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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 entry of feature film screenplays. No printed scripts will be accepted. You may enter online at www.finaldraft.com/bigbreak. Our easy-to-use online entry system will walk you through the process.
   
   
2. Entry fees: $40 - Early Bird Deadline February 29, 2012; $50 - Standard Deadline May 31, 2012; $65 - Extended Deadline June 15, 2012. 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, contractors 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 entry and must include a separate file and separate entry fee.
   
   
5. All submissions should consist of full-length screenplays (approximately 80 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 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. You are not required to use Final Draft in order to enter the Contest.
   
   
8. Optioned screenplays are not eligible.
   
   
9. Big Break™ Contest entrants retain all rights to their screenplays.
   
   
10. Entries will not be returned. Be sure to retain a copy of all material submitted.
    
    
11. 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.
    
    
12. 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.
    
    

The Big Break™ entry system has been streamlined for your convenience, by popular demand. In the spirit of modern technology and saving the planet's resources, please note that the Final Draft, Inc. Big Break™ Screenplay Contest no longer accepts paper screenplay submissions or mailed-in check/money order payments.

Please be certain that you are uploading the correct screenplay file. In case of a mistake, your entry may be rejected or disqualified.

By agreeing to these Terms and Conditions you agree that you have read the General Rules of the contest and that you have the authorization to submit this screenplay to the Big Break™ Contest. You further agree that your screenplay is owned by you (and co-author if there is one) and that your screenplay has not been optioned. Optioned screenplays cannot be considered, and Big Break™ entrants retain ALL rights to their screenplays.

The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless the Final Draft, Inc. Big Break™ Contest from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney's fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, and/or publicity to the project entered.