A list of upcoming screenplay contests, rated by screenwriters and sorted by deadline. Find the best contest for your screenplay or television script.
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Final Deadline: 07/27/2018
The Slamdance Screenplay Competition is dedicated to discovering and supporting emerging writing talent. We welcome screenplays in every genre, on any topic, from anywhere in the world. A unique feature of the competition is providing constructive feedback for every entrant. In addition to this, we also offer a more intensive coverage service for a supplementary fee.
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Final Deadline: 07/31/2018
To make Hollywood more accessible than ever before to more aspiring screenwriters, Filmmakers.com is forming strategic alliances with the powers that be... Championing Emerging Artists. FilmMakers International Screenwriting Awards has been in existence since 2000 (formerly known as The Radmin Company / FilmMakers.com Screenplay Contest) and its association with the Radmin Company has been going on since late 2000.
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Final Deadline: 07/31/2018
To promote and support new talent by creating real and original opportunities.
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Final Deadline: 07/31/2018
The 1st TV Script Writing Competition is presented by FilmMakers.com . It wasn't that long ago that for a writer to be discovered he or she had to reside in or around Hollywood. The Film Industry is changing rapidly and so are the players as well as the playground. All you need is a break and it starts with you getting your GEM out there. Submit your work to an organization that stood the test of time.
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Final Deadline: 07/31/2018
The Austin Comedy Short Film Festival is a unique forum for comedy filmmakers from all over the world to showcase their creative works in Austin, Texas. For screenplays, we are looking for fun characters, quirky situations, embarrassing moments, romantic comedy, dark comedy, black comedy, and anything that will make our judges laugh. We want to recognize strong screenplays that will one day be produced as a short or feature length comedy film.
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Final Deadline: 08/01/2018
Awards Ceremony at a Film Festival! Screenplay Festival winners get that rarest of experiences for a writer; applause from an audience. Our winners get to come out from behind the keyboard and be celebrated! Now Accepting Television Scripts! The writers spoke, and we listened. We have now added four categories to our contest for television scripts.
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Final Deadline: 08/01/2018
This season we're taking the Feature/Pilot winner to Austin during during the Austin Film Festival and Writers Conference this October. Like those Table Read winners who have received Oscar Nominations, or have premiered their produced scripts at a major film festival like Cannes, Table Read My Screenplay will help to motivate your passion for writing through the film festival and showcase experience, put some cash in your pocket, give you the opportunity to confidently network with the title of “Grand Prize Winner,” and a support mechanism for layering a long-term career with an invitation to be a part of the elite ISA Development Program Slate.
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Final Deadline: 08/01/2018
To reward the ingenuity of screenwriters creating new material.
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Final Deadline: 08/04/2018
The Action on Film 14h Annual Film Festival celebrates and honors WRITERS of all genres and formats like no other festival does. Now in our 13th year, our Film Festival has garnered a solid reputation as being one of the premier Writing competitions. The AOF has created a solid community of Filmmakers and Writers from around the globe. Always looking to embrace and recognize writers, AOF is on the cutting edge looking to create a vehicle for our writers to be seen and honored.
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Final Deadline: 08/05/2018
The television scriptwriters workshop is designed to familiarize participants with the format, characters and storyline structure of specific shows that are currently on the air. The five-week, total immersion workshop is mentored and guided by former NBC V.P of Script Development, Geoff Harris and is conducted in Burbank, CA. A total of 10 writers are accepted nationwide from an established network of non-profit agencies, schools, universities, guilds and media organizations.
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Final Deadline: 08/05/2018
Roadmap Writers is proud to announce the launch of its inaugural JumpStart Writing Competition. The competition is open to both feature scripts and original television pilots. Roadmap Writers - a leader in screenwriting education taught by executives and literary representatives currently working in the industry - have helped 46 writers get signed to representation in just two years with companies that include Gersh, Circle of Confusion, APA, Gotham Group, Zero Gravity, and more! Much like our educational programs this competition is designed to give writers exposure to industry professionals who can help jump start their writing careers!
