Screenplay Contests Directory

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For film festivals, click here.

Fee Colors:
Feature Fee
Shorts Fee
Teleplay Fee
Los Angeles Crime and Horror Screenplay Contest
Regular
Dec 2, 2023
$49
$49
$49
NDE
Jan 13, 2024
$65
$65
$65
Extended
Feb 3, 2024
$69
$69
$69
Final Deadline
Apr 6, 2024
$89
$89
$89
Winners Notified:
Apr 20, 2024
Festival and screenplay contest celebrating the best of indie crime and horror.

Scripts in the crime and horror sub-genres juggle genre-awareness, often times in order to subvert the expected, with natural talent and a unique voice. We aim to spotlight the voices of tomorrow's classics.

Winners will be considered by:

ZERO GRAVITY
BLOOD LIST / BRILLSTEIN
THINK TANK
TXL FILMS
... and more.

The top three screenplays also receive 4 months of free listings on InkTip!
Scriptapalooza Screenplay Competition
Early
Dec 4, 2023
$50
$30
Regular
Jan 8, 2024
$55
$35
Late
Feb 5, 2024
$60
$40
Final
Mar 4, 2024
$65
$45
Final Deadline
Apr 8, 2024
$75
$55
Winners Notified:
Aug 12, 2024
From choosing our judges to creating opportunities, our top priority has always been the writer. We surround ourselves with reputable and successful companies, including the many producers, literary agents, and managers who read your scripts.

Our past winners have won Emmys, been signed by agents, managers, had their scripts optioned, and even made into movies.

But the most important prize of all is this: Scriptapalooza will promote, pitch, and push the Semifinalists and higher for a full year. No other competition in the world does that.
Breaking Walls Thriller Screenplay Contest
Late
Dec 9, 2023
$75
Final Deadline
Dec 30, 2023
$85
Winners Notified:
Jan 31, 2024
The leading screenplay competition for thriller screenwriters. Well-written thrillers demonstrate commerciality and effectively delivered narrative.

Hollywood managers and producers will receive the winning script and consider the top finalists' loglines for read requests, including:

Grindstone Entertainment, MadHorse, Magnet Management, Zero Gravity, and Morningstar Films.

Plus, winner gets 4mo free InkTip Pro and all entrants get 1 free pitch to other pros at VPF (1 per entrant.)
International Screenplay Competition-ISC@JIFF
Final Deadline
Dec 10, 2023
$70
$70
$70
Winners Notified:
Jan 5, 2024
11th International Screenplay Competition - ISC@JIFF (Mind to Audience)
at 16th Jaipur International Film Festival-JIFF 2024

The ISC Screenwriting Competition continues to empower global connectivity between Screenwriters, Filmmakers, Producers and Innovators.

Our goal is to discover new exciting screenwriting talent from around the world. Top finalists will get their scripts read by industry professionals.

Top finalists will get their scripts read by industry professionals.

Ex. Chairman for Writer's Meet and Screenplay Festival / Competition
Mr. Anjum Rajabali, Noted Film Writer, India

For more about Mr. Anjum Rajabali: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anjum_Rajabali
THE UK FILM FESTIVAL SCRIPT COMPETITIONS
Regular
Dec 11, 2023
$77
$17/39
$64
Final Deadline
Feb 29, 2024
$83.50
$19/45
$71
Winners Notified:
Mar 22, 2024
THE UK FILM FESTIVAL SCRIPT COMPETITIONS
The UKFF Script Competitions has 4 exciting categories.
1) Feature Script - Could your Feature Script be the next big thing?
2) 3 Minute Script - Can you tell a complete screen story in 3 pages?
3) 10 Minute Script - The perfect length. Enough time to develop a short story film.
4) A 60 minute TV Pilot, Stand-alone episode or Complete TV Screenplay.

Unlike other script competitions UKFF doesn't just give awards or money as a prize but aims to get their winning scripts into production. In fact, they are well known for successfully connecting scriptwriters to the film industry and getting the films made. With 6 of their winners' scripts made in to films (2 of which went on to win Crystal Bears at the Berlin Film Festival); 1 in preproduction; and a further 4 optioned - their record speaks for itself.
As 2018 feature script winner, Joadie Jurgova says -
"Entering The UK Film Festival's screenplay competition was the best chance I have ever taken. It took my script and breathed new life into it, attaching an award-winning director and placing it with a prestigious international production company in less than a year. The support since winning has been phenomenal, respectful and generous. If you are looking for a script competition that you can place your trust in, this is it."

