Canadian Short Screenplay Competition Announces Contest Winners

The Canadian Short Screenplay Competition (CSSC) has concluded its 6th edition with the unveiling of its 2025 Writers’ Block Crystal Awards.

The industry-based jury (included BAFTA-winner Claire Urquhart (S4C), Glenn Cockburn (Meridian Artists), Suri Parmar (screenwriter and former CSSC-winner), Toby Fountaine (screenwriter, director), Tua Harno (Helsinki Film), and Emmy-nominee David Cormican), awarded top honours during the during Yorkton Film Festival’s Golden Sheaf Awards gala to:

Best in Fest Grand Prize
The Sound of Trees
Written by Michael Young

Second place Golden Cinema Award
Last Meal: A Love Story
Written by Betty Robertson

Third Place Silver Screen Award
Hail!
Written by Lee Murray Chetwynd

As part of the CSSC's mission to champion new voices in screenwriting and help bring exceptional short scripts to life, each of the three winners will receive an option and purchase agreement - valued at $1,000, $500, and $250, respectively.

The competition draws in entries from all around the world, showcasing a diverse range of voices, genres and ideas. Beyond the top three honourees, the 2025 edition’s final placement is as follows:

(4) Amuse Me written by Jason Long
(5) We Vampires written by Matthew Heiti
(6) One Night in Marengo written by Christin Butcher
(7) The Last Cut written by Jamie Powter
(8) Mother, Daughter, Deprogrammer written by Huelah Lander
(9) Host written by Jenna Schaefer
(10) The Right To Die written by Cicy Nie
(11) What We Left Behind written by Claudine Yip
(12) Have You Eaten Yet? written by Sherry Li
(13) Burrow written by Swaroop Elamon

Updated: 05/25/2025

Additional Contest Info: Canadian Short Screenplay Competition