Please read all rules and regulations before submitting your project.
ELIGIBILTY
1. The screenplay must be entirely original. It must be entirely your own work and you must own all rights to the work. It must be free of any rights or claims. It must NOT be based on a prior work of any kind, unless you own the rights to said work. (If based on a prior work, you must submit clear chain-of-title (ie. signed legal documentation declaring your rights to theatrical and other media use of the property).
2. The material must not infringe on any copyrights.
3. Screenplays currently optioned by a studio, producer, another production company or any other entity are NOT eligible.
4. Screenplays that have been optioned in the PAST by a studio, producer or independent production company ARE eligible, as long as said option(s) has expired, AND there are NO current options, rights or claims to the work.
5. There should be no director attached to the screenplay (screenplay's with actors attached are eligible to submit, and should submit formal documentation signed by attachment, or attachment's representative)
6. All genres are accepted, with primary focus on: Horror, Thriller, Crime Thriller, Science Fiction, Supernatural Thriller, Suspense, Fantasy and Dystopian.
7. Submission is open to screenwriters with all levels of experience: first time screenwriters, screenwriters with one or more films produced or optioned, screenwriters with previous award wins, screenwriters with agents or unsigned, etc. There is no limit placed on the experience of the screenwriter. In this vein, all screenplays will be considered on the merit of its story, characters and craft. Experienced screenwriters have no greater chance of winning than a first time screenwriter.
8. Recommended screenplay length is between 90 and 100 pages. Screenplays at this length have a significantly higher chance of winning. Screenplays above 120 pages will be charged a minor additional fee.
9. Mammoth Pictures is not obligated to include the winning writer in the creative development process. Mammoth Pictures does, however intend to include the Grand Prize Winner in the creative development and production process, and regardless will have a private consultation with the Mammoth Pictures team.
10. All screenplays must be submitted in PDF form. No mailed entries will be accepted.
GUIDELINES
1. Submit your original SCREENPLAY.
2. Submit a LOGLINE and SYNOPSIS (synopsis should be one (1) full page or longer and cover the basic premise/plot, major events, characters motivations and stakes). These should be submitted separately or attached to the end of the screenplay PDF.
3. Supplementary written materials may also be included, but are not required. These can include up to five pages of concept, character description/analysis, etc. Attach these to the end of the screenplay in the PDF file.
4. If applicable, all attachment documentation, rights documentation, and other additional documents should be submitted separately. If emailing additional documentation, in the subject line write: SCREENPLAY TITLE - ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTATION - YOUR NAME.
TERMS AND CONDITIONS
A. By submitting, you authorize Mammoth Pictures, LLC to use any trusted third-party online and cloud-based services and databases for hosting, managing and/or transmitting your submission file(s).
1. I/We wish to have my screenplay, hereafter known as "SUBMISSION", included in the Mammoth Pictures Screenplay Competition, hereafter known as “MPSC”. I/We grant MPSC and its partners the right to use for promotional purposes on it's website (www.mammoth-pictures.com), on partner websites, posters, graphics, press releases, etc. my/our name(s), likeness, screenplay title and logline.
2. If more than one (1) party signs this agreement as Submitter, the reference to “I”, “me”, “my” throughout this agreement shall apply to each party; jointly and separately.
3. My SUBMISSION has not been optioned, produced or purchased at this time. If it does become optioned or produced or sold during the judging period then the SUBMISSION will be disqualified and the entry fee will be forfeited. It is my obligation to let MPSC know that it has been optioned, sold or produced.
4. I understand creative revisions and development may be required upon winning. I also understand that if chosen as the Grand Prize Winner, it is a requirement to sign an option agreement with Mammoth Pictures to produce the film, which will be presented to the winners and discussed upon winning. Mammoth Pictures reserves the right to amend these rules and regulations at any time.
