Screenplay Contests Directory

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Feature Fee
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Teleplay Fee
Festival of Cinema NYC
Final Deadline
Apr 30, 2024
$100
$75
$85
Final Deadline
Apr 30, 2024
$100
$75
$85
Winners Notified:
Aug 11, 2024
Entering its 8th year, Festival of Cinema NYC will be taking place from August 2nd - 11th, 2024. The festival welcomes filmmakers and attendees to the legendary Regal UA Midway theater in Forest Hills Queens, New York, with additional programming that includes workshops and panels at the Queens Library at Forest Hills.

Festival of Cinema NYC is a fully rounded film festival that looks to nurture and help develop the careers of emerging filmmakers and writers. The festival particularly seeks un-produced scripts and offers the top finalists a chance at participating in a staged reading of their work in front of a live audience.

Top prizes include a pitch meeting as well as a consultation with a film distributor.

Scripts of all lengths, genres and subjects are accepted. Whether your film is a drama, comedy, horror, sci-fi, fantasy, documentary, experimental, LGBTQ, animation, even if it tackles social issues - we want to show it! Our Opening Night, Closing Night, and special screening events (like our Midnight Madness and Underground Films presentations) are all selected from the very best submissions we receive. Plus, every filmmaker that submits a film will automatically receive a one-year subscription to Videomaker Digital Magazine, a leading subscription service that focuses on guiding independent filmmakers with online tutorials and publications (a $20 value). All selected filmmakers get VIP passes that allow entry into all our screenings, events, and parties.

Festival of Cinema NYC is the only film festival in New York City to be supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, The New York State Council on the Arts, and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs. Support from these nationally recognized foundations is a testament to the hard work our team has put into advancing the careers of filmmakers. Whether they are new to the industry with their first film, or a filmmaker with several films under their belt, our mission is to help these emerging filmmakers get more exposure and media attention, reach larger audiences, and meet other industry professionals who can help further their career.

As an IMDB qualifying festival who has consistently landed on FilmFreeway's Top 100 reviewed list, Festival of Cinema NYC has quickly risen to become New York City's go to festival for the best in Independent Film. Our goal is to bring purpose back to film festivals and make it a platform where filmmakers facing challenges can get their work seen and ultimately picked up for distribution. The incredible PR team works around the clock to ensure a large attendance at each screening. In addition, every filmmaker is given a post screening Q&A and a chance to interact with attendees and attending industry professionals.

Our festival’s growing reputation of top-notch independent films has consistently attracted more distributors every year, making it a possibility to interact with distributors directly! One of the key components to Festival of Cinema NYC's success is making sure each filmmaker and their film get the proper attention and publicity that they deserve. Our publicity department works diligently to ensure that filmmakers receive coverage in news outlets and local media. Filmmakers at the festival have had their films featured in various news publications around Queens and New York City, including the New York Times, the NY Daily News, the NY Post, the Queens Chronicle, CBSN and NY1 News on Spectrum cable. Attending filmmakers each get a Q&A following their screening, giving them the chance to engage with audiences.

Additionally, Festival of Cinema NYC hosts panels, workshops and seminars that strongly appeal to filmmakers and attendees seeking further insight into the independent film industry. Presenters have included Seed & Spark, SAG-AFTRA, and invited guest speakers. Seminars have included topics such as film distribution, how to build a publicity campaign, and how to raise funding for your project.

