SWA Awards 2021

Screenwriters Association to present Awards for Best Writing

ABOUT

SWA Awards is an annual Awards Event celebrating the best of screenwriting in the country. It was started in the year 2020 on the occasion of SWA’s Diamond Jubilee year. It is the only award in India dedicated entirely to screenwriters and lyricists of Hindi Feature Films, Hindi TV shows, and Hindi Web series. The vision behind these awards is to celebrate outstanding screenwriting work, unbiased by the box-office numbers / TRPs / budgets, etc. Judged by a jury of eminent screenwriters, SWA Awards 2021 aims to be the most coveted and prestigious awards for writers in India, at par with the screenwriting awards instituted by international writers guilds across the world.

AWARD CATEGORIES

SWA Awards 2021 will be given in 15 categories.

FEATURE FILMS:

  1. Best Story
  2. Best Screenplay
  3. Best Dialogue
  4. Best Debut Writer

TV SERIES – DRAMA:

  1. Best Story
  2. Best Screenplay
  3. Best Dialogue

TV SERIES – COMEDY:

  1. Best Story
  2. Best Screenplay
  3. Best Dialogue

WEB SERIES

  1. Best Script for Web Series- Original Drama
  2. Best Script for Web Series- Original Comedy
  3. Best Script for Web Series- Adaptation (Based on Book / Novel / Play)

LYRICS

  1. Best Lyrics: Feature Films
  2. Best Lyrics: TV Series/ Web Series

To submit click on this link https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SWAawards2021
Read the complete Rules & FAQs before you make your submission.

SUBMISSION PROCEDURE

Feature Films: As all Hindi films that were released either in theatres or streamed on an OTT platform during the year 2020 will be automatically considered, the writers of eligible films DO NOT NEED TO SUBMIT any form. The list of all the films considered for the Film Awards will be published on the SWA website. If any writer feels that her/his particular film (in the year 2020) is not in the list, the writer can contact the awards committee (email address is given below).

TV Shows, Web Series & Lyrics: The Writers & Lyricists should fill up the submission form attached at the end.

TV Shows & Web Series screenplay and dialogue: Submission forms should include links to two consecutive episodes for the screenplay and dialogue category, along with a password (if your links require a password).

For TV Shows, Web series & Lyrics you may also upload your episodes/songs on public video-sharing platforms like YouTube and Vimeo, or cloud storage like Google Drive, and share the links (and password, if needed).

If you are unable to submit the links online, you may please submit a physical copy of two consecutive episodes of the TV show / Web series / Song on a BluRay / DVD / Pen-drive at SWA office. All such material must reach SWA office on or before 7th March 2021, otherwise, it will result in disqualification.

TV Shows Story: Please upload the written broad story online along with the form (between 5 and 10 pages in font size 12 font Times New Roman, in PDF format) telecast in the year 2020.

If you are unable to upload documents online, please submit the hard copy of the broad story at the SWA office before 7th March 2021.

Lyrics: Please upload written lyric/s in a word document (PDF format) along with the form. Please mention the name of the film or TV Show or Web Series it featured in.

If you are unable to upload documents online, please submit the hard copy of the Song at SWA office.  Please do mention the name of the feature film / TV show / Web series and the year it featured in.

 

TIMELINES

SUBMISSION OPENS ON: 4th January 2021 (Monday).

SUBMISSION DEADLINE: The submission portal will close on 7th March 2021 , IST (MIDNIGHT). (BluRay / DVD / Pen-drive, if any, must reach SWA office on or before this date to avoid disqualification.)

SELECTION NOTIFICATION: The nominees will be announced by mid-May 2021. The applicants will be notified by email ONLY if they are nominated.

