ELIGIBILITY

To be eligible for entry, scripts must have been produced under WGA jurisdiction and broadcast or exhibited as follows: TV & new media motion pictures, episodic, animation, children’s, short form new media, comedy/variety, quiz and audience participation, daytime drama, and on-air promotion categories first broadcast or exhibited between January 1, 2023 and December 31, 2023. Scripts in the news, documentary, radio/audio and digital news categories must have been produced under WGA jurisdiction and first broadcast or exhibited between November 1, 2022 and October 31, 2023.

Programs written under the Writers Guild of Canada agreement pursuant to Working Rule #8 waivers or Sideletter Agreements are not eligible. Nominations will be based on outstanding achievement. If no script in a category is deemed outstanding, no nomination or award will be made. If there are insufficient entries in any category, those entries may be placed in another category. Financial core and fee payer non-members are not eligible to be nominated for or receive WGA Awards.

WHICH SCRIPT SHOULD BE SUBMITTED?

If two or more writers are credited, they may agree upon the draft to be submitted, but if they are unable to agree, then the “as broadcast” script will be the only one to be considered. If one writer is credited, he/she must submit a draft which contains substantially his/her own writing. No writer may submit a script if his/her credit does not reflect at least 50 percent of the on-screen credit. In the case of three or more credited writers, they may “pool” their percentage of the script to arrive at 50 percent if they have not submitted another script. Each member of an established two-member team may submit one team-written script (or one sole-credit script) in each category. On-screen writing credit percentages are calculated as follows: Written by = 100%; Teleplay by = 75%; Story by = 25%.

A television project is not eligible if it had a previous theatrical exhibition.

WRITER REPRESENTATIVES' SUBMISSIONS

Writer representatives (e.g., agents, managers and publicists) may submit scripts on behalf of their clients, provided that they have sought permission from the writer to submit on his or her behalf.

ONLINE SUBMISSIONS

Writers may submit scripts online for competition in any category by going to www.wga.org and clicking on the awards link in the spotlight section. Follow the instructions to complete the entry form online, then upload the script in either Word or PDF format where indicated. Please delete all references to the name of the submitting writer(s) within the script. Writers’ names should only appear on the title page. Watermarked scripts will not be accepted. Upon successful completion of the submission, a receipt will be automatically sent to the preferred email address.

Members who wish to submit multiple scripts for judging in different categories must complete separate entry forms for each script submitted online. Example: a writer may enter an Animation script in Category 2 and may also enter an Episodic Drama script in Category 3. However, a writer may not submit one script across multiple categories for awards consideration.

THE JUDGING PROCEDURE

The preliminary judging will be by panels of volunteer Guild members. Scripts will be coded and anonymity maintained. The final judging will be by special panels of Guild members selected for their prominence in the particular fields of competition. 

SUBMISSION DEADLINE

The submission deadline is 5:00 p.m. PST on Friday, December 22, 2023. This is a FIRM deadline.  No late entries will be accepted.

Winners will be announced at the 2024 WGA Awards on April 14, 2024.

SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS

CATEGORIES

#1 TELEVISION & NEW MEDIA MOTION PICTURES

A television or new media motion picture is a motion picture, over one hour in length, which is broadcast on network or cable television or exhibited on a streaming service. New media motion pictures that have had a theatrical release or that have a simultaneous theatrical release and streaming exhibition are not eligible.

Television and new media motion pictures classified as Original or Adapted are eligible to compete in Category 1. Writers of source material are not eligible for awards consideration.

Scripts produced and initially exhibited in the made-for-videocassette/DVD market will be eligible if they are next shown on television or exhibited on new media (i.e., there has been no previous theatrical exhibition).

Long form animated scripts must be entered in Category #2. Long form children’s scripts must be entered in Category #9.

Multi-part episodes of Episodic Drama and Episodic Comedy series must be entered in Category #3 or #4.

#2 ANIMATION — Any length, one airing or exhibition time

To be eligible for entry, television and new media animation scripts must be broadcast or exhibited for the first time between January 1, 2023, and December 31, 2023 and must have been written and produced under WGA jurisdiction.

