Script Categories
Drama Feature Screenplay presented by Writers Guild of America, East
Drama Screenplay Award presented by Writers Guild of America, East
The category is open but not limited to feature drama scripts in genres such as historical, western, family, romance, horror, thriller, etc.
Comedy Feature Screenplay
Comedy Screenplay Award
The category is open but not limited to feature comedy scripts in genres such as dark comedy, satire, family, animation, slapstick, horror, etc.
Josephson Entertainment Screenwriting Fellowship
Josephson Entertainment Screenwriting Fellowship
Acclaimed producer Barry Josephson has been a longtime supporter of AFF since the very first festival in 1994 when he optioned the winning script from the Screenplay Competition. For the seventh year, Barry will present the “Josephson Entertainment Screenwriting Fellowship” which will provide a one-on-one mentorship for the writers of two scripts – one feature script and one teleplay pilot – selected from the Final Round of the 2024 Screenplay Competition. Finalists will be invited to apply and AFF will select the top writers for Josephson Entertainment to further review. The selected fellows will be announced and presented by Barry Josephson at the Awards Luncheon on October 26, 2024. Each fellow will be flown to LA to be mentored by Barry and take meetings with various executives from Josephson Entertainment to take their writing to the next level.
Entry Requirements:
Must be entered in: Comedy or Drama Feature, or TV Pilot categories.
Enderby Entertainment Award
Enderby Entertainment Award
The Enderby Entertainment Award category is open to feature scripts in all genres with an original concept and distinctive voice that can be independently produced under $10 million. Co-founded by Rick Dugdale and Daniel Petrie, Jr. (Beverly Hills Cop, The Big Easy), the production company acquired the 2008 AFF Finalist script Stranded (now titled Dawn Patrol) which premiered at the 2014 Festival starring Scott Eastwood and Rita Wilson.
Entry Requirements:
- Requires an additional $30 entry fee
- Must first be entered in either the Feature Drama or Feature Comedy categories
Big Indie Pictures Screenplay Fellowship
Big Indie Pictures Screenplay Fellowship
Big Indie is a film and television production company based in New York City and are a genre agnostic company that works across film, television, and documentary. We are filmmaker forward with a great emphasis on strong and unique voices.
The Big Picture Screenplay Fellowship winner will receive:
- $1,000 cash prize and $500 travel allowance to attend the Austin Film Festival
- Big Indie Pictures will provide winner industry guidance to help develop and potentially produce a feature through the Fellowship Program
- The Fellowship will take place from January 2025 through June 2025 during which the winner works on their next feature script
- Specific script to be determined by Big Indie Pictures and Winner
- Specific Dates to be determined between Winner and Big Indie Pictures
- Conversations during the program may include, but not limited to:
- Insight on pitfalls to avoid and methods to constantly stay active and involved in the industry.
- Tips on career guidance
- Best practices advice.
- Opportunity to continue work with Big Indie Pictures after Fellowship per the discretion of both parties
The fellowship is open to Drama or Comedy feature scripts from writers with a unique take on a genre or contemporary conversation that feels fresh and can be produced independently.
Entry Requirements:
- Requires additional $30 entry fee
- In order to be considered for this Fellowship, you must be entered into the Drama and Comedy Feature categories of the AFF Screenplay Competition
YMH Studios Comedy Fellowship
YMH Studios Comedy Fellowship
YMH Studios is the home of ten amazing podcasts. Every week, millions of people of all races, religions, numerous genders, varying criminal records, and disgusting sexual fetishes tune in from every continent around the world to share a laugh with Tom, Christina, Bert, Danny, Lauren, Rob, Jamie-Lynn, Josh, Ari, Garth and all of the fascinating, unpredictable, and very funny people who are friends with them.
YMH Studios is currently developing a slate of low-budget comedy feature films built around accessible, rewatchable concepts with a comedy-first approach to storytelling. With this aim, Your Mom’s House is excited to be partnering with the Austin Film Festival to offer a fellowship opportunity for a uniquely talented comedy writer.
The YMH Studios Comedy Fellowship winner will receive:
- $1,000 cash prize and $500 travel allowance to attend the Austin Film Festival
- YMH Studios’ representative will provide initial feedback and notes on the winning fellowship script
- Fellow(s)* will take meetings with YMH Studios executives and development team
- Opportunity to continue work with YMH Studios after Fellowship per the discretion of both parties
*Winning scripts may include writing partners
The fellowship is open to Comedy Feature scripts constructed with easily understandable and rewatchable themes, prioritizing a comedic storytelling approach.
