Top Screenplay and TV Writing Competions

WRITERS RESOURCES

Film Festivals, Writing Competitions, Conferences, Markets, Script Libraries

Screenplay Competitions

Film Festivals and Screenplay Competitions offer a fantastic opportunity for writers to share their work, receive constructive

feedback, and meet fellow filmmakers and writers.

While many of these competitions offer cash prizes, several present the opportunity to develop your work with seasoned

professionals. For example - Screenplays developed in The Sundance Screenwriters Lab have gone on to be produced, premiering at The Sundance Film Festival and further award recognition.

Here is a list of the top competitions with links to their sites for further information and submission guidelines:

Nicholl Fellowship – Up to $35,000.00

Sundance Screenwriters Lab –

HBO Writing Fellowship –

American Zoetrope Screenplay Contest - $5,000.00 Prize

The Slamdance Screenwriting and Teleplay Competition - $5,000.00 Cash Prize

IFP Market –

Nantucket Film Festival - $7,000.00 Cash and Prizes

Austin Film Festival AFF Screenplay and Teleplay Competition - $5,000.00 Cash Prize

Fade In Awards - $5,000.00 Cash Prize

PAGE International Screenwriting Awards - $25,000.00 Prize

The Scripted Project

Austin Screenwriting Competition – $5,000.00 Cash Prize

Cinequest Screenwriting Competition - $5,000.00 Cash Prize

The Beverly Hills Screenplay Contest - $20,000.00 In Cash and Prizes

Nashville Film Festival – $65,000.00 Cash and Prizes

New York Screenplay – $15,000.00 Cash and Prizes

TrackingB Feature Script Contest – Exposure to accredited Industry Panels

ScreenCraft Sci-Fi Screenplay Contest - $2,000.00 Cash Prize

The Cynosure Screenwriting Awards - $5,000 Cash Prize

Shore Scripts Screenwriting Contest - $3,000.00 Cash Prize

Write of Passage Screenwriting Competition - $2,000.00 Cash Prize

Blue Cat Screenplay Competition - $15,000.00 Cash Prize

High Concept Screenplay Competition - $1500.00 Prize

The Fresh Voices Screenplay Competition - $3,000.00 Cash Prize

ScreenCraft Action & Thriller Script Contest - $2,000.00 Prize

Scriptapalooza TV Writing Contest - $3,000.00 Cash Prize

Scriptapalooza Screenwriting Contest - $10,000.00 Cash Prize

The StoryPros Awards Screenplay Contest - $2500.00 Cash Prize

Script Pipeline Screenwriting Competition - $20,000.00 Cash Prize

Script Pipeline TV Writing Contest - $5,000.00 Cash Prize

ScreenCraft Comedy Screenplay Contest - $1,000.00 Prize

Creative World Awards Screenwriting Competition - $5,000.00 Cash Prize

Emerging Screenwriters Screenplay Competition - $25,000.00 Cash Prizes

BIG BREAK Screenwriting Contest - $15,000.00 Cash Prize

Virginia Screenwriting Competition - $1,000.00 Cash Prize

Tracking Board’s Launch Pad Competition –

Canada International Film Festival – Discovery and Recognition

Ohio Independent Film Festival – $25,000.00 Cash Prize

Moondance Film Festival – $6,000.00 worth in Prizes

Sarasota County Film TV Me Contest –

New York Television Festival NYTVF –

NexTV -

Pitch Festivals

Both Writers and Industry Professionals have strong opinions when it comes to Pitch Festivals and Conferences. Although there is always an understandable caution when approaching any opportunity where you have to pay, there are several that I believe worthy of exploring. The fees they charge are toward basic overhead costs.

And most importantly, you are legitimately getting the opportunity to hone your pitch and meet with prodcuers, agents, and managers. The reps that attend the festivals I listed below are sincere in their desire to discover talent and find material.

Do your homework. Research each festival to see which matches your area and strengths. Contact them. Ask questions.

Always make informed decisions with your career and education.

InkTip Pitch & Networking Summit III

Pitch Slam

Great American PitchFest

Secret Door Pitch Festivals

Hollywood Pitch Festival

Austin Film Festival Pitch Competition

Online Hollywood Pitch Festival

Virtual Pitchfest

Screenplay Library

One of the most effective ways to learn how to write is to read. Read great scripts. Watch the film and study how the prose

translated onto the screen. As a writing exercise, I encourage my students to type out their favorite scenes from their favorite movies to "feel" how the composing proceeds.

Here are links to award winning screenplays that have been made available by the film's studios and production companies. They are listed here as a resource material for you.

American Sniper by Jason Hall

Still Alice by Richard Glatzer and Wash Westmoreland

Boyhood by Richard Linklater

12 Years A Slave by John Ridley

American Hustle by Eric Warren Singer and David O. Russell

Enough Said by Nicole Holofcener

The Theory of Everything by Anthony McCarten

The Fault In Our Stars by Scott Neustadter & Michael H. Weber

Bridesmaids by Annie Mumolo and Kristen Wiig

The Way Way Back by Nat Faxon and Jim Rash

Whiplash by Damien Chazelle

Dallas Buyers Club by Craig Borten and Melisa Wallack