Skip to main content
Close

Top Screenwriting Competitions Most Deserving of Your Blood, Sweat and Tears

By Jeff Legge · March 11, 2017

Subscribe to our free email newsletter for industry-wide screenwriting contest news and updates

So, you want to write for the pictures. You’ve got it all – talent, good taste, and a drawer chock-full of Oscar-caliber screenplays. All that’s left is to get those scripts out of that door and into the hand of Hollywood’s top movers and shakers. Only there’s just one problem. You don’t know their numbers, and they don’t know yours… at least, not yet. 

Fortunately (or unfortunately, depending on how you look at it), you’re not alone! The vast majority of writers lack an uncle in the biz, making it incredibly difficult to get good work in front of the right people. Enter screenwriting competitions, which are collectively responsible for launching hundreds, if not thousands, of screenwriting careers. Their purpose? To cut the wheat from the chaff and empower writers on the basis of talent and hard work rather than family ties and friends in high places.

Sounds great, of course (and it is!) – but here’s the catch: there are many competitions to choose from – so many, in fact, that it can be hard to know where to begin, especially if you’re working with limited funds. What’s more, some competitions are less beneficial than others – and the least reputable will gladly take your cash without offering much in return. The question becomes how to reap the benefits of the process (even if you don’t take the top prize), without coming away feeling like your time and money was wasted. 

That’s where we come in. For your convenience, we’ve compiled a list of some of the best and most well-known screenwriting competitions, along with some pro tips for sorting through the haze. 

Before You Begin

Before we get to the list itself, here’s a few pieces of advice to guide you through your journey from submission to (fingers crossed) screenwriting glory. 

1) Our list is extensive, but nowhere near exhaustive.

Though we’ve tried our best to gather as many of the heavy-hitters as possible (without stretching this article to near-screenplay length), it’s entirely possible that we’ve managed to overlook a few. Likewise, we’ve opted to avoid ranking our list so as not to diminish the unique qualities of each individual competition. Our advice? Do your own research! Like taking a short film for a trip around the festival circuit, applying to screenwriting competitions can get very expensive very quickly. It’s best to do your homework in order to better focus your energies. 

2) Know your expectations, and manage them.  

Different contests offer different rewards, from grants, mentor programs and fellowships, to meetings with agents and various industry contacts. All offer exposure in some degree, though some are better known than others. Know what you want out of a competition in order to whittle down your top picks.   

3) Keep in mind that not every contest suits every writer equally.

Ideally, each should value storytelling above all, but the inherent subjectivity of this sort of thing means it’s worth digging through previous results. Reach out to finalists. Track down past winners (if they aren’t too famous). See if you can spot trends in the sort of material a particular contest seems to favor. Just remember not to read too much into things.  

4) Know thyself. 

Are you international applicant? Do you come from an underrepresented background? If so, you’ll find certain competitions are tailor-made to your specific circumstances. It’s not about stacking the deck so much as finding the right fit for your particular voice. Sure – we’d all love to win the Nicholl Fellowship, but if you’re planning to submit a hack and slash zombie/samurai fusion spec (and all the more power to you, by the way) you may discover that smaller, more genre-focused competitions are more responsive to your screenplay’s particular sensibilities.

5) Remember that at the end of the day, a good story speaks for itself.

If you are planning to submit your work for judgment, then take pride in it. Make it the best that it can be. Winning the right contest can do wonders for your career, but improving your writing along the way, regardless of the outcome, is a prize in and of itself. Trust me – anything that keeps you writing is a good thing.  

So, without further adieu, here are our unranked picks for the screenwriting competitions we feel are most worthy of your blood, sweat and tears. 

ScreenCraft

The Pitch:

Nearing the top of the pile, ScreenCraft offers prospective screenwriters with a broad spectrum of competitions and fellowships specifically fitted to different formats and genres – from short films and episodic television, to science fiction and comedy. The benefit here is specificity. Each jury is handpicked with the material in mind, so you can rest easy knowing that the industry insider passing judgement on your slasher script has actually seen Halloween. Prizes vary, though the aim is always to connect screenwriters with producers, agents, and managers. Most come with cash prizes, as well.

