MovieBytes - Screenwriting Contests & Markets Online

BlueCat TV Writing Competition

Objective:

BlueCat has a long and distinguished history of discovering unknown TV writers, introducing them to the industry and launching their careers.

We have two categories: Hour Pilot and Half-Hour Pilot. The two winners will win $2,000 each and be introduced to over four hundred literary managers and agents.

Every pilot submitted will receive script analysis at no additional cost. After receiving feedback, all writers will be eligible to revise their scripts and resubmit.

Send us your pilot—-we want to help you develop your script!

Deadlines: * Early: April 2nd * Regular: May 7th * Final: June 4th * Late: June 25th * Resubmission: July 23rd Founded in 1998 by award-winning writer Gordy Hoffman, BlueCat has supported thousands of screenwriters through written analysis provided to all entrants, many of whom have gone on to successful careers in the film and television industry. BlueCat's Alumni include: Aaron Guzikowski (Verve/Madhouse) wrote PRISONERS, the remake of PAPILLON, and Ridley Scott's RAISED BY WOLVES. Fergal Rock wrote DEPARTURES starring Nina Dobrev and Maisie Williams. Ana Lily Amirpour (CAA), won Special Jury Prize at the 2016 Venice Film Festival for THE BAD BATCH, directed by Lyle Vincent (DREAMLAND) and starring Jason Momoa, Jim Carrey and Keanu Reeves. She will direct CLIFFHANGERS produced by Neal Mortiz. Ashleigh Powell (Gersh/Good Fear Film), wrote THE NUTCRACKER AND THE FOUR REALMS directed by Lasse Hallstrom and Joe Johnston. She’s currently writing THE ATHENA PROJECT for Warner Bros and THE PAPER MAGICIAN for Disney.

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$70 (half-hour); $80 (one-hour)

2026 PAGE International Screenwriting Awards

Objective:

The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards competition was established in the fall of 2003 by an alliance of Hollywood producers, agents, and development execs. Our goal: to discover the most exciting new scripts by up-and-coming writers from across the country and around the world.

As a result of winning the contest, 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, and the PAGE Awards competition is now widely recognized as one of the industry's top sources for new screenwriting talent, both within the Hollywood community and internationally.

One of the most frustrating things about so many screenwriting contests - both for the writers and for the judges - is that scripts of different genres are in competition with each other. But how can you compare a comedy to an action script? How do you rank a family film against a thriller? Moreover, why is it that so many contests only reward the screenwriter who writes a powerful drama, while many of the most successful movies made in Hollywood are comedies, thrillers, action flicks and family films?

In order to address this problem, and to promote a wide variety of screenwriting talent, each year the PAGE judges present a total of 31 Awards in ten different genre categories:

Action/Adventure
Comedy
Drama
Family Film
Historical Film
Science Fiction
Thriller/Horror
Short Film Scripts
TV Drama Pilots
TV Comedy Pilots

This year's winning writers will receive a total of over $50,000 in cash and prizes, plus extensive industry exposure for their winning scripts! Most importantly, the PAGE Awards contest is judged entirely by working professionals in the film and television industry, so everyone who enters has the opportunity to get their scripts into the hands of Hollywood professionals currently in search of new talent.

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$89

Nashville Film Festival Screenwriting Competition

Objective:

Founded in 1969 as the Sinking Creek Film Celebration, Nashville Film Festival (NashFilm) is one of the longest-running film festivals in the country and one of the most acclaimed festivals in the South. Hosted in Music City, NashFilm attracts enthusiastic film lovers from all across the country and has been praised by film-goers and filmmakers alike for its unique combination of big city festival atmosphere and laid back Southern hospitality. Showcasing hundreds of films from many countries, in addition to our screenplay competition, episodic competition, live music showcases, and a Creators Conference featuring networking opportunities with industry professionals including talent agents, producers, and other industry professionals. The live pitch competition has become an exciting event that allows writers to put their ideas in front of an industry panel and receive live feedback. Several of our previous participants received interest in their projects.

