For budding authors, screenwriting competitions may be a great opportunity to become noticed, connect with pros in the field, and further their careers.
But it may be challenging to decide which contests are worthwhile given the abundance of them and the time, effort, and money required to enter.
Additionally, many of them are money-making scams operated by businesses that have no genuine ties to Hollywood and no interest in promoting careers.
The advantages and disadvantages of competing in screenwriting contests will be discussed in this article, along with some of the more prominent and respectable ones.
These are the competitions that I believe are suitable!
I think so. You may disagree, but I believe that the majority of contests are hope-machine frauds. And I detest that.
So, let’s start with several screenwriting contests that I believe are safe and worth participating. If you believe any of them are frauds or if you know of any better screenwriting contests that aren’t included here, please send me an email.
Let’s get started.
First, More Scam Information!
Unfortunately, some screenwriting contests may turn out to be frauds.
Some businesses could make exaggerated claims of wealth and fame, demand exorbitant admission fees without giving authors real prospects, or fall short of their pledges of industry exposure.
Before joining a screenplay contest, it is crucial to conduct a thorough investigation to make sure it is respectable and worthwhile of your time and money. Check for reviews, industry discussion boards, and successful track records.
Any contest that demands a substantial upfront payment, makes exaggerated claims about results, or employs coercive sales techniques should also be avoided. You may safeguard yourself from possible frauds and identify genuine possibilities to further your screenwriting career by exercising caution and knowledge.
I detest that there are some entrance hurdles in Hollywood that individuals take advantage of in order to make money.
I’ll attest to the contests listed below at this time.
Which Screenwriting Contests Are Valuable?
Deciding which screenwriting contests are worth participating may be difficult because there are so many of them. Here are some respectable competitions that you may want to look into:
The name above all others is Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting. The scripts that win this competition are the ones that people want to read. The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences administers the Nicholl Fellowships, which are regarded as one of the most prominent screenplay contests. Up to five $35,000 prizes are given out annually to promising screenwriters by the fellowship.
Screenplay & Teleplay Competition at the Austin Film Festival: A few years ago, there was a lot of discussion over their readers’ unpaid status and the negative criticism they provided. Since then, I believe they have taken action. All of that made it difficult to suggest this one, but I am still confident that those that enter and win do well. Another reputable competition in the field is the Austin Film Festival. There are film, television, and digital series categories in the competition, and winning screenplays frequently go on to be made and released.
Sundance Screenwriters Lab: Although not strictly a competition, this prestigious program chooses a select few up-and-coming authors annually to take part in a week-long writing workshop with specialists in the field. With so many success stories, it’s a truly remarkable program. Give this one your full support.
PAGE International Screenwriting Awards: Many outstanding authors have had their careers sparked by the renowned PAGE (Page International Screenwriting Awards) competition. It takes screenplays for short films, TV pilots, and feature films, among other genres. They have several testimonies from active writers. It also seems to come up in discussions with executives who are aware of it, in my opinion.
I debated whether or not to include the Scriptapalooza Screenplay & TV Script Competition. Given the modest admission charge, I believe it would be worthwhile. I talked to some friends who really like it, so I’m depending on them more now. A reputable screenwriting contest, Scriptapalooza welcomes submissions in a variety of genres, such as stage plays, TV shows, and feature films. In addition to various monetary awards, the grand prize winner gets $10,000.
In the early 2010s, I really entered and made it to the finals of the Final Draft Big Break Screenwriting Contest. My buddy is doing really well and I believe she was a winner or in the Top 3. In any case, I enjoy this one. Both aspiring and experienced screenwriters are eligible to enter the Final Draft Big Break Screenwriting Contest, which gives away more than $80,000 in cash and prizes annually. There are short film, TV pilot, and feature film categories in the competition.
The Black List: Although this isn’t a competition, the website does host a few throughout the year. My friend’s career took off once she won one. If you are familiar with my tale, you are aware that I was found there in 2013. I’ve written a lot about this site and will keep writing about it. Although I believe it works, I can see why some people are unhappy. Although there are no foolproof paid methods of breaking in, I like that this one has decent people behind it. In addition, almost $1.2 million has been given to writers by the Black List in the past two years!
Stage 32: I’ve written a lot on this website and the comments as well. One of our radio guests was a writer who used the website to get her movie created. As of right now, I believe it would be worthwhile to try to seek their opinion on their recommended list. But once more, everything is changing. Richard, their CEO, struck me as kind and motivated to support writers.
A few examples of credible screenwriting contests are those listed above. Before joining any contest, it’s crucial to conduct due diligence and ensure that you comprehend the regulations, entry costs, and judging standards.