The Deadline:

The 2017 Scifi and Fantasy Contest closes its doors on March 30th. Other upcoming competitions include horror, comedy, action and thriller, short screenplay, and episodic formats. 

For more info, visit: https://screencraft.org/screenwriting-contests/ 

The Academy Nicholl Fellowship  

The Pitch:

To some, the Nicholl Fellowship is the big kahuna burger of screenwriting competitions, and it’s easy to see why. Sponsored by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences, the Fellowship is incredibly well-known, and incredibly competitive as a result. Simply ranking among the top entries is often enough to nab a great deal of exposure – though the 5 top writers also receive an additional $35,000 Fellowship, which definitely doesn’t hurt. 

Entries are limited to amateurs, which the Academy defines as those who have netted less than $25,000 in total from their various screenwriting pursuits.

The Deadline:

Three deadlines for 2017 : March 7th, April 10th, and May 1st. Keep in mind the application fee increases with each deadline. 

 

For more info, visit: http://www.oscars.org/nicholl 

WeScreenplay

The Pitch:

WeScreenplay offers different competitions covering features, television, short films, as well as scripts that emphasize diverse perspectives. The flagship Feature Contest offers over $20,000 in prizes to the winners, two guaranteed reads, as well as distribution to over thirty top producers and agents. Other competitions offer similar exposure, as well as cash prizes and a production grant for the winner in the short film category. 

The Deadline:

 The final deadline for the Diverse Voices Contest is April 15th. The dates for the next round of WeScreenplay Feature, Short Film, and TV Contests are TBD.

For more info, visit: https://www.wescreenplay.com/contests

Tracking Board Launch Pad Competition  

The Pitch:

This collection of contests comes courtesy of The Tracking Board – a central insider source for all things buzz-worthy within the entertainment industry. It offers three competitions – features, pilots, and manuscripts. Prizes vary from mentorship programs, guaranteed reads and feedback, along with access to the Launch Pad hub of industry insiders.

The Deadline:  

Submission for the TV and feature competitions is currently closed, though if you happen to have a finished manuscript kicking around, feel free to submit it beginning March 31st, 2017. 

For more info, visit: https://www.tblaunchpad.com/

Universal Pictures Emerging Writers Fellowship

The Pitch:

Like many studio-sponsored fellowships, victory in the Universal Pictures Emerging Writers Fellowship resembles something closer to an actual full-time gig. Lasting an entire year, which also means a full-time salary, the aforementioned emerging writers participate in workshops, attend seminars and screenings, network a whole bunch, and receive invaluable mentorship from industry professionals presently doing the very thing you want so desperately to do!

The Deadline: 

The 2016-2017 fellowship is currently in progress, which means application information for next year should be available soon enough. Keep an eye on the Emerging Writers twitter account, @UniWEF, for the most up to date info.

For more info, visit: http://www.nbcunicareers.com/our-career-paths/midsenior-career/universal-pictures’-emerging-writers-fellowship

Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition

The Pitch: 

The Austin Film Festival offers awards for screenwriting excellence in a variety of categories, with every applicant receiving reader notes regardless of the outcome. As for the prizes, each is unique and sponsored by a different industry megaton with at least some relevance to the material in question (AMC presents the one-hour pilot award, for example). Winners nab the opportunity to meet with representatives from these companies in person or over the phone.

The Deadline:

The 2017 deadline is fast approaching! Early birds can submit as early as March 31 before the final deadline on May 15th.

For more info, visit: https://austinfilmfestival.com/submit/screenplay-and-teleplay-submissions-2/submit-screenplay-and-teleplay/

Sundance Screenwriters Lab  

The Pitch:

Another biggie – at least in so far as it attracts a monstrous number of applicants each and every year. Not that it’s any wonder why – launched by the Sundance Kid himself, Robert Redford, back in the eighties, Sundance Labs are responsible for launching the careers of countless notable film peoples, from Ryan Coogler, to Quentin Tarantino. Winners participate in an intensive 5-day writers’ workshop with the support of established writers and industry mentors. The process is vigorous, productive, and provides meaningful connections along with a foundation for long-term support at all phases of development.

The Deadline: Submit your applications for 2018 as early as March 15th. Final Deadline is May 2nd.