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Final Deadline: 08/08/2018
The ISA Fast Track Fellowship will catapult the careers of TWO emerging writers with industry access, continued script development and career guidance. The Fellowship’s mission is to provide access to top industry professionals and the opportunity to build relationships that would normally take years to cultivate. Two selected fellows will be flown to Los Angeles to participate in a week of meetings with EIGHT top-level industry mentors, capped off with a party in their honor at ISA's Third Thursdays.
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Final Deadline: 08/10/2018
MISSION: To provide industry exposure and support to television screenwriters who are looking to have their stories told. FEEDBACK: We believe that writers need feedback to improve, which is why we provide the judges’ score cards to every entrant at no additional charge. PROMISE: We promise to give all scripts two rounds of scores and there will be a total of six rounds of scores to ensure fairness and transparency.
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Final Deadline: 08/11/2018
The Cynosure Screenwriting Awards seek to expand the scope of mainstream cinema by recognizing and rewarding screenplays in two distinct categories: screenplays which feature compelling female protagonists; and screenplays that showcase diversity (ethnicity, race, gender, sexuality, disability, etc.).
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Final Deadline: 08/13/2018
To continually showcase and celebrate commercially viable films Written, Directed, or Produced by women. A Femme International Film Festival is a premier festival that focuses on platforming women filmmakers "by women, for everyone". Our Festival was created in 2005, when it became apparent that there was a need to enhance women behind the camera as Directors, Producers, and Writers.
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Final Deadline: 08/15/2018
On top of cash grants and Hollywood industry introductions, the top scripts are read by this amazing jury: Trevor Kress Trevor is currently Director, Brand Content & Partnerships at Stage 13, Warner Bros.' original digital content network, showcasing a new generation of inspired talent and voices in scripted and unscripted storytelling.
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Final Deadline: 08/15/2018
The Satisfied Eye International Film Festival is about discovery - a global forum for the discovery, promotion and exhibition of new talent, new connections, new networks and new opportunities; a place where careers can flourish and valuable collaborations can thrive.
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Final Deadline: 08/24/2018
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.
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Final Deadline: 08/30/2018
The Festival was created to celebrate the art of filmmaking and to honor the filmmakers who make it all possible.
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Final Deadline: 08/31/2018
The objective of the Moondance International Film Festival is to inspire, motivate, promote and encourage the best writers & independent filmmakers, from every country in the world, and to inspire a greater understanding about the vital role of the arts in enhancing creativity, community spirit, and the preservation of our cultural heritage.
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Final Deadline: 08/31/2018
Discovering new screenwriting talent from around the world. Shore Scripts Screenwriting Competition is focused on finding the best scripts from around the world and getting them into the hands of the producers and production companies who have the ability to get them made. Patrick Tobin, the writer of CAKE starring Jennifer Aniston is just one of our successes.
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Final Deadline: 08/31/2018
2018’s best TV Pilot scripts will be read by our roster of 43 production companies, agents and managers.
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Final Deadline: 08/31/2018
2018's best short scripts will be read by relevant production companies, agents and managers.
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Final Deadline: 08/31/2018
The Portland Comedy Film Festival, ranked in the Top 100 on FilmFreeway, is a unique forum for international independent comedy filmmakers to showcase their comedy films in Portland, Oregon. The Portland Comedy Film Festival is searching for funny and engaging films and screenplays to entertain a comedy loving audience. 2018 Fall Portland Comedy Film Festival Event Scheduled for Saturday November 10, 2018.
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Final Deadline: 09/01/2018
The mission of the American Zoetrope Screenplay Contest is to find and promote new and innovative voices in cinema. Every script is read closely by a select handful of professional readers, and Francis Ford Coppola selects a grand prize–winner from among the top ten finalists. The grand prize–winner receives a cash prize, and the scripts of all top ten finalists are sent by Zoetrope to leading production companies and talent agencies for consideration.
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Final Deadline: 09/01/2018
Founded by longtime residents and movie veterans alike, the Sherman Oaks Film Festival looks to showcase the best undiscovered movies in the heart of Los Angeles. The neighborhood that was home the mall in Fast Times At Ridgemont High deserves a world class film festival! The Sherman Oaks Film Festival has a category for unproduced screenplays of any length, feature or short or in between.
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Final Deadline: 09/01/2018
Dark Matter Media is looking for the next great script to produce.
