Fiction Guidelines:

• Scripts should be submitted as a single PDF, consisting of 1 - 3 scripted episodes, no longer than 45 pages total. 
• Scripts can be submitted in standard US Screenplay format or BBC Radio Drama format and include standard scene format  elements - Scene Heading, Character, Parenthetical, Dialogue, and Action that conveys sound or movement. Visual Transitions and descriptions are not necessary. 
• All genres are acceptable for submission. 
• Later in the competition, Finalists have the option to submit supporting material such as a treatment, multi-episode season outline or audio material that expresses their vision for the fiction podcast series. 

Non-Fiction Guidelines

• To enter the nonfiction podcast writing competition, please submit a  Treatment of up-to 10 pages, that should include the following: 
  • Concept Synopsis: A summary of the topic, world, or issues that will be addressed in the Podcast. Please include character details and any references for style and tone.
  • Category and Target Audience. Include the category details for nonfiction podcast. For example mention what broad category does the concept fall under like True Crime, Wellness, Family, etc. Also identify the target audience for the concept. 
  • Host: If the host(s) is separate from the writer(s) or person(s) submitting, please share your recommendations for the host(s) and the rationale for why the host(s) is the best choice for your podcast.
  • Tone: Describe the tone and audio cues for the podcast, that share your vision for your listening experience for the audience. Additionally, please reference 2-3 existing podcasts that are comparable and discuss how this concept is similar and/or unique. 
  • Themes: Share the central theme for the podcast.
  • Segments: Define the recurring segments that will appear in each episode and how they will be tied back to your main topic.
  • Season: Episodic or serial arc for the season. 
  • Episodes: 1-2 paragraph synopsis of at least 3 episodes in the series. 

General Eligibility

• All writers at least 18 years of age are eligible. However, a writer who has earned more than $50,000 (or equivalent currency) from professional writing services for film or TV in the preceding year is not. (Contest winnings not included.)
• All persons from anywhere in the world are eligible; however the material submitted must be in English (occasional dialogue in other languages is acceptable, if subtitle translation is provided).
• All material submitted to other competitions or contests are eligible for this contest.
• There are no requirements as to when the material was written.
• Work and intellectual property must be wholly owned and submitted by the writer(s).For nonfiction podcasts, the individual submitting must hold any rights and access to proprietary stories intended for broadcast, that are not already in the public domain.
• Material should be submitted with standard font, spacing and margin (Times New Roman is preferred font, but not required). 
• Title pages are optional, we have no preferences regarding title page content. Title and name of writer would suffice.
• Entries for this competition are managed on the submission platform Coverfly.
• Adaptations are ineligible unless the underlying rights are owned by the writer or the work is in the public domain.
• All material must be submitted electronically as a PDF or it will not be eligible.

The winners will be chosen based on the following criteria: (i) originality, (ii) uniqueness and personality in voice in storytelling, (iii) characterization, (iv) dialogue, (v) strength in storytelling in the podcast medium, and (vi)overall professional presentation. The winners and top finalists may be contacted by interested industry representatives, such as managers, agents or producers. Entrants may be required to submit further information to assist in the judges’ verification of eligibility. Any entrant may be deemed ineligible at the sole discretion of ScreenCraft. Winners may be required to sign and return within seven (7) business days of receipt a notarized Affidavit of Eligibility and a Release and Indemnification and proof of valid passport and any other documents that ScreenCraft or any other partner may require before receiving prize payment. Failure to respond to the initial notification or return of notification will result in disqualification. We reserve the right to amend these rules at any time.

1. COPYRIGHT AND OWNERSHIP: ScreenCraft or any other partner, employee or agent associated with this contest claims no ownership nor first right of option to any original work submitted to this contest. All ownership and rights to the scripts submitted to this contest remains with the original rights holders until and unless other agreements are made.
2. PUBLICITY: Except where prohibited by law, participation in the contest constitutes each entrant’s consent to ScreenCraft and its agents’ and contest sponsor’s use of entrants’ names, likenesses, photographs, and/or personal information for promotional purposes in any media, worldwide, without further payment or consideration. All uses of a entrants’ information are in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
3. REFUND POLICY: All entries are non-refundable.
4. ENTRY CONDITIONS AND RELEASE: BY ENTERING THE CONTEST YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO THESE CONDITIONS. You agree to release and hold harmless ScreenCraft, ScreenCraft.org, its subsidiary, parent and affiliated companies, Prize contributors, judges, readers, Sponsors, and any other organizations responsible for administering, advertising or promoting the Contest, and every one of their respective members, directors, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, the “Released Parties”) past and present from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liability, including but not limited to damages and negligence to property and persons, including but not limited to invasion of privacy, defamation, slander, libel, violation of right of publicity, copyright, infringement of trademark or other intellectual property rights relating to a participant’s Entry, participation in the Contest and/or acceptance or use or misuse of Prize; provided however, that such release will not apply to any commercial exploitation of the work by a Released Party in violation of your rights under applicable copyright law; and (c) indemnify, defend and hold harmless the ScreenCraft.org and its Sponsor, agents and employees from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liabilities (including reasonable attorneys fees) relating to an entrant’s participation in the Contest and/or entrant’s use or misuse of Prize. Employees of ScreenCraft and their immediate families are ineligible to participate in this contest. Any such submission will be immediately disqualified. ENTRY TO THIS CONTEST IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED or restricted by any Federal, State or Local law. Voided entries will be refunded. Recipients’ eligibility will be verified before the grant is awarded and the winner may be required to sign an affidavit of eligibility. By entering the contest, you authorize us to use any trusted third-party online and cloud-based services and databases for hosting, managing and/or transmitting your submission file(s).