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 and 22, 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 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 FILM FEST! Again, this conference is part of a larger film festival that you are GREENLIT to attend (The Sacramento International Film Festival).

Awards & Prizes

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 or a one to three-hour-long film) 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 or a one to three-hour-long film) that are specifically comedies.

3) SHORT SCREENPLAY (COMEDY or DRAMATIC)
This category is for screenplays that are 30 pages or a 30-minute or shorter film. Any genre is welcome!

Rules & Terms

When submitting a finished screenplay you must adhere to category rules regarding length of the screenplay and genre. Alternatively, entries may be submitted as a final film, where the screenplay will be evaluated separately but within the same time requirements. Screenplays may be submitted regardless of when they were created so long as they have not been previously submitted to this competition.
38 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Diane Thomassin

    The festival succeeded in not only in being entertaining, but also in informing and inspiring. I appreciate the invaluable knowledge and practical advice from the experts.

    December 2023
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  • Samuel Taylor

    It is with great honor, joy and amazement that I announce that my At The Mercy Of Faith screenplay won the 1st place award for Outstanding Drama Screenplay in the Sacramento/American Screenwriting Conference!!
    I want to thank Martin Anaya and his staff for putting together a fun and amazing festival! The anointed energy, love and hospitality of this glorious festival is unmatched by any of the other 7 festivals I have previously attended!!

    December 2023
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  • Mike Green

    The Green Brothers were humbled our screenplay, Crayola Zen, was selected by the American Screenwriters Conference 2023 and felt compelled to take a 48-hour road trip from the Pacific Northwest to attend the event in historic downtown Sacramento. Marty is amazing, and we learned so much from the extraordinarily talented film-makers, actors, and prestigious film-industry special guests. We are so grateful for this experience. Thank you, ASC & Sacramento International Film Festival 2023!

    December 2023
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  • 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
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    Response from festival:

    Seth, thank you for your wonderful work and participation. This past year was very difficult on our staff. We'd experienced personal losses due to COVID that almost required us to cancel the conference but were gratified for the grace and participation from amazing writers such as yourself!

  • Michael Sinclair Walter

    Thank you all, and have a very MERRY CHRISTMAS

    December 2022
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Michael! and merry Christmas to you!