AWARDS NIGHT: The winners will be notified directly at the Awards Ceremony, which is scheduled to be held online on June 27th, 2021. (NOTE: The event will be open to all SWA members and it will be free)

Email: awards@swaindia.org

Contact: +91 9766138221 (Sanchit) (11.30 am to 6.30 pm, Monday to Saturday)

Address: SCREENWRITERS ASSOCIATION, 201 – 204, Richa Building, Plot No. B – 29, Off New Link Road, Opposite Citi Mall, Andheri (West) Mumbai – 400 053, India | +91 22 2673 3027 / +91 22 2673 3108 / +91 22 6692 2899 (Office Time: Monday – Saturday | 11.00 am – 7.00 pm)

RULES & REGULATIONS

General Rules

The SWA Awards 2021 is open to writers of all ages.

All Indians as well as NRI/Foreigner writers are eligible for SWA Awards and may apply, as long as the submission has been released theatrically or broadcast or streamed in India, during the qualifying period.

MEMBERSHIP OF SWA is not the criterion for either submission eligibility or consideration for SWA awards. We believe in celebrating extraordinary writing irrespective of the writer’s affiliation to our organisation.

However, if the authorship of any work is currently under dispute either with a case of plagiarism at SWA’s DSC, or in a court of law, that particular work by that writer will be disqualified for the awards.

The second edition of SWA Awards 2021 is ONLY for Hindi language Feature Films, Television Shows, Web Series and Lyrics.

SWA will not be charging any submission fees for any category.

To apply in multiple categories and/ or multiple series / shows or multiple lyrics of the same project or multiple projects, please submit a SEPARATE SUBMISSION FORM FOR EACH ENTRY.

All films that have had either a theatrical, ticketed release or been released on an OTT platform – will be considered automatically eligible for the first round of screening and eliminations.  The list of these films is available at List of Feature Films 2020.

However, if you feel your film could be eligible, but is not listed on our site, please contact us on awards@swaindia.org or +91 9766138221 (Sanchit) anytime between 11.30 am and 6.30 pm (Monday to Saturday)

The Screenwriters Association aims for a free and fair awards procedure. There will be no discrimination based on age, caste, class, gender, colour, creed, race, nationality, citizenship, religion, language, sexual orientation, or beliefs of any kind.

Submission and Eligibility

FEATURE FILMS: All Hindi films theatrically released (for ticketed or paid-for viewing) anywhere in India or streamed on any Indian OTT platform, between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 will be automatically entered for SWA Awards 2021.

Feature Films, Television Shows, Web Series and Lyrics released (ticketed theatrical release), telecast & streamed outside India, including film festivals, will NOT qualify for the awards. A film made for private screenings or screened for a by-invitation only audience, in India or outside, will NOT be eligible.

Remakes (of films from other languages) aren’t eligible. But adaptations from literary sources are allowed in the regular category. However, only the Web Series category has an award for Best Adaptation this year. For adapted Feature Films and Television Shows there is no such category this year.

TV SHOWS / WEB SERIES: Entries will be accepted from writers of TV (Fiction) or Hindi Web series (Fiction) released / streamed between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 have to enter their work for SWA Awards 2021.

LYRICS: Entries will be accepted from Lyricists of Hindi Songs in Feature Films or TV & Web Series released / telecast / streamed between January 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020.

Debut writer: The film-writer may have written earlier in other formats (TV/Lyrics/Web/Book) but if s/he has written for the film (story/screenplay/dialogue) for the first time, the writer is eligible in this category.

Any writer who has written all three categories of story, screenplay & dialogues in a Film, TV Show or Web Series can apply for all three categories via separate forms for each category. Co-writers, if they have received a writing credit, can apply too.

If a script or parts of the script (story / screenplay / dialogue / lyrics) are written by more than one writer in that department, ANY ONE WRITER can apply on behalf of the team. All the writers are eligible for the awards.

If the same TV Show/Web Series has had multiple writers working on it, they can individually submit any two consecutive episodes that they have been credited for. If multiple writers submit entries for the same show, they will be credited together for the overall show.

It is important to note that only those writers who have a writing credit that appears on screen will be considered as eligible.

Writers credited as Associate Writer, Script Consultant/Head or Developed by for any of the categories viz. story, screenplay or dialogue shall not be eligible.

