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.
Most contests run at the same time every year but do check contest websites for specific dates, including early deadlines with reduced entry fees.
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Studio21 Drama Series Script Competition
Deadline: 1 October 2021
Accepting pilot scripts (min 30 pages, max 60 pages) accompanied by a series treatment. All genres welcome.
The competition connects the best new and emerging writers with the global content business, offering the winner a £10,000 development option and unique opportunity to connect with the global drama business through C21Media’s Content London in December.
Six finalists pitch their projects to the international drama industry at the prestigious Content London, attended by executives from Netflix, Amazon, BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Hulu, ZDF and many more.
The winning project will be developed by Studio21, supported by an advisory board of industry executives. Previous winners now have their shows in development with Studio21 and leading co-producing partners, and the raft of new writers and projects taken under the Studio21 wing is commanding the attention of commissioners worldwide.
The competition is produced in association with Content London and Script Angel.
Screenwriting competitions and script contests in date order
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.
Edinburgh TV Festival New Voice Awards
Deadline: January
Sundance Episodic Lab
Deadline: February
Series Mania Forum UGC Writers Campus
Deadline: February
For emergent international writers with one broadcast credit as tv/webseries, feature or short film.
Screencraft Screenwriting Fellowship
Deadline: March
Screencraft Sci-Fi & Fantasy Screenplay Competition
Deadline: March
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)
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.
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.
Screencraft Comedy Screenplay Competition
Deadline: April
BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Competition: YA & Children’s
Deadline: April
Runs every 2 years – 2021, 2023
BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Competition: Film
Deadline: April
Runs every 2 years – 2022, 2024
Red Planet Prize for Screenwriting
Deadline: April
In association with ITV Drama
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.
Shore Scripts Short Film Fund (Spring)
Deadline: May
Screencraft Horror & Thriller Screenplay Competition
Deadline: June
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.
Screencraft Animation Screenplay Competition
Deadline: July
Shore Scripts Feature Contest
Deadline: August
Shore Scripts TV Pilot Contest
Deadline: August
Nickelodeon TV Writing Program
Deadline: August
Spec scripts for one of their listed shows. Open to US and international applicants.
Tracking Board Launch Pad Features Contest
Deadline: August
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.
Screencraft Drama Screenplay Competition
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.
BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Competition: TV Drama
Deadline: September
Runs every 2 years – 2021, 2023
BAFTA Rocliffe New Writing Competition: TV Comedy
Deadline: September
Runs every 2 years – 2022, 2024
Screencraft Pilot Launch TV Script Contest
Deadline: October
BFI Network x BAFTA Crew
Deadline: October
For writers, directors and producers actively working towards their first professional feature or television credit.
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 Competition
Deadline: October
Screenplays up to 140pp.
Universal Writers Program
Deadline: October
One-year, paid, feature film development program.
Shore Scripts Short Film Fund (Autumn)
Deadline: October
Cassian Elwes Independent Screenwriting Fellowship
Deadline: November
Enter via The BlackList.
Blue Cat Screenplay Competition
Deadline: December
Screencraft Family Screenplay Competition
Deadline: December
Good luck!
