Uncovering the Top 20 Screenwriting Competitions Around the Globe

Screenwriting competitions serve as a platform for aspiring writers to showcase their talent, gain recognition, and potentially open doors to the entertainment industry. With countless competitions taking place worldwide, it can be overwhelming to determine which ones offer the most valuable opportunities. In this blog post, we will delve into the top 20 screenwriting competitions across the globe, shedding light on their respective benefits and highlighting why they stand out from the rest. And to refrain from any bias, we won’t even mention the screenwriting competition at the Utah Film Festival (which is probably the best of all.)

1. Academy Nicholl Fellowships:
Managed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, this prestigious competition awards up to five fellowships annually, offering cash prizes and industry exposure to the winners.

2. Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition:
Highly regarded for its emphasis on storytelling, this renowned competition provides winners with extensive networking opportunities and mentorship from industry professionals.

3. PAGE International Screenwriting Awards:
PAGE is known for discovering and promoting talented screenwriters, attracting industry attention and potentially leading to career-launching opportunities.

4. Sundance Screenwriters Lab:
Held annually, this exclusive lab nurtures emerging talent, providing selected writers with mentorship, support, and access to industry experts.

5. BlueCat Screenplay Competition:
Renowned for its commitment to providing feedback to all participants, BlueCat has a reputation for discovering and promoting exceptional writers.

6. Final Draft Big Break:
This competition not only offers cash prizes but also connects finalists with influential professionals in the film and television industry.

7. CineStory Foundation Fellowship:
Writers who win this fellowship receive mentorship, industry connections, and a chance to attend the renowned CineStory Retreat in the beautiful mountains of Idyllwild, California.

8. Script Pipeline:
Script Pipeline boasts an impressive track record of connecting writers with agents, managers, and producers, helping them sell their work and further their careers.

9. Austin Screenwriting Competition:
Part of the Austin Film Festival, this competition offers winners a valuable platform to showcase their work in front of influential industry professionals.

10. Tracking Board Launch Pad Pilots Competition:
With a focus on television pilots, the Launch Pad competition has helped numerous writers secure representation, sell their scripts, and launch their careers.

11. Sundance Episodic Lab:
Similar to the Sundance Screenwriters Lab, this lab focuses specifically on episodic content, providing guidance and mentorship to selected writers.

12. American Zoetrope Screenplay Contest:
Founded by Francis Ford Coppola, this competition offers winners the opportunity to have their screenplay read by industry professionals at the prestigious American Zoetrope production company.

13. Filmmatic Screenplay Awards:
Recognizing both established and emerging talent, Filmmatic offers cash prizes, industry exposure, and networking opportunities to winners.

14. WeScreenplay Feature Screenwriting Competition:
With a reputation for providing comprehensive feedback to all participants, WeScreenplay’s Feature Screenwriting Competition offers a valuable learning experience for aspiring writers.

15. International Screenwriting Awards:
This competition stands out for its commitment to promoting diverse voices and stories, providing winners with exposure and recognition on an international level.

16. The PAGE Awards:
With a rigorous judging process, The PAGE Awards aims to discover exceptional screenwriting talent and help winners gain industry recognition.

17. Shore Scripts Screenwriting Competition:
Run by a team of industry professionals, Shore Scripts provides comprehensive feedback and prizes, including introductions to agents, managers, and producers.

18. New York International Screenplay Awards:
This competition offers writers a chance to gain exposure and recognition in the global film industry, with winners receiving cash prizes and industry connections.

19. Final Draft’s Big Break TV Contest:
Focused specifically on television writing, this competition has helped many writers secure representation and break into the industry.

20. Fresh Voices Screenplay Competition:
Fresh Voices attracts attention for its commitment to discovering fresh and unique voices, providing winners the opportunity to gain recognition and connect with industry professionals.

Screenwriting competitions offer writers a valuable platform to showcase their talent and open doors to the entertainment industry. By participating in these top 20 competitions, aspiring screenwriters can gain exposure, receive feedback, and potentially secure career-launching opportunities. Whether it’s the prestigious Academy Nicholl Fellowships or the supportive community of BlueCat, each competition on this list has something unique to offer, allowing writers to flourish and take their craft to new heights.