TERMS & CONDITIONS

If a writer submitting the work is proven by SWA’s DSC or any legal authority or mediator or any other trade union body as s/he is responsible for plagiarism/IPR infringement for any submitted Feature Films, TV Shows, Web Series and Lyrics then the submission will be disqualified. However, any previous/old unrelated finding will not have an impact on the writer’s current submitted work and shall not be reason for disqualification.

If at any stage SWA finds that there is reasonable ground to conclude that submitted entry has caused any copyright infringement and/or plagiarism; such entry shall be immediately disqualified for any further consideration in the sole discretion of SWA.

If a writer is undergoing trial or serving imprisonment term or has been found guilty by any fact-finding authority regarding any issues related to sexual harassment or any sexual abuse, then that person will not be qualified to submit an entry. Any non-disclosure of fact in this regard shall result in immediate disqualification.

If there is an IC (Internal Committee) complaint/ police FIR/court case against a writer of allegations of sexual harassment (at workplace) before or after submission, the entry will be disqualified. Further, if the allegations come upon after winning the award, the award will be revoked.

The SWA reserves the right to revoke the nomination, as well as the award given, for any other reasons not mentioned herein.

The SWA’s Awards Sub-Committee reserves the right to settle all cases not covered by the guidelines and to grant exceptions in special cases. All cases will be governed by in all respects in accordance with the laws of India and settled under the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Mumbai. By submitting your entry/entries to the SWA Awards, you accept the terms and conditions mentioned above.

FAQs

1. If a Feature Film or a series is an adaptation of a Hollywood or any other non-Hindi film/series, will the writers of the original feature film/series be also considered for the award?

Remakes (of films from other languages) aren’t eligible. But adaptations from literary sources are allowed in the regular category. There are no awards for the best-adapted screenplay in Feature Films and TV Shows categories.

However, adaptations from literary sources (Book, Novel or Play) will be considered eligible – but only in the Web Series category.

2. Can a writer submit an entry if a Feature Film has been produced and made in India, by an Indian company / crew / production house, but so far has only been screened or released outside India (during the mentioned period)?

All feature films that have had either a ticketed theatrical release, or been released on an OTT platform – will be considered automatically for the first round of screening and eliminations. However, Feature Films, TV Shows, Web Series and Lyrics released, telecast & streamed outside India will NOT qualify for these awards.

3. If a film has a CBFC certificate only (during the mentioned period), but has not been screened anywhere, will it qualify for the SWA Awards 2021?

No. It has to be released/ telecast/streamed in India during the period between January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020.

4. Can one apply if a Feature Film has been premiered at an Indian or international film festival only (during the mentioned period), but has not been screened elsewhere?

No. It has to be released/ telecast/streamed in India during the period between January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020.

5. Can one apply if a film has had at least one special screening, paid or by invitation only, for a limited audience in India (during the mentioned period)?

A Feature Film is eligible if it has had a ticketed (paid for) theatrical release and/or telecast or screened on an OTT platform between the period January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020. A Feature Film made for private screenings or screened for a by-invitation only audience will NOT be eligible.

6. Can someone from the production team, for example the producer or the director apply on behalf of a SWA member or non-member writer?

No. Only the Writer/s who has/have written the story, screenplay, dialogues & lyrics of the eligible Feature Film/TV Show/Web Series can apply. 

7. Can the kin or the producer apply on behalf of a deceased member or non-member?

In the rare instance of departed writers, their kin may apply for the awards, along with the death certificate of the deceased and document/s to prove their relationship with the writer.  Documents needed: Passport /PAN/ Aadhar card / ration card/along with the death certificate. 

8. If the script is written by more than one person, who will apply for it? Do all the writers need to apply separately? (What if only one person wants to apply and not the other?)

If a script or parts of the script (story / screenplay / dialogue / lyrics) are written by more than one writer in that department, ANY ONE WRITER can apply on behalf of the team. All the writers are eligible for the awards.

9. What happens if multiple writers submit an entry for the same TV Show / Web Series /Lyrics?

If the same TV Show has had multiple writers working on it, they can individually submit any two consecutive episodes that they have been credited for.

