The submission period is now closed for the 2009 L.A. Comedy Scripts Screenplay Competition. Check back here for a list of finalists on February 2nd, 2009.

If you would like to request a deadline extension, please contact us.

Categories:

• Feature Comedy Screenplay (80-130 pages)
• Short Comedy Screenplay (1-30 pages)
  

Deadlines:

• Early Bird Deadline: October 3, 2008
  • Fee: $35 for Features
  • $30 for Shorts
• Regular Deadline: November 3, 2008
  • Fee: $45 for Features
  • $40 for Shorts
• Late Deadline: December 3, 2008
  (Special: Late Deadline extended to Friday, December 5th!)
  • Fee: $55 for Features
  • $50 for Shorts
• Extended Final Deadline: December 19, 2008
  • Fee: $75 for Features
  • $70 for Shorts

Finalists in both categories will be notified by email and announced on this site on February 2, 2009.

Rules and Regulations:

1. Only scripts in the genre of comedy are eligible.
2. All entries must be in English.
3. All entries must be 80-130 pages for the feature competition and 30 pages or less for the short competition.
4. All scripts must be original screenplays, and the property of the applicant.
5. Screenplays that have been produced, purchased or optioned are not eligible.
6. Entrants must be at least 18 years of age at the time of submission.
7. Screenplays written by two or more writers are eligible, but if the screenplay wins an award, it will be split evenly between all the writers.
8. Multiple entries will be accepted, but must be submitted under individual entry forms.
9. We strongly suggest you register your screenplay with either the Writer’s Guild (www.wga.org), the U.S. Copyright Office (www.copyright.gov) or ProtectRite (www.protectrite.com).
10. All finalists will be announced by email.
11. Submissions will not be returned.
12. No substitution pages or new drafts will be accepted after entry.
13. We prefer online PDF submissions, but if you do submit a hardcopy, it must be in standard industry screenplay format on white paper with two or three brads.  A4 paper is acceptable.
14. Scripts must be in Courier 12pt. font, and pages must be numbered.
15. Do not include your name or contact information anywhere within the screenplay, apart from the title page, which should include your name, page length, contact email, and phone number.
16. All fees are nonrefundable.

L.A. Comedy Scripts Terms & Conditions
(You must agree to these terms in order to submit your screenplay.)

1. I hereby grant LA Comedy, LLC (a California Limited Liability Corporation) (hereinafter "LAC") and its agents and assigns, the right to read and assess the comedy screenplay (the "Screenplay") that I hereby submit to the LAC screenplay competition (the "Contest"). I acknowledge that the only obligation undertaken by LAC in consideration of my submission is to accept the material for review and consideration for the contest. No further duties or obligations shall arise from or be implied by my submission.
2. I understand that the copy of my Screenplay submitted to LAC will not be returned, and that the Screenplay may, but is not guaranteed to be, shown to third parties. I reserve the right to submit the Screenplay to any persons or organizations other than LAC.
3. I warrant that I have the legal right to enter my Screenplay to the Contest. As the Author of the Screenplay, I represent and warrant to the Contest that the Screenplay and all parts thereof are original; that the Screenplay does not contravene the rights of any person or entity and that I own or control the Screenplay and all parts thereof and have the sole authority to submit the Screenplay to the Contest. I warrant that the Screenplay is not subject to nor threatened by any litigation. I acknowledge that no fiduciary or confidential relationship now exists between myself and the Contest, and I further acknowledge that no such relationship is established by these guidelines, my submission of the Screenplay, or by the Contest's acceptance, review or retention of the Screenplay.
4. I attest that I am at least 18 years of age and hereby affirm that my submission of the Screenplay to LAC is voluntary and hereby agree to pay the non-refundable submission fee that is enclosed with my submission.
5. I guarantee that to the best of my knowledge, the Screenplay does not invade or defame the rights of any person, living or dead.
6. I fully understand the prize specifications as detailed on the lacomedyshorts.com Awards page.
7. I understand the following contest procedures and agree to adhere to them accordingly: Should I become one of the winners of the Contest, I hereby grant LAC the right to use the name of the Screenplay as well as a story synopsis in all forms of communication and publicity that LAC may decide, in its sole discretion.
8. I fully understand the following stipulations: The LAC website(s) may contain facts, views, opinions, statements, and recommendations of third party individuals and organizations. LAC does not represent or endorse the accuracy or reliability of any opinions, statements, or any other information displayed, uploaded or distributed through the LAC website. I acknowledge that any reliance upon any such opinion, statement or information shall be at my sole risk. LAC makes no warranty regarding any content, services or products provided through or in connection with their website(s). LAC expressly disclaims any and all warranties, expressed or implied, including, without limitation: (a) any warranties as to the availability and accuracy of content or information, products or services which are a part of the LAC website; and (b) warranties of fitness for a particular purpose, or merchantability or against infringement. In no event will LAC, its affiliates, licensors, employees, agents or contractors be liable for any damages or losses, including without limitation indirect, consequential, special, incidental, or punitive damages resulting from or caused by the Contest, LAC website, its content or any errors or omissions in its content, even if advised of the possibility of such damages. Any liability of LAC, its affiliates, licensors, employees, agents or contractors, including without limitation any liability for damages caused or allegedly caused by any failure of performance, error, omission, interruption, deletion, defect, delay in operation or transmission, computer virus, communications line failure, theft or destruction or unauthorized access to alteration of, or use of records, whether for breach of contract, tortuous behavior, negligence, or any other cause of action shall be strictly limited to the amount paid LAC by or on behalf of you in connection with the Contest. Notice of termination or disqualification to LAC is the only remedy afforded contestants dissatisfied with the content, or changes in policies, terms of this agreement or services fees relating to the Contest.
9. I understand and acknowledge that LAC considers a large number of Screenplays, and accept that many narratives can contain similar story elements including, without limitation, character types and locales, and that even dissimilar stories and concepts may share one or more ideas or themes, or elements or aspects which are not new, novel or unique. Accordingly, I acknowledge that if and to the extent the material is protected by copyright law, I am not granting you the right to use the material unless you and I enter into an agreement regarding such use. I acknowledge, however, that by LAC accepting and reviewing the material, LAC is not agreeing to refrain from, or to compensate me for, the use of any of these elements or the material which are not protected by copyright law, including, by way of illustration, ideas, historical or factual matters or other public domain elements or aspects of the material. The foregoing shall apply whether or not LAC has obtained such ideas and/or other elements from other sources.
10. I hereby agree to hold LAC, its affiliated companies, employees, readers, agents, and third-party information providers harmless from and defend them against all claims, demands, losses, costs, damages, judgments, liabilities and expenses (including attorneys fees) arising out of or in connection with any and all claims, whether or not groundless, with respect to the contest or based on the Screenplay submitted to LAC or on any project developed out of such submissions. I also agree not to assert against LAC and said related parties any claim or action based on plagiarism, infringement, confidential relationship, implied contract, idea theft or any other theory arising out of LAC's review of the submitted materials or any alleged use by the related parties of the submitted materials. If, notwithstanding my release hereunder, I should bring any action against LAC or its related parties and am unsuccessful in such action, I hereby agree to pay LAC and/or its related parties all of their costs and expenses in defending such an action.
11. I attest that I have read all of the Terms and Conditions of this agreement and understand and agree to all of its provisions, and that no other promises or agreements, either written or oral, have been offered by LAC or entered into between myself and LAC, and that no confidential relationship is established by my submitting the material to LAC.
12. This agreement is governed by the laws of the State of California, with venue in Los Angeles County.