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Final Deadline: 09/02/2018
A new kind of screenplay competition presented by LA Screenwriter and LiveRead/LA. Write/LA is dedicated to helping writers improve their craft so they can find success in the ultra-competitive world of screenwriting. We will be awarding three writers of either feature or television projects the opportunity to come to Los Angeles to improve their craft, experience the industry (which means meeting people currently working in it), and have their work celebrated at an exclusive live read gala.
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Final Deadline: 09/15/2018
Successful feature film dramas drive deep into the heart of what it means to be human, expressing universal themes with nuanced complexity. Our judges are looking for great stories with original voices and honest emotion. This competition celebrates great dramatic film writing. Whether you’re writing a sweeping period drama or a contained relationship movie, we want to read your script!
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Final Deadline: 09/15/2018
New York City's longest running horror film festival. Established by MooDude Films CEO / Producer / Director / Michael J. Hein in 2001. The NYCHFF is a four-day event that takes place each November in New York City. The NYCHFF has grown to be a world recognized event, with industry, filmmakers, and press attention from around the globe.The Hein Family is committed to keeping the festival alive in memory of the truly missed and loved founder Michael J Hein.
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Final Deadline: 09/20/2018
To discover innovative, marketable, high-concept projects for studio-level development, including feature screenplays, TV material, and media content.
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Final Deadline: 09/20/2018
We are a passionate group of writers, artists, and executives who love writers. In fact, 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. We work in the industry, but a lot of us come from backgrounds in journalism, publishing, and in some cases some very grisly real life experiences and we like serious subject matter.
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Final Deadline: 09/30/2018
The universe is an infinite expanse of limitless possibility, teeming with unknown worlds and untold stories. The blank page opens, a white inexhaustible void, punctuated only by the monolithic black cursor. What wonders lie in its indefinable depths? Other Worlds is dedicated to fostering and promoting creativity in Science Fiction at every stage of development, so we are proud to announce our annual SciFi Screenwriting Contest is now currently open and accepting submissions! The contest runs concurrently with the film program, and will award prizes for the top feature, short or teleplay.
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Final Deadline: 10/01/2018
The Vancouver International Women in Film Festival Screenplay Competition accepts English-language feature screenplays written by women. The festival is a forum for collaboration and networking with other screenwriters and filmmakers who contribute to the visibility of women through the ongoing practice of their craft. We encourage you to submit a feature film script of any genre, challenging the perceptions of what stories women write, and what we want to see.
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Final Deadline: 10/03/2018
Our panel of Hollywood industry professionals is looking for the next great drama and comedy TV pilots for network, cable and online platforms! Accepting web series and non-traditional series pilots as well. Three winners will receive cash awards and introductions to industry professionals. The Industry Jury: This year's jury is our best one yet! Our industry judges are looking for fresh voices in comedy and drama writing for television and web series! Our mission is to connect great TV writers with great TV producers, managers and development executives.
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Final Deadline: 10/09/2018
We don't offer any of the usual screenplay contest smoke and mirrors. No coverage from someone being paid $10 per script (please ask Mom). No cash (please ask Grandma) or writing clinics from gurus who have never sold a screenplay (Dad?). What our winners do receive is: INDUSTRY ACCESS AND INDUSTRY READS.
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Final Deadline: 10/10/2018
To introduce writers to the decision makers of traditional broadcast television, the cable market, and multi-media outlets. Competition winners will have the chance to get their material read by experienced production companies.
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Final Deadline: 10/10/2018
The Creative Screenwriting Screenplay Contest is looking for the next great feature or pilot. The Grand Prize Winner will receive $5,000 in CASH as well has have their script optioned by Producer Danny Roth (The Hurricane Heist, LBJ, The Year of Spectacular Men.)
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Final Deadline: 10/29/2018
Our intention is to help open doors for the aspiring television writer. There are four categories you can submit to, which include 1 hour existing spec scripts, 1/2 hour existing sitcom spec scripts, original pilots, and reality programs. This competition is designed with the TV writer and crossover screenwriter in mind. The participants we have chosen to read the winning scripts are individuals from established production companies.
