2016 Writers Guild Awards: Eligibility Criteria Categories Changes + Call for Submissions

NEW YORK and LOS ANGELES – The Writers Guilds of America, East (WGAE) and West (WGAW) have made changes to the eligibility criteria for some of the Writers Guild Awards categories this year.

Long Form–Original and Long Form–Adapted categories now include “limited series”

• Programs eligible to compete in these categories are now defined as follows: “A long form television or new media motion picture is a motion picture, over one hour in length, including MOWs and limited series.”

• A limited series (including miniseries) is defined as “at least two but not more than 13 episodes with a total running time of at least three broadcast or exhibition hours that is based on a single theme or story line which is resolved within the piece.”

• In addition, the WGA has eliminated the rule prohibiting series with a “Created by” credit from competing in this category.

• Programs that meet the WGA’s new “limited series” definition will not be eligible to compete in the WGA’s Drama, Comedy or New Series awards categories.

The Comedy/Variety (Including Talk) Series category has been split into two separate categories: Comedy/Variety Talk Series and Comedy/Variety Sketch Series

• Weekly sketch shows, which predominately consist of scripted sketches, will no longer compete against nightly talk shows, which may feature occasional sketch elements but are primarily composed of monologue jokes, desk segments and guest interviews.

More detailed information on eligibility criteria and submission guidelines for all Writers Guild Awards categories can be found here.

CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS

TV-Radio-New Media Script Submissions
Submission deadline: 5:30 p.m. (PT) on Friday, October 9, 2015

Drama, Comedy and New Series
Submission deadline: 5:30 p.m. (PT) on Friday, October 9, 2015

Original and Adapted Screenplay
Submission deadline: 5:30 p.m. (PT) on Friday, November 13, 2015

For specific questions about the Writers Guild Awards submissions process, including the category in which to submit your program,  please contact WGAE Events Coordinator Nancy Hathorne at 212-767-7812 or email: nhathorne@wgaeast.org.

For media inquiries about the 2016 Writers Guild Awards New York City show, please contact Jason Gordon in the WGAE Communications Department at (212) 767-7809 or email: jgordon@wgaeast.org.

For media inquiries about the 2016 Writers Guild Awards Los Angeles show, please contact Gregg Mitchell in the WGAW Communications Department at: (323) 782-4651 or email: gmitchell@wga.org.

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