24th competition now accepting submissions. Screenplays, Novels, Plays, Short Scripts. Deadline: February 28, 2009. Writemovies Writing Competition, Annette Haller, 11444 Washington Blvd., Ste. C-227, Los Angeles, CA 90066. Website: http://www.writemovies.com. (Posted: December 29, 2009)

 The Scriptapalooza Screenplay Competition is celebrating its twelfth year.  Growing consistently year after year since its inception in 1998, Scriptapalooza has helped participating writers option over 40 scripts, get representation and move their careers in the right direction. 

Supported by both the Writers Guild of America west Registry and the Writers Guild of Canada, script submissions for the reputable competition are currently read by over 90 top production companies and literary agencies. The first place winner, chosen by Scriptapalooza, receives a $10,000 grand prize. In addition, the Scriptapalooza staff will promote the semifinalists and finalists for a full year after the winners are announced.

With the participation of production companies such as Disney, Miramax, Big Light, Lawrence Mark and Bender-Spink, among others, Scriptapalooza offers what even the largest grand prize could never buy: a guarantee that an “unsolicited” script will be read by leading Hollywood decision-makers. 

“Now in our twelfth year, the Scriptapalooza Screenplay Competition has become an unstoppable force with over 90 producers, managers and agents reading all the entries,” says Mark Andrushko, president and co-founder of Scriptapalooza. “We have cemented our place in the industry as a way for writers all across the world to get their scripts into the hands of the people that can make a difference.”

Scriptapalooza has shared in celebrating the many accomplishments of its participating writers over the years. 
Highlights include:

• 2009 Winner John Todd options script to Alan Ladd Productions
• 2007 Finalist John Muscarnero shoots his film, Dark Woods
• 2005 Winner Patrick Andrew O’Connor sells movie at Cannes
• 2005 Finalist Craig Clyde film, The Holidays airs on LifeTime
• 2006 Semi-Finalist Eric D. Howell shoots his documentary, Ana’s Playground
• 2004 Finalist Robert Gelber sells script to Level 1 Entertainment
• 2003 Semi-Finalist Rodney Johnson Queen Sized airs on LifeTime
• 2003 TV Winner Barbara Schwartz wins EMMY for Rugrats

Media attention has also grown along with the scope of the competition. 
Scriptapalooza has been featured in BusinessWeek, Hollywood Reporter, Daily Variety, CNN and Entertainment Weekly. 

Please visit http://www.scriptapalooza.com for an application and additional submission details. 

early bird deadline is January 5, 2010 (application fee $40)

About Scriptapalooza, Inc.
The Scriptapalooza Screenplay Competition was founded in 1998 with the goal of discovering promising writers and creating opportunities for them in the fiercely competitive entertainment industry. Each year, dozens of production companies and literary representatives sign on to read the participating scripts, resulting in many being optioned or bought outright. The first place winner receives $10,000, and Scriptapalooza promotes the semifinalists and finalists for a full year. Scriptapalooza, Inc., along with its divisions, is widely regarded by writers, producers and agents alike as the most influential and successful competition company of its kind. Divisions include Scriptapalooza Television Writing Competition and Scriptapalooza Coverage Professional Script Analysis. For more information, please visit http://www.scriptapalooza.com. (Posted: December 28, 2009)