All work, no fun? Take a well deserved break! Surf the community room, watch a video or two, get the inside scoop on our Q & A, or just shoot the breeze with fellow screenwriters. There is a ton of great information available for you here, which we update frequently. So surf around a bit, and check back as often as you like. Enjoy! - Heather & Marlene

Screenplay competitions can provide FEEDBACK, DEVELOPMENT & INDUSTRY RECOGNITION

Whether you're an established or up and coming screenwriter, you've probably learned that one of the toughest obstacles to overcome in the film industry is getting past the restricted channels that often arise within the business. In fact, you can have an immense amount of talent and yet remain virtually unknown if you aren't business savvy or have access to the right people. For industry executives, it can also be a daunting task sorting through thousands of screenplays that roll into the mailroom each year just to find that one. This is where screenplay contests and film festivals play a critical role.

Entering a few key screenplay competitions and festivals each year is one of the most proactive decisions you can make for your career because screenwriting awards offer writers an alternative to get their scripts circulated and in the case of many finalists, it has put their name on the map virtually overnight.

The advantages can also be gaining invaluable feedback, meeting deadlines, and potentially receiving prizes. The most important advantage CWA offers is develpment opportunities and exposure to high profile companies, which could take years to develop if pursued without a company's endorsement.  This is one of the sole missions of CWA - to help provide opportunities to talented writers looking to propel their projects forward. So if you have an original story and get it to us by the entry deadline, this could be an avenue to help generate success for your projects. 

This week's spotlight video interview is with Benedict Carver, a Hollywood producer who recently started a company with writer David Hayter called Dark Heroes Studios. Carver's producing credits include Tekken, Doomsday, Bratz and Big Stan.

Also highlighted this month is:

Tomas Jegeus - Co-President of 20th Century Fox International. Jegeus handles and overseas the international releases of all Fox's titles including the recently released box office mega hit, AVATAR.

Randy Paul - COO, The Halcyon Company. A veteran in the business having represented producers of Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines, Tombstone, Renaissance Man, Nixon, Die Hard with a Vengeance, Evita, Sex, Lies and Videotape, and more.

Ronnie Yeskel - Casting Director with credits that include Pulp Fiction, Blade Trinity, Igby Goes Down, Hope Floats, Bread and Roses, The Intern, Bean, Reservoir Dogs, among others.

Also, on CWA you can check out the featured short of the month. CWA features new video shorts completed by our writers/directors on a monthly basis. If you have a short you'd like us to consider, please email us at info@creativeworldawards.com