Judging and Rules

OUR READERS AND METHODOLOGIES

 

S&CO's judging principles are straightforward and take concept, plot, story arc, pace and tone, dialogue, characters, stakes, heart and logic into consideration - not forgetting 'voice', and sheer enjoyability.

Rest assured, your script won't be assessed by holiday-job students who haven't studied craft. We interview and train all our readers, so they know exactly what to look for. 

Ideally, scripts should be submitted anonymously. We will not disqualify you if your name is there, but to avoid unconscious bias we prefer entrants to remove their name and other details from the cover/title page (except for a mobile/cell phone number). You may, if you wish, place a logline below the title, but please don't add other details such as a synoposis, your bio or a preamble. The script's the thing.

All SCRIPTWRITERS & CO INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL submissions are judged as follows:

• • • Each entry will be read and evaluated by at least two readers, to decide which pieces will progress to the Quarter-Finals in their category.
    • Fresh eyes will read and grade Quarter-Finalists' scripts, to decide which will progress to the Semi-Finals.
    • All scripts in the Semi-Finals will be read from start to finish by at least three readers.
    • The same principles will apply until we have Finalists in each category, whose scripts will be read by at least three judges (and usually more), including Zanna Cardash and/or Alex Hollister.

    • S&CO will decide  if any submitted scripts are suitable for FILM FACTORY GLOBAL. Any invitation to develop and produce the script will be at their discretion.
      

GENERAL ENTRY INFORMATION

We will publish lists of all Quarter-Finalists, Semi-Finalists and Finalists on our website, and in social and other media. Finalists will be invited to attend the Festival free of charge.

NOTE: You may initially be informed that your script is a Quarter-Finalist. However, that will not necesssarily be your final destination in our contest. The same goes for each script as it progresses through the competition.

Runners-up and winners will be announced at the Festival.

By entering, you confirm that you have read and accept the competition rules.

 

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