Entry Requirements:
- Requires additional $30 entry fee
- In order to be considered for this Fellowship, you must be entered into the Comedy Feature categories of the AFF Screenplay Competition
TV Comedy Fellowship sponsored by the Nickelodeon Writing Program
TV Comedy Fellowship sponsored by the Nickelodeon Writing Program
Founded in the year 2000, the Nickelodeon Writing Program is a launching pad for diverse and emerging creatives. To continue to grow their partnership with AFF and its community of writers, they are excited to announce the TV Comedy Fellowship Sponsored by Nickelodeon Writing Program.
The fellowship winner will receive:
- $1,000 cash prize and $500 travel allowance to attend the Austin Film Festival
- feedback from Nickelodeon executives on the winning script
- meetings with Nickelodeon executives in either the live-action or animation field
- the option of a studio visit.
Entry Requirements:
- Requires additional $30 entry fee
- In order to be considered for this Fellowship, you must be entered into the Comedy Teleplay Spec or Comedy Teleplay Pilot categories. Scripts are suggested to be half-hour comedy scripts, no longer than 40 pages, with a particular focus on joke heavy subjects with broad comedic sensibilities and family friendly content
Horror Award and Fellowship presented by Vertigo Entertainment
The Horror Award presented by Vertigo Entertainment is open to any feature horror script including dark suspense, thriller, sci-fi and macabre themes.
The winner of the Horror Award receives a Screenwriter Fellowship from Vertigo Entertainment for six months that includes
- One (1) monthly virtual call (if screenwriter does not reside in the greater Los Angeles area)
- Feedback/notes on winning script
- Advice on networking, pitching and workshopping future scripts, insight into the Hollywood studio system
- Opportunity to discuss future scripts/films with Roy Lee and receive advice and guidance
- The option to bring screenwriter on to projects with Vertigo Entertainment or any of its subsidiaries
- Opportunity to meet with Vertigo Entertainment contacts & partners, such as managers, agents, and executives, per the discretion of Vertigo Entertainment
Entry Requirements:
- Requires additional $30 entry fee
- Must first be entered in either the Feature Drama or Comedy categories
Sci-Fi Award
The Sci-Fi Award is open to science fiction, fantasy, horror, surrealism, myth/legend and fantastical storytelling.
Entry Requirements:
- Requires additional $30 entry fee
- Must first be entered in either the Feature Drama or Comedy categories
Short Screenplay
Entry Requirements:
- Open to any narrative short script in all genres 5 to 40 pages in length.
Drama Teleplay
Open to spec scripts for any currently airing television program AND original pilot scripts (no bibles or treatments will be accepted).
Drama Teleplay Pilot
Open to any pilot script written in the one-hour or half-hour format for an original drama television series.
Drama Teleplay Spec
Open to any spec script for a current drama television show in the one-hour or half-hour format.
Comedy Teleplay
Open to spec scripts for any currently airing television program AND original pilot scripts (no bibles or treatments will be accepted).
Comedy Teleplay Pilot
Open to any pilot script written in the half-hour or one-hour format for an original comedy television series.
Comedy Teleplay Spec
Open to any spec script for a current comedy television show in the half-hour or one-hour format.
Scripted Digital Series
Open to short-form episodic scripts intended for the web. Writers can submit 1-3 episodes of their series totaling no more than 30 pages.
Have a web series you want to submit? Want more information? Check out our Digital Series Competition page!
Playwriting
Open to full-length stage plays 60-90 pages or that could reasonably be performed within 90 minutes on stage.
Have a play you want to submit? Want more information? Check out our Playwriting Competition!
Fiction Podcast
Open to ongoing, original, serialized stories designed for the podcast medium.
- Writers can submit up to three episodes 3-30 pages in length
- Include a series outline, detailing the events of the remaining episodes in the series
Have a podcast script? Want more information? Check out our Fiction Podcast Script Competition!
SCRIPT COVERAGE
Every good writer has a good reader. For established screenwriters, it’s often a producer, a spouse, or a fellow screenwriter. Whoever it is must be objective and fluent in the language of screenwriting.
Those coverage readers put scripts into the right hands, using an industry method so consistent you can give your own script a significant head start by applying their evaluation and rewrite techniques before sending your work into the world. The Austin Film Festival Coverage Program gives you that strategy and helps you to implement it.
Questions?
For general questions our FAQ can be read here and our Rules can be viewed here.
Still in need of assistance? The AFF Screenplay Department is happy to help!
For questions regarding submissions and special inquiries, please email our new Screenplay Department Manager: Grace Donaldson – scriptdirector@austinfilmfestival.com
For questions regarding reader inquiries and opportunities, please contact our Script Competitions Manager: Cynthia Cano – scriptmanager@austinfilmfestival.com or call at 512-478-4795.