The submitted script must be in a standard teleplay format – it need not be the final script. A recording script may be submitted for consideration if it is a full script of the program or episode. In addition, the episode as broadcast from which the script is submitted must have had a writing credit (i.e., a “written by” or a “story by” and “teleplay by” credit, as appropriate) related to the writing of the program or episode. While there is no limit on the number of credited writers a particular program or episode may have, gang credits – not specifically tied to the writing on the episode – are not acceptable.

A writer (or each member of an established team) may submit only one (1) script in the Animation category. The script may be of any length or type (i.e., long form, specials or episodic). Scripts produced and initially exhibited in the made-for-video market will be eligible if they are next shown on television or exhibited on new media (i.e., there has been no previous theatrical exhibition). Animated children’s scripts must be entered in category #2. Animated new media scripts must be entered in category #2.

If two or more writers are credited, they may agree upon the draft to be submitted, but if they are unable to agree, then the “as broadcast” script will be the only script to be considered. If one writer is credited, he or she must submit a draft containing substantially his or her own writing.

#3 EPISODIC DRAMA and
#4 EPISODIC COMEDY

Television: Approximately one hour or less, one airing time (synopsis, if any, permitted for remainder).

New media: Over 15 minutes in length but not to exceed one hour (approximately); one exhibition time (synopsis, if any, permitted for remainder).

No writer may submit a script if his/her credit does not reflect at least 50 percent of the on-screen credit. In the case of three or more credited writers, they may “pool” their percentage of the script to arrive at 50 percent if they have not submitted another script. Each member of an established two-member team may submit one team-written script (or one sole-credit script) in each category. Multi-part Episodic Dramas originally broadcast or exhibited as more than one hour must be entered in category #3; Multi-part Episodic Comedies originally broadcast or exhibited as over 30 minutes must be entered in category #4.

A Pilot Script must be entered in category #3 or #4, regardless of broadcast or exhibition length.

Anthology Episode/Single Episode scripts (one hour or less—one part, one airing or exhibition time) must be entered in category #3 or #4.

#5 (A) COMEDY/VARIETY – TALK SERIES
#5 (B) COMEDY/VARIETY – MUSIC, AWARDS, TRIBUTES – SPECIALS
#5 (C) COMEDY/VARIETY – SKETCH SERIES
#5 (D) QUIZ AND AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION
Over 15 minutes in length

5(A) Talk Series: (a) The headwriter(s) will submit five sketches and/or monologues that best represent a series’ overall quality of writing; (b) Include with the entry form the names of all writers who participated in 25 percent of all programs telecast or exhibited during the eligibility period (1/1/2023 to 12/31/2023) and those who were credited on the shows from which the submitted sketches were selected. Do not include writers’ names on the individual scripted segments. (c) Indicate within each submission the air date for each sketch or monologue included.

5(B) Specials: Submit one script (no special instructions).

5(C) Sketch Series: (The headwriter(s) will submit five sketches and/or monologues that best represent a series’ overall quality of writing; (b) Include with the entry form the names of all writers who participated in 25 percent of all programs telecast or exhibited during the eligibility period (1/1/2023 to 12/31/2023) and those who were credited on the shows from which the submitted sketches were selected. Do not include writers’ names on the individual scripted segments. (c) Indicate within each submission the air date for each sketch or monologue included.

5(D) Quiz and Audience Participation: (a) The headwriter(s) will submit up to three “as broadcast” scripts; (b) Include with the entry form the names of all writers who participated in the shows telecast or exhibited during the eligibility period.

#6 (A) DOCUMENTARY SCRIPT – CURRENT EVENTS and
#6 (B) DOCUMENTARY SCRIPT – OTHER THAN CURRENT EVENTS — Over 15 minutes in length, one part, one airing or exhibition time (synopsis, if any, permitted for remainder)

A television or new media project is not eligible if it had a previous theatrical exhibition. Scripts must have been broadcast or exhibited for the first time between 11/1/22 and 10/31/23.

#7 (A) NEWS SCRIPT – REGULARLY SCHEDULED, BULLETIN, OR BREAKING REPORT and
#7 (B) NEWS SCRIPT – ANALYSIS, FEATURE OR COMMENTARY — One air date for televised or online video content. News magazines may only compete in Category #7(B).

