2025 Vail Screenplay Competition

SEE FILMFREEWAY OR COVERFLY FOR SUBMISSION RULES & DEADLINES.

FAQS

MISSION & OBJECTIVE
The Vail Film Festival is produced by the Colorado Film Institute, a non-profit arts organization dedicated to fostering independent cinema. The Vail Film Festival strives to encourage artistic innovation, promote new and creative filmmaking, and foster discourse about independent film and other forms of media which challenge and entertain.

ABOUT THE VAIL FILM FESTIVAL SCREENPLAY COMPETITION
The Colorado Film Institute launched the Vail Film Festival Screenplay Competition in order to find and foster the next generation of the film world’s most innovative and creative screenwriters. With the realization that every great film needs a great story, the festival is dedicated to supporting talented screenwriters by utilizing the resources of the Vail Film Festival to foster the winning screenwriters through networking opportunities, and film industry access.

GENERAL RULES
1. You may enter as many scripts as you like, but each must be accompanied by a separate entry and the required entry fee.
2. Entries must be written in English. The screenplay(s) must be original and unproduced at the time of submission. Optioned scripts are acceptable for entry.
3. All scripts must conform to standard screenplay format.
4. Judging is solely on the screenplay. Do not include the following information or materials as they will be disregarded: logline, synopsis, treatment, or any additional materials not specifically requested.
5. Script collaborations are allowed and the work must be the sole and exclusive property of the collaborators.
6. Once a screenplay has been submitted, substitutions of new drafts will not be accepted under any circumstances.
7. Writer(s) retain ALL rights for their entry(ies) when entering our competition.
8. Adaptations are acceptable for entry in our competition only if you have all the appropriate and/or required approvals/waivers/permissions from any and all right holders. If you are unsure, please consult an entertainment attorney for your own protection.

JUDGING & NOTIFICATION
1. Judging will be anonymous. Upon receipt, your screenplay(s) will be assigned corresponding numbers, and your screenplay(s) will be identifiable to the judges by number only.
2. Judges' decisions are final.
3. Individuals active in the film and screenwriting community will conduct preliminary judging. A panel of industry experts and screenwriting professionals will conduct the final round of judging. Semifinalists and Finalists will be announced.
4. Every entrant will receive an email confirmation upon receipt of his/her script.
5. Quarterfinalists, Semifinalists, and Winners will be notified by email and on the web at www.VailFilmFestival.com. An announcement will also be sent out in the Vail Film Festival newsletter. Winners will be included in a Vail Film Festival press release.