Great odds for great prizes

Dear Fellow Writers:
I am excited to announce a new Screenwriting Competition sponsored by the Jacksonville Film Festival. Because our deadline for entries is January 23, 2004, I hope you’ll consider our late start to be your lucky opportunity: fewer entries equals better odds for you.

And we’ve got over $7,800 in prize packages to offer.

Three winners will receive airfare, accommodations and All Access Passes to the film festival (May 13-16, 2004). Winning scripts will be submitted to top film producers, agents, managers and entertainment attorneys, as well as being listed on InkTip for 6 months.

Prize packages will also include consultations with Dr. Linda Seger, Lew Hunter, Michael Hauge and Kathie Fong Yoneda; tuition to The Screenwriting Conference in Santa Fe; tuition for Sherwood Oaks Experimental College events; Final Draft software; Hollywood Creative Directory products; copies of Hollywoodlitsales.com’s Spec Screenplay Sales Directory; and subscriptions to Script magazine.

The entry fee is $30 through January 2, 2004, and $40 thereafter. For prize details, competition rules and entry forms visit the Jacksonville Film Festival website www.jacksonvillefilmfestival.com.

Hope you’ll join us.
Sharon Y. Cobb
Associate Director, Jacksonville Film Festival

Final submissions deadline for the Jacksonville Film Festival Screenwriting Competition is January 23, 2004.

Actually it's nice to report something possitive about a contest for once in here. I've entered quite a few contests the last few months and this one is near the top of my list for mid level competitions that I've entered. The prizes seem very promising considering the cost to enter. On top of all the decent prizes this is one of the few festivals that will fly you out there with accomidations for the festival.

Anyone here have experience with them in the past?

Damn, I was hoping I'd get a chance to slam another sorry competition. Maybe next time.

-Alveraz Ricardez

The Hollywood Reporter has just signed on as a prize sponsor for the Jacksonville Film Festival's Screenwriting Competition. One-year subscription for first prize winner, six-months for second and three-months for third. Postmark deadline for submissions is this Friday, January 23.

--Sharon Cobb

I'm always leery of contests that have extensive "hold harmless" clauses, especially when they're new. I'm sure the film festival is okay, but it is a turnoff. You read the 3 page application and then the release form, and it's more than many contests have.