GREAT PRIZES + SUBMISSIONS TO HOLLYWOOD EXECUTIVES

A 1st place feature screenplay with an aggregate score above 8.4 wins $500 and will be submitted to at least 2 Hollywood executives for their consideration.

A 1st place short-screenplay or TV-script with an aggregate score above 8.4 wins $250.

Our top-scoring film, short or feature, with an aggregate score above 8.0 wins $250.

Please note: any cash winners must accept payment via PayPal !

ALL SCREENPLAY SUBMISSIONS, 10 pages and longer, receive detailed coverage, with (as appropriate) notes on the great aspects of the script, and pointers as to how a rewrite might improve chances of a production deal.

THIS REALLY SETS US APART: WE AWARD LAURELS and arrange SCREENINGS YEAR-ROUND for high-scoring films. These awards qualify your film for our BEST-OF-THE BEST screenings and awards.

If you can't make it to a "Best of the Best" physical screening in Los Angeles, our expansion includes regular screenings in our truly exciting, immersive virtual environment. Our regular online screenings allow thousands of fans all over the world to enjoy your work. It's also possible to chat to fans and viewers before or after the screening. We'd love you to be a part of all the excitement.

SCREENWRITERS, a great script can launch your career! We submit professional queries for features, on behalf of high-scoring writers, to Hollywood agents, producers, and/or executives for consideration. Every submission for coverage receives insightful, written analysis to help you make that next draft great. Features and TV scripts also receive a template for a professional industry query-letter so that you may send out your own queries, if you wish.

If you've read this far, you're paying attention: please accept a one-time 25% discount for our amazing screenplay/script coverage and a chance to have your work presented to Hollywood agents, producers, and/or executives - use the code Screenplayx25 . The code is good until December 31, 2024.

For a 50% discount on any film submission use Filmx50. Please DON'T use the 50% code for a screenplay/script as the system will mark the submission "disqualified" with no option for refund.

The BLASTOFF system to rate and select films for screenings is thorough and fair. The "thumbs-up thumbs-down" system of judging is a lazy cop-out. At BLASTOFF we thoroughly score your film across AT LEAST 10 crucial categories, and for add-in submissions (best director, cinematographer, actors, music, stunts, VFX etc. ) 23 possible categories, to arrive at a comprehensive assessment of the work. We've found that WINNERS IN ADD-IN CATEGORY SUBMISSIONS usually make for exciting viewing, and are strong contenders for screening selection and distribution.

BLASTOFF celebrates the dedication and hard work of above AND below-the-line team-members. Submission categories eligible for awards, include BEST PERFORMER (non gender specific), MUSIC, CINEMATOGRAPHY, STUNT-WORK, and so many more. Take a look the awards list.

SONGWRITERS, FILM-SCORE COMPOSERS, and SOUND DESIGNERS, you elevate a film to places it could never go without your talent. We know that, and we salute you with categories specific to you and awards to honor your work. 

"The BLASTOFF dedication and love for film and filmmakers is boundless."

Talent and success are magnets for industry people! It's a chance to skyrocket your credibility and respect in the industry! When you submit to BLASTOFF you gain access to a world which can offer filmmakers wonderful, uplifting rewards for their creativity, courage, and the massive energy required to make a film.  It's a life-changing opportunity!  Take it.  You've earned it.  You deserve BLASTOFF EXPOSURE.

Again, you don't have to wait until notification date to get a BLASTOFF laurel on your poster.   We issue our beautiful, custom-designed "Nominee" laurels year-round.

​AWARDS LISTING

Awards will be made, if appropriate, as follows.

Please note: any cash winners must accept payment via PayPal !

A 1st place feature screenplay with an aggregate score above 8.4 wins $500 and will be submitted to at least 2 Hollywood executives for their consideration.

A 1st place short screenplay with an aggregate score above 8.4 wins $250.

Our top-scoring film, short or feature, with an aggregate score above 8.4 wins $250.

