Placing in well respected screenwriting contests and script competitions can get your writing noticed by the industry, and be a step towards your professional screenwriting career.
We’ve scoured the thousands of competitions to bring you a carefully curated list of the best screenwriting contests, labs and schemes from around the world.
We regularly update this list and share these deadlines plus additional fast-turnaround opportunities with our newsletter subscribers. Sign up below to get contest reminders straight to your inbox.
Most contests run at the same time every year but do check contest websites for specific dates, including early deadlines with reduced entry fees.
FEATURED
Studio21 Drama Series Script Competition
Deadline: September
Enter a pilot script (30-60mins) and series pitch doc (1-4pages)
Six finalists pitch their projects to the international drama industry at Content London.
The winner receives £10,000 prize and their script optioned by Studio21.
In association with Content London and Script Angel.
SCREENWRITING CONTESTS BY DEADLINE MONTH
Screencraft
Deadline: throughout the year
Various genre-specific script contests, each with a specific submission window.
Hamptons International Film Festival Screenwriters’ Lab
Deadline: January
Feature length screenplays only.
Edinburgh TV Festival New Voice Awards
Deadline: January
Sundance Episodic Lab
Deadline: February
Whistler Film Festival Screenwriters’ Lab
Deadline: February
Canadian screenwriters only.
NBC TV Writers Program
Deadline: March
Accepting original spec pilot scripts. Must be available to attend workshops in Los Angeles.
The Writers Lab (US)
Deadline: March
Accepting submissions from women-identifying writers over 40. With support from Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Oprah Winfrey.
The Writers Lab (UK & Ireland / Europe)
Deadline: April
Accepting submissions from women-identifying writers over 40. In association with Cate Blantchett’s Dirty Films and Bird’s Eye View.
The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards
Deadline: April
Short scripts up to 40pp, feature screenplays 80-120pp, TV drama pilots 50-70pp, TV comedy pilots 25-45pp.
Sitcom Mission
Deadline: April
BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Competition: YA & Children’s
Deadline: April
Runs every 2 years – 2023, 2025
BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Competition: Film
Deadline: April
Runs every 2 years – 2022, 2024
Austin Film Festival Screenplay & Teleplay Competition
Deadline: May
Feature scripts 90-120pp, teleplays (original pilot or spec of existing show) 45-70pp, sitcom scripts 22-40pp.
The Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting
Deadline: May
Screenplays 90-120pp.
Script Pipeline TV Writing and Screenplay Contest
Deadline: May
Feature screenplays. TV – any length script, pilot of original or spec of existing show.
Sundance Screenwriters’ Lab
Deadline: May
Feature length screenplays. U.S residents only.
Disney/ABC Writing Fellowship
Deadline: May
Applicants must be able to prove US employment eligibility.
Shore Scripts Short Film Fund (Spring)
Deadline: May
Big Break Screenwriting Contest
Deadline: July
Teleplays 25-70pp / Screenplays 80-120pp.
International Emmys: Sir Peter Ustinov Television Scriptwriting Award
Deadline: June
Submit 30-60 minute television drama script. Applicants must be under 30 and non-US residents.
Shore Scripts Feature and TV Pilot Contests
Deadline: August
Nickelodeon TV Writing Program
Deadline: August
Spec scripts for one of their listed shows. Open to US and international applicants.
Berlinale Talent Campus
Deadline: September
Studio21 Drama Series Script Competition
Deadline: September
Six finalists pitch their projects to the international drama industry at Content London.
The winner receives £10,000 prize and their script optioned by Studio21.
In association with Content London and Script Angel.
4Screenwriting
Deadline: September
Accepting screenplays (film or tv), stage plays and radio plays. Open to residents of UK and Ireland. Applicants must be available to attend the course in London on specified dates. In association with Channel Four Television.
BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Competition: TV Drama
Deadline: September
Runs every 2 years – 2023, 2025
BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Competition: TV Comedy
Deadline: September
Runs every 2 years – 2022, 2024
Universal Writers Program
Deadline: October
One-year, paid, feature film development program.
NEM Zagreb TV Writing Contest
Deadline: October
Shore Scripts Short Film Fund (Autumn)
Deadline: October
TIFF Writers’ Studio
Deadline: December
BBC Writersroom Open Call
Deadline: December
Scripts over 30′ in length for tv, film, radio, stage or online. UK and Republic of Ireland residents only.
Good luck!