Screenwriting competition benefits include a full access festival pass for the finalists, a table read featuring a cutting from each attending finalist's screenplay performed by professional actors. There is a cash prize for each category. Scripts from the quarterfinalist level and up are hosted in our database for review by industry professionals who are invited or request access to fill open writing assignments or find material. Several of our writers have entered into shopping agreements, been awarded prestigious fellowships, and had their material produced.

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$100

New York Metropolitan Screenwriting Competition & Film Awards

Objective:

We love New York and we love film! We especially love films shot, set, about, or written and produced and starring New Yorkers! And by New Yorker, we mean New Yorkers from the State, the City, and around the world. Even New Yorkers who haven’t made it here yet. We love you all. (And no, you don’t have to be from here to submit your scripts). You just have to have a great New York story to tell.

The object of our festival is to promote aspiring screenwriters and filmmakers in all genres.

See festival website for complete details.

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$65

Emerging Screenwriters Horror Screenplay Competition

Objective:

Do you have a spine-chilling horror story that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats?

We’re seeking entries in the horror genre. Could your script be the next Halloween or Hereditary? Is it a fresh, terrifying take on the genre, like Get Out or The Babadook?

Whether you’ve crafted a supernatural nightmare, or a psychological slasher script with a unique twist, we want to read it.

Enter today—if you dare!

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$59

Emerging Screenwriters Family & Holiday Screenplay Competition

Objective:

Do you have a heart warming family story or an engaging holiday script that’s perfect for all ages?

The Emerging Screenwriting team is seeking entries in both the holiday and family genres. Could your story become a new family tradition alongside Elf or Groundhog Day? Is it a fresh, clever take on the holidays, like Gremlins or Bad Santa?

Whether you’ve crafted a faith-based tale fit for Disney or a narrative exploring underrepresented experiences, we want to read it.

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$59

Emerging Screenwriters Action & Adventure Screenplay Competition

Objective:

The Emerging Screenwriting team wants to read your Action & Adventure feature or pilot script.

Whether it’s a genre-defining spectacle or a fresh blend of action with comedy or drama, we’re excited to read your work and share it with our mentors, partners, and industry connections for consideration.

The Top 10 will be considered for the ISA Development Slate and be submitted to companies like Amazon MGM Studios, Lucky Chap, Miramax, Disney+, Paramount+, and more.

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$59

True Story Showcase

Objective:

Submissions Open: November 3, 2025. The True Story Showcase recognizes scripts, books, short stories & stage plays in any genre that feature a story based on, or inspired by, true events.

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$85

Creative Screenwriting TV Pilot Competition

Objective:

Have you written the next Yellow Jackets, Baby Reindeer, Abbott Elementary, Hacks, Shrinking, Only Murders in the Building or even an animation like Bojack Horseman? Or have you written something unlike anything we've seen before? We want to read it all!

We're seeking 10 incredible half-hour and one-hour pilots in all genres! Each Finalist will receive $250 and and go on to be considered for Grand Prize to win $2,500, an option consideration by Creative Screenwriter Productions, plus industry exposure through our other contacts. Pilots are in more demand than ever, and we're working hard to pair talented writers and their projects with our industry partners.

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$65

Creative Screenwriting Animation Screenplay Competition

Objective:

Any story - great or small, western or futuristic, preschool or adult - can be told through the power of animation.

Animation is fast becoming one of Hollywood's favorite and most versatile mediums for storytelling, and there's no mystery as to why. It is an ever-evolving, perennial format that guarantees to become even more important as streamers fill their libraries. That's why Creative Screenwriting wants to champion the best and boldest animated features and tv pilots that you have to offer.

Do you have a live action script that could be produced in the world of animation? We want to read it. No genre nor intended age group is off limits.

