Screenplays entered must:

1. Be submitted in PDF form and must fit all standard screenplay format guidelines.

2. Be owned and created solely by the writer or writing team listed without the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and have the appropriate intellectual property rights reserved and attached.

3. Be written in English.

Writer must be 18 years of age or older at the time of application submission. The Features Lab will take place at a location in the continental United States and the writer(s) must be able to attend the full retreat in person. Any Visa, vaccination, and/or other legal travel requirements will be the sole responsibility of the writer(s).  

1497 claims no ownership nor option on your work. All ownership and rights to the scripts submitted to this contest remain with the original rights holder(s).

Screenplays entered may be in any genre or combination of genres. All will be treated equally and read by an unbiased slate of Selection Committee members. The scripts should adhere to the mission of 1497 which is to support and uplift talent of South Asian descent to challenge their historical exclusion in the American film and television industry.

Screenplays submitted must not have been previously sold or produced.

For a submission to be valid it must be accompanied with the appropriate payment based on the submission deadlines.

All deadlines are at 11:59pm PST on the date listed. Any deadline alteration or promotion of any kind does not make any entry valid for a refund of any kind.

1497 reserves the right to delay announcements for any reason. While we never anticipate any delays, such delays will not alter the standing of any screenplay entry and will not qualify an entry for a refund under any circumstance.

By entering a 1497 competition every entrant is agreeing to all the 1497 Terms of Service listed here and FAQ listed on the 1497 website, Coverfly application page, and additional terms agreed upon at checkout. If you disagree with any terms you may not submit to the contest.

By submitting to the 1497 Features Lab you are hereby releasing and holding harmless 1497 or any affiliates from any claims, expenses, and liabilities, including but not limited to invasion of privacy, defamation, copyright, libel, trademark infringement, slander, personal property infringement, etc.

All prizes provided by sponsors or mentors are subject to said sponsor or mentor providing the prize and subject to their schedules. 1497 will do everything in its power to collect the prize packages promised, but due to the ongoing pandemic and any other scheduling issues the packages may be subject to delays or changes in scheduling.

Except where prohibited by law, participation in the contest constitutes each entrant’s consent to 1497 and its agents’ and contest sponsor’s use of entrants’ names, likenesses, photographs, and/or personal information for promotional purposes in any media, worldwide, without further payment or consideration. All uses of entrants' information are in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

 RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS. ​

1. (a) In return for participation in the 1497 Features Lab, Lab Alums whose projects are developed in the 1497 Features Lab and subsequently produced are asked to continue the spirit of giving back by contributing to 1497's work to support new generations of emerging South Asian filmmakers:

   1. (i)If the Project is produced for a gross budget equal to or less than $1,500,000, no contribution is due to 1497.

   2. (ii) If the Project is produced for a gross budget between $1,500,001 and $3,000,000, the Owner will make a contribution to 1497 in the amount of $4,500.

   3. (iii) If the Project is produced for a gross budget between $3,000,001 and $5,000,000, the Owner will make a contribution to 1497 in the amount of $7,000.

   4. (iv) If the Project is produced for a gross budget that is equal to or exceeds $5,000,001, the Owner will make a contribution to 1497 in the amount of $9,500.

   5. (v) All payments are due within 10 business days of the start of principal photography. Any revenue that is designated to 1497 is directly allocated to the 1497 Features Lab and is used on an annual basis to provide critical support for the Lab and Mentees.

   6. (vi) Additionally, 1497 will receive a credit line and logo placement in the film's end titles, stating "This film was supported by the 1497 Features Lab."​

2. (b) 1497 shall have the right, in perpetuity, exercisable by third parties, to use your name and any nickname of yours, and your voice, likeness, and biographical information for promotional or advertising purposes in connection with the 1497 Features Lab, the Material, and the exercise of any and all rights, including but not limited to promotion or advertising of the 1497 Features Lab, and any other of 1497's programs or initiatives and/or general corporate publicity, without additional compensation. 

3. (c) You agree that you have no obligations to 1497 except as expressly set forth in this Agreement, and that no other obligations, implied or expressed, exist or shall exist or shall be deemed to exist. You agree that even if you submit the Material, 1497 is not obligated to provide feedback to you or any other person or entity regarding the Material, or to recommend you to anyone. 

BY ENTERING THE CONTEST YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO THESE CONDITIONS. You agree to release and hold harmless 1497, its subsidiary, parent and affiliated companies, Prize contributors, judges, screenplay readers, Sponsors, Mentors, and any other organizations responsible for administering, advertising or promoting the Contest, and every one of their respective members, directors, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, the “Released Parties”) past and present from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liability, including but not limited to damages and negligence to property and persons, including but not limited to invasion of privacy, defamation, slander, libel, violation of right of publicity, copyright, infringement of trademark or other intellectual property rights relating to a participant’s Entry, participation in the Contest and/or acceptance or use or misuse of Prize; provided however, that such release will not apply to any commercial exploitation of the script by a Released Party in violation of your rights under applicable copyright law; and (c) indemnify, defend and hold harmless the 1497.org and its Sponsor, agents and employees from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liabilities (including reasonable attorney’s fees) relating to an entrant’s participation in the Contest and/or entrant’s use or misuse of Prize. Employees of 1497 and their immediate families are ineligible to participate in this contest. Any such submission will be immediately disqualified. ENTRY TO THIS CONTEST IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED or restricted by any Federal, State or Local law. Voided entries will be refunded. Recipients’ eligibility will be verified before the grant is awarded and the winner may be required to sign an affidavit of eligibility.