Sci-Fi Heavyweights Preside Over Screenplay Competition at Festival Focused on Discovering New Talent
“Watchmen” co-writer David Hayter and producer Benedict Carver’s Dark Hero Studios will judge the 2009 Austin Film Festival (AFF) Sci-Fi Competition. The Sci-Fi Competition is a sub-category of the Screenplay Competition and includes science fiction, horror, supernatural thriller and fantasy genres. For sixteen years AFF has provided emerging writers with exposure to and dialogue with industry professionals. As one of the most respected festivals in the country, AFF supports participating writers by providing unique networking opportunities during the Festival and Conference, which will be held Oct. 22-29, 2009. Screenplay and Teleplay Competition deadlines have been extended to May 22, with a late deadline of June 8, 2009.
“This is a coup for the AFF Screenplay Competition and our entrants,” said Alex McPhail, AFF Screenplay Competition Director. “David Hayter and Benedict Carver are two of the biggest names in Sci-fi and they will lend an enormous amount of expertise to the judging. Finalists will have bragging rights not just for making it to the finals, but for having had a script read by major industry influencers.”
David Hayter and Benedict Carver’s newly formed Dark Hero Studios will produce feature films, television programming, Internet content, graphic novels and videogames. Hayter is preparing to make his directorial debut on his thriller script “Wolves,” which Carver is producing. Hayter’s previous screenwriting credits include “Watchmen,” “X-Men,” “X2,” and “The Scorpion King.” Carver has produced “Doomsday” and “Tekken” among other films. He previously was senior vice president of acquisitions and co-productions at Screen Gems, and he has also been a film reporter with Daily Variety. Dark Hero Studios’ focus on action, sci-fi and horror genres makes them an ideal partner for judging this year’s AFF Sci-Fi Competition.
One of the most respected competitions in the country, the AFF Screenplay Competition provides emerging writers the means to expose their work to major players in the entertainment industry. Past entrants have signed with Artisan Entertainment, Creative Artists Agency, Metropolitan Talent Agency, William Morris Agency , DreamWorks Studios, Pixar Animation Studios, Miramax Films, and other highly respected companies.
The Screenplay Competition has two categories: Drama and Comedy. Prizes are $5,000 for each category, reimbursement for airfare (up to $500) and hotel (up to $500) for attendance to the Festival, and the bronze AFF Typewriter Award. The Competition also features two sub-categories with prizes of their own: the Sci-Fi Award (science fiction, horror, supernatural thriller, fantasy, etc.) and the Latitude Productions Award (open to adult character driven drama or comedy scripts with an estimated budget of $10 million dollars or less). In order to be considered for these prizes, a script must be entered in either the Drama or Comedy Screenplay categories. The prizes for these are $2,500 each, reimbursement for airfare (up to $500) and hotel (up to $500) for attendance to the Festival, and the bronze AFF Typewriter Award.
The Teleplay Competition is open to any spec script from a currently airing network or cable TV show. The two categories are Drama and Comedy, and the prizes are $1,000 each, reimbursement for airfare (up to $500) and hotel (up to $500) for attendance to the festival, and the bronze AFF Typewriter Award.
The extended early Screenplay Competition deadline is May 22 with a $40 entry fee, and the extended late deadline is June 8 with a $50 entry fee. The Sci-Fi Competition and Latitude Competition entry fees are an additional $20 each. The extended Teleplay deadline is June 8 and the entry fee is $30.
The AFF Film Competition continues to encourage and advocate the work for new and talented filmmakers. Categories include: Narrative Feature, Narrative Short, Narrative Student Short, Animated Short, Documentary Feature, and Documentary Short. The film competition has an early postmark deadline of June 3 ($45) and a late deadline of July 3 ($50).
Winners of the competitions will be announced in Austin at the Annual Awards Luncheon on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2009 at The Austin Club.
For additional information on the 16th Annual Austin Film Festival and the Screenplay and Teleplay Competition and Film Competition, including entry forms, submission fees and Competition guidelines rules call 1-800-310-FEST (3378) or visit the official website at www.austinfilmfestival.com.
The Austin Film Festival (AFF) is a non-profit organization dedicated to furthering the art, craft and business of writers and filmmakers and recognizing their contributions to film, television and new media. The AFF champions the work of aspiring and established writers and filmmakers by providing unique cultural events and services, enhancing public awareness and participation and encouraging dynamic and long-lasting community partnerships. www.austinfilmfestival.com
The Austin Film Festival is funded and supported in part by the City of Austin through the Cultural Arts Division and by a grant from the Texas Commission on the Arts and an award from the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art.
Special support is provided to the Austin Film Festival by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences®, Continental Airlines, Clear Channel Radio, KVUE, and Target®.
CONTACTS:
Alex McPhail
Screenplay Competition Director
Austin Film Festival
Tel: (512) 478-4795
alex@austinfilmfestival.com