Diverse voices are encouraged to apply; we strive to amplify underrepresented and marginalized voices.

Show us your most imaginative work!

Accepting Features & Pilots in 3 Categories

Kids: Ages 11 and Under

Comps like: Little Einsteins, Octonauts, Niko and the Sword of Light, Kipo and the Age of the Wonderbeasts, The Dragon Prince, Owl House

Teen/YA: Ages 12 to 17

Comps like: Legend of Korra, Adventure Time, Rick and Morty, Castlevania, most pure Anime

Adult: Ages 18+
Comps like: Bob's Burgers, The Great North, Venture Bros, Crossing Swords, Family Guy, Futurama

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$65

Creative Screenwriting Feature Competition

Objective:

Have you written the next Challengers, The Brutalist, Conclave, Heretic, The Six Triple Eight, or even an animation like Encanto? Or have you written something unlike anything we've seen before? We want to read it all!

We're seeking 10 incredible Features in all genres! Each Finalist will receive $250 and and go on to be considered for Grand Prize to win $2,500, an option consideration by Creative Screenwriter Productions, plus industry exposure through our other contacts. We're working hard to pair talented writers and their projects with our industry partners.

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$69

Creative Screenwriting Short Screenplay Competition

Objective:

Launch your career, one short at a time.

Creative Screenwriting’s Short Script Competition celebrates the power of short-form storytelling as a launchpad for emerging voices. Winning isn’t just about recognition—it’s about opportunity. The $2,500 Cash Prize money can fuel the next step in your journey as seed money for the production of your short, or creating a proof-of-concept that showcases your vision.

Shorts have long been a calling card for bigger things—think Whiplash, Bottle Rocket, and other shorts that ignited careers. Whether you submit a stand-alone short or a piece that hints at a larger project, this competition is your chance to present your voice as a unique artist ready to be discovered.

If you don't have an existing short script, we also encourage you to adapt a scene from one of your feature or pilot screenplays and submit. The careers of Wes Anderson, Damien Chazelle, Paul Thomas Anderson and more were all launched by shorts!

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$65

Hollywood Genre Comedy Screenplay Contest

Objective:

Our mission is to find undiscovered screenwriters and provide exposure in an industry that widely does not accept unsolicited submissions. Promoting writing talent over friends and family in the right places. This competition focuses on comedy. Hollywood representation and production companies with credits will consider the winners and top placing scripts for reads.

Hollywood Genre's industry partners are actively seeking for the best undiscovered Comedy writers. As one of the most challenging genres to write well, a strong comedy spec demonstrates another dimension of writing ability.

Ready to submit your funniest comedy script?

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$75

Inciting Incident Writing Contest

Objective:

The first 10 pages of any script are the most important. Every story needs a creative and unique inciting incident. What's yours?

"Yes, it’s true a writer might only get the opening pages of their script read -- and it will likely be put down right away if those pages don’t immediately engage the busy industry professional who has given it a chance by opening it." (Erik Bork, Band Of Brothers)

Inciting Incident Script Competition aims to help writers discover if their work is engaging enough to captivate the Hollywood gatekeeper to receive the elusive “Recommend.” Inciting Incident accepts up to 15 pages of your screenplay, short script or play. The Grand Prize Winner receives $300, a Winner’s Laurel, and written feedback from the festival directors with additional prizes for second and third place entries. Written feedback is also available for all submissions as an additional category entry.

Your opening pages will be read by select industry professionals. The team scores the scripts based on seven professional writing criteria. The readers assign scores of 1 to 10 for each of the following elements: Concept/Originality, Structure, Plot, Pacing, Characters, Dialogue & Inciting Incident.

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$57.00

Austin Film Festival Playwriting Competition

Objective:

As Austin Film Festival continues to grow and expand, our vision also widens with the addition of new avenues for storytellers. In 2017 we introduced the inaugural Playwriting Competition. It is open to full-length stage plays and gives playwrights a chance to explore our film and television conference. It will also allow film professionals to discover storytellers who have mastered the art and craft of stage drama.

