Film General Rules & Terms
You may have multiple entries and submit them to multiple categories.
Each entry and submission category must have its own submission fee.
Submissions that are not in English must have subtitles.
Works in progress are accepted.
If Mailing a DVD label your disc with Title, Director, Submission Categories, Runtime, and email address.
Press kits are not required for submission but are highly recommended.
We do not confirm receipt by telephone or email. Please include a self-addressed stamped postcard with each entry if you want confirmation of receipt.
Entry fees are non-refundable.
Entries will not be returned.
Entry Fees are in $USD.
The individual or corporation submitting the film hereby warrants that it is authorized to commit the film for screening, and understands and accepts these requirements and regulations.
The organizers of the Las Vegas International Film and Screenwriting Festival reserve the right to refuse entries.
The undersigned shall indemnify and hold harmless Las Vegas International Film and Screenwriting Festival from and against any, and all, claims, liabilities, losses, damages, and expenses (including but not limited to attorney’s fees, and costs of the court) which may be incurred by reason of any claim involving copyright, trademark, credits, publicity, screening, and loss of or damage to the screening videos entered.
We accept FilmFreeway streaming entries, plus Vimeo @ Youtube, DVD/BluRay, and Jump Drives.
You may send just one DVD/BluRay for multiple category entries. You may combine multiple TV commercial entries on a DVD, with no color bars, no automatic looping feature to begin again, and a 5-second break between spots. Make sure their titles and order/sequence are correct on the DVD.
If selected as an “Official Selection” Shorts and features are to provide a color or B/W production digital still photo (resolution of 300 Dots per square inch DPI or higher, higher is much better) for the Competition’s website. Official Selection feature entries should send several production still photos of a high resolution (300 DPI or better), a press kit, and a short CV (resume) with a photo of the director(s).
The Las Vegas International Film and Screenwriting Festival is hereby granted the right to utilize an excerpt from any film submitted and accepted for exhibition at the Competition for promotional purposes.
Screenwriting Rules and Terms
Writers who reside in countries other than the United States are welcome to enter the contest; however, all scripts must be submitted in English, and entry fees must be paid in U.S. dollars. Entry in the Competition is void where prohibited by law.
Writers of any age may enter provided that contest entry by minors is not prohibited by law in your local jurisdiction.
Judges, administrators, and independent contractors who work for the Las Vegas International Film and Screenwriting Festival are not eligible to enter the Competition, nor are their spouses or other immediate family members.
Scripts must be the original work of the author(s) and may not be encumbered by any third party. Scripts that have been sold, produced, or are currently under option are not eligible, nor are scripts that have previously won a prize in the Las Vegas International Film and Screenwriting Festival.
Entries must be original screenplays or teleplays or short stories. Novels and stage plays are not eligible.
Adaptations of books, plays, or other source material written by another author are eligible for submission. We accept no liability for scripts that have been adapted from third-party author’s work that may infringe intellectual property rights. It is the responsibility of the writer(s) to acquire rights to any adapted work prior to any commercial exploitation or public dissemination. Scripts adapted from your own books, plays, or other source material is eligible as well.
Entries must be postmarked or transmitted electronically on or before midnight Pacific Time on the posted and publicized entry deadlines in order to qualify for that entry rate. Any submissions postmarked or transmitted after the Final Entry Deadline will be considered for the next scheduled Competition.
Once a script has been entered in the Competition, under no circumstances will we accept substitutions of new drafts or corrected pages. If you wish to submit a revised draft of your script, you must enter it as a new submission and pay the appropriate entry fee.
The contest and its administrators are not responsible for submissions that are lost, stolen, or damaged in transit, and we cannot return scripts once they have been submitted. Please retain an original copy of your screenplay.
We will confirm, via email, all submissions that are received via postal, FedEx, UPS, or any other company that delivers a hard copy of the script.
Decisions of the judges are final and may not be disputed. The Judges will adhere to our contest instructions, and will evaluate scripts based on our standard judging procedure; however, the contest and its administrators may not be held responsible for any errors or omissions on the part of the judges.
It is the responsibility of the submitting party to make sure that we have your accurate and current contact information.
Screenplay Guidelines:
Before you submit your script, please make sure you review the following guidelines:
All scripts must be submitted in English. Judges cannot evaluate screenplays written in foreign languages.
Scripts should be written in standard spec screenplay or teleplay format. If you are not familiar with standard screenplay format, we recommend you use one of the popular software programs specifically designed to help you format your script. We recommend Movie Magic Screenwriter or Final Draft. A PDF file of your screenplay is the preferred submission format.