Material originally produced for the internet will be eligible only if it was produced under the jurisdiction of the WGA. If you have questions, please contact your business agent. For each submission, include the script in its entirety and indicate which portion of the submission is to be judged. Scripts must have been broadcast or exhibited for the first time between 11/1/22 and 10/31/23.

#8 DAYTIME DRAMA

(a) Furnish, through the head writer, a precis (covering an integrated period of time) which describes what has been happening on the television or new media program and the relationships of the characters. This should not exceed 1,000 words. (b) Furnish three scripts (not necessarily in sequence) together with outlines for same which the head writer and second writer(s) agree should be submitted for the award. Each of the three scripts is judged as a part of a coherent whole; the award is given accordingly. It should be noted that often several writers collaborate on the writing of a single script in this category. When submitting the material to be judged, include on the entry form the names of all writers who participated a minimum of 13 weeks in writing the show during the eligibility period.

#9 CHILDREN’S EPISODIC, LONG FORM AND SPECIALS

EPISODIC: Over 15 minutes but not more than one hour, one part, one airing or exhibition time, intended primarily for children. Animated children’s scripts must be entered in category #2.

LONG FORM AND SPECIALS: Over one hour, one or two parts, one or two airing or exhibition times, intended primarily for children. Long form animated children’s scripts must be entered in category #2.

#10 RADIO/AUDIO DOCUMENTARY — One script, any length

Submission must have been originally created for radio broadcast, radio exhibition or podcast exhibition, under the jurisdiction of the WGA, and first broadcast or exhibited between 11/1/22 and 10/31/23.  If you have questions, please contact your business agent.

#11 RADIO/AUDIO NEWS SCRIPT – REGULARLY SCHEDULED, BULLETIN OR BREAKING REPORT and
#12 RADIO/AUDIO NEWS SCRIPT – ANALYSIS, FEATURE OR COMMENTARY

Submit up to five scripts and share a Media Platform/URL or attach an .MP3 file, with a cumulative air-time of not more than 15 minutes. Please delete all written and audio references to the name of the submitting writer. No CDs will be accepted.

Submission must have been originally created for radio broadcast, radio exhibition or podcast exhibition, under the jurisdiction of the WGA, and first broadcast or exhibited between 11/1/22 and 10/31/23.  If you have questions, please contact your business agent.

#13 ON-AIR PROMOTION (TELEVISION, NEW MEDIA or RADIO)

Submit scripts and share a Media Platform URL on the entry form. Submit at least three - but no more than eight - spots if they are shorter than two minutes. Submit one or two spots if they are two minutes or longer. Material originally produced for the internet will be eligible only if it was produced under WGA jurisdiction. If you have questions, please contact your business agent. Please delete all written and audio references to the name of the submitting writer. No DVDs will be accepted.

#15 SHORT FORM NEW MEDIA

For a new media series (original and adapted) with episodes that are 15 minutes or less in length and was first exhibited on a new media platform. For this purpose, a new media platform is defined as the Internet via a major video sharing site or unique URL, mobile devices such as cellphones or PDAs, or any other established new media platform. Only work that was written and produced under a WGA collective bargaining agreement and for which the Guild has determined writing credits may be submitted.

A writer may submit up to four episodes of a new media series (each episode under 15 minutes in length) and a synopsis, if any, may be submitted for the remainder. If a short form new media series has more than one credited writer, the writers must agree on which episodes to include in the submission and which episodes to cover in the synopsis. Nominations will include all of the short form new media series’ eligible credited writers.

#16 DIGITAL NEWS — Any length

Written material must have been first made available online between 11/1/22 and 10/31/23. Only work that was written and produced under a WGA collective bargaining agreement may be submitted. Awards are based strictly on written material; video material is not accepted. News scripts for video content that was exhibited digitally must be submitted in category 7A or 7B. Please delete all written references to the name of the submitting writer.

TV-RADIO/AUDIO-NEW MEDIA AWARDS SUBMISSIONS FOR THE 2024 WRITERS GUILD AWARDS HAVE ENDED