For more info, visit: http://www.sundance.org/programs/feature-film

PAGE International Screenwriting Awards

The Pitch: 

The PAGE Awards boast all kinds of success stories, with past winners landing representation, optioning or selling scripts scripts, and winding up in all kinds of admirable gigs throughout the industry. Aside from promotion courtesy of a number of prestigious partners, as well as a $25,000 grand prize, PAGE judges bestow 31 different awards for various screenwriting feats. In other words, there’s plenty of opportunity for recognition even if you don’t walk away with top-billing,

The Deadline:

The deadline for this year’s competition is March 17th, which gives you a little under a week to polish those submissions!

For more info, visit: https://pageawards.com/the-contest/

Script Pipeline’s Screenwriting Contest

The Pitch: 

Since launching in 2003, over six million dollars worth of screenplays and television pilots have been sold by finalists and “recommended” writers from Script Pipeline’s annual screenwriting competition. This, in addition to long-term industry circulation amongst Script Pipeline’s global film and television network, and consultation with industry executives.  

Oh, and did I mention there’s a $25,000 grand prize?

The Deadline:

You’ve got until May 1st, 2017.

For more info, visit: https://scriptpipeline.com/shop/screenwriting-contest

HollyShorts Film Festival Screenplay Contest

The Pitch:

Unlike most features, short scripts are usually written with the goal of immediate production in mind. There are many reasons why, chief among them being cost. Features cost anywhere from hundreds of thousands to hundreds of millions of dollars. Shorts cost a fraction of that. Still, money is money, and not everyone has a few thousand dollars lying around to spend on their next short film. Enter the HollyShorts Film Festival, which hosts a unique contest geared at filmmakers looking to produce their next short film. Now in its 4th year, the HollyShorts Film Festival Screenplay Contest rewards three screenplays (of no more than 15 pages) with a $10,000 production grant as well as guaranteed screening at the Academy Awards-qualifying, 2017 HollyShorts Film Festival at the TCL Chinese Theatres.

The Deadline

Submissions are open now through May 26, 2017. 

For more info, visit: http://www.hollyshorts.com/screenplay-contest/

Final Draft’s Big Break

The Pitch:

From the makers of the much-acclaimed, industry standard screenwriting software, Final Draft’s Big Break competition allows writers to submit their material in one of eleven genre categories (including three for TV). Victors are drawn from within each category, with each winner receiving a combination of exposure, cash, and a coveted New York Film Academy Writing Fellowship.

The Deadline: 

The submissions window closes on July 14th, 2017. Get typing! 

For more info, visit: https://store.finaldraft.com/big-break-contest.html

BlueCat Screenplay Competition

The Pitch: 

A major educational resource for screenwriters, offering online courses, workshops, and a slew of consultation services, BlueCat also offers an annual competition for undiscovered screenwriters. Currently in its 19th year, the BlueCat Screenplay Competition prides itself on offering written feedback to each script submitted, along with a top prize of $10,000 dollars for the best script submitted. 

The Deadline: 

Early deadline for 2017 is March 20th, followed by a regular deadline on June 1st. Final Deadline is June 26th for you all you last-minute tinkerers out there.  

For more info, visit: http://www.bluecatscreenplay.com/2017-call-for-entries/

Sun Valley Screenwriters Lab High Scribe Competition

The Pitch: 

Each year, the Sun Valley Film Festival hosts their annual Screenwriters Lab, which includes the bestowing of the prestigious High Scribe Screenwriting award. Three finalists receive mentoring from industry experts, a festival access pass to panels and parties, and a $1,000 cash reward. Those experts are nothing to scoff at either, with past Labs attracting well-versed writers like Mark Duplass, David Seidler, and Jim Rash. In fact, this year’s host is none other than Charles Randolph – the Oscar-winning co-screenwriter of the Big Short.

The Deadline:

The finalists have already been chosen for the 2017 lab, which takes place on March 18th. Subscribe to the Festival’s newsletter, or follow them on twitter for future application deadlines.   

