American Screenwriting Conference

Held each year to engage filmmakers and screenwriters alike, the conference will educate new and experienced screenwriters on the state of the art today.

NOTE: In 2021, due to COVID-19, we held a FULL DAY ONLINE symposium. This year, if COVID allows, we're planning a hybrid, LIVE/online conference. In the wake of the pandemic, many conferences have been canceled. We KNOW this is concerning for writers but we have COMMITTED to bring you the best conference available that you can attend from anywhere in the world!

Much more than JUST a writers' Conference:

With our SPECIAL WRITER'S PASS (Just $75) you get a day-long writing summit, learning to screenwrite in an intimate setting from top pros, PLUS A LAVISH AWARDS CEREMONY and, should you desire, an ENTIRE 8-DAY FILM FEST! YES, that's right, this conference is part of a larger film festival that you are GREENLIT to attend (The Sacramento International Film Festival).

The Awards:
Think you are ready for recognition for your work? Get recognized in front of a jury including the Godfather of American Screenwriting, Lew Hunter. Lew leads a group to analyze screenplays in 3 categories:

1) FEATURE SCREENPLAY (DRAMATIC)
This category recognizes full-length screenplays (70-150 pages) that are NOT comedies. Almost any genre can fit in this category: Science Fiction, Thrillers, Horror, etc.

2) FEATURE SCREENPLAY (COMEDY)
This category recognizes full-length screenplays (70-150 pages) that are specifically comedies.

3) SHORT SCREENPLAY (COMEDY or DRAMATIC)
This category is for screenplays that are FEWER than 30 pages. Any genre is welcome!

THE LEW HUNTER AWARD FOR SCREENWRITING EXCELLENCE:
In addition to individual category awards, we also recognize one screenwriter each year for being the outstanding Screenplay of the entire year. This is a jury award given regardless of which of the categories writers enter. The award is named for our patriarch, Dr Lew Hunter, Dean Emeritus of the UCLA screenwriting program and author of THE BOOK, Screenwriting 434. Lew has trained more Academy Award-winning writers than anyone on the planet.

You must adhere to category rules regarding length of screenplay and genre. Screenplays may be submitted regardless of when they were created so long as they have not been previously submitted to this competition.

Overall Rating

Quality

Value

Communication

Hospitality

Networking

Seth Jarrett

Very excited that my script I DO, I DO has been selected for this great festival. I am honored to be a part of it. Continue your incredible support of indie writers and filmmakers.

January 2023

Helpful
Michael Sinclair Walter

Thank you all, and have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS

December 2022

Helpful

Response from festival:

Thank you, Michael! and merry Christmas to you!
Jacob Morgan

Unfortunately, it was not a good experience for me. I received the first email about acceptance that gave directions on what to do and when as well as the statement that we would get another email in the coming days about tickets and more steps. That never came. I emailed twice and never got a response from anyone. I live in the Midwest and wanted to fly out, so I needed a schedule. Fast forward weeks later and I receive an email only a week before that they were limiting it due to COVID-19 and we would get another email about details soon. That never came either. I still do not know anything about my screenplay in the festival either. I do not recommend this submission as they have poor communication and you never know what is going to happen.

December 2022

Helpful

Response from festival:

Jacob, we're sorry for your unsatisfactory experience. Our liaison, Johnny Bordeaux, did, in fact, call you multiple times but was unable to reach you at the number provided. In addition, on several emails, including one dated 12.6 (which we sent to ALL accepted screenwriters), we re-iterated that your script HAD been selected, and indicated the show would be online instead of in-person, as a result of a death in our festival family due to COVID. We expressed our regrets at not being able to do the physical show and extended you a FREE invitation for a LIVE, ONLINE show which took place on Dec. 18th and saw over 40 other accepted screenwriters participate. Not sure how our multiple attempts to reach you failed but, we do applaud your work as an accepted ASC screenwriter and hope to serve you better in the future. As indicated in ALL correspondence, I invite you PERSONALLY, to call me any time you ever need to chat: 916.524.5138. Happy Holidays!
Anita Gupta

Thank you for selecting both our comedy scripts. Amazing opportunity!

December 2022

Helpful

Response from festival:

Thank you Anita! Was an amazing event and AWESOME to have you!
Kevin Silva

Thanks for selecting "Liza Rose" for the festival. Good luck to everyone!

November 2022

Helpful

Response from festival:

Kevin. Thank you. This year has been an extreme challenge. Your kindness is appreciated. Hope to see you at the virtual event on the 18th!