The 12 Best Screenwriting Competitions to Enter in 2024
When it comes to gaining traction as an aspiring screenwriter, screenwriting competitions are invaluable. Screenplay contests offer amateur screenwriters the opportunity to stand out from their peers without the necessity of Hollywood connections. Whether you're looking to network, improve your craft, find an agent, or potentially get your feature screenplay produced, check out our favorite screenwriting competitions below.
Top Screenplay Competitions to Enter This Year
1. Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting
The Academy Nicholl Fellowship is one of the oldest and most venerable of screenwriting competitions. Established in 1986, the Nicholl has launched the careers of hundreds of amateur screenwriters. As of 2013, 17 Nicholl screenplays have made it to the silver screen, including the Oscar-winning drama Erin Brockovich.
Type of scripts accepted: Features.
Deadline and fees: The final deadline is May 1, 2024 or once they have received a maximum of 5,500 submissions. Entry fee depends on the date of submission.
Awards: Up to five winners will receive $35,000 each.
Find more information here.
2. Austin Film Festival Screenplay & Teleplay Competition
The Austin Film Festival is known as a screenwriter's film festival — and that's due in no small part to their storied screenwriting competition. For 30 years, the Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition has stacked their jury panel with beloved indie screenwriters, offered festival discounts to finalists and semifinalists alike, and curated an unrivaled networking experience. You won't find a film festival — or screenwriting competition — like this in Los Angeles.
Types of scripts accepted: Features, shorts, teleplays, stage plays, and podcasts.
Deadline and fees: The final deadline is May 24, 2024. Entry fees vary by submission category.
Awards: Winners receive a cash prize and a free trip to the Austin Film Festival, where they can rub elbows with producers, agents, and established screenwriters.
Find more information here.
3. Kinolime
Kinolime's "for the people, by the people" screenplay competition is one of the most exciting innovations in an evolving script contest landscape. Not only is it free to submit, the judging component is made up of both amateur film buffs and a professional jury. Best of all, the final script standing is guaranteed a development deal — a long shot for most other competition winners. Whether you're looking to submit or simply want to cast a vote for your favorite script, Kinolime is worth checking out.
Types of scripts accepted: Features.
Deadline and fees: April 4, 2024. Free. Stay tuned for more news about upcoming competitions in 2024.
Awards: One lucky winner turns their film script into a feature film with Kinolime.
Find more information here.
4. Sundance Institute
Sundance is synonymous with indie filmmaking — and that's exactly what its screenwriting competitions aim to nurture. Sundance supports both filmmakers and screenwriters with in-person development labs and year-round mentorships. Whether you're a television writer looking to develop your latest tv pilot or a directing auteur searching for feature film funding, the Sundance Institute brings more than just its brand name to the table.
Types of scripts accepted: Varies based on competition.
Deadline and fees: Varies based on competition.
Awards: Varies based on competition.
Find more information here.
5. PAGE International Screenwriting Awards
The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards recognizes up-and-coming screenwriters across genres. If you would rather write a gruesome slasher or slapstick comedy than an Academy award-winning drama, this may be the competition for you. Although there's only one grand prize winner, each genre category has a gold, silver, and bronze winner, upping your chances of getting cash and getting noticed.
Types of scripts accepted: Features, shorts, and teleplays.
Deadline and fees: The final deadline is April 15, 2024. Entry fee depends on the date of submission.
Awards: One grand prize winner gets $25,000 and a free ticket to a screenwriting retreat. Category winners get smaller cash prizes and access to a slew of promotional services.
Find more information here.
6. Scriptapalooza Screenplay & TV Script Competition
The Scriptapalooza Screenwriting Competition has cemented its place as one of Hollywood's most respected script contests. Like the PAGE International Screenwriting Awards, Scriptapalooza doesn't pit opposing genres against one another. And even if you don't place in the competition, the Scriptapalooza team pitches the top 100 scripts to its Rolodex of producers, giving even semifinalists a shot at getting their movie made.
Types of scripts accepted: Features, shorts.
Deadline and fees: The final deadline is April 8, 2024. Entry fee depends on the date of submission.
Awards: One grand prize winner will receive $10,000. Genre winners receive $500. All winners receive software prizes.
Find more information here.
7. The Black List
The Blacklist was founded by Franklin Leonard to connect unknown writers with execs in need of fresh voices. Talent rises to the top via a script coverage ranking system and top-ranked screenwriters are encouraged to submit work to the many fellowships, grants, and screenwriting labs promoted on the website. Because the Blacklist prioritizes underrepresented screenwriters, many of their script contests are geared toward diverse populations.
Types of scripts accepted: Varies based on competition.
Deadline and fees: All submissions are free, although there is a mandatory $30/month hosting fee.
Awards: Varies based on competition.
Find more information here.
8. ScreenCraft
Unlike most script contests, ScreenCraft gives underrecognized genres their very own competitions with their very own grand prizes. Whether you're into sci-fi & fantasy, comedy, or horror, ScreenCraft's screenwriting competitions pit screenwriters only against others of the same genre. All of these competitions are judged by panels of Hollywood heavyweights, featuring industry pros like the Oscar-winner Akiva Goldsman and the great minds behind franchises like STAR WARS and X-MEN.
Types of scripts accepted: Varies based on competition.
Due date and fees: Varies based on competition.
Awards: Varies based on competition.
Find more information here.