Feature Scripts must be between 80-150 pages.
TV Drama Pilot (Original – 1-hour) – Must be under 65 pages.
TV Sitcom Pilot (Original ½ hour) – Must be between 23 and 34 pages.
TV Drama Spec (Based on existing 1-hour show) – Must be under 65 pages.
TV Sitcom Pilot (Based on existing ½ hour show) – Must be between 23 and 40 pages.
Short Films – All genres – Must be under 40 pages.
If you’re submitting your script by mail, please print it on plain white three-hole-punched paper and bind it with two brads. You can order industry standard brads online at The Writers Store.
Pages must be numbered. Before you submit your script, please check to make sure there are no missing or duplicated pages.
Include a standard title page, listing the title of your script, the name of the author(s), mailing address, telephone number, and email address. This is for our administrative purposes only.
Judging will be anonymous, so we will assign your script a tracking number, and we will delete or blackout your name and contact information before we give your script to the Judges.
The Judges will identify your screenplay solely by its title and script tracking number.
Please do not include your name or contact information within the body of your script.
If you’re submitting your script by mail, it is recommended that you include card stock covers (front and back) to protect your script during handling by our staff. Standard card stock covers are available online at The Writers Store. You may print the title of your script on the front cover, or you may leave it blank, but please do not print your name or contact information on the cover of your script.
Contestants who reside outside the U.S. may use A4 size paper or other standard paper and binding used by industry professionals in your region.
Please do not enclose synopses, casting suggestions, letters, resumes, or photos with your submission. They will not be forwarded to the Judges. However, if you’re submitting a TV Pilot, you may include standard supplementary materials, such as lists of recurring characters and future episodes.
While it is not a requirement, we do recommend that you register your script before submitting it to any company or individual you do not personally know. You can register your script with the U.S. Copyright Office, with ProtectRite and/or with the WGA. These services establish the completion date of your registered material and offer the security of long-term storage in the event your original is lost or destroyed.
Please read and understand the above Rules and Regulations.
Failure to adhere to the Las Vegas International Film and Screenwriting Festival guidelines could result in disqualification and forfeiture of an entry fee and/or eligible prize.
Las Vegas International Film and Screenwriting Conditions and Release for Films and Screenplays
AnnWar Productions is a Nevada-based LLC and the parent company of the Las Vegas International Film and Screenwriting Festival.
Materials submitted to AnnWar Productions, LLC, and specifically to the Las Vegas International Film and Screenwriting Festival for purposes of this Competition at this or any future time are accepted by AnnWar Productions, LLC, and Las Vegas International Film and Screenwriting Festival only on your acceptance of the following conditions:
Applicant (s) testify to be at least 18 years or older and warrant as the author of submitted material that they are the sole and exclusive owner(s) of all legal and equitable rights thereto with the full and exclusive rights to submit material to the Competition.
Applicant (s) has retained at least one copy of the submitted material as AnnWar Productions, LLC, and Las Vegas International Film and Screenwriting Festival will not be responsible for any loss or destruction of the materials submitted to it. Applicant understands that it is their sole responsibility to copyright and protect their own submitted material.
All entrants understand and agree that there are a diverse amount of story contexts, plots, themes and formats and in no way is AnnWar Productions, LLC, and Las Vegas International Film and Screenwriting Festival, its officers, employees, representatives, sponsors, judges, and affiliates responsible not now or in the future of borrowing or stealing from an idea, copy written concept, or storyline from a submitted entry.
The Las Vegas International Film and Screenwriting Festival exists for the purpose of a competition. Through various phases of the judging process, submitted material will be exposed to a network of influential third parties, included, but not limited to, those companies and individuals listed on the AnnWar Productions, LLC, and Las Vegas International Film and Screenwriting Festival website. All such third-party participation in the judging process is not guaranteed. AnnWar Productions, LLC, and Las Vegas International Film and Screenwriting Festival will provide, though not obligated, applicant’s contact information to interested parties. However, AnnWar Productions, LLC, and Las Vegas International Film and Screenwriting Festival does not attest to or guarantee the validity of any subsequent agreements between the applicant (s) and said parties.
Applicant (s) indemnify and hold harmless AnnWar Productions, LLC, and Las Vegas International Film and Screenwriting Festival, its judges, sponsors, and partners, individually and collectively, from and against all claims, demands, losses, damages, costs, liabilities and expenses (including legal fees) arising out of or in connection with any and all claims, or third party claims based on stories submitted to AnnWar Productions, LLC, and Las Vegas International Film and Screenwriting Festival.
