2025 Screenplay Competitions Worth Your Time (and Entry Fee)
As Los Angeles continues to recover from the devastating fires, my thoughts are with everyone affected. Rebuilding is tough, and the resilience and support shown by this community is nothing short of inspiring.
For those of you fortunate enough to keep pursuing creative goals at this time, let’s turn to a topic many screenwriters wrestle with: To enter or not to enter screenplay competitions?
It’s a question almost every screenwriter grapples with at some point — and for good reason. There are so many to choose from, each with their own entry fee, and let’s be honest: plenty of competitions sound impressive, but leave you with little more than a polite “thanks for entering” email and a sense of buyer’s remorse.
So, how do you figure out which ones are actually worth it?
For me, it all comes down to your goals. If you’re hoping to land representation, pitch your script, or just get your name on the industry radar, a high-quality competition can absolutely be worth it. I’ve seen winners sign with great reps, sell their scripts, and even pocket some decent cash prizes (though money should never be your main motivation for entering).
If you do decide to take the plunge, the trick is figuring out which competitions are the real deal — and which ones are just a black hole for your submission fee.
To save you time, money (and maybe a little sanity), here’s a list of 2025 screenwriting competitions that I think are actually worth your while:
1. Academy Nicholl Fellowship
Run by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (yes, that Academy), this contest is the gold standard for feature scripts. With thousands of entries annually — so much so that in 2024 it imposed a cap, accepting a maximum of 5,500 entries — the competition is no joke. But, if you’re a feature writer, the potential benefits are unmatched.
Awards: Up to five fellowships are awarded each year. Each fellowship includes:
$35,000 (paid in installments over the fellowship year)
A year long mentorship program with industry pros
Networking events, a staged reading, and industry exposure
Cost: $50 to $90, depending on when you submit.
Deadline: The official deadline has not been posted yet, but typically the application becomes available late January, with submissions accepted between March and May 1st.
Pro Tip: If you’re thinking of entering, do it early. In 2024, they stopped accepting submissions once they hit the 5,500 cap. If they keep the same rule in 2025, don’t wait until the last minute. Check here for updates on when their 2024 competition will open.
2. Austin Film Festival Screenplay and Pilot Competitions
For over two decades, AFF has been one of the go-to competitions for writers trying to break into the industry. With screenplay competitions for almost every genre you can think of, AFF winners have gone on to sell their scripts to companies like HBO and NBC, sign with representation and even eventually become Showrunners. Only 15% of entries make it past the first round — but the rewards are well worth the price of entry. Learn more here.
Awards:
Cash Prizes
Festival Badges with access to panels, screenings and workshops
Industry Exposure (advancing scripts are included in the Producers Book which is sent to competition judges and other industry professionals)
Cost: $50 to $90, depending on submission timing and category type
Deadline: Submissions are currently open for 2025.
Short Screenplay & Teleplay deadlines:
Early Bird Deadline: March 25
Regular Deadline: April 22
Late Deadline: May 27
Feature Screenplay deadlines:
Early Bird Deadline: March 25
Regular Deadline: April 22
Late Deadline: May 27
Pro Tip: AFF also offers competition categories in Playwriting and Scripted Fiction Podcasts, so if those are your lanes, don’t miss out.
3. Final Draft Big Break Screenwriting Contest
Hosted by the creators of the industry-standard screenwriting software, this competition is all about connecting writers with their (you guessed it) “big break”. And it’s not just lip-service, past winners have sold scripts, landed agents and managers, and been staffed on major TV shows.
Awards:
Cash Prizes (including $10,000 for each Grand Prize Winner)
The two Grand Prize Winners (one for features, one for TV) also get industry coaching, immersive writing programs, and a trip to LA for meetings
Up to $80,000 in cash and prizes across categories
Career coaching sessions and immersive writing programs
A trip to Los Angeles for industry meetings
Cost: $35 to $65, depending on when you submit.
Deadline: The contest opens for entries on March 10, 2025 with a final “extended deadline” of June 30, 2025. Check their website or CLICK HERE to sign up for their newsletter to get competition info emailed to you as soon as it’s available.
Pro Tip: Last year the TV Grand Prize Winner also received a one-hour Career Coaching session with me. We created a personalized game plan for the winner to help them leverage the contest win.
4. PAGE International Screenwriting Awards
If you’re wondering if this one delivers tangible results, just take a look at the stats on their website: over 313 writers signed, 286 scripts optioned, 227 writers hired and 210 projects produced — including award-winning TV series like The Walking Dead.
Awards:
$50,000 in cash and prizes across multiple categories (with $25,000 for the Grand Prize Winner)
Industry exposure through tools like Virtual Pitch Fest and Roadmap Writers
Private consultations with execs
Cost: $49 to $79, depending on when you enter.
Deadline: Submissions are open now through April 15th, 2025.
Pro Tip: Early submissions save you money.
5. Sundance Labs
Okay, technically Sundance Labs are not screenwriting competitions but they absolutely deserve a place on this list. The Labs are less about fancy awards and more about nurturing talent and helping creatives take their career to the next level (and honestly that’s more valuable than any cash prize). Throughout the year the Lab offers multiple "tracks" you can apply for, each with its own unique submission criteria. Yes, the application process for these can be lengthy and involved, but — trust me — this is one to invest in.
Currently three Sundance Labs are accepting submissions: The 2025 Feature Film Producers Track (more info HERE), the 2025 Sundance Ignite x Adobe Fellowship (more info HERE), and the 2025 Documentary Producers Track (more info HERE).
What you get:
Tailored mentorship and workshops with industry heavyweights
Tracks for features, episodic pilots, and more
Cost: Varies by Track. Learn more here.
Deadlines:
Applications for the Feature Film Producers Track is open until Feb 12, 2025.
Applications for the Ignite x Adobe Fellowship is open until Feb 14, 2025.
Applications for the Documentary Film Producers Track is open until Feb 12, 2025
Pro Tip: For TV writers, the Episodic Lab is one you won’t want to miss. It’s a six-day program designed to support writers in developing their pilot scripts. Participants engage in one-on-one story meetings, craft workshops, and simulated writers' rooms, collaborating with accomplished showrunners and industry professionals.
6. Slamdance
Known for championing bold, fresh voices, Slamdance has earned its reputation as a breeding ground for indie talent. Yes, this means a lot of applicants (last year alone, they received nearly 4,000 applications). But with plenty of categories to choose from (TV Pilots, Feature Films, Short Screenplays and Horror/Thrillers), and a proven track record of winners going on to sign with managers, sell scripts, and have their projects produced — this one is definitely worth it.
Awards:
$10,000 for the overall winner and $2,000 for each category winner
Industry Recognition and Festival Passes to the Slamdance Film Festival
Personalized Mentorship for the winner of the Slamdance Screenplay Mentorship Award
Cost: $35 - $120, depending on timing and type of submission.
Deadline: Submissions typically open mid-February, and run through mid-July Check here for updates on 2025 deadlines and entry fees!
Happy submitting!
Which screenwriting competitions do you swear by? 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).