Competition Rules

About the Competition

As part of the Universal Ashura Commemoration traditionally held every year in Istanbul, a theatre screenplay competition is being organised for the first time this year.

The purpose is to bring the themes of universal justice, resistance, sacrifice, and human dignity carried by the events of Karbala to the stage at the Universal Ashura Commemoration.

Eligibility

• Participation in the competition is free of charge.
• Each participant may submit only one (1) work.
• Screenplays must be original works that have not been previously staged or published anywhere.
• The content of the screenplay must not be created using artificial intelligence.
• The screenplay must be written in Turkish and suitable for a staging time of at least 45 and at most 90 minutes.
• The screenplay must follow standard theatrical script format (20-30 pages, 12-point font).

Screenplay Content Requirements

• The parties must be clearly defined as good and evil.
• The causes of the events of Karbala must be emphasised.
• The work must be free of superstition and must not be disconnected from historical fact.
• The work must include sections depicting tragedy, valour, heroism, and standing firm against oppression.
• Dialogue attributed to innocents must not contain anything outside the sources; the screenwriter must not project their own feelings and opinions outside the sources.
• The sources used must be stated at the end of the work.
• The work must reflect that Imam Husayn avoided conflict and acted within the rules of sharia and fiqh.
• Only original works that carry the spirit of Karbala, include historical quotations and words, and are stageable and capable of giving audiences emotional depth will be considered.

Application Calendar

• Applications open: September 1, 2026
• Application deadline: January 31, 2027, 23:59
• Results announced: March 1, 2027
• The award ceremony will take place during the 2027 Universal Ashura Commemoration in Istanbul.

How to Submit Your Work

1. Fill out the application form on this site.
2. Accept the Privacy Notice, the Personal Data Consent Form, the Consent Form, and the Personal Data Retention and Destruction Policy.
3. Upload and submit your screenplay in PDF or Word (DOCX) format through the application form.
4. Once your submission is successful, your application number will be shown on screen and an automatic confirmation e-mail will be sent to you. If it does not arrive within a few minutes, please check your spam folder.

⚠️ Important: Please do not send your work directly by e-mail. Only works submitted through the application form on this site, after electronic approval and file upload, will be processed. A secure and orderly application process can only be carried out this way.

Sources

• The "Encyclopaedia of Imam Husayn" may be used as a source (the "Ehlibeyt Yolu" mobile application).
• A sample screenplay text may be requested from Caferider by e-mail.

Prizes

For the top 3 winning works:

• 🥇 First Prize: 150.000 TL
• 🥈 Second Prize: 100.000 TL
• 🥉 Third Prize: 50.000 TL

ℹ️ Note: The jury will be determined by Caferider. Only works of a quality suitable for evaluation by the jury will be considered. Caferider reserves the right not to evaluate any work it deems insufficient in quality or content.

Copyright and Usage Rights

The scope of use and copyright terms for a submitted screenplay are set out in the Consent Form you accept during application.

Contact

For all questions and contact: iletisim@caferider.com.tr

• Address: Halkalı Merkez Mah. 1.Üzümlü Sok. No:17/183 Küçükçekmece/İstanbul
• Phone: +90 507 182 14 12

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