It exists as sheaves of marked-up, coffee-stained printouts, and on a flash drive you tote around at all times in case your apartment building burns down. It's your baby -- and you've given it as much love and devotion as any real parent as you've prepared it to leave the nest. You chant the mantra: "Somebody out there wants to read my screenplay."

Somebody does. The Northwest Screenwriters Guild and Northwest Film Forum have launched their 11th annual competition in search of regional talent.

Screenplays must be one of the following: written by a Washington resident, 50 percent set in Washington, or filmable in Washington. So, whether you've produced the next "McCabe & Mrs. Miller" or the next "Agent Cody Banks," it's time to get ready for your close-up.

Prizes include display ads in "Variety" and "The Hollywood Reporter"; a staged reading with a cast of Seattle actors; and one-year memberships in NWSG and NWFF. Submission forms, rules and guidelines can be found at the Northwest Film Forum Web site.

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