For more info, visit: https://sunvalleyfilmfestival.org/screenwriters-lab/

Slamdance Screenplay Competition  

The Pitch:

As a community for bringing together independent filmmakers, Slamdance’s reputation precedes them. They have a demonstrated track record in empowering emerging writers through their annual screenplay competition, which is currently in its 22nd year. The competition prides itself on successfully connecting undiscovered screenwriters to representation, option, and production agreements. The contest itself is broken into four categories (short, original teleplay, feature, and horror) with winners in each category, as well as a grand prize for best screenplay.  

The Deadline: 

Slamdance has already begun accepting submissions for the 2017 contest. Final deadline is July 24th, though the application fee increases bit by bit the later you submit.  

For more info, visit: http://showcase.slamdance.com/Screenplay-Competition  

TrackingB Feature and TV Script Contests

The Pitch:

TrackingB’s contest comes without the usual litany of rewards. No cash, no coverage, or face-time with industry gurus. What you do get is exposure in the form of promotion and guaranteed reads. Not only will three talented finalists have their screenplays promoted through TrackingB’s Hollywood insider network, they’ll have their scripts read through cover to cover by each member of the esteemed judging panel (which is chock full of names you really ought to know, by the way).

The Deadline: 

The 2017 TV contest is open for submissions from now through April 11. Dates for the feature competition are forthcoming.

For more info, visit: http://www.trackingb.com/contests/?contest_id=30

FiLM iNDEPENDENT SCREENWRiTING LAB 

The Pitch:  

Winning this contest nets you an invitation to join Film Independent’s Screenwriting Fellowship. Each Fellow is paired with a Creative Advisor in order to further develop their project for the duration of the program. Winners are also eligible year-round support from Film Independent for all phases of their project’s lifespan.

The Deadline: 

Apply today! And I mean that seriously because submissions close on March 13th. Keep an eye on the official website for future contest info.

For more info, visit: https://www.filmindependent.org/programs/filmmaker-labs/screenwriting-lab/#.VuCFLPkrJD8

HBO Access Writing Fellowship

The Pitch:

Presumably, the key benefit to winning a contest organized by a network like HBO is the level of access it nets you right off the bat. Geared more towards writers with a penchant for serialized formats, HBO’s Access Writing Fellowship pairs writers with an HBO or Cinemax development executive for a ten-month mentorship, after which many Fellows find themselves transitioning directly into full-time staff jobs. Winners also have the opportunity to develop their own material at monthly workshops for consideration in HBO’s own Director’s Fellowship.

The Deadline:

The deadline for the 2017 Fellowship has passed, which means it’s high time you start prepping those scripts for next year.

For more info, visit: http://www.hbo.com/hboaccess/

Disney/ABC Writing Program

The Pitch:

Writers interested in this applying for the Disney/ABC Writing program must submit one original pilot and an additional spec for a show currently airing. The primary goal of the Fellowship is to staff winners on Disney/ABC programs, though victory also secures access to the program’s uniquely tailored curriculum, as well as meetings and events with major industry players. It’s a one-year, full-time gig, which also means a full-time salary (not bad).

The Deadline: 

Submission period begins in May, with the final deadline to be announced.  

For more info, visit: http://www.abctalentdevelopment.com/

Nickolodeon Writing Program

The Pitch:

Nick’s program is a yearlong, paid boot camp of sorts that exposes writers to the various facets of writing for television, from pitch sessions to working inside the writer’s room. Not to mention one-on-one time with series creators and other Nickolodeon high-ups. Like other studio-offered programs, this one has a strong track record when it comes to post-program employment. If writing for television is your thing, you could do a whole lot worse.  

The Deadline:

The submission period for 2017 is over. Future contest dates should be announced towards the end of the year.  

For more info, visit: https://www.nickanimationstudio.com/writing-program

Warner Bros. Writers’ Workshop  

The Pitch:

Warner Bros’ workshop contains three key components: weekly lectures from industry insiders, a simulated writers’ room operating under the same deadlines as an in-production show, as well as staffing opportunities following program completion. Participation is limited to ten writers per years, allowing for plenty of one-on-one time with mentors. 

The Deadline:

Submissions are open for the entire month of May, giving you just over two months to fine-tune that application. 

