How are countdown disqualifications determined?

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   (first time posting and this forum is kind of confusing to me, please forgive me if I'm doing it wrong)

I'm really upset... my screenplay was ready to upload at 11:50pm, but when I searched my gmail for the submission link I couldn't find it via the search bar. I get a lot of emails, so I spend a lot of time scanning through my recents until I got to Thursday night. I scrolled through every email I got on Thursday night looking for the Round 2 assignments/submission upload link and it just... wasn't there? I refreshed multiple times, and then eventually it popped up. My boyfriend and I were both looking, so I know I'm not crazy. Then, when it came time to upload, submittable took an agonizing 90 seconds to load.
I ended up submitting my round 2 screenplay a few minutes past 11:59pm. I am devastated. The submission page said that the official countdown clock ends at 11:59pm but that there is a time buffer to account for late submissions, but I couldn't really understand if I was disqualified or not. I don't know if I'm still in the running or if my late submission is just for kicks and giggles now. Can anyone explain to me how this works? I entered the competition in 2022 and the rules seem a little different now.

I would be so, so, so bummed if I got disqualified event though I was ready to submit at the deadline just because I had some technical issues.

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taybeans417 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 04 Mar 2025 Location: Flint MI Status: Offline Points: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote taybeans417 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: How are countdown disqualifications determined? Posted: 28 Apr 2025 at 1:24am
	(first time posting and this forum is kind of confusing to me, please forgive me if I'm doing it wrong) I'm really upset... my screenplay was ready to upload at 11:50pm, but when I searched my gmail for the submission link I couldn't find it via the search bar. I get a lot of emails, so I spend a lot of time scanning through my recents until I got to Thursday night. I scrolled through every email I got on Thursday night looking for the Round 2 assignments/submission upload link and it just... wasn't there? I refreshed multiple times, and then eventually it popped up. My boyfriend and I were both looking, so I know I'm not crazy. Then, when it came time to upload, submittable took an agonizing 90 seconds to load. I ended up submitting my round 2 screenplay a few minutes past 11:59pm. I am devastated. The submission page said that the official countdown clock ends at 11:59pm but that there is a time buffer to account for late submissions, but I couldn't really understand if I was disqualified or not. I don't know if I'm still in the running or if my late submission is just for kicks and giggles now. Can anyone explain to me how this works? I entered the competition in 2022 and the rules seem a little different now. I would be so, so, so bummed if I got disqualified event though I was ready to submit at the deadline just because I had some technical issues.

Debby1979 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Newbie Joined: 05 Apr 2018 Location: Montclair Status: Offline Points: 83	Post Options Post Reply Quote Debby1979 Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Apr 2025 at 7:20am
	I'm not sure what the rules are around the deadline, but you say there is a buffer, so they must take into account issues like what you're describing. First, if I were you, I would reach out to NYCM directly, so you don't have to wonder. For the future, though, there's no need to look for that email: Shortly after we receive the email, they also add the Link to the assignments on the website (go to the site --> "Challenges" --> select the challenge, on almost top of that page, you'll find links from most to least recent assignments and results). For now, plead your case at feedback@nycmidnight.com Good luck!

elephino17 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List NYC Midnight Newbie Joined: 04 Mar 2025 Location: Michigan Status: Offline Points: 55	Post Options Post Reply Quote elephino17 Report Post Thanks(1) Quote Reply Posted: 28 Apr 2025 at 9:53am
	I agree, you should reach out. I interpreted the text on the submission page to mean that they keep the submission page functional for an hour after the deadline but that the grace period (if any) is at the discretion of the organizers. If you explain your situation and the timestamp on your PDF matches your story, I imagine you'll be fine, if you were only a couple minutes late.
	-- Chris Round 2 Entry: THE SALTY MAN

taybeans417 Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 04 Mar 2025 Location: Flint MI Status: Offline Points: 3	Post Options Post Reply Quote taybeans417 Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30 Apr 2025 at 11:21pm
	Thank you both so much for the advice. After the panic settled, I emailed them asking for clarification on the buffer rule and requesting to know if I've been disqualified now so I don't have to wait until Jun 11th wondering, ha. And I'm told that my submission was received! Phew. This competition really gets the heart rate going...