5. I grant Mammoth Pictures permission to give a copy of my SUBMISSION to industry members if requested. Industry, includes but is not limited to executives, agents, managers, casting directors, financiers, actors and others that can aid in the development of making the SUBMISSION into a film.
6. I/We own and am the only author(s) of the material submitted and am the only person or entity that can lay claim to this work. I further claim that the submitted material is not adapted from work of any other author. If the submitted material is adapted from work of another author, I further claim that I have expressed written documentation granting rights to that underlying work to me, and will submit that documentation with my SUBMISSION.
7. I understand that MPSC reserves the right to grant less than or no awards, at its sole discretion, if a lesser number of, or no entries meet the submissions requirements and/or industry standards of excellence and/or MPSC's judging preference.
8. I understand that it is my sole responsibility to register my Submission with the U.S. Copyright Office or with the Writer’s Guild of America or the appropriate agency in my country.
9. I understand that Mammoth Pictures, LLC, its producers and partners are relying on this release and accordingly, I hereby irrevocably waive any and all rights to seek or obtain any injunction or other equitable relief against Mammoth Pictures, LLC, its officers, agencies, employees, partners and sponsors.
10. I have read, understand, and agree to the rules and regulations stated for the Mammoth Pictures Screenplay Competition and in exchange for release, I receive the opportunity to have my SUBMISSION read, evaluated and judged by Mammoth Pictures as part of its Screenplay Competition and accept that there is no promise of additional payment, in any form for likeness, image, biography, recording, equipment, or for any other contribution by us on this screenplay.
11. I warrant that the use of the rights granted here and of any material supplied by me will not violate the rights of any third party. I agree to defend, indemnify and hold harmless Mammoth Pictures, LLC, its officers, agencies, employees, partners, and sponsors from any claims by third parties alleging that our content or material infringes on any third party’s rights. This Release and Hold Harmless agreement shall bind my assigns and any representative.
12. These rules and regulations constitute a binding contract, which is the entire agreement between the parties hereto, and replaces and supersedes any prior agreement or understanding, verbal or written, with respect to the subject matter hereof. No amendment, addendum, modification or waiver of this contract or any portion hereof shall be valid unless contained in a writing signed by both parties hereto.
13. This contract shall be deemed to be entered into in Los Angeles County, California, and shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California applicable to agreements entered into and carried out entirely within California. I agree that any and all disputes or controversies arising under this contract or any of its terms shall be resolved under the auspices of the American Arbitration Association, under its Commercial Arbitration Rules, through its Los Angeles, California office; provided, however that I agree that my remedies for any breach of this contract by Mammoth Pictures, LLC, its officers, agencies, employees, partners, and sponsors will be limited to damages to an action at law to recover and in no event will I be entitled to rescind or terminate this agreement or to seek injunctive or any other equitable relief.
14. I hereby certify that I am over eighteen years of age and competent to contract in my own name.
15. I have read the foregoing release and authorization and agreement, before submitting, and warrant that I fully understand the contents thereof.
16. I am authorized to sign and give consent for everyone who contributed to all materials submitted with this application to the Mammoth Pictures Screenplay Competition.
17. I acknowledge that submission of my work is the equivalent of signing, acknowledging and agreeing to all of the terms contained herein.
18. If any clause or sentence is deemed to be unenforceable by a court of competent jurisdiction, that clause or sentence shall be struck from this agreement, however, all other clauses will remain fully enforceable.
19. Mammoth Pictures, LLC reserves the right to refuse to consider any submission at Mammoth Pictures, LLC's discretion. Mammoth Pictures, LLC reserves the right to revoke any prize at Mammoth Pictures, LLC's sole discretion.
DISCLAIMER: For clarity, by submitting your work, you hereby understand and acknowledge that if no submitted screenplay meets all of Mammoth Pictures' criteria, Mammoth Pictures reserves the right not to produce any submitted screenplay for any reason, in which case the best submitted screenplay will still receive Grand Prize recognition. Mammoth Pictures is not required by law to produce the winning screenplay.