AnnWar Productions, LLC entrants, will permit AnnWar Productions, LLC, and Las Vegas International Film and Screenwriting Festival to use their name and/or likeness, the title of the work submitted, its logline and their results in pre & post-competition advertising for publicity & promotional purposes. Applicants hereby agree that their submitted contact information may be released to interested parties hereunder.
Providing false or misleading information on this application, or failing in any other way to comply with the rules of the Competition, is subject to disqualification, forfeiture of prize money and/or other penalties.
AnnWar Productions, LLC, and Las Vegas International Film and Screenwriting Festival reserve the right to remove submitted material from the Competition, with or without cause. Applicant (s) will be notified by AnnWar Productions, LLC, and Las Vegas International Film and Screenwriting Festival. If without cause, the entry fee alone will be reimbursed, and the submitted material destroyed.
All decisions of the judges are final and cannot be contested.
By signing this form, I/we have read, understand, and agree to, and will abide by all the terms and conditions of submission of materials to this Competition, which is listed in this release form and the following guidelines and rules.
Dispute Resolution; Governing Law; Forum: That contestants expressly acknowledges and agrees that AnnWar Productions, LLC, and Las Vegas International Film and Screenwriting Festival shall be entitled to injunctive or other equitable relief (an “Injunction”) to restrain, prevent or enjoin any breach by a contestant under this screenwriting contest. The contestant hereby waives any right to notice of any action or proceeding for an Injunction and consents to and accepts entry of an Injunction in any court which may have jurisdiction in connection therewith. The prevailing party in any legal proceeding brought pursuant hereto shall be entitled to recover all of its attorneys’ fees and all other costs related to such a legal process.
Unless otherwise stated herein, this Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada (without regard to the conflicts of law provisions thereof). The contestant hereby submits to the jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Clark County, Nevada.
FESTIVAL INFORMATION - ALL OFFICIAL SELECTIONS (FILM AND SCREENWRITING)
Submissions will close on September 1, 2020
Finalists will be announced on October 1, 2020
OFFICIAL FINALISTS
In the Feature Film and Feature Script genres (Please see our FilmFreeway site for the specific genres), we will name a minimum of five (5) Official Finalists (We could name more, but no less than five (5) will be named).
In the teleplay or web-based category, we name a minimum of five (5) Official Finalists.
In the short film category, we will name a minimum of ten (10) Official Finalists.
Cast and Crew Members whose films have been named “Official Finalists” in ANY FILM category are eligible to be nominated for the following awards:
Best Film
Best Director
Best Cinematography
Best Film Editing
Best Musical Score
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Best Actress in a Supporting Role
Best Actor in a Supporting Role
Best Makeup and Hairstyling
Best Costume Design
There will be three (3) to five (5) nominations for each of these awards.
OFFICIAL FINALISTS – DOCUMENTARIES, MUSIC VIDEOS & MUSICAL SCORES
In the Documentary (feature and short) Film category, we will name a minimum of five (5) Official Finalists per category.
In the Music Video and Musical Score categories, we will name a minimum of five (5) Official Finalists per category.
Winners do not need to be present to win.
Winners not present to collect their award should check with the Festival Director (lvisc@outlook.com) for shipping options and any associated shipping fees.
Duplicate awards are available. If you would like a duplicate award, please check with the Festival Director (lvisc@outlook.com) for pricing and any associated shipping fees.
Winners will receive trophies, runners-up, and finalists will receive certificates; official selections will receive electronic certificates.
SO, WHAT FILMS WILL GET SCREENED?
Screening at the Las Vegas International Film and Screenwriting Festival is going to be very, very competitive. To determine which films will screen at the 2020 Las Vegas International Film and Screenwriting Festival, the Festival Screening Committee will develop a Priority Screening List based on the following criteria:
1. Only filmmakers whose projects have been selected as a category finalists are eligible for screening. Finalists will be announced on October 1, 2020.
2. Due to the various projection format requirements (and possibilities), filmmakers will be required to submit their projects in a variety of formats, including DCP, blu-ray/Dvd, and MP4. Theater screens in Las Vegas use a range of projectors, so what may work in one theater, may not work in another. We want to be able to play your film, regardless of the theater that it is assigned to – Therefore - To receive a screening slot, filmmakers must, on or before October 22, 2020, provide the LVIFSF, with a Digital Cinema Package (DCP) for the project, a copy of the project on a DVD (NTSC Region 1) or Blu-Ray (Region 1) and an MPEG4 film file (which can be a download approval on the submission platform).
a) Some theater’s charge an “ingestion fee” to show films on DCP – If we encounter this issue, it will be the filmmaker’s responsibility to absorb this cost.
