Scriptwriters Network's High Concept Screenplay Program

Objective

The High Concept Screenplay Competition welcomes all genres and aims to discover, honor and reward different approaches, eclectic points of view and unique voices in screenwriting. A high concept screenplay:

• has a great premise – the idea is king (e.g. “Big”)
• has a memorable title – it conveys what the movie is about (e.g. “Wedding Crashers”)
• has a visual logline – you can see the movie (e.g. “40 Year Old Virgin”)
• has universal appeal – all demographics “get it” (e.g. “Star Trek”)
• has clear conflicts, high stakes, a hook, a ticking clock and/ or a twist (e.g. “Liar Liar”)
• has a succinct, descriptive “pitch” of 25 words or less (e.g. “Seven, Home Alone”)

Deadline/Entry Fees

Notification: Mid-January 2026

Eligibility

Rules

• HCSP is open to both SWN members and non-members who are 18 years of age or older.
• All scripts must be wholly original works of the writer or writing team, unproduced and un-optioned.
• Submitted scripts should/must be registered with the Writers Guild of America and/or the U.S. Copyright Office.
• Interstate and international entries are allowed.
• Do NOT put your name or contact information anywhere on the script or title page you submit.
• Personal information should ONLY be included on the entry form – NOT on the title page, so that scripts remain anonymous.
• ONLY the Title is allowed on the title page – nothing else.
• Please conform to the industry standard script format.
• There is no limit on the number of entries. You may complete a separate submission for each script.
• Scripts are to be submitted in PDF format only.
• Scripts are to be submitted in the English language only.
• Electronic submissions must be posted by midnight on the entry deadline.
• Submissions that do not meet the full requirements or are submitted incorrectly will be DISQUALIFIED = MAKE sure to read the instructions/rules.

Awards

• Loglines and/or Scripts will be eligible to be read by industry professionals including studio executives, production companies, agents and managers based on their request from interest in the logline and genre.
• Receive a free one-year membership or a one-year membership renewal to the Scriptwriters Network (SWN) ($219 value).
• The winners will meet one-on-one with a Writer, Producer and/or Literary Agent, Virtually.
• Winners will receive a free 4-month InkTip Pro Membership. As an InkTip Pro Member, thousands of filmmakers can find and read your scripts, and you’ll be able to pitch directly to production companies every week. With over 3,000 options and 400 movies made, InkTip is the place for independent film.
• Industry Exposure ($300 value)
• Social media promotion (reach across all platforms)
• Feature in our newsletter
• Winners will receive a free Pitch class and consultation with Ms. Sargent, SWN’s President along with:
• Discussing writing short story from your winning script.
• Production of your Short Story Script.
• Short Story to air on our Roku Channel.
• If winners have other finished produced projects, they will be eligible for consideration to air on our Roku Channel.
• Talk with Producers about your Short Story concept
• Prizes are subject to change.