Screenplay competitions can not only be a great way to get feedback on your story - and possibly get access to a conference - but ALSO make some money. (If your script kicks serious butt.) So, here is a quick look at what the Top 10 Screeenplay competitions pay - and what, if all goes right, you can use to help support your writing career.
2. #1: ACADEMY NICHOLL
FELLOWSHIP
Award: $35,000
Sponsored by the Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, the Don and Gee
Nicholl Fellowship is the most ELITE of the screenwriting competitions.
Up to five $35,000 fellowships are awarded each year to the best
screenwriters with the requirement that winners complete one feature
screenplay by year's end.
3. #2: PAGE INTERNATIONAL
SCREENWRITING AWARD
Award: $25,000
Highly competitive, due to only one prize being given out, the PAGE
Screenwriting Award rewards $25,000 to the BEST screenplay in any
genre. It's judged by working professionals with experience getting big
studio movies made.
4. #3: SCRIPT PIPELINE
SCREENWRITING COMPETITION
Award: $20,000
Networking was this contest's initial GOAL. (But it’s gone far beyond that
now.) Not only does the winner get CONNECTED with top TV and Film
producers, but the first-place winner gets $20,000 in cash.
5. #4: BEVERLY HILLS
SCREENPLAY CONTEST
What if my characters are talking at the same time?
A total of $20,000 in prize money is awarded to finalists of the Beverly
Hills Screenplay Contest in its five categories: Feature, Short Screenplay,
Stage Play, TV Script and Treatments. Winners also are PUBLICIZED to
the media, helping them network with producers and execs.
6. #5: BIG BREAK
SCREENWRITING CONTEST
Award: $15,000
Started by the screenwriting software you know and love, Final Draft, this
annual contest aims to bring unknown, talented SCREENWRITERS to the
limelight. First place receives $15,000 with second and third receiving $4K
and $2K, respectively.
7. #6: BLUE CAT SCREENPLAY
COMPETITION
Award: $15,000
For every screenwriter who submits to this competition, they'll receive two
critiques with helpful feedback from qualified Hollywood-players. But that
ain’t all…the best screenplay is awarded $15,000 for any genre!
8. #7: SCRIPTAPALOOZA
SCREENPLAY COMPETITION
Award: $10,000
Sciptapalooza was started in order to find unfound writing talent. (And to
offer scripts a bit out of the mainstream a chance to be SHOWCASED.)
First place is awarded a $10,000 prize, plus publicity for a year. (One of
the more interesting, respected competitions out there.)
9. #8: EMERGING SCREENWRITERS
SCREENPLAY COMPETITION
Award: $10,000
Calling all first-time screenplay writers! This contest awards the best
screenplay $10,000 with hefty cash prizes through 6th place. Winners
receive one-on-one GUIDANCE from famed screenwriter Robert McKee.
(And hopefully tips on how to “interpret” his story diagrams.)
10. #9: SLAMDANCE
SCREENWRITING COMPETITION
Award: $2,000-$5,000
Well respected in the industry, and a sure-fire way to get real producers
and agents to read your script, the Slamdance Screenwriting competition
also awards $5000 to the BEST SCREENPLAY, and $2000 to the best
Teleplay. (Ideal for those who find the “Sundance” vibe too stuffy.)
11. The Cinequest Film Festival is great for uncovering NEW TALENT, and the top
prize for the best screenplay is $5000. But even if you don’t win the top prize, the top
10 screenwriters all get to have their scripts read by big-time producers and execs
who may represent the scripts they love most.
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