How do you choose the right feature screenwriting competitions to enter? With hundreds to pick from, you can choose the best ones by looking at reputability, past winners, and prizes. Consider what each offers and pick what appeals to you.
Overview
While big competitions seem more alluring than smaller contests, consider both, budget wisely, and give it a go. The accessibility and intimacy of a small or even local contest could help you build your sense of community, especially if it’s part of a larger film festival. Communities provide encouragement, support, motivation, and socialization. Find your band, your tribe, your crew, your people. They do what you do or have similar interests. Also, the pool is smaller in these competitions so your odds are higher.
Big feature script contests are their own beast. You’re up against thousands of other people. The prizes can be generally larger than smaller competitions. Beyond cash prizes, most offer industry meetings and connections that wouldn’t be available to you otherwise. Another bonus is that recognition can trickle down to semifinalists or even quarterfinalists.
Related Article: TV Writing Programs and Contests
Related Article: Check out a list of 2022 contests from Lauri Donahue
Take a look at some popular screenwriting competitions below, listed in alphabetical order:
Feature Screenplay Contests
1. Academy Nicholl Fellowships: Website
Awards
Up to five writers receive a $35,000 fellowship.
Submission Deadlines & Fee
Beginning of March through the beginning of May
Fee increases per entry deadline from $45-$85
Application Material
Original screenplay, online application, entry fee
2. Austin Film Festival Screenwriting Competition: Website
Awards
Second Rounders, Semifinalists, and Finalists get special discounts to the festival. There are also cash prizes for individual category winners.
Submission Deadline & Fee
Mid April through late May
Fees increase per entry deadline from $40-$50
Application Material
Entry form, synopsis under 50 words, script, fee
3. BlueCat Screenplay Competition: Website
Awards
$15,000 Grand Prize, Four Finalists $2500 Prize
Submission Deadlines & Fee:
September through mid-January
Fee increases per entry deadline from $50-$80
Application Material
Script, fee
4. Cinequest: Website
Awards
A $5000 cash prize for winner. Finalists will also get their scripts read by industry professionals.
Submission Deadlines & Fee
Mid-July through early November
Fee increases per entry deadline from $45-$65
Application Material
Script, fee
Related Article: TV Writing Programs and Contests
5.CineStory: WEBSITE
Awards
Four-Day Retreat, 12-month mentorship, $10,000 cash prize
Submission Deadlines & Fee
Mid-October through Mid-April
$45 for early submissions – $70 for late deadline submissions
Application Material
Original screenplay between 85-130 pages
6. Film independent Screenwriting Lab: Website
Awards
4 week workshop in September in L.A., lab and guest speakers, individual feedback
Submission Deadlines & Fee
Applications open for month of February
$45 for Film Independent Members and $65 for Non-Members
Application Material
- A cover letter explaining your interest in the Screenwriting Lab.
- One complete, feature-length screenplay.
- A logline and synopsis.
- Bios of attached key cast and crew, if any.
- Project status and history.
7.Finish Line Script Competition: WEBSITE
Awards
$2500 grand prize plus some exposure, first and second runner up receive consultations and secondary prizes
Submission Deadlines and Fees
Mid-December through mid-June
Fee increases per entry deadline from $40-$45 (extra for notes and feedback)
Application Material
Screenplay, in addition if you buy draft notes ($90), you may resubmit a revised script by June 30th for free
8. Nashville Film Festival: Website
Awards
Networking opportunities, festival passes, cash prize
Submission Deadlines & Fee
End of July through the beginning of January
Fee increases per entry deadline from $30-$50
Application Material
Script, fee
9. Outfest Screenwriting Lab: Website
Awards
Three-day, mentor-led workshop in Los Angeles for selected screenwriters.
Submission Deadlines & Fee
Mid-October through February
Fee increases per entry deadline from $25-$50
Application Material
- Only submit the first ten pages of an original script (if selected, will ask for full script).
- A synopsis of the script (max. of 750 words).
- An artist statement (max. 750 words) “outlining your career history and objectives as well as what you hope to gain by participating in the Lab.”
10. PAGE Awards: Website
Awards
Cash prize, first place winner receives $25,000, co-sponsors will publicize and promote script, prize packages listed here.
Submission Deadlines & Fee
Mid-January through Mid-April
Fee increases per entry deadline from $39-$69
Application Material
Script, logline, fee
11. Roadmap Writers: Website
Awards
Prizes include meetings with industry executives, mentorships, and access to some of Roadmap Writers’ paid services. They have a lot of great diversity initiatives for writers as well.
Submission Deadlines & Fee
They run multiple contests yearlong. One is Dec-Feb another is May-August. Check their site for specifics.
Fee increases per entry deadline from $45-$75
Application Material
Script, fee
12. ScreenCraft: Website
Awards
As they say, “Our contests uniquely tailor the prize package and jury for each contest (eliminating potential genre bias) by specializing in screenplay competitions by genre.”
Submission Deadlines & Fee
Multiple contests throughout the year. Fees typically range from $30 to $50
Adventure & Travel TV Pitch Contest
Comedy Script Contest
Screenwriters Residency Program
Horror Script Contest
SciFi Script Contest
Action & Thriller Script Contest
Screenwriting Fellowship
Family-friendly Script Contest
Application Material
Script, fees, may vary per contest type
13. Scriptapalooza: Website
Awards
First place winner receives $10,000 and genre winners receive $500, semifinalists and higher are promoted by the contest for the following year.
Submission Deadlines & Fee
Beginning of January through the first of May
Fee increases per entry deadline from $45-$65
Application Material
Script, fee
14. Script Pipeline Screenwriting Contest: Website
Awards
Winner gets $25,000, exposure and circulation. Runner up gets $1,500.
Submission Deadlines & Fee
End of December through the first of May
Fee increases per entry deadline from $50-$55
Application Material
Script, fee
15. Slamdance Screenplay Competition: Website
Awards
Grand prize winner receives $5,000. Other prizes include Slamdance Film Festival passes, WGA eligibility, and industry distribution.
Submission Deadlines & Fee
End of February through the end of July
Fee increases per entry deadline from $55-$70
**If screenplay is over 121 pages (up to 150 pages) submission fees are higher.
Application Material
Script, fee
16. Stage 32: Website
Awards
Varying prizes per contest
Submission Deadlines & Fee
Multiple contests throughout the year. Check the site for the most current info on what contests they are running. Fees ranging from around $50-$70
New Blood
Annual Feature Contest
Blood List
Comedy Contest
Application Material
Script, fees
17. Sundance Screenwriters Lab: Website
Awards
5 day workshop with 1-on-1 sessions.
Submission Deadlines & Fee
Mid-March through the beginning of May
Fee $40
Application Material
Cover letter (750 words), artist statement (1000 words), synopsis (1000 word limit), first 5 pages of your screenplay
18. TrackingB Feature Script Contest: Website
Awards
Exposure on Trackingb.com, industry reads and access
Submission Deadlines & Fee
End of July through the beginning of October
Fee increases per entry deadline from $45-$85
Application Material
Script, fee
19. Tracking Board – Launch Pad Competition: Website
Awards
Industry exposure, meetings with representation
Submission Deadlines & Fee
Mid-July through the beginning of September
Fee increases per entry deadline from $65-$95
Application Material
Script, fee
Reminder
Double check entry requirements such as…
- Whether or not they accept adaptations
- If they take international entries
- How many scripts you can submit
- If you can submit a script with a writing partner
- If they have a limit on how much you can have earned from a contest
- If entrants need to be a certain age to enter
Related Article: TV Writing Programs and Contests