AFF has always promoted story as the most important element of film and TV. So giving playwrights their own story exposure and a chance of crossover into film and TV only advances our mission. There are many other playwriting competitions out there, but AFF offers playwrights a broader access to successful writers and professionals in all of the other related fields.

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$35

Austin Film Festival Script Competition

Objective:

Why Submit

For over thirty years, Austin Film Festival’s annual Script Competitions serve as a launchpad, providing emerging talent with meaningful opportunities, mentorship, and real access. With one of the most noteworthy competitions among Hollywood tastemakers, AFF’s Competitions has a rich history of connecting creatives with industry leaders and fostering meaningful opportunities for writers at all stages of their career.

With an incredible alumni network, the industry consistently looks to AFF’s competitions to identify emerging talent and distinct voices.

Invest In Your Writing Career

The 2026 Screenplay Competition features 12 categories of competition, including feature (drama, comedy, horror, & sci-fi) and short screenplays, teleplays (both drama & comedy pilot & spec), playwriting, fiction podcast, and scripted digital series.

Each year AFF partners with Industry leading companies who share a passion for connecting vetted emerging talent to invaluable career opportunities. Through tailored fellowships and awards, writers recognized through the competition are met with professional guidance to open doors and move the career needle forward. Partners have included AMC Networks, Valhalla Entertainment, Big Indie Pictures, The Donners’ Company, Enderby Entertainment, YMH Studios, Starburns Industries, Sony Entertainment, The Wonder Project, Writers Guild of America, East, Warner Bros, and more.

A Handcrafted Competition

Though AFF is one of the largest and most respected screenplay competitions, every entrant receives personalized attention and multiple reads throughout the process. All entrants can opt in to receive FREE “Reader Comments” which are a brief, overall summary of their notes. AFF sends e-mailed notifications in September to ensure everyone knows their placement in the competition. Second Rounders may also find a personalized note in their notification letter from the Screenplay Competition Director!

You’ll Get Back Way More Than You Bargained For

Not only do all entrants receive registration discounts, but you get larger discounts when you place in the competition. Unlike other screenplay competitions, your experience with AFF doesn’t end after making the first cut. Second Rounders, Semifinalists, and Finalists attend exclusive panels, industry lunches, intimate roundtable discussions, script reading workshops, and are afforded special access to working writers, agents, managers, producers, and executives who are actively looking to open doors for new voices. Through AFF’s programing, conversations may include how to find representation, demystifying the development process, how to pitch yourself and your project, and how successful alumni from the competition made the most of their placement.

Additionally, Semifinalists and Finalists’ loglines and contact information are also included in the annual Producer’s Book, distributed to all AFF panelists as well as over 800 agents, managers, producers, and other industry professionals.

At the Semifinalist level and above industry judges are actively seeking scripts and new talent to sign. In past years, these judges have included representatives from Sony, Disney Entertainment, Range Media, AMC, NBC Universal, Paradigm Agency, Untitled Entertainment, Grandview Management, Lit Entertainment, Showtime, Mosaic Media, Big Indie Pictures, Donners’ Company, Nickelodeon, UTA, CAA, WME, DreamWorks, and Pixar among others.

Signing Deals and Launching Projects

AFF’s Screenplay Competition is one of the most acclaimed contests within the industry for establishing the careers of up-and-coming writers. Countless past competition entrants have signed with major agencies and have had their scripts optioned, acquired, and produced by signatory production companies.

