Writing is a true art form, but it’s not just for the page—behind each of your favorite movies is an outstanding screenplay, penned by talented writers who know which words will translate to magical moments on the big (or small) screen.
Whether you’re new to the game or looking for more opportunities, entering a contest is a great way to hone your skills, test your talent, and get exposure for your work. That’s why we’ve put together a list of screenwriting contests you can enter today.
2022 Screenwriting Contests
Below is a list of screenwriting contests you can enter in 2022 for a chance to win cash prizes, meetings with film industry leaders, and more.
| Contest Name | Contest Guidelines | Entry Fee | First Prize | Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cinestory Foundation Fellowship | www.cinestory.org/ | $69–$88 | $10,000 + 12-month fellowship with two industry mentors | March 6, 2022 |
| Nantucket Film Festival | nantucketfilmfestival.org/submit | $25–$45 | cash prize (TBA) + Mentors Brunch with a prominent screenwriter | March 11, 2022 |
| Scriptation Showcase | showcase.scriptation.com/ | $39–$59 | $1,000 | March 13, 2022 |
| 2022 Short Film Fund | www.shorescripts.com/shortfilmfund | $40 | $10,000 | March 31, 2022 |
| Nicholl Fellowship | www.oscars.org/nicholl/about | $48–$88 | $35,000 | April 2, 2022 |
| New Media Film Festival | newmediafilmfestival.com/submit/ | $70–$80 | up to $45,000 in awards; HBO, Marvel & Arpix Media | April 3, 2022 |
| Page Screenplay Contest | www.pageawards.com/the-contest/ | $45–$75 | $25,000 | April 11, 2022 |
| Finish Line Script Competition | www.finishlinescriptcomp.com/ | $35–$40 | $1,500 + flight to L.A. + meeting with industry professionals | April 13, 2022 |
| Austin Screenwriting Competition | austinfilmfestival.com/submit/ | $45–$70 | $2,500 + tickets to Austin Film Festival | April 18, 2022 |
| ScreenCraft Screenplay Contest | www.screencraft.org/screenwriting-contests/ | varies by contest | varies by contest | Ongoing, different genres each month |
| Slamdance Screenplay Competition | slamdance.com/screenplay/#submit | $50–$75 | $8,000 | June 6, 2022 |
Are Screenwriting Contests Worth It?
As with any investment of your time and money, you’ll want to make sure that the contest you’re entering is legit before sending off your hard work and money.
However, if you’ve done your due diligence and found that the contest is being judged by industry professionals and hosted by a real, respected organization, entering a screenwriting contest can absolutely be worth it.
Even if you don’t take home a big prize, you’ll have gotten your name and work out there—and who knows which producers or other big writers might stumble across it? Connections are extremely valuable in the writing and entertainment industries.
Plus, if the contest provides feedback on your entry (as many of them do), you’ll get a chance to improve your craft using the expert advice of the pros.
How Much Money Can You Make As a Screenwriter?
The amount of money a screenwriter makes depends on several factors, including the kind of screenplay being written, and whether or not the writer is a member of the WGA (Writers Guild of America).
According to the WGA, in the 2017–2018 period, the average script sale price was $110,000. Payments for screenplays are made through installments, so writers rarely get that amount all at once.
It’s also important to note that there are different WGA minimums for everything, from a 15-minute TV episode to full-length, big budget film scripts.
Polishing Your Screenplay
If you’ve got dreams of seeing your work played out on the big screen, why wait to get started? Check out our guide (written by a screenwriter and producer) to learn how you can write your screenplay in 24 hours.
And if you enjoy writing short stories, be sure to enter our first annual Short Story Awards Contest by August 31, 2022 for a chance to win $1,000!
Did you find this post helpful? Let us know in the comments below!
If you enjoyed this post, then you might also like:
- List of Nonfiction Writing Contests (Updated for 2021)
- List of Short Story Contests (Updated for 2021)
- List of Poetry Contests: Where to Submit Your Poems (Updated for 2021)
- How to Write Your Screenplay in 24 Hours – Advice from a Hollywood Screenwriter and Producer
As a blog writer for TCK Publishing, Kaelyn loves crafting fun and helpful content for writers, readers, and creative minds alike. She has a degree in International Affairs with a minor in Italian Studies, but her true passion has always been writing. Working remotely allows her to do even more of the things she loves, like traveling, cooking, and spending time with her family.