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Final Deadline: 10/30/2018
The 7th annual Richmond International Film Festival (RIFF) is a competitive festival that screens more than 120 international cutting edge films and music, making it one of the Mid-Atlantic's largest international competitive festivals. RIFF provides industry panels, Q&As, live musical performances, the creative FLOW conference, and entertainment mixers that bring the spirit of Hollywood to beautiful Richmond, Virginia at the Bowtie Criterion/Movieland and the historic Byrd Theatre.
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Final Deadline: 11/01/2018
We are all about giving agents, showrunners, and executives exactly what they now are looking for: Spec pilot teleplays that showcase you, the new writer operating at your very best. If the suits love the writing of a spec pilot, they have the best reason in the world to trust the writer to come through in the development process. A strongly-written spec pilot shows you’re ready for the gig.
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Final Deadline: 11/01/2018
For 19 years SF IndieFest has developed a great reputation for filling theaters, getting press, and throwing great parties. Films at our fest regularly get Variety reviews, picked up at other fests, and find rabid groupies following the makers around town demanded autographs and buying them drinks. This year, we're rolling out a screenplay contest with the goal of expanding our filmmaker reach.
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Final Deadline: 11/02/2018
Cinequest voted Best Film Festival by USA Today Readers. The Cinequest Screenwriting Competition continues to empower global screenwriters through discovery, recognition and opportunity. Cinequest loves writers, and we welcome you to submit your screenplay or teleplay to our renowned competition. The Top 10 Finalists receive many empowering benefits including: All Access passes to the Cinequest Film & VR Festival and the exclusive Writers Celebration, plus exposure to leading industry players and inspiring luminaries.
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Final Deadline: 11/05/2018
Through personalized feedback from experienced industry professionals and other writers in the program, Screenwriting Fellows will gain the tools to revise and refine their scripts for production. The Screenwriting Lab also helps to further the careers of its Fellows by introducing them to film industry veterans who can offer guidance on both the craft and business of screenwriting.
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Final Deadline: 11/05/2018
The CineStory Foundation has always believed in helping writers find their voice. We’re entering a world in which the ways to tell stories are limitless. Those stories always begin with a blank page. Our goal with the TV/Digital Series Retreat is to assist writers, whether they long for the collaborative nature of Television or they dream of going out on their own to create their own web series.
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Final Deadline: 11/07/2018
Since 2009, Fresh Voices has distinguished itself as a screenplay competition designed to discover, empower and promote the next generation of storytellers, writers and filmmakers. As the name would suggest, Fresh Voices has done this by identifying writer's with a unique and memorable voice that demands to be read. Now in our ninth year, we have helped guide dozens of talented screenwriters to secure literary representation, option agreements and other work-for-hire writing assignments that have been the stepping stones to significant careers Will you be Hollywood's next success story? Enter now and let your voice be heard!
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Final Deadline: 11/09/2018
The Destiny City Film Festival was founded in part because we want to show great movies. And we know that at the heart of every great movie is a great story – one that is destined to inspire and entertain. Screenplays are the foundation of every memorable film, and we are dedicated to supporting the writing community and the stories they create. Thus, we are thrilled to host Tacoma’s first short screenplay competition! We know that the Northwest film community is chock full of talented writers, thinkers, and artists.
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Final Deadline: 11/15/2018
Created by Dr. Ted Baehr, founder, publisher and executive producer of MOVIEGUIDE® and founder and chairman of the Christian Film & Television Commission, and Dr. Jack Templeton, the primary purpose of the prize is to further the influence of moral and spiritual values within the film and television industries. Seeking to promote a spiritually uplifting, redemptive worldview, MOVIEGUIDE® announces the Kairos Prize that will help inspire first-time and beginning screenwriters to produce compelling, entertaining, spiritually uplifting scripts that result in a greater increase in either man’s love or understanding of God.
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Final Deadline: 11/15/2018
We are looking for innovative and compelling storytelling, for characters that surprise and challenge you, for words that pop off the page, and for narratives that twist and turn like a country back road. This year we’re accepting both feature scripts and pilot scripts; you’re more than welcome to submit in both categories.
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Final Deadline: 11/15/2018
The Women’s Script Showcase recognizes and showcases feature screenplays, shorts, and television scripts that feature one of the following: Female Lead Character OR Female Writer or Co-Writer, and provides opportunities for writers to showcase their projects to development executives, producers, agents, and managers. ALL SCRIPT ENTRIES RECEIVE.
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