Welcome to SYS’s Six-Figure Screenplay Contest!

What’s this contest all about?

Do you have the next great low budget screenplay? SYS is trying to find great screenplays in any genre that could be produced for less than $1,000,000USD (one million). In other words, scripts that could be produced on six-figures or less.

Our goal with this screenplay contest is simple: find the best low budget screenplays on the planet and present them to the industry, which will hopefully lead to options, sales, and productions.

We’ve assembled a great group of seasoned writers, directors, and producers (see list on our website) to help judge the entries, as well as a great group of readers to handle the first round of reads.

How’s it going to work?

Each script submitted will be read by a minimum of two professional readers in the first round. The scripts that stand out in the first round will move into the second round (roughly 20% of all screenplays entered). The second round screenplays will be vetted further with more assessments from the SYS readers. The top scripts from the second round will be selected and moved into the quarter finals, where we will pitch those screenplays to the industry judges. Finally, after all the scripts have been graded by the judges, we will choose a winner and make the announcement in October 2023.

How will scripts be graded?

Each professional reader will fill out an SYS Script Assessment form for each screenplay that they read. The SYS script assessment is a quick way for the reader to grade the screenplay. Each screenplay will be graded based on seven key criteria: Ability to be produced for less than $1M, Concept, Characters, Structure, Marketability, Tone, and Craft. For a small additional charge ($10) you can receive the two assessments from the first round readers (and possibly a 3rd assessment from a second round reader).

Awards & Prizes

Prizes (Features)

For this contest shorts are screenplays that are less than 30 pages, while features are screenplays that are longer than 75 pages.

Winner:

-$1,000 cash
-1 SYS 3-pack screenplay analysis
-Highlighted in a special newsletter that goes to hundreds of working producers
-Featured in The Budget List at the end of the year

Runner up:

-1 SYS 3-pack screenplay analysis
-Highlighted in a special newsletter that goes to hundreds of working producers
-Featured in The Budget List at the end of the year

Semi-finalists:

-Highlighted in a special newsletter that goes to hundreds of working producers
-Featured in The Budget List at the end of the year

Quarter-finalists:

-Featured in The Budget List at the end of the year

Prizes (Shorts)

Short film scripts (less than 30 pages) will be judged using the same method and criteria as features. We’re looking for low budget short scripts. Our readers will grade the scripts in the first round and then the highest rated scripts will be passed along to our industry judges in the later rounds.

Winner:

-$100 cash
-Highlighted in a special newsletter that goes to hundreds of working producers
-Featured in The Budget List at the end of the year

Runner up: ($300 worth of prizes)

-Highlighted in a special newsletter that goes to hundreds of working producers
-Featured in The Budget List at the end of the year

Semi-finalists:

-Featured in The Budget List at the end of the year

Rules & Terms


Writer(s)
-This contest is void where prohibited.
-All writers must be at least 18 years old to be eligible.
-Writer(s) must wholly own the screenplay and intellectual property that they submit.
-Entrants may be required to submit further information to assist in verifying eligibility.
-All submissions must be made by the writer or co-writer of the screenplay being submitted.
-Submissions written by more than one person must be submitted with the consent of all other writers. And all writers should be credited on the title page.
-If a writing team’s screenplay is picked as a winner, prizes will be given to the one writer who made the submission. The submitting writer is responsible for dividing or sharing the prize money with his or her writing partners.

Material
-All material must be submitted in industry standard screenplay format.
-The title page should contain the title of the screenplay and names of all writers. It’s okay but not mandatory if it also contains the writer’s contact information.
-All screenplays must be written in English, however anyone from anywhere may enter the contest if they meet all the other eligibility requirements.
-Only screenplays that are 120 pages or less are eligible.
-All material must be submitted electronically as a PDF.
-Substitutions of either corrected pages or new drafts of the entered material will NOT be allowed. Please proofread your material and make sure you are submitting the correct draft at the time of submission.

Submitting
-The script assessments from the two professional first round readers may be purchased for a small additional fee, but it must be purchased at the time of entry. No other feedback will be provided.
-All submissions must be received on or before the deadline dates by Midnight PST.
-The submission fee payment must be made in full at the time of submission.
-Entry fees are NOT refundable for any reason.
-Any submission may be deemed ineligible for any reason at the sole discretion of SYS.
-Quarter-Finalists may be required to sign and return within ten (10) business days of receipt a notarized Affidavit of Eligibility and a Release and Indemnification and proof of valid passport and any other documents that SYS or any other partner may require before receiving prize payment. Failure to respond to the initial notification within fifteen (15) business days will result in disqualification.
-We reserve the right to amend any part of these rules at any time. So please check back often.
14 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Parker Green

    SYS's Six-Figure Film Festival was a fantastic experience from start to finish! The communication from everyone involved was excellent, making this a super smooth and enjoyable experience. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to have shown my film, Split Decision, at such a well-curated festival. Thank you for such a memorable and fun event. Can't wait to submit my next project here!

    October 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Parker. I can't wait to see your next project.

  • Jon Mancinetti

    Ashley was one of the best festival directors I’ve worked with! He was great with communication, scheduling and organization of the entire experience. He even featured me on his podcast. The theatre we screened at in Glendale was top notch and our film looked and sounded great too. Would for sure enter again!

    October 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Jon! It was a pleasure having you and your film and your cast and crew at the festival.

  • Jon Leonoudakis

    Kudos to the organizer for their organization, coordination, and well-executed festival. The venue of the Look Dine In Theater in Glendale, CA, was outstanding. My film looked and sounded great in the venue. Highly recommended!

    October 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Jon. I hope to see you again next year.

  • Carlos Perez

    Really nice people, polite and friendly. Easy rapport, especially online. I'm quite pleased with those involved with this festival and I would enter again.

    October 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Carlos.

  • Martin Laurence

    Ashley's communication was brilliant, really looking forward to next year, already working on a film to enter.

    October 2023
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