2023 Screenplay Competitions Worth Your Time (and Money)
There’s a lot of debate about whether or not screenwriting competitions are an effective way to get your script noticed. There are hundreds to choose from, most of them include a steep entry fee, and you really only benefit if you place first (or maybe second, at a high-quality contest).
For me, screenwriting competitions can be a good move if you’re looking for representation or the chance to pitch projects. I know writers who’ve won competitions and landed great agents and managers, sold their screenplays, and sometimes even received a fancy check (making money off of these competitions shouldn’t be the reason for entering them, but it’s certainly a nice perk).
All that said, not all screenwriting competitions are created equal.
Don’t waste your time and money on the Smooeggie Screenwriting competition (not a real contest, but you get the idea). To save you time and money, here’s a list of 2023 screenplay competitions I think are worth investing in:
1. Academy Nicholl Fellowship
As the official screenwriting competition for the Academy Awards, the Academy Nicholl Fellowship is without a doubt one of the most prestigious on this list. It’s highly competitive (in 2021 they received 8,191 entries) but, like most where the competition is stiff, the potential reward is very high.
Awards: Up to five $35,000 fellowships are awarded each year, but the real reward is instant recognition from a lot of heavy hitters in the industry.
Cost: Ranging from $50 to $90 depending on time of submission.
Deadline: The official deadline has not been posted yet, but typically the application becomes available late January, with entries accepted between March and May. Check here for updates on when their 2023 competition will open.
2. Austin Film Festival Screenplay and Pilot Competitions
The Austin Film Festival has screenplay competitions for almost every genre you can think of. Winners have been known to connect with managers, agents, and even sell their scripts as result of winning. That said, thousands of people apply but only 15% of those writers make it to the second round. But they do make a point to create opportunities for their ‘Second Rounders’ during the Austin Film Festival - so the “rewards” from this competition are not only reserved for the winners.
Awards: Various awards based on various factors. Learn more here.
Cost: Ranging from $35 to $70 depending on time of submission and type of submission (short screenplay vs. feature screenplay).
Deadline: Submissions are currently open for 2023.
Feature Screenplay deadlines:
Early Bird Deadline: March 23
Regular Deadline: April 18
Late Deadline: May 25
Short Screenplay & Teleplay deadlines:
Early Bird Deadline: March 23
Regular Deadline: April 18
Late Deadline: May 25
3. SlamDance
Over 25 years old, the SlamDance screenplay competition has a great track record for connecting screenwriters to Hollywood ‘movers and shakers’ who go on to rep, produce, and option some of the winning screenplays.
Awards: Various awards based on various factors. Learn more here.
Cost: Usually ranging from $57 - $87 depending on time of submission.
Deadline: Submissions typically open in late February, and are accepted until mid-July. Check here for updates on 2023 deadlines and entry fees!
4. Sundance Lab
The Sundance labs are not traditional screenwriting competitions. They are technically development courses. But, with its track-record for skyrocketing writers careers, Sundance has more than earned its place on this list. The Sundance Lab has a few different “tracks” you can submit to and competition for each track is fierce, but the opportunities rewarded to the chosen participants are so good, it’s worth the entry fee.
Two Sundance Labs currently accepting submissions are the 2023 Episodic Lab (more info HERE) and the 2024 Development Track (more info HERE).
Cost: There are different submission fees for different types of submissions.
Deadline: Applications for the 2023 Episodic Lab will be open February 8 - March 8, 2023.
Applications for the 2024 Development Track will open in April 2023.
5. PAGE International Screenwriting Awards
Do the shows Pose and The Walking Dead sound familiar? Well, if it weren’t for this competition recognizing those screenwriters, those shows might never have been produced.
Awards: $25,000 to one screenwriter with the best screenplay over any genre; Also Gold, Silver, and Bronze awards in each of the ten genre categories. Learn more here.
Cost: Ranging from $47 to $77 depending on time of submission.
Deadline: Submissions are open NOW through April 10th, 2023.
6. Final Draft Big Break Screenwriting Contest
This contest is hosted by the most well-used screenwriting software in existence. Winners have signed with top level agents, and sold their winning screenplays to notable production companies.
Awards: 11 winners share up to $80,000 in cash and prizes; 2 grand prize winners are flown to Los Angeles and are introduced to producers and executives.
Cost: Usually ranging from $40 to $75 depending on time of submission.
Deadline: Typically mid-July. You can check their website for deadline and entry fee updates or CLICK HERE to sign up for their newsletter to get competition info emailed to you as soon as it’s available.
Happy submitting!
What screenwriting competitions do you think are worth your time and money? Let me know @CaroleKirsch!
For more industry info and tips check out these additional resources:
For the ultimate guide to pitching a TV show that sells, check out my e-book, The Ultimate Guide to a Killer Pitch
To learn how to create your “personal logline” read my free e-book, Tell Your Story in 60 Seconds.
For my in-depth video course on breaking into the business go to: Carole Kirschner’s Hollywood Boot Camp.
And you can find my book, Hollywood Game Plan on Amazon or at Michael Wiese Productions (MWP).