3. Support materials (electronic press kit, access to a downloadable trailer, stills, poster art, and promo items) - If your material does not arrive by October 22, 2020, at the close of the business day - 5:00 pm (PST) - Your screening slot will be offered to another filmmaker.
The project’s material must be sent to:
The Las Vegas International Film and Screenwriting Festival
7582 Las Vegas Blvd. S
Suite #278
Las Vegas, NV 89123-1060
Please note: If filmmakers want their materials returned, they will need to make prior arrangements with the festival, as the festival will not ship any material without a pre-paid packaging. Support materials, stills, poster art, and promo items will not be returned.
Items 1, 2 & 3 are required of all projects that wish to be considered for screening at this year’s festival.
If a project cannot meet the above requirements or chooses not to, or becomes ineligible to screen at the festival due to distribution deal agreements, the project IS STILL ELIGIBLE to win in their nominated categories.
4. Filmmakers should be in attendance to promote their projects.
We understand that not everyone can afford to attend our event. It is, therefore, essential our filmmakers understand that regardless of if they are at the festival or not, attendance is NOT a part of the judging rubric in determining any of our awards. Winners do not need to be present to win!
WHY DO WE WANT TO SCREEN PROJECTS WHOSE FILMMAKERS ARE IN ATTENDANCE?
1. The motto at the Las Vegas International Film and Screenplay Festival is to Network – Connect – Collaborate – WE WANT FILMMAKERS TO ENGAGE WITH EACH OTHER!
2. Film festivals are a great way for filmmakers to network themselves. As you have probably seen by all our social media activity, one of our goals is to market our filmmakers and writers. Having you at your film’s screening could open a door for you into the world of filmmaking.
Our festival is attended by dozens of industry professions who could be your key to a great film career.
3. Attending a film at a film festival is more appealing to the general public and the filmmaking community when the makers of the film are present.
4. The best person to create a buzz about a project is the filmmaker. A good filmmaker will get people into the seats of their projects showing.
5. The LVIFSF provides each project that screens a brief Q and A with the audience after the showing of their project – and again – You never know who will be asking you questions; it could be an agent, a manager, or a distributor.
5. While the LVIFSF is doing everything we can to market your project, the bottom line is no one will market your project better than you and your team.
If there are screening slots available after all the finalists have been extended the opportunity to meet the above criteria, using the same criteria, the Festival Screening Committee will begin to consider “Official Selections” for any remaining screening slots in the programming.
DATES OF SCREENINGS
The Festival will run in November 10th to November 14th. Due to the constraints of COVID, we will be an online festival in 2020.
The Festival Directors will meet in October to determine the screening schedule!
SPECIAL NOTICES:
1) Filmmakers must be aware that while we anticipate a few issues regarding the screening of our films, there is the possibility that a film may not be able to be screened. While we take every precaution possible to ensure all films are appropriately formatted for use in theaters, there is the possibility that the theater’s system may not read your film if it has not been correctly formatted and exported. While our film festival has not had an issue with this type of situation, we have seen it occur at other festivals.
2) There is always the possibility that a film could lose its screening time should there be unforeseen circumstances arise outside the control of the LVIFSF - These could include mechanical issues at the theater, or glitches in the theater’s equipment. While these situations are considered “remotely possible” – They are possible. Not likely, but possible.
OFFICIAL FINALISTS - SCREENWRITERS
From the Official Selection pool, we will develop our list of Official Finalists.
We will name a minimum of ten Official Finalists in each genre (Please see our FilmFreeway sight for the specific genres).
In the teleplay and web-series scripts, we will name a minimum of five (5) scripts per category.
In the short-script category, we will name between five (5) and ten (10) scripts.
Winners will receive trophies, runners-up, and finalists will receive certificates; official selections will receive electronic certificates.
Winners do not need to be present to win.
Winners not present to collect their award should check with the Festival Director (lvisc@outlook.com) for shipping options and any associated shipping fees.
Duplicate awards are available. If you would like a duplicate award, please check with the Festival Director (lvisc@outlook.com) for pricing and any associated shipping fees.
Winners will receive trophies, runners-up, and finalists will receive certificates; official selections will receive electronic certificates.