In 2023, following a competitive bidding war, AFF winner Mac Smullen’s winning script Souvenir Alaska was optioned by Warner Brothers and is currently in production. At the 2023 Festival, Drama pilot winner Austin Elliott met 2008 AFF winner Oren Uziel, who was speaking at the Conference, and was later staffed on Uziel’s upcoming series Spider-Noir, starring Nicholas Cage, premiering May 2026. Winner of the Drama Feature and Enderby Entertainment Award, Becca Hurd, signed with Verve Agency immediately following her win, and 2025 Horror Feature Award Winner Danny Salemme signed with Untitled Entertainment. Wes Brown, 2014 winner of the AMC One-Hour Pilot Award, was hired as a staff writer for AMC, Amy Aniobi, 2011 Semifinalist, has been hired to write for HBO’s Silicon Valley. 2013 Finalist LaToya Morgan co-created and EP’d HBO’s Duster (2025) with J.J. Abrams.

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
Feature Screenplay: $90 // Teleplay & Shorts: $75

Script Pipeline Screenwriting and TV Writing Competition

Objective:
The Annual Script Pipeline Screenwriting Contest is searching for extraordinary writers with feature screenplays across all genres.

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$75

HollyShorts Screenplay Contest

Objective:

HollyShorts Film Festival (HSFF) is an annual Academy Qualifying 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.

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$75 (short); $80 (feature)

The Indie Gathering International Film Festival

Objective:
To recognize excellence in screenwriting of shorts and features in a wide variety of genres.

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$60 (feature); $45 (short)

CineStory Foundation Feature Retreat and Fellowship

Objective:

CineStory is a national non-profit dedicated to nurturing emerging screenwriters through mentorship programs. Winners of our competition have gone on to pen films such as IRON MAN, CAKE, THE CHILDREN OF MEN, BALLAST, KING OF CALIFORNIA and 11:14.

One of the main goals of the CineStory Feature Retreat is to select up-and-coming screenwriters for our four-day intensive program held in the Fall.

THE CINESTORY FEATURE RETREAT

CineStory's Retreat is dedicated to the advancement of great new voices in screenwriting. Retreat attendees are chosen from the top writers of our annual competition, the CineStory Screenwriting Awards. For four days, writers enjoy direct access to working Hollywood professionals.

Past retreat mentors include: Mark Fergus & Hawk Ostby (IRON MAN, CHILDREN OF MEN), writer/director Joe Forte (FIREWALL, OUT), producer Nana Greenwald (SEVEN), producer Michelle Sy (FINDING NEVERLAND), producer and former head of Jodie's Foster prod co MEG LEFAUVE (THE DANGEROUS LIVES OF ALTAR BOYS), writer Philip Eisner (EVENT HORIZON, MUTANT CHRONICLES) and writer/director Keith Gordon (DEXTER, WAKING THE DEAD). And many, many others.

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$95

Adapted Story Showcase

Objective:

Submissions Open: December 1, 2025. The Adapted Story Showcase recognizes scripts, books, short stories, & stage plays in any genre that feature an adapted story.

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$85.00

Screamfest Horror Film Festival and Screenplay Competition

Objective:

Screamfest was formed in order to give filmmakers and writers in the horror/sci-fi genres a venue to have their work showcased to people in the industry. We are very proud that the majority of the films showcased now have distribution. Writers have garnered representation due to the festival.

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$77.00

Outstanding Screenplays Shorts Competition

Objective:
Your Short Screenplay PRODUCED for a GUARANTEED budget of $10,000. Written feedback from our 8 Academy Award Winning/Nominated judges. Getting your Short Script written and produced is the quickest way into the industry.

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$69

San Francisco International Screenwriting Competition & Film Awards

Objective:

We are San Francisco. We love film and we care so deeply about developing the next generation of filmmakers from the U.S. and abroad that we founded what we hope will be one of the most prestigious screenwriting competitions in the world for serious writers and serious subject matter.

San Francisco Int'l Screenwriting Competition & Film Awards is an online film festival and screenwriting competition.

We want to support serious writers who take on serious subject matter. That’s what we’re all about. We are located in the heart of California and are proud to be one of the only international screenwriting competition in the Bay Area. We are committed to finding the next generation of talent from around the world.

