The first question screenwriters of all experience levels should ask themselves is their ultimate goal for entering a screenwriting competition. A win is the start of a long process, so buckle in for the long haul.
Your reasons for entering could be as simple as working to a submission deadline to finish your script or it could be an introduction to an agent, manager, producer, or other industry professional who can move your script forward. It’s always nice to receive industry recognition and maybe even a cash prize for your work. Whatever your reasons, it’s vital to get your work out there and read by other industry pros. Creative executives often circulate promising scripts among each other. Occasionally, a competition win may even result in a bidding war and script sale – but don’t bank on it just yet.
Now that the industry is getting out of its lull, producers are looking for new and exciting material from fresh screenwriting voices – such as yours. If someone reads your screenplay and says, “Wow, I haven’t seen that before,” consider that a win. Different doesn’t mean outlandish. It means a new way of looking at the world or exploring human emotions and experiences. Consider how a reader might feel.
The array of competitions can be mind-boggling. Many have their own internal mandates and preferences such as low-budget or specializing in a particular genre or community. The good ones focus on the writing more than the reader’s tastes because a winning script may result in writing assignments even if yours isn’t produced.
HOW DO I CHOOSE?
It’s advisable for writers to research a company’s history and their past winners to get an idea if your script might fit into their slate. Writers should also research a company’s mandate and how they serve writers. Check out their success stories and the fate of their winners. What does success look like for you?
HOW MANY COMPETITIONS SHOULD I ENTER?
Your screenwriting career is worthy of your investment and competition wins can act as a gauge for industry reception. But entering more than a couple at a time could impact your pocketbook and leave you uninspired if the script does not place. If you submit to numerous competitions with a script that is not yet ready, you may have just thrown money out the window. So take your time. Test the waters with two or three at a time. If you win or place, great! If you don’t, or even if you only make the quarterfinals, you know you need to do more work on your draft. Don’t be discouraged, this is a difficult craft. Reputable competitions aren’t sabotaging your experience. Your script may just not be ready or in the zeitgeist, and that’s why we’d absolutely encourage you to order feedback with every entry.
SHOULD I ORDER FEEDBACK OR NOTES?
Yes, Yes and Yes! Many screenplay competitions offer feedback – ranging from a few lines of the readers overall thoughts to comprehensive notes outlining how your script might be improved. Every reader has personal preferences, but great readers from reputable companies focus on the craft, and their feedback is invaluable. Readers are also a gateway into the business because their bosses often know what the current industry mandates are – high school comedy or dark political thriller. Even if your script isn’t perfect, an introduction to the industry can still result.
Order feedback from as many competitions as possible to get a ‘cold read’ from as many readers as possible. Common criticisms of the work from those multiple readers indicates areas that require improvement. Think of it this way: if three readers from three different competitions say the same things about your script without ever having met you, why wouldn’t you consider their suggestions on improving your work?
Readers are not out to get you. If they are from reputable competitions, they genuinely want to help you progress in your career. The more competitions can help writers improve their work, the more great projects they have to connect to industry and the more success stories they have to share. And we all know, if you hear of a great success story from a competition, you’re likely to enter. So it’s a win-win for everyone. Try to avoid the cynicism that is associated with this industry. Get your work out there, use competitions to help elevate your craft and order feedback.
Sometimes, if your script hasn’t found its time, executives will refer to it several years down the road if they see a pathway to get it produced. If your script isn’t out there, it can’t be recommended.
WHICH COMPETITIONS SHOULD I ENTER?
We have compiled a list of reputable competitions worthy of the entry fees below. We’ve selected these competitions based on the value they provide to writers, exciting prize packages, the success stories they produce and the industry connections they have. Many also provide invaluable feedback. We encourage you to also do your own research and find the competitions that best match your goals. Happy entering!
OUR LIST OF RECOMMENDED COMPETITIONS WORTHY OF THE ENTRY FEE:
1) Creative Screenwriting Unique Voices, Feature, Pilot Competitions
These are our competitions, so we’re a bit biased, but we don’t mind touting the incredible opportunities we provide for writers. We have teamed up with several creative partners looking for Features and TV Pilots with unique voices and original stories. Our goal is to build a slate of talented writers with clear voices to pitch to those contacts. $10,000 in Cash Prizes.