Festival of Cinema NYC is a competitive festival that honors the submissions with awards in 17 categories. Every film and script selected is eligible for an award. Past jury members have included writer/director Dito Montiel; Anna Garduno, Executive Producer at Netflix; Amy Peters, Emmy award winner; Doug LeClaire, founder of Asbury Shorts USA; Isil Bagdadi, president of distribution at Cavu Pictures; and David Josh Lawrence, head of acquisitions at Glass House Pictures. Winners are handed a beautiful custom statuette as well as prizes being offered from some of our amazing sponsors. Among this year’s prizes, filmmakers can walk away with a distribution consultation, and a 1-hour sound mixing session with Emmy Award winning sound studio Silver Sound. The top 10 script finalist in the un-produced script category will receive a 1-month membership to STAGE 32's writer's room, with the winner given a pitch meeting with a producer of their choice through the STAGE 32 Network.
Zed Fest Film Festival Screenplay Competition 2024
Spring Deadline
Apr 30, 2024
$50
$35
Summer Deadline
Aug 30, 2024
$55
$40
Fall Screenplay Deadline
Nov 18, 2024
$60
$45
Final Deadline
Dec 17, 2024
$65
$45
Winners Notified:
Dec 30, 2024
15th Annual Zed Fest Film Festival & Screenplay Competition was founded in 2010 to encourage and support independent filmmakers, who work in the horror, suspense, science fiction, Supernatural, drama, action, adventure, and art house genres.

Screenwriting software, Cash and other screenwriting prizes,
Enter Your Screenplay For your Chance to Win.

Feature Screenplay Prize
1st Place $500.00
2nd Place $300.00

Short Screenplay Prize
1st Place $100
2nd Place $75
VISIONFEST Screenwriting Competition
Spring
May 1, 2024
$55.00
$35.00
Regular
Jul 1, 2024
$60.00
$40.00
Late
Sep 1, 2024
$70.00
$50.00
Fall
Oct 1, 2024
$75.00
$60.00
Final Deadline
Nov 1, 2024
$85.00
$70.00
Winners Notified:
Dec 14, 2024
VISIONFEST is an annual online screenwriting competition evolving from what began in 2001 as VISIONFEST: THE OTHER FESTIVAL (commonly referred to as VF) and founded by the Domani Vision Film Society LLC, an organization dedicated to bringing you tomorrow's visionaries... today. The Screenwriting Competition accepts feature length and short screenplays in all genres for a chance to win cash prizes, commemorative certificates, and more... Top winning feature script gets $1k cash prize - winning short $350 cash!
Script Summit
Regular
May 3, 2024
$50
$45
$50
Late
Jun 1, 2024
$60
$50
$60
Final Deadline
Jun 14, 2024
$70
$60
$70
Winners Notified:
Sep 13, 2024
Script Summit was created to help more writers get signed, staffed, and produced. Our previous winners have been signed by talent managers, seen their scripts get produced, and have had their work pitched to production companies.

This is why Script Summit is listed as one of the Top 20 Biggest Screenwriting Contests in the world by the ScriptLab!

With our contest, you can even receive feedback from our professional readers.
Screamfest Horror Screenplay Competition
Final Deadline
Jun 22, 2024
$77
Winners Notified:
Jan 1, 1970
24th annual Screamfest Horror Film Festival & Screenplay Competition call for entries open for genre feature film scripts. Top Prizes include $1K cash prize, 10 free pitches on Virtual Pitchfest (VPF), 4-month InkTip Pro Membership, Movie Magic Software,. Top 5 Finalists receive 5 free pitches on VPF, One full festival pass to Screamfest 2024, Movie Magic Screenwriter, 4-month InkTip Pro Membership. Finalists read by producers and managers.
Shore Scripts Feature Screenplay Contest
Opens for submissions:
Apr 3, 2024
Early
Jun 24, 2024
$55/70
Regular
Jul 31, 2024
$65/80
Final Deadline
Aug 30, 2024
$75/90
Winners Notified:
Dec 9, 2024
Guaranteed Option Prize, 1-2-1 Judges' Feedback. Cash Prizes + Industry Meetings. We've launched screenwriting careers at Sony, Blumhouse, Film4, & Hulu.

For over a decade, Shore Scripts has been shining a light on new screenwriting talent. This year we are presenting a unique opportunity for feature writers to go behind the scenes and start developing their screenplay with the support of our award-winning Judges.

Feature film production is a massive engine, made up of many moving parts and engaging the creative talents of a huge number of individuals, but as the well-known phrase goes, “It all starts with the script.”

NEW FOR 2024 – A GUARANTEED PAID OPTION PRIZE with Showdown Productions!