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$65

Hollywood Genre Horror Screenplay Contest

Objective:

Our mission is to find undiscovered screenwriters and provide exposure in an industry that widely does not accept unsolicited submissions. Promoting writing talent over friends and family in the right places. This competition focuses on horror. Hollywood representation and production companies with credits will consider the winners and top placing scripts for reads.

Hollywood Genre's industry partners are actively seeking for the best undiscovered Horror writers. Horror genre material is always in demand. Widely considered the most commercial cross-cultural genre, a strong horror script is both a great calling card as well as a highly commercial project.

Ready to submit your most terrifying horror script?

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$79

Hollywood Genre Sci-Fi Screenplay Contest

Objective:

Our mission is to find undiscovered screenwriters and provide exposure in an industry that widely does not accept unsolicited submissions. Promoting writing talent over friends and family in the right places. This competition focuses on sci-fi movies, one of the top genres for international sales potential. Hollywood representation and production companies with credits will consider the winners and top placing scripts for reads.

Hollywood Genre's industry partners, each with years of experience in produced genre projects, are actively seeking for the best undiscovered Sci-Fi screenplays. Ready to submit your most polished sci-fi spec?

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$75

Breaking Walls Thriller Screenplay Contest

Objective:

Breaking Walls is a contest for thriller screenplays with contacts at established Hollywood literary representation and production companies who have agreed to consider the full winning script and the top finalists' loglines.

Well-written thrillers are always an excellent way for writers to show Hollywood pros a combination of commerciality, unique voice, and a clear understanding of effective feature film narrative. We're here to break down the walls between your talent and our industry contacts looking for the next great thriller writer!

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$85

Final Draft Big Break Screenwriting Contest

Objective:

Final Draft, the Industry Standard Screenwriting Software, offers the annual Big Break Contest – a screenwriting competition that has been launching careers for over twenty years. Finalists and winners have signed with professional representation. Many have had scripts optioned, sold and produced. Others have found full-time work in television. Prizes include a trip to Hollywood to meet with industry professionals, meeting preparation with top career coach Lee Jessup, $10,000 in cash, a brand new Dell laptop, an iPad, a New York Film Academy Fellowship, and more! Is this YOUR year?

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$65 (Shorts); $85 (Feature, TV & Diversity)

Shore Scripts TV Pilot Mentorship Program

Objective:

The Shore Scripts TV Writer Mentorship Program prepares writers to get staffed or have their pilot picked up, while offering behind-the-scenes looks at working on top TV shows. This isn’t your typical screenwriting contest! It’s a one-of-a-kind game-changing experience to level up your TV writing career.

TV WRITER MENTORSHIP PROGRAM

This year, SIX winners will be invited to attend our 8-week TV Writer Mentorship Program where writers will meet over a series of sessions that will include meeting with:

An A-List Showrunner revealing exactly what it takes to land – and keep – that coveted staff writing job
A top Development Executive at a major studio sharing insider strategies for pitching a series that sells
1:1 mentorship with working TV writers who were once in your shoes and have made the leap to the professional ranks
Agents and Managers pulling back the curtain on how to find (and sign with) the right representation for you
1:1 personalized guidance from our Writer Development Manager, delivering honest, actionable career feedback tailored to your goals
And more!

And that’s just the beginning. This isn’t a lecture series – it’s a series of personal meetings to help build a road map to a real TV writing career. If you’re serious about breaking in, you don’t want to watch this from the sidelines.

In an intimate, small group setting writers will get an insider’s look at what it’s really like to work in a TV writers' room, develop the pitch-perfect presentation to help them land rep and writing gigs alike, and get their most pressing questions answered with direct mentorship from established industry pros. Plus, writers will be part of a close-knit community of TV Pilot winners and Shore Script staff who will support you every step of the way. This experience is a career-defining opportunity that will open doors and shape writers’ future in the TV industry!

