TNS Horror Screenplay Competition: Hollywood Edition

PLEASE READ OUR RULES & POLICIES BEFORE SUBMITTING!!!

GENERAL SUBMISSION RULES:

Once a script has been submitted, no substitutions, redrafts, or corrected pages will be accepted. If resubmission is desired, a separate submission fee will be incurred.

All entries must be original works. No sequels, prequels, or adaptations unless adapted from writer's own story/novel or work that's considered public domain.

TNS claims no ownership nor option on your work. All ownership and rights to the scripts submitted remains with original rights holders.

There is no limit to number of different scripts you can submit. Duplicate entries of same project, however, will be automatically disqualified.

Winners will be chosen based on strength of Concept, Story, Structure, Character Development, Dialogue usage and understanding of Tone and conventions inside genre.

All material submitted to other competitions or contests are eligible.

There are no requirements as to when the material was written.

Previous winning scripts are NOT eligible, however other scripts by past winning writers are eligible.

All persons around the world are eligible. However, the material submitted must be in English (occasional dialogue in other languages acceptable, if subtitled). All entries must be submitted in standard script format via PDF. Broken files or non-PDF files may be accepted, but if the file cannot be read it will be disqualified.

Pages should be numbered. Please adhere to page length requirements for each category.

Entries will only be assessed if submitted via FilmFreeway website digitally. Please do not send any hard copies or downloadable files directly.

Entries must be received on or before the deadline dates by 11:59PM Pacific Time. Submission fee payment must be made in full at time of submission. All entry fees are non-refundable.

Title pages are NOT counted as part of the total page count but should feature current contact information.

Screenplays must be un-produced, and not under option at time of competition.

The person submitting affirms they are the writer of the work. In case of multiple writers, only one need submit, but all authors must be credited on entry and have agreed to its submission. If a writing team is chosen as winner, prizes will be given to person who submits project. Each team is responsible for dividing or sharing prizes.

You agree to indemnify and hold TNS harmless from any claim(s) made by you or any third party due to or arising out of project(s) you submit. You understand that there are thousands of filmmakers, writers and other artists with similar stories, characters, etc. Two or more submissions with similar story lines remains a realistic possibility.

By entering, the writer(s) understand there's no guarantee of representation (by agent, manager, or producer) and/or production company in event that script is chosen as winner. Consideration of script is given for sole purpose of choosing a winner only.

In the event your script is chosen as a winner, writer(s) understand that there is no guarantee of representation (by agent, manager, or producer) and/or acquisition by a production company associated with the competition. Consideration of all scripts is given for the sole purpose of choosing a winner.

It is suggested that ALL scripts submitted be registered with WGA (https://www.wgawregistry.org/) and/or US Copyright Office (https://www.copyright.gov/) before submission.

TNS reserves right to change deadline and announcement dates at any time and reserves right to amend these rules at any time.

All writers at least 18 years of age are eligible. However, a writer who has earned more than $30,000 (or equivalent currency) from professional writing services for film or TV in the preceding 12 months or $300,000 (or equivalent currency) from professional film or TV in the proceeding 7 years is not eligible. (Other contest winnings not included.)

Any entrant may be deemed ineligible as a Finalist or Winner at the sole discretion of TNS.

All recognition, placements, and winners are chosen at sole discretion of TNS and associates.

SUBMISSION FEES:

We do not offer discounts or hardship waivers for submission fees. There are absolutely no exceptions to this policy other than FilmFreeway GOLD members who are an exception to this rule only as far as advertised discount goes.

Submission fees must be in U.S. dollars. These fees are non-refundable, even in case of disqualification of an entry.

You may submit more than one project, but each must be submitted with a separate fee. There are no discounts for multiple submissions.

DISQUALIFICATIONS:

A submission will be disqualified if it does not meet criteria required for it to be evaluated as listed in General Submission Rules section above. The most common reasons for disqualification are failure to attach a screenplay file to submission, a submission entered that is NOT a horror script, or a script not being written in English.

Refunds are not issued for disqualified submissions, so please make sure your entry is compliant with competition rules before submitting!

In the event of disqualification, the submitter will be notified as to reason(s) why entry was not qualified once assessment period has concluded.

PLEASE CHECK YOUR SUBMISSION CAREFULLY! You will NOT be notified if there is a problem with your submission prior to assessment.