It seems film competitions are popping up all over now that the digital age has pushed the cost of cameras and equipment down into the realm that mere mortals can afford them. This means that ordinary people with extraordinary stories to tell can now have a chance to speak to the world.

Among these new competitions is the Ultimate Filmmaker Competition. Announced just recently at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah, they’re offering the ability to submit a screenplay and, if it’s good enough, eventually have a shot at getting it produced into a film for a $200,000 budget and an additional $300,000 worth of equipment and support.

Yes, if  you can write a $500,000 film, you may be able to win this thing.

And for those still speculating, yes, our current secret project — intended for the Nashville Film Festival in 2010 — may well be modified in order to qualify for submission in this competition.  That’s the plan, at least.