With the rise of TV since the advent of streaming, the prestige of the showrunner, and the growth of the writer's room, there has never been a better time to set your sights on a writing career in the industry. Backed by our unique Writer Development Program, our alumni have gone on to write and get staffed on shows for Netflix, HBO, HULU, Universal, SYFY, FOX, Sony, and SkyTV. Take a look at some of our successes.

This year’s panel of EMMY & BAFTA Judges will be selecting both ½-hour and 1-hour pilot script winners to attend our inaugural TV Writers Mentorship Program. We welcome submissions from writers around the world creating ongoing shows or limited series. Web series pilots should be entered in the ½-hour category.

The 2025 JUDGES PANEL includes:

Randall Keenan Winston, Emmy-nominated Writer & Producer - SHRINKING, GRACE & FRANKIE, COUGAR TOWN, SCRUBS.
Emma Luffingham, Development Exec and Producer – SHOWTRIAL, THE GOOD KARMA HOSPITAL, THE DIPLOMAT
Bill Thomas, Showrunner, Director, Prop Maker – STAR WARS, HARRY POTTER films, V FOR VENDETTA, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY, JAMES BOND, THE DARK KNIGHT RISES.
Joseph Mallozzi, Writer & Producer – STARGATE SG-1, DARK MATTER, TRANSPORTER: THE SERIES.

See the full list of our TV Pilot Judges here - http://www.shorescripts.com/judges/.

FOR ALL THE INFO: https://www.shorescripts.com/tv/.

SHORE SCRIPTS | DISCOVERING NEW SCREENWRITING TALENT FROM AROUND THE WORLD.

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$69 (half-hour pilot); $75 (one-hour pilot)

Filmmatic Comedy Screenplay Awards

Objective:

The Filmmatic Comedy Screenplay Awards were created to locate and expose up-and-coming comedic screenwriters, as well as to empower and educate those talented writers still waiting for their invitation into the mainstream film and television industries.

Competition is open to comedic feature-length and short works, screenplays and teleplays.

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$59 (feature), $29 (short)

Script2Comic Contest

Objective:
What do hit TV series The Walking Dead, Watchmen, Umbrella Academy & The Boys and films like Old Guard and Extraction all have in common? They all started as comic.

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$85

Portland Comedy Film Festival

Objective:
A live event founded in 2016, the Portland Comedy Film Festival showcases films, series episodes, music videos, screenplays and more at the Clinton Street Theater near downtown Portland, Oregon. The state of Oregon is known for being a laid back, fun place, with lots to do outside. Whether it’s the nature experience, the arts or the wonderful food options, if you haven’t visited at least once, perhaps it’s time you came out here! The first event was held in 2016 and has been ranked in the FilmFreeway Top 100 with 80+ Five Star reviews. This event was founded by author and retired filmmaker Mikel Fair who worked on location in the Film and Television industry from 1999-2015 while based in Houston, Texas. Mikel and his wife Brooke moved to Portland in 2015 and have been hosting this independent film showcase twice per year. It’s fun to watch and enjoy this program of short comedy films in a "back to back" format in HD 1080p. The Portland Comedy Film Festival has nearly 100 active judges. All types of comedy submissions are selected and screened including TV Pilots, Funny Music Videos, Web Series Episodes, Dark Comedy, Romantic Comedy, Mockumentary, TV Pilots, Commercials, Micro Films, Animated Comedy, Horror Comedy, Stand-up Comedy, Sketch Comedy, and any other type of Comedy that you can think of. The judges are looking for films that generate laughter in a fun, fast paced program at a great venue. Come laugh with us in Oregon.

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$60

Optimus Feedback Screenplay & TV Competition

Objective:

Enter the Optimus Feedback Screenplay & TV Competition to enhance your cinematic skills. Receive constructive feedback on your script and grow as a storyteller. Every submission is a chance to refine your work and strive for excellence. Your voice matters here, and your stories are treasured, empowering you to excel in your writing journey.