2) ISA Fast Track Fellowship
For eighteen seasons, the ISA Fast Track Fellowship has been the premier screenwriting fellowship for writers on the rise. Fast Track Fellows have signed with major agencies like CAA, Paradigm and ICM. Many have been introduced to and then signed with management companies or had their scripts optioned, leading to development deals.
3) Table Read My Screenplay
Rated by Moviebytes as a Top Screenplay Contest and recommended by the ISA.
With a professional table read during a major film festival, the Grand Prize Winner will gain insight into their script from a working director and trained actors as it is rehearsed and performed, then showcased for a live audience. Past winners have been staffed, premiered at Cannes and been nominated for an Oscar among other successes. Festivals include: Austin Film Festival, Sundance Film Festival, London Film Festival, Chicago International, New Orleans Film Festival and more.
4) Page Turner Screenplay Competitions
PAGE-TURNER Screenplay Competition is looking for scripts so compelling that readers are unable to put them down. Their contest was created by a group of professional screenwriters who believe that honest, sincere feedback and support from other working writers is the best way to help foster new writers.
5) Script Pipeline
Script Pipeline Screenwriting Competitions connect talented writers with production companies, agencies, and managers. As one of the longest-running and most successful screenplay contests, they focus specifically on finding writers representation, supporting diverse voices, championing ambitious storytelling, helping finance independent projects, and pushing original projects into production.
6) Great American Script Contest
A contest with useful prizes and legit connections. The winning scripts are read by four genre-specific Circle of Confusion agents and a TV agent at Innovative. They also have an opportunity for you to pitch your reality show to contacts at Brian Graden Media, Joke Productions and Indigo Films. Their experienced reading staff has decades of experience, and they work with TV and film connections in both LA and Chicago.
7) Cinequest
The Cinequest Screenwriting Competition presents screenwriters with prestigious recognition, engagement with industry leaders, connection to an encouraging community, plus the chance to win extraordinary acclaim and prizes. The competition welcomes screenplays and teleplays of all genres and lengths. Cinequest inspires creative fervor and provides dynamic opportunities for writers to get discovered and have their work produced.
8) Emerging Screenwriters
Looking for emerging screenwriters or seasoned writers aiming to reinvigorate their careers. Winners receive cash and will be considered for acceptance onto the ISA Development Slate, where the Development Team will get your script in front of top industry pros from companies like MGM, Paramount+, Harpo, 20th Century, Lucky Chap, ICM, plus ISA vetted literary agents and managers. Plus, $25,000 in cash prizes!
9) Shore Scripts
This contest is geared towards screenwriters looking to gain representation with a manager or agent, sell their screenplay, and get hired on writing assignments.
Shore Scripts has a proven track record of helping emerging writers achieve their goals of becoming full-time working screenwriters. Writers through their Feature Contest have gained representation, and gone on to write for Blumhouse, Netflix, Paramount, Film4, NBC, Hulu and many others.
10) SCRIPTAPALOOZA
The Fellowship Program was developed for dedicated writers and 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.
11) Finish Line
Get your Script across the Finish Line!
The Finish Line Script Competition helps showcase your writing skills, connects you with industry experts and lets you submit unlimited new drafts for free, improving your chances to WIN.
12) Big Break Screenwriting Contest
Run by Final Draft, the winners have consistently achieved screenwriting success.
13) Scriptation Showcase
The Scriptation Showcase is the screenwriting competition that circulates winners’ scripts to the directors, showrunners, and producers behind your favorite movies and TV shows. They are founded by writers, providing unprecedented exposure and annotated feedback with professional readers.
14) Golden Script
The Golden Script Competition is a yearly international competition for short, feature and TV pilot screenplays from all around the world. The best scripts of this season 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.
15) Outstanding Screenplays
16) Hollyshorts Screenplay Contest
The Academy Qualifying HollyShorts Film Festival (HSFF) is an annual short film festival showcasing the best and brightest short films and short screenplays from around the globe. The festival showcases the top short films, produced 40 minutes or less, and is looking for the best short screenplays 30 pages or less and TV pilots 50 pages and under.