The UK Film Festival does more than just support feature scripts. Ever since the Short script competitions began a winning script has gone into production or preproduction and 4 of the writers' resulting films have subsequently gone on to be multi-award winning at film festivals around the world including, the Berlinale, Aesthetica, Bilbao, Galway, Underwire and Paris Film Festivals. The films have been Official Selection in 41 other festivals and 4 have gained prestigious distribution deals.
Winners will receive immediate marketing to the industry, winner's laurels and the associated publicity. Winners and runners up in each category will also receive the latest version of Final Draft 11 (value $250) with many new features, as well as a free script listing and placement on InkTip. Producers have made more than 400 films from scripts and writers they found through InkTip.

For more details go to http://ukfilmfestival.com or to submit https://filmfreeway.com/TheUKFilmFestivalScriptCompetitions
SR Socially Relevant Film Festival New York
Final Deadline
Dec 14, 2023
$70
Winners Notified:
Mar 18, 2024
Screenplays of min 70 and max 120 pages Finalist screenplays are offered a staged reading of excerpts from the scripts and will have a Pitch possibility. Awards from InkTip and other industry partners are given to the finalist scripts.

SR Socially Relevant™ Film Festival New York
11th annual edition - SRFF 2024 - March 12-21, 2024. SRFF is a nonprofit 501 c 3 organization that was founded in January 2013 by actress/filmmaker Nora Armani as a response to the proliferation of violence and violent forms of storytelling. The mission of SRFF is to promote films with socially relevant™ film content and filmmakers who tell human interest stories void of gratuitous violence. Over 700 films from 40 countries have been screened to date, bringing meaningful entertainment and social awareness to the community, and making films accessible to all by offering affordable tickets and free entry to students. SRFF strives to raise awareness of social issues in society and through cinema promoting positive social change, peace, understanding, and a clean environment. http://www.ratedsrfilms.org/ 

Spokespersons of SR Socially Relevant™ Film Festival NY include Amy Goodman of Democracy Now, Erin Brockovich, Martin Sheen, Pulitzer Prize and Tony award-winner Robert Schenkkan, best-selling French novelist Marc Levy, Academy Award Nominee and Emmy Award Winner Guy Davidi, American TV person and author Gretchen Carlson. Honor awardees of 2023 were Gale Anne Hurd, Tonya Lewis Lee, Robert Schenkkan, and Nicole Ansari-Cox.
Creative World Awards
Late
Dec 15, 2023
$75
$65
$65
Final Deadline
Jan 31, 2024
$85
$75
$75
Final
Jan 31, 2024
$85
$75
$75
Winners Notified:
May 17, 2024
CWA is a leading international screenwriting contest known for having the writer’s interest at heart when it comes to development and industry promotion. The CWA vision is to help writers garner the exposure, development, and recognition they need to propel their projects and careers forward.

CWA winning screenplays are circulated to top agencies, film studios, managers, producers, and international financers looking for their next project or writer. Additionally, CWA works with the prominent companies; all of which get first looks at our top winners.
Zed Fest Film Festival Screenplay Competition
Final Deadline
Dec 21, 2023
$65
$45
Winners Notified:
Dec 29, 2023
ZED FEST FILM FESTIVAL FEATURE SCREENPLAY COMPETITION 2023
Screenplays must be feature-length no less than 10 pages and no more than 120 pages. All screenplays must be written in English. Screenplays should be in 12 point Courier font and pages must be numbered. Only online PDF submissions will be accepted. Any revisions after submission will not be accepted.

TOP PRIZES

1st PLACE $500
2nd PLACE $300



ZED FEST FILM FESTIVAL SHORT SCREENPLAY COMPETITION 2023

Short Screenplays must be no less than 10 pages and no more than 30 pages. All screenplays must be written in English. Screenplays should be in 12 point Courier font and pages must be numbered. Only online PDF submissions will be accepted. Any revisions after submission will not be accepted.
TOP PRIZES

1st PLACE $150
2nd PLACE $50

Additional Sponsor Prizes:

*ZED FEST FILM FESTIVAL CERTIFICATE
*Bonus Top Prize winners Movie Magic Screenwriter software
*InkTip Script Listing: A listing of your script on InkTip so that producers and reps can find you.
InkTip Magazine: Publication of your logline in InkTip's magazine sent to nearly 15000 producers and reps.


Submission Info:
GENRES:
Horror
Suspense
Science Fiction
Supernatural
Action Adventure
Drama
Fantasy
Art House
Comedy
Long Island International Film Expo
Earlybird
Jan 1, 2024
$25
Regular
Feb 1, 2024
$30
Late
Mar 1, 2024
$35
Final Deadline
Apr 1, 2024
$45
Winners Notified:
Jul 14, 2024
LIIFE is looking for the next generation of screenwriters. To be eligible, the script cannot have been optioned or produced, nor can the writer and/or the screenplay be represented by a manager or agent. Final scripts must also be between 75 - 100 pages.