Every entrant gets 8-9 pages of feedback.

JUDGES
Peter Mohan - Lucky Devil Entertainment
Sean Charles - AMC Networks
Alex Ranarivelo - ESX Productions
Jacklyn Saferstein-Hansen - Renaissance Literary
Rebecca Gibson - Eagle Vision
William Raccio - Verve Literary Agency
Joey DeAngelis - My So-Called Company
Chase Jeffrey - Megalomedia
Chad Oliver - Warner Bros.
Shaun Piccinino - Film Director
Mackenzie Gabriel-Vaught - Shine Thyme Entertainment
Neil Champagne - Tiny Giant

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$90

The Inspired Screenwriting Competition

Objective:

WE’RE LOOKING FOR THE STRONGEST VOICES IN SCREENWRITING.

We believe in the power of YOUR voice.

The stories we tell connect us, they move us, and when they’re really special, they change us.

Those special stories, the ones that make us think and feel, the ones that leave an indelible mark on our hearts and souls, they don’t come from the same pool of generic setups and one-dimensional characters we’ve seen over and over again.

They come from you.

Or, at least, that’s what we believe here at Inspired. We believe that it’s only through showing who you are with your writing can you truly reach your audience in a meaningful way.

We also love movies. We love writing movies, making movies, and watching movies. Which is why our competition is currently focused on feature length screenplays only.

As writers ourselves, we also hate it when people try to put us in a box. And we don’t want to put you in a box, either. That’s why we don’t have separate genre categories.

When you submit, we’ll be assessing your story on its own terms, rather than through the lens of a specific genre.

So, send us your best. Send us your personal. Send us the crazy out-there ideas that could have only come from (insert your name here).

Because, whether it’s a high concept comedy, historical drama, elevated horror or something in between (if anyone has that script, btw, def send it our way), if it came from you, we want to read it.

And when we do find that special script? That script that blows our minds?

WE ARE GONNA WANT TO TELL EVERYBODY.

So, use your voice and shout it from the rooftops because...

We’re listening.

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$35

Scriptapalooza Fellowship

Objective:

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.

EVERY ENTRANT GETS 4 PAGES OF FEEDBACK FOR FREE

Application Requirements:

Completed application and fee.
Your screenplay or pilot emailed to us in PDF format.
Applicant must answer the following essay question: Why are you interested in this fellowship and what do you hope to gain from it? (1 page maximum)

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$70

Story Farm Fellowship

Objective:

Take Your Writing — and Your Career — to the Next Level.

The Story Farm Fellowship isn’t just any ordinary fellowship. It’s your chance to elevate a current project, develop a brand new one, and build lifelong creative momentum — all during a 5-day lakeside writing retreat in stunning Lake Geneva, Wisconsin.

Whether you’re a rising voice or an industry veteran, we’re looking for writers ready to dig deep, find their authentic voice, and make lasting connections.

Features and pilots of all genres are welcome.

BENEFITS SUMMARY:

A fully-catered, distraction-free retreat focused on real writing time, expert workshops, and industry access.
Hands-on development with veteran coach Max Timm.
Consideration for the ISA Development Slate and Creative Screenwriter Productions.
Professional workshops, pitch practice, executive feedback discounts, and more for Top 10 finalists.

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$40

Hollywood Genre Action Screenplay Contest

Objective:

Our mission is to find undiscovered screenwriters and provide exposure in an industry that widely does not accept unsolicited submissions. Promoting writing talent over friends and family in the right places. This competition focuses on action movies, one of the top genres for international sales potential. Hollywood representation and production companies with credits will consider the winners and top placing scripts for reads.

Have a great action script finished? Submit it to the Hollywood Genre Action Screenplay Contest before the next deadline!

Deadline:

Entry Fee:
$75