Showdown Productions has come on board to select and sign a Paid Option Agreement with one of Shore’s 2024 feature writers, working with the writer to develop their project before taking it out to market. This will be a career-changing experience for an upcoming writer that will enable them to gain experience developing their work with a top production company. They will also build up their network, whilst giving their script the best opportunity of being taken through into production.

Showdown will be presented with a shortlist of the strongest screenplays for them to choose the winner.

To be eligible for consideration for the Guaranteed Option Prize you must select the +Showdown entry when submitting your Feature screenplay.

Plus, this year, Shore Scripts will be awarding placings to five (5) Winners, Top 20 Finalists, Semi-Finalists, and Quarter-Finalists.

Along with cash awards and development prizes, the Grand Prize Winner will have an unprecedented opportunity to participate in one-to-one calls with FOUR (4) of our Judges to get firsthand advice on how to polish their script with a view to successful production and get on a call with our Industry Roster Manager, Alec Ring at CINETIC, to receive must-have career advice and industry guidance.

Get feedback in 2024 from:

- Alayna Glasthal Production Creative Exec. at Atomic Monster – M3GAN, THE CONJURING.

- Antony Johnston Author & Screenwriter – ATOMIC BLONDE, RESIDENT EVIL, DEAD SPACE.

- Mitchell Altieri Screenwriter & Director – THE HAMILTONS, APRIL FOOL’S DAY.

- Alex Ranarivelo Screenwriter & Director – AMERICAN WRESTLER, THE RIDE, CASA GRANDE.

- Alec Ring Manager at Cinetic – whose clients include the writers of BOOKSMART, MOONLIGHT, and PARASITE.

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

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

BENEFITS

NEW FOR 2024 – A GUARANTEED PAID OPTION PRIZE with Showdown Productions!

Showdown Productions is a Los Angeles-based Production Company founded by Bo Youngblood and John Ierardi, and repped by UTA. They have produced multiple feature films, including Blumhouse’s TORN HEARTS, FOLLOW ME & SAFER AT HOME. They are looking to work with writers and material that not only has a strong artistic vision but also makes a commentary on social and diverse issues.

Our prestigious panel of Oscar & BAFTA winning Judges will decide this year’s 5 Winners.

* Grand Prize Winner - $5,000.

- Writer Development Calls with our Judges, Antony Johnston (ATOMIC BLONDE), Alayna Glasthal (M3GAN), Mitchell Altieri (THE HAMILTONS), Alex Ranarivelo (THE RIDE), and Manager Alec Ring at Cinetic whose clients include the writers of BOOKSMART, MOONLIGHT, PARASITE.
- A complimentary enrollment in a 10-week or shorter screenwriting course at the UCLA Extension Writers’ Program.

* 2nd Place Winner - $1000.

* 3rd Place Winner - $500.

Plus, all FIVE (5) of our Winners will win 6 months of free access to the Stage 32 Writer's Room program.

In 2024 all of our 5 Winners and Top 20 Finalists will have the opportunity to participate in our Writer Development Program receiving one-to-one support from our Writer Development Manager, sending out their scripts to our roster of over 300 Managers, Agents, Producers, and Directors. This bespoke and personal approach to script circulation built on enduring, knowing what our roster members are looking for right now, and what our writers wish to achieve is what makes Shore Scripts stand out from the crowd, and has enabled us to help launch the careers of over 100 screenwriters to date.

And the opportunity to join our private alumni Facebook community where they can network with other winners, readers, and members of the Shore Scripts team, and our directors' roster and take part in exclusive live events and access specially provided learning materials.

Take a look at our alumni and see how placing in Shore Scripts contests can kick-start your screenwriting career: www.shorescripts.com/success-stories/.

Placing in Shore Scripts contests will boost your rating on Coverfly’s Red List. At the end of 2023, over 100 scripts by Shore Scripts writers were listed in Coverfly's Top 10%.

Plus, receive a FREE 18-page booklet on HOW TO GET YOUR SCRIPT PRODUCED!
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