Writers will submit a one (1) page treatment of their script, Officially Selected scripts will be chosen based on the strength of those treatments.

Three (3) finalists will receive a 4-month InkTip Pro Membership. One (1) Best Screenplay Winner will have their screenplay read by actors in a live table read (in-person or virtually, dependent upon on location availability, and time and capacity restrictions), and Winners Certificate & Laurel.

Thank you, and we hope to see you at #LIIFE 2024!
2024 PAGE International Screenwriting Awards
Opens for submissions:
Dec 1, 2023
Early
Jan 15, 2024
$47
$42
$47
Regular
Feb 15, 2024
$57
$52
$57
Late
Mar 15, 2024
$67
$62
$67
Final Deadline
Apr 15, 2024
$77
$72
$77
Last Minute
Apr 15, 2024
$77
$72
$77
Winners Notified:
Oct 15, 2024
Each year the PAGE International Screenwriting Awards contest presents over $50,000 in Cash & Prizes to some of the most talented new screenwriters from across the country and around the world -- including a $25,000 Grand Prize, plus Gold, Silver & Bronze Prizes in 10 different genre categories. Over the past 20 years, many dozens of PAGE Award winners have signed with top Hollywood agents and managers, optioned and sold their winning scripts, and seen their movies and television shows produced. Enter this year's contest and you could soon join their ranks!
100 Screenplays
Earlybird Deadline
Jan 15, 2024
$60
$60
$60
Regular Deadline
Feb 15, 2024
$65
$65
$65
Extended Deadline
Mar 15, 2024
$70
$70
$70
Final Deadline
Apr 15, 2024
$75
$75
$75
Winners Notified:
May 15, 2024
What makes 100 Screenplays different? One of the judges for Screenplay Festival had an idea, "What if we had a contest where we limited the number of entries to one hundred? We could get them read quickly and select the winner in a month, and the writers stand a better chance of winning." This idea was thrown around the office until it grew into "100 Screenplays."
X World Short Film Festival
X-3
Jan 17, 2024
$25
Final Deadline
Apr 7, 2024
$30
Winners Notified:
May 19, 2024
X World Short Film Festival is a self-sustained Independent Festival for Independent Filmmakers from all over the World, which dare to eXpress their fantasy, creativity and peculiar ideas through Short Films, Scripts, Music and Dance.

If you think that your Project will make the audience feel amazed-excited-thrilled-amused-moved, then this Festival is for you!

X World is about fascinating stories, inspiring messages, fun intrigues, new themes, unusual points of view, mysteries! As long as IN TUNE WITH GOOD VIBES…

Our purpose is to find, showcase, promote, honor and recognize such kinds of interesting works, made with Love and passion for the art of eXpression, no matter the budget or technical resources.
And to create a Community that will cooperate to build a new, free and clean Film Industry.

X World Short Film Festival is an IMDb-qualifying Festival.

The New Edition's Live Screening Event and Awards Celebration will be in May 2024 in Rome.

You can find more information on the Website:
https://www.welcometoxworld.com
Dallas International Film Festival Screenwriting Competition 2024
Regular
Jan 29, 2024
$85
$85
$85
Late
Feb 26, 2024
$100
$100
$100
Final Deadline
Mar 18, 2024
$125
$125
$125
Winners Notified:
Mar 28, 2024
DIFF supports the beginning and end of the creative filmmaking process from script to screen. DIFF partners with Event Horizon Films to host an annual screenwriting competition where writers can submit their shorts, features or TV pilot scripts. Every submission receives a scorecard from a major representation company reader and an illustration of the script’s first scene. Winning screenwriters are exposed to high-profile industry experts and receive a variety of prizes and networking opportunities.

All scripts are reviewed by readers currently working at top representation companies with the potential to get signed at any time.

- William Morris Endeavor (WME)
- Creative Artists Agency
- Zero Gravity
- Artist First
- Innovative Artists
- Authentic Talent + Literary Management
- GVA Talent Agency
- And more

A harsh Hollywood reality is that most scripts are lost in the slush pile. Those who are lucky to have their scripts read by a producer, agent, manager or studio head may never know whether it was given the infamous pass, consider, recommend rating. We break the mold by providing these ratings on ever feature, pilot or short submitted to our team of readers, as well as offering detailed feedback to improve overall marketability

Advancing scripts are read and judged by Oscar winners, Emmy winners and/or blockbuster screenwriters.

