Contest Comments

You must login to post a comment.

First-time user? Register now to receive FREE email contest updates, news, results, deadline reminders and more. Rest assured, information submitted here is held in strict confidence. MovieBytes never sells or in any way distributes email names or addresses. We promise!

Contest News

Final Draft Announces Big Break Contest Winners

Final Draft has announced the top three winners of their 7th Annual Big Break International Screenwriting Competition. Winners Tom Cosgrove, Yehudi Mercado and Stinson Carter had their scripts selected from 3,000 competing worldwide entries, with top winner Cosgrove hailing from Ireland.

"Choosing a winner was not an easy task given that the entries were all compelling and varied, and deserved the careful attention they received," said Final Draft, Inc. CEO Marc Madnick. "We applaud everyone who entered for their artistic endeavors and we are honored to bring recognition to promising screenwriters across the globe."

Below are the top 3 finalists and the loglines from their award-winning scripts.



WINNER – Tom Cosgrove The Sea Devils
Dublin, Ireland

Logline: The world weary crew of an Atlantic trawler becomes embroiled in a war of survival after winching a monster into their hold from the ocean's dark zone.



SECOND PLACE – Yehudi Mercado Buffalo Speedway
Austin, TX

Logline: In the summer of 1994 one pizza outpost delivered the most pizzas ever while the world watched OJ's slow speed chase. Buffalo Speedway follows five drivers who chased destiny as they compete for Turbo Pizza's Top Driver Race. Do the Right Thing meets Clerks.

THIRD PLACE – Stinson Carter Ananias
Los Angeles, CA

Logline: Thrown into crippling self-doubt after discovering his father's homosexuality, a fourteen-year-old boy will go to any extreme to prove himself a man. Spurred on by his friends, he embarks with them on a seedy overnight pursuit of proof of his manhood, only to find that letting go of fear is the only proof worth pursuing.



About the Big Break Contest

Now in its seventh year, Final Draft’s Big Break Contest has become one of the most popular in Hollywood because of previous winners’ success and its generous payout. Winning screenplays have been optioned and produced and finalists have garnered attention from recognizable producers and literary agents. Jon Gilbert, one of last year’s finalists was quickly signed by ICM and had his screenplay optioned by a British producing team. 2004 winner Rylend Grant was quickly signed by CAA and secured a six-figure deal to write for an A-list actress and an Oscar™-winning director.



This year’s esteemed judges include writer/producer Bobby Moresco (Million Dollar Baby; Crash), writer Simon Kinberg (Mr. & Mrs. Smith; X-Men: The Last Stand), Writer Stuart Beattie (Collateral; Pirates of the Caribbean 1, 2 & 3), ICM’s Executive Story Editor Christopher Lockhart, Fox Searchlight Director of Production Zola Mashariki and Executive Producer/Producer Michel Shane (I, Robot; Catch Me if You Can).



Microsoft is this year’s premiere sponsor and will award the top three finalists with Microsoft Tablet PCs and software.

Updated: 10/30/2006

Submit Report Card

You must login to read or submit report cards.

First-time user? Register now to receive FREE email contest updates, news, results, deadline reminders and more. Rest assured, information submitted here is held in strict confidence. MovieBytes never sells or in any way distributes email names or addresses. We promise!