In Web Series, if multiple writers submit entries for the same show, they will be credited together for the overall show.

10. Can someone who has written the entire script (screenplay, story, dialogue) apply for all three categories? If yes, will that be three separate entries?

Any Writer who has written all three categories of story, screenplay & dialogues in a Feature Film, TV Show or Web Series can apply for all three categories via separate forms for each category.

11. What about co-writers for a TV Show or Web Series? Can they also apply in any way?

Yes, if they have received a writing credit, they can apply too.

For example: In a particular episode of a TV Show, the screenplay was written by 2 writers, the dialogue was written by 3. ANY ONE or both writers can apply for Best Screenplay. ANY ONE or all 3 writers can apply for ‘Best Dialogue’. The award will be given to all writers who have worked in that particular episode.

12. Does YouTube count as ‘any Indian OTT platform’?

Yes. However, for YouTube and similar video-sharing platforms in public domain, the said channel/account must belong to a legitimate production company, registered with any one of the four Mumbai based producer’s associations, which should have hired the applicant writer in professional capacity by signing a contract.

13. Do free/unpaid streaming platform likes Voot and Sony LIV count as ‘any Indian OTT platform’?

Yes.

14. Do international streaming platforms like Netflix or Amazon Prime count as ‘any Indian OTT platform’?

Yes. As long as the Feature Film or Web Series was streamed on Netflix, Amazon Prime’s original (Indian- locally-produced content) on the platform. This applies to any other platform which is also streamed internationally. 

15. Does a release/telecast on D2H platforms like Tata Sky and Videocon, but on their private channels, count as TV telecast or ‘any Indian OTT platform’ (NOTE: All MAMI Festival films are being telecast on Tata Sky. Would that qualify as a Feature Film or Web Series?)

No. D2H platforms like Tata Sky and Videocon, or any such private TV channels, would not count as ‘any Indian OTT platform’. However, festival films which were released in theaters in India or on OTT platforms in India will be considered for Awards. 

16. What is the minimum duration to call it a feature film?

A film must be 70 minutes and above to qualify for the Feature Film category.

17. What is the minimum duration to call it a TV/web episode?

The minimum duration of an episode to qualify is 20 minutes for Television Show /Web Series.

18. Will short films/medium length films released/telecast on OTT platforms, film festivals, Tata Sky or similar be considered eligible?

No. Short films released in theaters or any other platforms (OTT/YouTube/TATA or similar) will not be considered. SWA Awards 2021 does not include short films or lyrics used in short films.

19. Will animation films be considered eligible?

No. Animation films (Feature or Short) released in theaters or any other platforms (OTT/YouTube/TATA etc) will not be considered. SWA Awards 2021 does not have any category for nominating Animation films; whether short or feature and neither for lyrics used in animation films.

20. Will non-fiction Films, Television Shows or Web Series be considered eligible?

No. Non-fiction series released in theaters or any other platforms (OTT/YouTube/TATA etc) will not be considered. SWA Awards 2021 does not include non-fiction series or lyrics used in it.

21. What TV Shows/Web Series can be included under ‘Drama’ categories?

All genres, except Comedy, will be included in the Drama category. These include thriller, family, horror, biopics, mythological and others. This separate category is only for TV Shows & Web series.

22. What about children’s TV Shows /Web Series or films, like Motu Patlu and Chhota Bheem (which are animated-fiction)?

Children’s films (Feature / short / animation) released in theaters or on any other platforms (OTT/YouTube/TATA etc) will not be considered. SWA awards 2021 does not include Children films (Feature / short / animation) this year or for lyrics used in them.

23. Can you enter the same TV Show /Web Series or film, as Drama and Comedy both, as separate submissions?

No. It is advised that the writer uses her/his discretion and apply in any ONE genre of TV Show /Web Series category.

24. Will SWA Awards 2021 be considering the entire TV Show / Web Series, or its particular season, and NOT a particular episode? If YES, can someone enter only a single, specific episode?

FOR TV Show – Story: The writer/s need/s to submit the written story for the year 2020. The details of the same are in Submission Form.