Prize Winners receive:
-A table read of their screenplay performed during DIFF by qualified actors
-15-frame story board (fully colored)
-Special access to select DIFF events
-Circulation to representation company professionals
-Recognition on the Festival Red Carpet and at the awards presentation
-Finalists will receive professional feedback and networking opportunities
New York International Screenplay Awards - NYISA
Late
Feb 12, 2024
$50
$30
$40
Final Deadline
Apr 16, 2024
$60
$35
$50
Extended
Apr 16, 2024
$60
$35
$50
Winners Notified:
Apr 27, 2024
NYISA is one of the most prestigious international screenplay competitions for screenwriters who aspire to connect with US industry workers and explore the US markets!

NYISA prizes are not only for the winners! but, Finalists & Semi-Finalists will have prizes too!

The prizes include;
InkTip Pro memberships,
Copyright protection registrations, by Creators Vault,
Online Screenwriting Courses, by Script Reader Pro,
Final Draft Software,
Audio Production Packages, by Sound of Scripts
Production Company meetings/pitchings, by VPF!
Email blasts to the 1050+ agents and producers, by Script Mailer,
Coverages, page-by-page script analysis & an e-book, "Common Screenwriting Mistakes" by Uplift Script.

And everyone who enters;
will have free feedback for their logline!

The award ceremony will be at the DROM Venue, on May 9th, 2024! YOU ARE INVITED!
It's free, one of the most effective networking cocktail parties in NYC!

NYISA offers the workshops "How to write An Award-winning Screenplay" and "Advanced Screenwriting Development Programs."
For more info, workshops@nyisa.com
The 2024 Art of Brooklyn Film Festival
Regular
Feb 19, 2024
$60
$55
$55
Late
Apr 10, 2024
$75
$70
$70
Final Deadline
May 1, 2024
$85
$80
$80
Winners Notified:
Jun 9, 2024
The future of narrative storytelling is in the hands of the next generation of writers — and AoBFF believes in celebrating diverse creative voices from all over the world. For 2024 we're continuing our tradition of exciting industry partnerships, valuable prize packages, and great networking opportunities.

** As part of our mission to support emerging writers, everyone who enters will receive a FREE webinar from Roadmap Writers.**
The Golden Script Competition
Final
Mar 21, 2024
$59.99
$44.99
$54.99
Final Deadline
Mar 28, 2024
$64.99
$49.99
$59.99
Winners Notified:
Jul 5, 2024
The Golden Script Competition is a yearly international competition for short, feature and TV pilot screenplays from all around the world. Recognized by MovieBytes as one of the TOP SCREENPLAY CONTESTS for 2022 and 2023.

You will be submitting to the 2024 edition, and the best scripts of this edition will be read by some of the most renowned production companies and literary agencies (including some that have won several OSCARS and BAFTAS), giving you the chance to have your script produced or represented! 2024 mentors include BAFTA-nominee John J. McLaughlin and three-time EMMY-nominee Jessica Sharzer (TBC).
Scriptapalooza Fellowship
Final Deadline
Apr 8, 2024
$45
Winners Notified:
Apr 29, 2024
The fellowship program was developed to honor dedicated writers and to help further their creative process and skills. Writing in itself is a journey and we would like to facilitate the process by giving the fellows the opportunity to be surrounded by like-minded professionals and individuals.
Scriptapalooza Television Writing Competition
Early
Apr 22, 2024
$45
Final Deadline
May 6, 2024
$55
Winners Notified:
Aug 12, 2024
Our intention is to help open doors for the aspiring television writer. There are four categories you can submit to, which include one hour existing shows, ½ hour existing sitcom, original pilots, and reality shows.

The participants we have chosen to read the winning scripts are individuals from established production companies. Whether you are already an aspiring television writer or a writer interested in exploring other avenues, Scriptapalooza TV is here to promote you.
Script Summit
Regular
May 3, 2024
$50
$45
$50
Late
Jun 1, 2024
$60
$50
$60
Final Deadline
Jun 14, 2024
$70
$60
$70
Winners Notified:
Sep 13, 2024
Script Summit was created to help more writers get signed, staffed, and produced. Our previous winners have been signed by talent managers, seen their scripts get produced, and have had their work pitched to production companies.

This is why Script Summit is listed as one of the Top 20 Biggest Screenwriting Contests in the world by the ScriptLab!

With our contest, you can even receive feedback from our professional readers.
Screamfest Horror Screenplay Competition
Final Deadline
Jun 22, 2024
$77
Winners Notified:
Oct 17, 2024
24th annual Screamfest Horror Film Festival & Screenplay Competition call for entries open for genre feature film scripts. Top Prizes include $1K cash prize, 10 free pitches on Virtual Pitchfest (VPF), 4-month InkTip Pro Membership, Movie Magic Software,. Top 5 Finalists receive 5 free pitches on VPF, One full festival pass to Screamfest 2024, Movie Magic Screenwriter, 4-month InkTip Pro Membership. Finalists read by producers and managers.
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