Fade to Black…Screenplay Competitions

Should you enter a screenwriting competition or try to get your script produced?

As has been said (right here) before, contests are one of the best ways to get your work in front of industry professionals. After all, the judges work in the field and production companies, film festivals and such are the ones who sponsor the competitions. Even if you don't win, film industry professionals will read your script, or at least sample pages. That's a guarantee and you won't get that guarantee when submitting to an agent, studio or production company cold.

What if the contest isn't in Hollywood or New York City?


Just because a contest is based outside of film hubs like New York and Hollywood, it doesn't mean it isn't legit. Film festivals, like Sundance and Austin, draw some of the elite among film industry professionals. Besides an award is an award and will look good on a resume. Always do your homework before entering any kind of contest, be it screenwriting, novel writing or jingle writing even.

First, look at the entry fee:

• Can you afford it?
• How does it compare to the prizes?
• How does it compare to the judges' credentials (the more prestigious the judge, the more money it costs to get them to participate)?
• Bottom line are the judges and prizes worthy of the entry fee?

Then, look closer at the judges:

• Have you ever heard of them or can you find out anything about them through Google or another search engine?
• Have they been involved in films similar to yours?
• How long have they been in the film business?
• With whom have they worked - studios, actors, directors etc.?

Finally, read the fine print:

• Does entering this contest limit the future and potential of your script?
• Does the contest require any signing over of rights for non-winning scripts?
• Does the contest offer any benefits to non-winners, such as a reader's critique?

Is the Internet the best place to look for screenwriting competitions?

It's a great place to start. Google screenwriting competitions or contests or use screenplay instead of screenwriting. Either way, you'll find pages of sites touting directories, databases and links to regional, national and international contests. Often these databases aren't up to date so when you find a contest, go to its website to get full information.

You can start with the list below. 3 Questions…and Answers does not endorse any of these competitions, but each website has been checked to ensure the contest is ongoing and that there are current guidelines. Click the competition's name to go to the website.




Austin Film Festival and Heart of Film Screenplay Competition: Entry Fees/Deadlines: $40/May 15, $50/June 1, Teleplays - $30/June 1, Multiple categories of screenplays and teleplays, Prizes: $1000-$5000 plus hotel/airfare reimbursement plus AFF Bronze Typewriter.
Endas International Screenplay Competition: Italy based, Entry Fees: €45-50, Deadline: July 31, Grand Prize: €1000
FilmingFolk Productions 2008 Short Film Script Competition: United Kingdom based, Entry Fee: £25, Deadline: May 31, Grand Prize: full professional production.
Final Draft's Big Break International Screenwriting Competition: Entry Fees/Deadlines: $50/June 1, $60/June 15, Prizes: 10 finalists, then top three picked from there, cash awards $500-$15,000, plus multiple prize packages.
Great Lakes Film Association Screenplay Competition: Entry Fees/Deadlines: Shorts - $25/May 31, $35/July 27, $55/September 27; Features - $35/May 31, $45/July 27, $65/September 27, Prize: $500 plus exposure to industry professionals.
Hangman Productions 3rd Annual Screenplay Shootout: Entry Fees/Deadlines: $35/May 15, $50/June 30, Grand Prize: $2500, $500/2nd, $250/3rd.
Horror Screenplay Competition: Entry Fee: $35, Deadline: July 15, Prizes: $1000 plus "industry submissions"/1st, $250 plus "industry submissions"/2nd, Screenplay Software/3rd.
Howling Moon Productions 1st Annual Horror/Thriller Screenwriters Competition: Entry Fees/Deadlines: $25/May 26, $50/August 26, Grand Prize: $200 plus production.
The Movie Deal Screenplay Competition: Multiple categories/genres, including TV, Entry Fees: $50/features, $20/shorts, Deadline: September 30, Prize: production.
Praxis Screenplay Competitions: Canadian citizens or landed immigrants only, Entry Fee: $75 Canadian, Deadline: June 30 (fall 08 competition), December 1 (spring 09 competition), Prize: 4-6 scripts chosen for workshop with a veteran story editor or screenwriter.
Screenplay Competition by Repped: Entry Fee: $45, Deadline: June 1, Prize: representation by Reppd Management plus meetings with studios such as Universal, Fox and Warner Brother, among others.
Slamdance Film Festival Screenplay Competition: Entry Fee: $40 and up depending on the deadline, remaining Deadlines: April 21 (2nd early) and June 2 (final), Grand Prize: $7000.