FOR TV Show – Screenplay: Writer/s need to submit two consecutive episodes of TV Show.

FOR TV Show – Dialogue: Writer/s need to submit two consecutive episodes of TV Show.

FOR Web Series: Writer/s need to submit two consecutive episodes of web series.

25. Will English or foreign language films dubbed in Hindi be eligible for Best Dialogue?

No. Only Feature Films, TV Shows/ Web Series originally written in Hindi are eligible.

26. Will the Show Runner/Created By of a Web Series be eligible to submit, if s/he has been involved with the writing process, but has not been credited separately?

No. Only writers who have been credited for their work in that department will be considered.

27. In case of a sequel, or any season after the first, will the creators/writer of the original film/season share the entry, or will they need to give an NOC, as they created the original story, concept and characters?

The writers of the sequel need not take and submit the permission from the writers of the first season. However, in case of winning, the names of writers of Season 1 will be announced along the names of the writers of Season 2.

NOTE: The creators of TV Shows or Web Series will not be considered for awards, IF they do not have a credit in any department as a writer.

28. If a writer wishes to submit an entry for any particular category, but the producers and/or the channel ask her/him not to, how does a writer apply? (Either ways, do I need a NOC from anyone to be able to apply)?

No. A writer does not need any NOC from producer or channel, as long as s/he is the registered and accredited writer. The writing work which is being considered for these awards is already in the public domain: by the way or release or telecast on Television channels or streamed on an OTT platform.

Since SWA is not going to screen the film / show / series on any other media or platform, the permission of the producer or channel is not required.

29. Will non-Hindi lyrics in a Hindi TV Show/Web Series or Feature Film be considered for the awards (released/telecast during the mentioned period); and vice versa?

No. For SWA Awards 2021 only Lyrics in the Hindi language, created for Hindi Feature Films, TV Shows or Web Series will be eligible.

30. Can a writer submit an entire album (more than one song) of a TV Show/Web Series or Feature Film?

Yes. A lyricist can submit more than one or all songs, even if they belong to the same Feature Film, TV Show or Web Series. S/he must fill up SEPARATE FORMS PER SONG.

31. Can a writer submit an album/song NOT used in any Feature Films, TV Show or Web Series, but released/telecast during January 1st, 2020 to December 31st, 2020, and which has a music video as well (which was released TV and/or on social media or YouTube).

32. Can a writer submit an album/song not used in any Feature Film, TV Show or Web Series, but released/telecast during the mentioned period and which does not have a music video?

No.

33. Can a writer submit an album/song, produced as a promotion of a Feature Film, TV Show or Web Series, but not used in the actual film or series (released/telecast during the mentioned period)  – if it has a music video as well, which was released on TV and/or on social media or YouTube??

No. Only lyrics of songs used in released Feature Films, telecast TV Shows and streamed Web Series are eligible.

34. For TV Show/Web Series lyrics, should it be a song used in the series or can it also be the Title Track of the show? If yes, will it be Okay if it was also the Title Track any previous seasons?

Yes. If the title track from the earlier year has been used for TV Show or Web Series for the year 2020, then you may apply.

35. For TV Show submissions, does the material need to have been previously registered by SWA?

No.

Jury, SWA EC members and Staff

36. I want to submit my entry but may I know who are the jury members for SWA Awards 2021?

The selection process, jury members, nominations and the final results are strictly confidential and an unbiased process. It is at the discretion of the SWA Awards Committee to only reveal what they deem fit.

37. Can I submit my entry if I am also working professionally with any of the jury members or SWA EC members or office bearers?

The SWA Awards Jury, Screening & Selection Committee follows a strict code of conduct. If any Jury Members on our panel are working professionally on any other project, or associated with any of the submissions, they are ethically bound to reveal the same.

38.  Am I allowed to meet the Jury members and SWA EC members, including the office bearers, if I have submitted my entry for SWA Awards, for professional work or otherwise?

Yes. A writer is free to communicate with anyone on the SWA EC or on the panel, professionally or otherwise – as long as there is no bearing on the selection process.