GREAT PRIZES + SUBMISSIONS TO HOLLYWOOD EXECUTIVES

ALL SCREENPLAY SUBMISSIONS, 10 pages and longer, receive detailed coverage, with (as appropriate) notes on the great aspects of the script, and pointers as to how a rewrite might improve chances of a production deal.

THIS REALLY SETS US APART: WE AWARD LAURELS and arrange SCREENINGS YEAR-ROUND for high-scoring films. These awards qualify your film for our BEST-OF-THE BEST screenings. ​All winners are eligible for our BEAUTIFUL CUSTOM-DESIGNED AWARD LAURELS.

AWARD CATEGORIES
Master of the Logline
Best Screenplay opening 5 pages
Best Television Script
Best Screenplay Feature
Best Screenplay Short Film
Best Director
Best Student Director
Acting - Best Lead Performer
Acting - Best Lead Performers (two or more)
Acting - Best Cast
Best Stunt Work 
Best Feature Film
Best Documentary
Best Animated Short Film
Best Student Film
Best Short Film
Best Web/TV episode
Best Cinematography
Best Sound Design
Best Song in a film
Best Original Score
Best Original Score in an unfinished project
Best Visual FX 
Jury Award
Honorable Mention

Please note that we reserve the right to add, update, change, or cancel any awards or festival events, possibly without or on very short notice, depending on current or future developments due to the Covid-19 pandemic and/or changing status of agreements with vendors, sponsors, partners, and/or co-promoters. 

Welcome, dear filmmaker. We are thrilled that you're considering a BLASTOFF submission.

Note that we sometimes use the word "participant" instead of "submitter", as "participant" includes the submitter, but may also include others who participate in festival business, such as a producer or director, or someone participating in screenings or Q&A sessions, who may not be the actual submitter of a particular film.

Please read the rules, terms, stipulations, and guidelines, collectively "Policies", below. All participants are bound by these Policies.

In order to qualify for an award or screening, please only submit films which are of exceptional technical quality, preferably HD (1920x1080) with exceptional sound mastering and balance. Sound may be stereo or 5.1 surround.

GENERAL

1. A valid submission ("entry") must consist of, at least, your FilmFreeway project and applicable submission fee/s. Optional add-in categories for your entry may ONLY be submitted together with, or if you already have, a valid submission. All films must be in English or have English subtitles at the time submitted. Any add-in category submitted without the accompanying film submission will be ineligible for an award.

2. Films must be submitted as an online streaming video via a link on the submission platform, or via Vimeo or YouTube (with password, if required). If the link is found to be inactive, the submission will be deemed disqualified. No other form of submission is acceptable. If you are unable or unwilling to provide BLASTOFF a password and download access, please DO NOT SUBMIT.

3. Script analyses will be done by BLASTOFF selected judges only. BLASTOFF will administer final ratings and judging status.

4. If your submission is selected for screening or investor presentation, upon request, you may be required to submit a clean, screening-ready DCP, or a H.264 1080p copy, to BLASTOFF within 7 days of the notification date. To qualify for screening, copies MUST arrive on time. DCPs must be clearly labeled with film title, running time (Hr:min:sec), Flat or Scope aspect ratio, and producers' and directors' names.

5. Films must have been completed no more than 3 years before our event date. Films selected must be available for screening during the BLASTOFF event.

6. Films or scripts (“entries”) may only be submitted to BLASTOFF once. However, films or screenplays which have been substantially altered may be resubmitted as a new project.

7. Films that are publicly available online prior to the Festival event date or films with distribution in any region of the world, or films produced, financed or initiated by a major film studio or television network, or that have screened on a television network or cable television or have been distributed to theaters prior to the festival dates are ineligible for competition, but may be considered for special screening/s with proof (presented by the submitter) of all required legal screening authorization/s.

8. Private invite-only screenings (for instance for cast and crew or donors) do not affect a film’s eligibility.

9. BLASTOFF reserves the right in its sole discretion to reject or disqualify any ineligible (invalid) entries, without a refund.

