will pay airfare and hotel for both writers, and both writers will have the option to attend meetings with studio executives and agents. All cash awards will be split equally between both writers. If a screenplay written by two writers is any of the top-10 finalists, prizes will be divided at writers' discretion.

7. To enter your script electronically, you must submit your screenplay in Final Draft (.FDX, .FDR or .FDS) or .PDF format.

8. If you are using a program that has the capability of including macros in the screenplay file, do NOT include such macros. If macros are included, or if a file contains or appears to contain malicious or other harmful code, Final Draft, Inc. may, at its discretion, disqualify the submission.

9. Optioned screenplays are not eligible.

10. Big Break Contest entrants retain all rights to their screenplays.

11. Entries will not be returned. Be sure to retain a copy of all material submitted.

12. By entering the Big Break Contest, you acknowledge that contest judges receive numerous submissions of ideas, stories and scripts, and that your entry, and the ideas and stories embodied in it, may be similar or identical to other material received and/or developed by one or more of the judges. You agree that you are not entitled to any compensation or credit for use by contest judges of any such other material.

13. By entering the Big Break Contest, you represent that your entry is your original work, and does not infringe on the copyright or other rights of other people.
 
 
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Sponsorship / Exhibitor Inquiries:

Shelly Mellott
mellott@finaldraft.com