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Screenwriter agreement (option & purchase)
Option the rights to a script or story for a set period, then buy them if the film goes ahead, with fees, credit and the return of rights to the writer.
Template for guidance only, not legal advice. Laws differ by country: check local law, and ideally a lawyer, before signing.
Parties
| Production company (name, address, registration no.) | |
|---|---|
| Writer (full name, address, ID/passport no.) | |
| Agent (name, phone, email), if any |
The work
| Title of the script / treatment / story | |
|---|---|
| Stage (idea, treatment, draft no., date) | |
| Project format (feature, series, short, documentary) | |
| Based on another work? (book, play, true story, and who holds those rights) | |
| Co-writers, if any (name and share) |
Option & fees
| Option period (start – end) | |
|---|---|
| Option fee and currency | |
| Extension (length and fee) | |
| Purchase price (fixed amount or % of the budget, with minimum / maximum) | |
| Is the option fee deducted from the purchase price? (yes / no) | |
| Writing services (rewrites, polish) and their fees | |
| Share of net profits or bonuses, if any | |
| Payment schedule and method |
Terms
- Option: during the option period the writer will not offer the rights to anyone else. The production may exercise the option at any time before it ends, by written notice and payment of the purchase price.
- Rights on purchase: the writer grants the production the right to adapt, produce and exploit the work as a ___ (format); remakes, sequels and series are included only if stated here: ___. Media, territory and term: ___. This applies within the limits of the applicable law, including any moral rights the writer keeps.
- Return of rights: if the option is not exercised in time, all rights stay with the writer and the option fee is not refunded. If the rights are bought but filming has not started within ___ years, the writer may take them back on these terms: ___.
- Credit: the writer will be credited as “Written by ___” (or as agreed if other writers join), on screen and in the main publicity wherever the director is credited.
- Originality: the writer confirms the work is their own original creation (or that the rights in any source material are held, as stated above) and that, to their knowledge, it does not infringe anyone’s rights or defame anyone.
- Changes: the production may edit, translate and adapt the script for the film. The writer is offered the first rewrite at the fee stated above: yes / no.
- Paperwork: the writer will sign any short confirmation (for example a short-form assignment) that funds, insurers or distributors ask for to show that the production holds these rights.
- Authors’ society: if the writer is a member of an authors’ collecting society, name it here so its rules can be taken into account: ___.
- Governing law: this agreement is governed by the law of ___, and disputes go to the courts of ___.
Signatures
For the production
Name: ____________
Signature: ____________
Date: ____________
Writer
Name: ____________
Signature: ____________
Date: ____________
Agent (if any)
Name: ____________
Signature: ____________
Date: ____________
Generic template provided for convenience. It is not legal advice and may not suit your project or country: have it reviewed by a qualified lawyer before use.
Rolling Now · rollingnow.com · Updated 18 October 2026