Placing in well respected screenwriting contests can bring your writing to the attention of the industry.
Here’s our round-up of the best film and television English-language writing contests from around the world. Most contests run at the same time every year but do check each contest’s website for specific deadline dates.
NEW: Script Angel Screenwriter Coaching Inclusion Scholarship
BBC Writersroom: Drama Room
Deadline: January
Scripts over 30′ in length for tv, film, radio, stage or online. UK and Republic of Ireland residents only.
Hamptons International Film Festival Screenwriters’ Lab
Deadline: January
Feature length screenplays only.
Nickelodeon TV Writing Program
Deadline: January
Spec scripts for one of their listed shows. Open to US and international applicants.
Sundance Episodic Lab
Deadline: February
Screencraft Screenwriting Fellowship
Deadline: March
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.
Edinburgh International Film Festival Talent Lab
Deadline: April
Open to screenwriters, producers & directors. Feature films only.
Whistler Film Festival Screenwriters’ Lab
Deadline: April
Canadian screenwriters only.
BBC Writersroom: Comedy Room
Deadline: April
Accepting 30 minute comedy scripts for film, tv, stage, online or radio. UK and Republic of Ireland residents only.
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 Screenwriting Contest
Deadline: May
Feature length screenplays.
Script Pipeline TV Writing Contest
Deadline: May
Any length script, pilot of original or spec of existing show.
Sundance Screenwriters’ Lab
Deadline: May
Feature length screenplays. U.S residents only.
TIFF Industry Talent Development Labs & Programs (various)
Deadline: May
Various programs – some international and others for Canadian writers/filmmakers
Finish Line Script Competition
Deadline: May
Tracking Board Launch Pad Pilots Contest
Deadline: May
TV pilot scripts up to 70pp.
Warner Brothers Writers’ Workshop
Deadline: May
Spec script of selected existing shows. Must be available to attend workshops in Los Angeles.
NBC Writers On The Verge
Deadline: May
Accepting spec script of selected existing shows. Must be available to attend workshops in Los Angeles.
Disney/ABC Writing Fellowship
Deadline: May
Applicants must be able to prove US employment eligibility.
Big Break Screenwriting Contest
Deadline: July
Teleplays 25-70pp / Screenplays 80-120pp.
International Emmys: Sir Peter Ustinov Television Scriptwriting Award
Deadline: July
Submit 30-60 minute television drama script. Applicants must be under 30 and non-US residents. Opens 24 April 2019.
Shore Scripts Screenplay Competition
Deadline: August
Feature screenplays 80-120pp, tv pilots 15-70pp, short screenplays 3-20pp
Berlinale Talent Campus
Deadline: September
C21 Drama Series Script Competition
Deadline: September
Six finalists pitch their projects to the international drama industry at Content London. The winner receives $10,000 option prize.
In association with Script Angel, Studio21 and WritersRoom.
Screencraft Drama Screenplay Contest
Deadline: September
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.
Screencraft Pilot Launch TV Script Contest
Deadline: October
Fresh Voices Screenplay Competition
Deadline: November
Accepting feature scripts up to 130pp, tv scripts up to 75pp, short film scripts up to 25pp.
Screencraft Action & Thriller Screenplay Contest
Deadline: October
Screenplays up to 140pp.
Universal Writers Program
Deadline: October
One-year, paid, feature film development program.
Tracking Board Launch Pad Features Contest
Deadline: November
Cassian Elwes Independent Screenwriting Fellowship
Deadline: November
Enter via The BlackList.
Blue Cat Screenplay Competition
Deadline: December
Screencraft Family Screenplay Contest
Deadline: December
Good luck!
