How to choose a screenwriting contest

How much does it cost to enter a screenwriting contest?

Among the 25 contests we track with an upcoming deadline and a posted fee, the cheapest current entry option runs from $25 to $110, with a median of $55.59. Fees usually go up at each later deadline (early, regular, late, final), and feature entries often cost more than shorts or pilots. Options with notes or feedback cost extra. See entry fees $50 or less.

Are there free screenwriting contests and fellowships?

Yes. 7 of the 50 programs we track charge no entry or application fee: 1 contest and 6 fellowships, labs and writing programs, many run by studios, networks and nonprofits. See free screenwriting contests and fellowships.

What is the difference between a screenwriting contest, a fellowship and a lab?

A contest ranks entered scripts and gives the winners prizes, such as cash, meetings or industry exposure. A fellowship selects a small group of writers for a paid or mentored program, often with interviews and extra written materials. A lab or residency is a workshop where selected writers develop a project with mentors. We track 31 contests, 13 fellowships and 6 labs; see fellowships and labs.

Is it better to enter a screenwriting contest early?

Usually, yes, if your script is ready. Most contests have several deadline tiers, and the fee rises at each one, so the earliest tier is the cheapest. The deadline we show on each listing is the next tier, and the listing page shows the later dates. Don't rush an unfinished draft just to save a few dollars, though: many contests don't let you replace your script after you submit it.

Which screenwriting contests give feedback?

11 contests we track include written feedback, notes or script analysis with entry, or sell it as an optional add-on. See screenwriting contests with feedback, and check the official page for exactly what the feedback covers before you pay for it.

Which screenwriting contests and fellowships have the biggest cash prizes?

The largest prizes we track, as the organizers list them: Scriptapalooza Screenplay Competition (Over $50,000 in cash and software; $16,000 first-place cash; $500 to each of 7 genre winners (FilmFreeway)); Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting (Up to five $35,000 fellowships); Inevitable Foundation Accelerate Fellowship ($30,000 unrestricted grant + mentorship). See all 14 contests and fellowships with cash prizes.

When are most screenwriting contest deadlines?

They run all year. In our list right now, the busiest months for upcoming deadlines are October 2026 (15) and November 2026 (13). 16 programs haven't announced their next dates yet, and we list them as TBA until they do. See closing this month and closing next month.

How can I tell if a screenwriting contest is worth the entry fee?

Check the official page for past winners and what happened to them afterwards, who reads and judges the scripts, and what the prize actually is (cash, meetings, or only "consideration"). Read the rules on refunds and rights: you should keep ownership of your script. A contest that names its industry partners and publishes past results is easier to judge than one that doesn't.

Can I enter the same script in more than one contest?

Usually, yes, but read each contest's rules first. Some programs only accept scripts that haven't been sold, optioned or produced (2 programs we track say so in their eligibility), and a script that wins or is optioned elsewhere can become ineligible.

How do I keep track of screenwriting deadlines?

Script Deadlines is free. You can get the Friday email with everything closing in the next 14 days, subscribe to the deadline calendar so new dates show up on their own, or print a calendar of just the deadlines you want.