Las Vegas, NV . -- The 12th Annual Nevada Screenwriters Competition begins May 1, 1999, with the submission period for the 1999 competition open from that date through June 30, 1999. "Entries are expected from around the world for Director of the Nevada Film Office. "The 1998 competition competition received nearly 100 qualified submission from as far away as Japan and Germany.' Notable achievements of winners of this screenplay competition include the fact that both the 1997 and 1998 first place scriptwriters currently have feature films in preproduction or production. Every year, a select list of production companies request and receive from the NFO copies of the top three scripts, and a list of the top 10 screenwriters for possible review of their scripts.

Prizes include both Nevada and Lieutenant Governor certificates of achievement, industry recognition and readings, script software, screenwriting books, film festival participation, and other items. A luncheon was recently held in honor of the top three 1998 scriptwriters at Spago's in Las Vegas, and that also is projected to become an annual event for the winners of the competition. Additionally, for the first time in the history of the competition, sponsors are being sought to make cash awards available. "Nevada is an abundant resource of diverse filming locations," states Lieutenant Governor Lorraine Hunt, 'and the annual Screenwriters Competition helps to showcase those locations while giving writers an exciting and credible opportunity to advance their careers."

The competition is open to all unsold writers, with a requirement that the scripts submitted must contain at least 75% locations filmable in Nevada. material cannot be pornographic, and scripts must be typed in industry-standard format and properly bound. There is no limit to the number of scripts a writer may submit, and the non-refundable entry fee of $15.00 per script for Nevada Residents, and $30.00 per script for entries from outside of Nevada. A mandatory release form to permit reading of submitted scripts by the judges as well as full rules and guidelines for the competition may be obtained by calling the NFO in Las Vegas at (702) 486-2711 or the Reno-Tahoe office at (775) 687-1814, by visiting either location in person, or by accessing our website at www.nevadafilm.com.