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why screenwriters would even want to gamble
$40 to $100, per contest, just for the chance to
compete with thousands of other spec scripts.
- Constructive criticism. It’s the most basic
benefit competitions can offer screenwriters.
Praise and criticism are essential for growth
in this craft. Awareness of strengths and
weaknesses in one project is key to improv-
ing the next. - Cash. Without an agent, this may be
the next best way to capitalize on hard work.
Prizes can range from a few hundred dollars
to $35,000. - Connections. Relationships are currency,
but most people don’t have the luxury of
being born into the film business, or even
schmoozing with assistants at happy hours in
Hollywood. Fortunately, the best screenplay
competitions are either judged by or closely
aligned with industry professionals. Impress-
ing a literary manager, agent, or development
executive—or even one of their assistants—
could be a game-changer. - Validation. If you already have industry
contacts, doing well in a screenplay competi-
tion will make them more likely to read your
project. Shout about any honor on social
media, and then tout the victory in every
email inquiry going forward.
Most contests also welcome television
specs and even short film scripts, but this
article focuses on feature screenplays.
And so, with all that said, here are
15 screenwriting competitions worth
your time and money in 2020.
THE ACADEMY
NICHOLL FELLOWSHIP
ENTRY FEE: $48-$88
2020 DEADLINES: MARCH 6 – MAY 1
This competition offers prestige, and a lot of
money. Each year, the Academy of Motion Pic-
ture Arts & Sciences awards up to five $35,000
Nicholl Fellowships to amateur screenwriters,
who are expected to complete an original fea-
ture film script. Payments are made quarterly
and are subject to satisfactory progress of the
recipient’s work, as judged by the Academy
Nicholl Fellowships Committee. From the pro-
gram’s inception in 1986 through 2019, $4.58
million has been awarded to 176 writers.
In addition to getting paid to do what they
love, the writers are invited to participate in
awards week ceremonies and seminars in
November, and that means opportunities to
network with the biggest names in cinema.
Over a dozen of these screenplays
have gone on to production. 2015 winner
Elizabeth Chomko’s What They Had starred
Hillary Swank, and premiered at the
Sundance Film Festival in 2018. Writer-
director Destin Daniel Cretton’s 2013 indie
drama hit, Short Term 12, was nurtured dur-
ing his 2010 fellowship.
Despite this contest being sponsored by
the organization behind the Oscars, it’s very
accessible. Anybody who has earned less than
$25,000 from screenwriting during their life-
time can enter a screenplay that simply must
be original. No adaptations allowed. Good luck.AUSTIN FILM FESTIVAL
SCREENPLAY COMPETITION
ENTRY FEE: $45-$70
2020 DEADLINES: MARCH 27 – MAY 15Although this annual October festival
screens plenty of films, its roots are in the
writing process. The Austin Film Festival &
Conference, launched in 1993, was the first
of its kind to bring professional and amateur
screenwriters together to celebrate the craft,
fostering careers in the process by introduc-
ing literary talent to agents and producers.
Cash prizes of $5,000 are awarded to
winners in the drama and comedy catego-
ries, while horror and sci-fi category winners
receive $2,500. All entrants are guaranteed
written feedback, and those who reach the
second round (the top 20 percent of total
entries) get even more detailed feedback
from readers. Those “Second Rounders” alsoget $50 off of a festival badge, granting them
access to networking and learning opportuni-
ties galore, including exclusive panels, like
grabbing lunch with an industry veteran, or
participating in a mock writers room.
“The Austin Film Festival is true to their
word—this IS the writers festival,” said
2019 Sci-Fi Feature Screenplay winner
Christopher Corte in a testimonial featured on
the festival’s website. “AFF dedicates so much
time and resources so the focus stays on the
writer. It’s that attention which led me to sign-
ing with my managers at Lit Entertainment.
Austin is the spotlight writers need.”
This screenplay competition is best suited
for those interested in attending the festival,
win or lose, because the experience is where
screenwriters will discover the true value of
the contest.
The AFF website also quotes X-Files cre-
ator Chris Carter describing it as “one of the
best film festivals you’ll ever experience.”BLUECAT SCREENPLAY
COMPETITION
ENTRY FEE: $50-$80
2020 DEADLINES: JUNE 30-DECEMBER 15Founded by screenwriter Gordy Hoffman,
brother of late actor Philip Seymour Hoffman,
this screenplay competition has been nurtur-
ing talent since 1998, a few years before the
founder won the Waldo Salt Screenwriting
Award at the Sundance Film Festival.
First and foremost, BlueCat is a great op-
portunity for amateur writers to get feedback
on their projects. All entrants are guaranteed
a written analysis, and they’re eligible for
the $10,000 grand prize, along with a $5,000
prize for feature screenplay winner. Four
feature finalists get $1,000 each, as well, and
three entrants will win $250 each for the best
titles. Screenwriters residing outside of the
USA are eligible to win the Fellini Award,
which will net the winner $2,500.DESTIN DANIEL CRETTON, A 2010 ACADEMY NICHOLL
FELLOW, ON THE SET OF HIS 2019 DRAMA JUST MERCY
WITH STAR MICHAEL B. JORDAN