10. PROFIT-SHARING SCREENINGS. Certain films may be selected and submitter offered a screening (extra-screening, separate from the official, current festival screenings). Submitter is under no obligation to accept the offer. If accepted, submitter agrees to the screening and to participate in a profit-sharing deal, percentages to be determined case-by-case. Submitter will receive a detailed accounting for the screening. Submitter warrants that submitter is authorized to 1) sanction, and participate in, the extra-screening, 2) agree to, and accept, the profit share on behalf of all who have a financial interest in the submission, and 3) assume full responsibility for making disbursements from that share as agreed with those interested parties. Note that entries in a current festival run are not paid for screenings.

11. Films that are selected to screen for the official festival run may not necessarily be eligible for award purposes. Notifications regarding selection for awards may occur subsequent to notifications of selection for exhibition.

12. Each submission, including a work-in-progress, will be judged as a completed work. Entries may be updated with a more recent version. However, once the entry has been judged, no further versions will be eligible for judging.

13. Films will be watched with the selected genre in mind. BLASTOFF reserves the right to switch the category or otherwise assign a category to fit programming needs and interests, however, films will not be penalized for the original submission selection.

14. Once an entry payment has been received we cannot provide a refund. If a payment is disputed by an entrant for any reason, the entrant will be responsible for any transaction fees or similar amounts incurred by BLASTOFF in connection with the dispute.

15. Ensure that you have provided a correct and functional email address, which is crucial for the purposes of our notifications and possible updates. We cannot take any responsibility for missed notifications, which will be sent out via email.

16. All payments must be made via the FilmFreeway portal. We cannot accept any other form of payment.

17. Films must be the original work of the participant/s. If a film is based upon another person’s life or upon a book or other underlying work, participant/s must secure any necessary rights to make such adaptations. However, it is not necessary to submit the adaptation rights agreements to the Festival. Neither the Festival nor its jurists investigates or attests to the authenticity of participant/s statement of authorship or rights secured. By entering the competition, you represent that all necessary rights have been secured .

18. Participant/s are solely responsible for obtaining all necessary rights and permissions for third-party materials included in their films or promotional materials, including but not limited to music, trademarks, logos, copyrights, and other intellectual property rights. BLASTOFF expressly disclaims all liability or responsibility for any violations of the foregoing.

19. For any and all promotional purposes BLASTOFF is hereby granted the unrestricted right to utilize any segments, edits, or excerpts from any video, sound, or graphics pertaining to the submission, whether available from the festival platform or not. Submitter accepts all responsibility for such use, and will notify the festival in a timely manner should the use of any such media become restricted.

SPECIAL NOTES

Multiple entries in various categories are allowed, each with a separate entry fee.

BLASTOFF has no obligation (other than as stated in these rules) to disclose any of the following information:
i) identities of screeners or judges
ii) notes, feedback, or any information relating to a submitted project or screening
iii) details regarding submission reviews, selection processes, or screening data.

Any comments, notes, or opinions ( "opinions") expressed by BLASTOFF staff, judges, associates, or volunteers are their personal opinions, and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of BLASTOFF ownership or management ("Management"). Management explicitly disclaims any liability or responsibility for such opinions.

Judges’ decisions are final, and not subject to dispute by any other parties. In the event of a judges’ deadlock, the final decision rests with the festival director.

Winners receiving prizes which carry cash equivalents are solely responsible for payment of all applicable local, state, and federal taxes.

Press materials and any other physical submissions to the festival will not be returned under any circumstances.

COMPETITION IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED.

SUBMITTER WARRANTIES

I have read all of the rules, understand and have complied with these rules, and assume full responsibility for any non-compliance.

I warrant that I am authorized to participate and that there are no disputes regarding a submission, screening, or other participation.

I also warrant that submitted material does not defame or invade the rights of any person living or dead.

To the best of my knowledge, all the statements herein are true and correct.

