Contests and Prizes for Screenwriters
The Samuel Goldwyn Writing Awards Competition offers awards to all regularly enrolled students at any University of California campus. A panel of industry professional will review the submissions, and final judging will be done by a panel composed of prominent industry figures. Only full-length dramatic writing in script form is eligible-equivalent of a three-act stage play, feature length screenplay, or a one hour (minimum) teleplay.
The PAGE Awards Competition is judged by producers, agents and production execs
BIG BREAK Screenwriting Contest, established by Final Draft Inc., is a yearly, international screenwriting contest to help kick off the careers of struggling screenwriters. The first place winner receives a cash prize of$15,000; a second place winner receives a cash prize of $4,000, and a third place winner receives $2,000. Additional prizes are awarded to other finalists. The top three finalists also fly to Los Angeles (all expenses paid) for three days to meet with leading producers, directors and film agents.
The Cynosure Screenwriting Awards recognizes and honors feature-length scripts in two distinctive niches: 1) screenplays which spotlight interesting female protagonists; and 2) screenplays that emphasize diversity (ethnic culture, race, sexuality, disability, etc.). Cynosure awards a cash prize of $3,000 in each category to a screenwriter who has written the best screenplay. Furthermore, the grand prize winners will meet with an influential Hollywood Producer, Agent or Manager, and receive a free 4-day pass to the American Film Market event. Judges for the Cynosure Screenwriting Awards are leading industry professionals from film studios, production companies, and talent agencies. Many well-known studios and production companies solicit and option scripts from Cynosure.
Scriptapalooza Screenwriting Competition was established in 1998 to find talented (unknown) screenwriters and to promote them in the highly competitive film industry. The first place winner receives a cash prize of$10,000. Scriptapalooza also supports the winner, finalists and semifinalists by publicizing each screenwriter's script for one year. Applicants will have their scripts read by over 90 top filmmakers, film production companies, and film agents.
Voice and Vision: The NBC Drama Challenge - From the network that brings you hit shows like REVOLUTION and GRIMM we are looking for our next big, splashy drama. Here at NBC, no topic or genre is off limits. What excites us most are passionate ideas and strong, bold characters with specific points of view. We are offering a $25,000 prize along with the chance that we may develop your winning script and/or engage you to write additional ideas.
What do I need to submit?
What do I need to submit?
- Produced Pilot Scene (not to exceed 10 minutes in length)
- Pilot Script (1-2 Acts, not to exceed 40 pages in length)
- Series overview (not to exceed 2 pages in length)
- Signed Entry Packet
Comedy Central Pilot Competition - The New York Television Festival and Comedy Central have teamed up to offer aspiring TV writers and producers the opportunity to win $7,500 and a development deal with Comedy Central! Comedy Central is looking for fun, fresh points of view that fit into the Comedy Central brand of comedy. The following scripted-comedy formats would apply: sketch, narrative/single-camera sitcom, animated and "late night" comedy (game shows, panel shows, etc.). Non-scripted formats are not applicable for this competition, regardless of hilarity.
What do I need to submit?
What do I need to submit?
- A four to eleven (4-11) minute Pilot Presentation
- A shooting script of the episode
- Signed Entry Packet
History Unscripted Development Pipeline - History and the NYTVF are teaming up for an innovative program seeking original unscripted television treatments from independent artists and production companies. Submissions should focus on charismatic male characters living in surprising worlds or with fresh points of view. Twenty-five semi-finalists will be reviewed by the network with five finalists receiving development funding to produce additional tape. Finally, one winner will receive $10,000 and an opportunity to work with History Programming to produce a pilot presentation of their winning submission.
Creative World Awards International Screenwriting Contest awards over $25,000 in cash and prizes (not to mention ongoing publicity and promotion) to finalists, semi-finalists, and runner-ups. The grand prize offers a cash prize of $5,000 to a screenwriter who has written the best screenplay or teleplay of any genre. Judges accept feature screenplays, short film scripts, and teleplays.
The Fresh Voices Pitch Contest affords aspiring writers the opportunity to turn great ideas into salable screenplays through experienced script guidance, professional mentoring, over $5,000 in cash & prizes, plus the chance to pitch your winning project directly to as many as 35 producers, executives, agents and managers. Download, complete and submit the Pitch Contest Form with your one-three (1-3) page idea for a feature film or television show and you could get paid to turn your pitch into a salable screenplay.