Dare to Scare Horror Competition

“Dare to Scare” Feature Competition Rules and Guidelines:

Please submit your feature script in PDF format.

YOU MUST SUBMIT YOUR SCRIPT WITHIN 48 HOURS OF REGISTRATION. SCRIPTS RECEIVED AFTER THIS PERIOD WILL BE DISQUALIFIED. NO REFUND WILL BE ISSUED.

Feature scripts must not exceed 120 pages (not including cover page). All submissions must adhere to standard industry margins and font.

Submitting your script with a cover page with your name, scripts name, and contact information is recommended. This should include just a title, author name, WGA registration number and/or Copyright information. The cover page does not count towards the overall script page count.

Must be written in English in 12-point courier font.

Do NOT cheat in an effort to reduce your page count, your script will be disqualified. As a standard rule, 1.5” left, 1” right and 1” top and bottom dimensions are acceptable.

Do not include any additional documents with your submission i.e. pitch documents, series, look-books, etc.

All submissions are final. No substitutions of pages, drafts or scripts will be allowed.

The competition is open to feature scripts of the horror/thriller genre.

All scripts submitted will remain the property of the writer(s). Neither Roadmap Writers nor Schemers Entertainment or any of its readers/judges and/or their respective companies assume any attachment to your work.

Scripts submitted in the competition must NOT be under option, in production or previously purchase or produced at the time of entry.

Screenwriters who have had previous feature or pilot screenplays produced and distributed by non-independent means are ineligible.

Must be 18 years old and over to enter.

Must be an original idea; free and clear of any copyright issues.

Adaptations are ineligible unless the underlying rights are owned by the writer or the work is currently in the public domain.

The competition is open to all persons from anywhere in the world, however the material submitted must be in English.

In the event of multiple writers, please list all additional co-writers. No attachments (producers, directors, actors).

Entrants may be contacted as a result of the competition by Roadmap Writers, Schemers Entertainment, a member of the judging panel, or other industry professionals.

Only entries that purchase Feedback Notes at the time of submission will receive written feedback.

Roadmap Writers is not responsible for screenplays stolen or lost in transit.

Roadmap Writers’ writing competition readers’ decisions are final.

Submissions will be evaluated by experienced script readers and judged on the criteria of: Premise/Concept, Characters, Dialogue, Story, Structure, and Voice/Style. Submissions will receive multiple evaluations based on the competitions proprietary scoring system.

Announcement Dates are tentatively scheduled as follows (dates subject to change):
Top 25 - June 12, 2019
Top 10 - June 26, 2019
Top 3 - July 10, 2019
Winner - July 17, 2019

Feedback notes will be returned to writers at the time of the Top 25 announcement.

The writer(s) of the Top 3 will have an in-person or virtual meeting with a member of the Schemers Entertainment team.

Roadmap Writers reserves the right, at our sole discretion, to change or modify these terms at any time without notice.

If a judge or competition partner is no longer able to serve in their specific capacity, Roadmap Writers will make best efforts to secure a replacement.

Multiple screenplays may be submitted but each screenplay is required to pay separate registration fees.

By entering the Dare to Scare Feature Competition, you agree to receive competition updates via email and periodic marketing emails from Roadmap Writers. You may unsubscribe at any time.

See the Submission Agreement for a full list of Terms and Conditions for submitting an entry.

To enter the Roadmap’s Dare to Scare Feature Competition, you must agree to its Terms and Conditions​.

All sales are final. No refunds will be issued.

While it is not a requirement, we encourage writers to register their script with the U.S. Copyright Office and/or Writers Guild of America.