9. Script Pipeline
Script Pipeline does not mess around — since 1999, their winners and finalists have sold over $8 million worth of scripts. This is thanks to the company's commitment to developing and promoting the work of those who win and place. If you're looking for a screenwriting competition that will have your back long after the thrill of the win has worn off, Script Pipeline is one to consider.
Types of scripts accepted: Varies based on competition.
Deadlines and fees: Varies based on competition.
Awards: Varies based on competition.
Find more information here.
10. BlueCat Screenplay Competition
What makes the BlueCat Screenplay Competition special is the script coverage that's baked into your entry fee. While other screenwriting competitions charge an additional fee for feedback, BlueCat provides notes free of (extra) charge. Their prizes might be smaller than comparable contests but their notes may be what gets you to that elusive final draft!
Types of scripts accepted: Features, teleplays, shorts.
Deadlines and fees: Not yet announced for the upcoming cycle.
Awards: Not yet announced for the upcoming cycle.
Find more information here.
11. Finish Line Script Competition
The Finish Line Script Competition was founded by ex-literary manager, Jenny Frankfurt, to nurture fresh talent in need of just a little professional help to reach the next level. Although one grand prize winner will walk away with $10,000, the real prize here is the mentorship network available to winners and finalists. This network is made up of over 40 industry professionals, including literary agents, execs representing production companies, and established screenwriters.
Types of scripts accepted: Features.
Deadlines and fees: The final deadline is May 15, 2024. The fee is $52 per submission.
Awards: The winner gets $10,000, access to 40+ industry meetings, free screenwriting software, and more.
Find more information here.
12. Slamdance Screenplay Competition
The Slamdance Film Festival was created as an offbeat alternative to its more famous counterpart, Sundance, and the Slamdance Screenplay Competition follows in those funky footsteps. In their own words, Slamdance is searching for screenwriters that "take risks, refuse compromise, and go places where Hollywood hacks fear to tread." So if you've ever felt like a black sheep in a meadow of Hollywood purebreds, Slamdance might be the contest that finally gets you.
Types of scripts accepted: Features, teleplays, shorts.
Deadlines and fees: The final deadline is July 26, 2024. Entry fee depends on the date of submission and category.
Awards: The grand prize winner receives $10,000. The top three screenwriters in each category receive free passes to the Slamdance Film Festival.
Find more information here.
FAQs
How Do Screenwriting Competitions Work?
Although every screenwriting contest is unique, most of them implement the same guidelines from submission to the announcement of winners. Every competition begins with a submission period, usually consisting of an early deadline, regular deadline, and late deadline. Save cash by submitting early, as fees go up with every deadline.
Once the submission period has closed, the jury — a panel of established screenwriters, producers, and other industry professionals — does its thing. Judges consider elements like plot, character, dialogue, pacing, and premise in their search for the winning script. With several rounds of judging, entrants have multiple opportunities to place. And earning a spot as a quarterfinalist, semifinalist, or finalist is nothing to turn your nose up at — many of these contests receive thousands of submissions. Winners are announced after the final round of judging, marking the end of a competition cycle.
Are Screenwriting Competitions Worth It?
Screenwriting competitions can be a door to cash prizes, reps, and Hollywood mentors. There’s no shortage of success stories about winners penning a Netflix hit or clinching a seat in a tv writing room. With that being said, winning is a long shot when you're competing against thousands. Submit responsibly by researching competitions before entering to ensure you only invest in contests that seem like a creative fit.
How to Choose the Right Screenwriting Contest?
Submitting to screenwriting contests is an investment of time and money and should be approached with the same attitude you would bring to any constructive investment. Instead of going broke submitting to competitions that may not be right for you, do your research.
Does the jury feature filmmakers or producers you know and respect? Is the competition only open to screenwriters who have yet to make money from their work? How many submissions does the competition receive each year?
It's not just about weeding out writing competitions with poor reviews. You also have to ask yourself what matters to you. If you're looking for mentorship and networking opportunities, eliminate contests with only cash prizes. Look up the trajectories of past winners and compare them to where you see your own career going. The more specific you are, the less time and money you stand to waste.
How to Enter a Screenwriting Competition?
Once you've decided which screenwriting competitions to enter, it’s time to start submitting! The key here is organization. Use a platform like Coverfly or Filmfreeway to streamline the submission process. Aim to enter by the early deadlines to save money and avoid an accidental late submission.
Every screenwriting contest has their own set of submission guidelines. Some call for a synopsis or logline, some request that your name be scrubbed from the title page, and some ask for artistic statements or cover letters. Failing to adhere to guidelines will get your script disqualified without the benefit of a refund — so make sure to read them closely.
Before submitting, check your screenplay for typos and formatting issues. Submit only the latest, strongest draft of your work. Remember, you're not only being judged on the tightness of your dialogue or strength of your characters — the jury is looking for unique screenplays that tell a story they've never heard before. Avoid submitting scripts with storylines that sound like they were stolen from a Marvel knock-off.
Become the Next Grand Prize Winner With Kinolime
Submitting to screenwriting competitions doesn't have to be overwhelming. All it takes is a little bit of research, a little bit of organization, and a whole lot of rewrites. Use those deadlines as motivation to finish the screenplay that's been languishing in your drafts folder and give yourself a chance to make your screenwriting dreams a reality.
If those screenwriting dreams include seeing one of your scripts come to life sooner rather than later, check out Kinolime's screenwriting competition. Kinolime is the only competition that puts the final decision in the hands of the movie fans that keep Hollywood spinning — and it's the only competition that guarantees the winning script a sweet development deal. Submit, vote, or take advantage of Kinolime's stellar script coverage services here.
