SCRIPTWRITERS & CO INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL

CATEGORIES AND SUBMISSIONS

To ensure no unconscious bias, we prefer scripts to be anonymous. Ideally, your first page should only show the script's title, your email address, mobile/cell phone number, and a logline if you wish. However, this is not compulsory.

By entering, you agree that we may add your name and email address to S&CO's mailing list. You may unsubscribe at any time.

Your script must be:

– In English

– Formatted to industry standards, or so it's an easy read for us and our actors - the BBC offers some handy downloads

– Devoid of watermarks (we have zero interest in copying your work, and it will not be seen by anyone except our readers and judges)

– Appropriate for your category's page count (which doesn't include the title page, or a play's cast list)

– In PDF format, with ONLY its title in the file name.

While we accept musicals in all relevant categories, we will judge the script alone and do not accept recordings or standalone lyrics.

JUDGING METHODOLOGIES

– Our readers are hired for eclectic tastes, excellent noses for a superb script and clear, objective judgement, whatever the genre or subject matter. We interview and train our team, so they know exactly what to look for.

– S&CO's judging principles are straightforward and will take concept, plot, story arc, pace and tone, characters, stakes, heart and logic into consideration, as well sheer enjoyability.

– We will announce Quarter-Finalists and Semi-Finalists before selecting Finalists in each category, whose scripts will be read and assessed by at least four readers (and usually more) plus Zanna Cardash and/or Alex Hollister, who have the final say.

RULES, REGULATIONS & ELIGIBILITY

– Judges' decisions are final and we will not engage in any discussions about them.

– By entering you confirm that you are over 18, have read and accept our rules and requirements, have copyright of the work you submit and are happy for us to add your name to our mailing list (you may unsubscribe at any time).

– Entries must be entirely original, free of plagiarism and not based, in whole or part, on another writer’s work (unless the underlying material is in the public domain).

– As well as category winners, there will be a prize for 'Best Script in Festival'.

– Winners who attend the event will receive S&CO trophies on the day; those who cannot attend may have trophies posted at their own expense.

– Writers may enter more than one script in any category, upon payment of the appropriate fee in each case. There are no discounts for multiple submissions.

– Writers may re-enter scripts you have submitted in previous years.

– We cannot be held responsible for scripts entered in the wrong category, so please check that your script meets the criteria and page count, and pay the correct entry fee.

– We do not accept revisions or issue refunds except in exceptional circumstances (and never once a script has been assessed by one or more of our readers), so if you have entered a script and then wish to submit a revised version, you must pay the fee again.

– All qualified submissions will be given equal opportunity and decisions will be based on the script alone. We do not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, national origin, gender, gender identity or disability. 

– It is the writer's responsibility to register copyright if they wish to, and by entering you confirm that you understand that the organisers, judges or other writers may already have had, or be working on, similar ideas for storylines and scripts. S&CO cannot and will not be considered liable for the production, now or in the future, of any such scripts, films or plays that bear a simililarity to work you submit.

– S&CO reserves the right, at any time, without notice and without limiting any and all other rights we may have under these Rules & Regulations, at law or in equity, to remove and delete any entry that does not meet our terms without offering any refund. This may also apply to any content we consider libellous, defamatory, obscene, pornographic or sexually, racially, culturally or ethnically offensive, harassing, intimidating, threatening, hateful, discriminatory or abusive.

– By submitting your script, you allow S&CO to use your script's title, as well as your name and image, for promotional purposes, on social media, on our websites and elsewhere.

– Should we receive a limited number of high-standard submissions in any particular category, we reserve the right to withdraw that category and move a submission to another, with no refund owing to you or extra fee expected by us.

– We accept scripts that have been entered in other competitions, and/or have been read, broadcast or performed in amateur performances or online, but not professionally produced. 

– Entering does not guarantee that your work will be placed. Neither does it secure you admission to the Festival. Finalists enjoy free entry but must travel to Bath at their own expense, and their guests will need to buy a ticket to attend.

– You agree to indemnify and hold harmless Scriptwriters & Co (S&CO) and our management, employees, judges, subsidiaries, agents, sponsors, affiliates etcetera from and against any and all claims, liabilities, losses, damages and expenses (including but not limited to legal fees, and costs of the court) that may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, the screening or publishing of recordings or stills of performances at the Festival, and so forth.

– SCRIPTWRITERS & CO retains copyright of all the information on this page and we retain copyright on all the words herein, and you are not entitled to copy, paste or otherwise use or repeat our words without our express permission. Unless it's praising us, obviously.