For more info, visit: https://writersworkshop.warnerbros.com/

International Screenwriters’ Association Fast Track

The Pitch:

The ISA Fast Track competition offers two as-of-yet-unknown screenwriters with the opportunity to meet with eight industry executives in Los Angeles, along with a year-long mentorship with the ISA Development Team. Travel and accommodations are covered, and the top 50 submissions are provided to ISA approved directors, producers, agents, and managers.  

The Deadline:

Closed for 2017. Submissions for 2018 are likely to begin in the fall or winter of this year.  

For more info, visit: http://www.networkisa.org/fasttrack/

CineStory Feature Retreat 

The Pitch: 

The CineStory Writer’s Retreat offers a four-day getaway in Idyllwild, California. While there, participants attend special events and panels designed to cover every facet of a successful career in screenwriting. In addition to all this, attendees are rewarded with three 90-minute, one-on-one sessions with CineStory’s handpicked mentors, providing ample opportunity for script feedback, Q&A, as well as miscellaneous industry pro-tips and screenwriting life-hacks.  

The Deadline:

Applicants to the Feature Retreat have until April 5th, 2017 to submit. Future submission dates forthcoming.

For more info, visit: http://www.cinestory.org/

Creative Worlds Awards  

The Pitch:

The CWA offers competitions in a variety of categories – some broad (features, TV), and some more focused (genre, short film). Winning screenplays are distributed to well over a dozen prominent companies (the full list available on the website), which, as any writer knows, is half the battle. The grand winner also takes home a $3,000 cash prize, along with a handful of other perks, including the opportunity to have their script produced into a short film with a guaranteed premiere at the Richmond International Film Festival.

The Deadline:

Applicants must submit their scripts for judgment by April 1st, 2017!

For more info, visit: www.creativeworldawards.com

Zoetrope Screenplay Contest

The Pitch:

Francis Ford Coppola’s Zoetrope hosts two competitions per year – one for feature-length screenplays, and another for short stories. The winner receives a cash prize of $5,000, and the top ten writers are submitted for consideration at Hollywood’s top agencies, including CAA, William Morris Endeavor, and UTA. And if nothing else, consider this: Coppola himself actually served as a guest judge in 2016. Just think about that for a second. Rank high enough and the Godfather of American cinema himself might just take a peek.  

The Deadline:

The next contest for feature scripts begins Summer of 2017. Details to be announced on the Zoetrope website in June.   

For more info, visit: https://www.zoetrope.com/contests/

Shore Scripts Screenwriting Contests

The Pitch:

Shore Scripts hosts three prestigious screenwriting contests each year for features, TV pilots, and short films. Submissions are judged by a handpicked panel of award-winning industry folk from around the world, and top scripts are distributed amongst a network of 79 top production companies. Through connections made at Shore Scripts, winners have gained representation, and had their scripts optioned, sold, and even produced. 

The Deadline:

This year’s feature competition opens March 1st, 2017. Early submission ends May 31st, followed by a regular and late submission period that last until July 31st, and August 31st respectively.  

For more info, visit: www.shorescripts.com   

Story Pros Awards Screenplay Contest

The Pitch: 

StoryPros prides itself on giving genre scripts a fighting chance, with submitted screenplays facing off in a variety of genre-specific categories, from action, science fiction. The winners in each category (including the grand prize winner) receive guaranteed reads from a number of different companies, as well cash prizes and a handful of other screenwriting goodies.

The Deadline:

Submit today! The competition lasts from February to May annually.  

For more info, visit: www.storypros.com/StoryProsContests.html

Fresh Voices Screenplay Competition

The Pitch: 

Fresh Voices offers a variety of competition categories for feature and TV pilot screenplays, including a number of special awards for material that showcases various achievements. The grand prize winner takes home $3,000, along with various opportunities for industry meetings, guaranteed reads, year-long membership to the International Screenwriters’ Association, and script consultation provided by the team at Fresh Voices.

The Deadline:

Submissions are closed for 2016’s competition, with winners announced this April. Judging by past years, submission for this year’s contest will likely begin some time around late summer, or early fall.

For more info, visit: www.fresh-voices.com

Subscribe to our free email newsletter for industry-wide screenwriting contest news and updates