I understand that failure to adhere to any competition rules and terms will result in disqualification and forfeiture of entry fee/s.

I acknowledge that the festival will not provide a refund for any entry fee.

PARTICIPANT HEREBY AGREES TO ABIDE BY ALL FESTIVAL POLICIES AND STIPULATIONS AND TO INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND DEFEND THE FESTIVAL, ITS EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS, REPRESENTATIVES, AND AFFILIATES FROM ALL LIABILITY, CLAIMS, AND DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH PARTICIPATION, AND FROM ANY FEES AND/OR EXPENSES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES, THAT ANY OF THEM MAY INCUR IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

If any provision of these Policies is held unenforceable in any district, then BLASTOFF may modify such provision for, or consider it void, in that district. All remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

As circumstances change it may become necessary to amend these Policies, possibly without notice, from time to time. Participants agree to be bound by any Policies, current or as amended.

If you disagree with, or do not wish to consent to the Policies or any part thereof, please do not submit any material or participate in the use of any of the Services. If you do access, use, or participate in the use of any, or any part, of the Services, you agree that you are, or the business or entity for which you are an agent is, thereby bound by all of the current Policies and those that may be incorporated into the Policies from time to time.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Joe Leone

    As always, it’s a pleasure collaborating with the Blastoff Team. I’m truly grateful for their recognition of my latest short script, THE IMPOSTERS, which has since evolved into a full-length feature. I highly recommend this competition for writers and filmmakers alike 👍🏻

    April 2025
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Joe. We are huge fans of your work!

  • Dmytro Zavora

    Great Festival, im honored to win a best animation short film award! Thanks!

    April 2025
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Dmytro. Vita Nova is an excellent, stand out film. We wish you huge success for this and future projects. Rowan

  • Ralph Cinque

    They do not have a grip on the essence of good storytelling and good filmmaking, and they also don't understand how best to serve their participants. They are very self-serving with hyper-inflated egos. There are far better festivals than this that deserve respect. This one doesn't.

    April 2025
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    Response from festival:

    Dear readers: Here's an interesting tidbit. This submitter FORGED OUR LAUREL (or had it forged) claiming that he'd won a BLASTOFF nomination, and placed it front and center of the awards section of the film's web page (yes, we took the precaution of taking a screenshot to verify). Ironic isn't it, that he'd want to display a laurel from a festival that he's now attempting to denigrate. So what do we call someone who forges a laurel? Would you call that a cheat? What do we call someone who announces to the world that he won such an award, but really didn't… is that a brazen liar? Would you think this a person of integrity? In the light of our having confronted this person with his deception, would you believe that his negative review of our festival would be honest and fair?

    If you're interested, here's a little history of our exposure to the film.

    The film has a wonderful premise, but is, in the opinion of people who judged it, a cosmic failure in the hands of a director who has absolutely no concept of timing or rhythm. It won none of our awards. The fact that he attempted to write the screenplay himself also has something to do with the abysmal lack of compelling rhythm. He had the audacity to contact BLASTOFF claiming that the film is the "best courtroom drama EVER made." When pressed on this, he asserted that, yes, his directing mish-mash is better than the films "12 Angry Men, Anatomy of a Murder, Judgment at Nuremberg, To Kill a Mockingbird, The Verdict, A Few Good Men, and Philadelphia."

    As a final "thank you for nothing" he also went on a rampage to disparage one of our winning films and its team. Coming from you, Cinque, who cares what you think?

  • Harun Kazaz

    Thank you for showcasing "Rising Wings" at your festival. It was an incredible opportunity to have our documentary featured alongside such outstanding works. We appreciate your support.

    August 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks, Harun. I wish you the very best for "Rising Wings" and your future projects. Rowan

  • Neill Barry

    Good festival Honored to be a part of it.
    George & Marcus.

    May 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks, Neill, for sharing your film with us. Congrats on reaching the semi-finals. Rowan