39. Can SWA EC members, including office bearers, Jury members, SWA staff members, contractual employees and those directly involved with the organising SWA Awards; and the relatives of all such people, apply?

SWA EC members:

IF they are NOT a part of Awards Committee, they can apply.

If they are a part of Awards Committee, they CANNOT apply.

For Example: Ms. ABC, an EC member who is a part of Awards Committee, and has had a web show on an OTT platform will not be applying for the awards. Even if she does, her application will be disqualified. BUT – other writers working on the same show can apply.

Office Bearers:

Same conditions apply as above.

Jury Members:

Jury members cannot apply for the same medium that they are judging. Eg. if Mr. XYZ is a jury member on the panel for Feature Films, he can submit an entry for his show on Television or an OTT platform, but will not qualify for Feature Films.

Contractual employees:

Can apply, EXCEPT the ones working for the event of SWA Awards.

Relatives of people involved in awards: Can Apply.

DSC Cases and Controversies

40. Can I submit an entry if my Feature Film, TV Show or Web Series is in a media controversy, or has individual allegations against its script, but there is NO DSC complaint/police FIR/court case?

Yes.

41. Can I submit an entry if there is an on-going DSC complaint/ police FIR /court case against me for some other project (Feature Film, TV Show or Web Series)?

Yes.

42. What if there is a DSC complaint/ police FIR/court case against me AFTER I have submitted an entry, for the same project?

After submission but before award: Your entry will be disqualified.

After awards: The SWA reserves the right to revoke the award given, if you have won any award that is under dispute for the writing you have been credited for.

Any non-disclosure of fact in this regard shall result in immediate disqualification.

43. Can I submit an entry if DSC, IC or any other Trade Union body has previously held me, or anyone else involved with the relevant project, responsible for Copyright Infringement, Payment and/or Credit related falseness, any other contempt of Contractual obligations or Sexual Harassment (at workplace)?

If a writer submitting the work is proven by SWA’s DSC or any legal authority or mediator or any other trade union body as s/he is responsible for plagiarism/IPR infringement for any submitted Feature Films, TV Shows, Web Series and Lyrics then the submission is disqualified.

However, any previous/old unrelated finding will not have an impact on the writer’s current submitted work and shall not be reason for disqualification.

If at any stage SWA finds that there is reasonable ground to conclude that submitted entry has caused any copyright infringement and/or plagiarism; such entry shall be immediately disqualified for any further consideration in the sole discretion of SWA.

Sexual Harassment Cases/Allegations

44. Can I submit if there is an IC (Internal Committee) complaint/police FIR/ court case against me for sexual harassment (at workplace) or sexual misconduct?

If a writer is undergoing trial or serving imprisonment term or has been found guilty by any fact-finding authority regarding any issues related to sexual harassment or any sexual abuse, then that person will not be qualified to submit any entry.

After submission but before award: If such a complaint is filed against you, your entry will be disqualified.

After awards: The SWA reserves the right to revoke the award given, if such a complaint is filed against you after you win the award.

Any non-disclosure of fact in this regard shall result in immediate disqualification.

45. Can I submit if I am in a media controversy for allegations of sexual harassment (at workplace) but there is no IC (Internal Committee) complaint/ police complaint/ court case?

Yes.

46. Can I submit an entry if any other person involved with my Feature Film, TV Show or Web Series has an IC complaint/police FIR/court case, or an allegation, in relation with sexual harassment (at workplace) or sexual misconduct, against him or her?

Yes.

47. Will the winners/nominees be invited for the main event?

The winners/nominees shall be invited for the SWA Awards 2021 night on June 27th, 2021. The event will be open to all SWA members and the public and the Entry will be free.

 

This is the link to the submission form if you have to place the lin anywhere – https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/SWAawards2021

Address

Screenwriters Association
201-204, Plot No. B-29,
Off New Link Road,
Opposite City Mall,
Andheri West,
Mumbai, Maharashtra 400053

Contact 

Sanchit Dahake: 9766138221
(Between 11am – 7pm)

E mail

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