How to get the most out of Screenwriting Competitions
23 January 2025
This article was written by Writing for Script & Screen MA (Online) course leader, Dr John Finnegan.
For many screenwriters, completing a script is a significant milestone - and rightly so. But once that final ‘fade to black’ is written and the screenplay has been polished to perfection, an often-daunting question looms: what next? Should you approach agents or producers directly? Most importantly, how can you ensure that your script starts working for you instead of languishing on a shelf or in a digital folder? This is where diving into the world of screenwriting competitions comes in.
Screenwriting competitions offer an invaluable pathway for aspiring and seasoned screenwriters alike. Not only do they provide an opportunity to test your script against a panel of industry professionals, but they also allow you to measure your craft against other writers. Moreover, many competitions come with enticing perks – financial awards, mentorships, or introductions to key industry figures - that can serve as a steppingstone to bigger opportunities.
However, to truly reap the benefits of screenwriting competitions, you need to approach them strategically. In this guide, we’ll explore the steps you can take to leverage success (and even failure) on the competition circuit and ensure your screenwriting competition journey is as fruitful as possible.
Step 1: Prepare like a pro
Before submitting your screenplay to any competition, you need to ensure your script is in its best possible shape. Here are some key preparation steps:
Polish your script
This sounds like a no-brainer but you’d be surprised how many writers ruin their chances of success by not checking their work. Your screenplay must be free of errors and formatted to industry standards. Typos, inconsistent formatting, or plot holes can be the kiss of death in writing competitions, where judges often sift through hundreds, if not thousands, of entries. Consider hiring a professional proofreader or script editor to give your work that final polish or learn how to do it yourself on our Writing for Script & Screen master’s course.
Research competitions
Not all screenwriting competitions are created equally. Use platforms like FilmFreeway to identify reputable contests that align with your goals. Are you looking for exposure, mentorship, or prize money? Some competitions, such as the Nicholl Fellowships, are highly prestigious and attract significant industry attention. Others may cater to niche genres, which could be advantageous if your script fits a specific category.
Create a submission calendar
Planning is crucial to ensure you don’t miss important deadlines. Create a roadmap of competitions you’d like to enter over the coming months. Many screenwriting contests offer early-bird discounts, so submitting ahead of time can also save you money.
Step 2: Share your journey
Entering screenwriting competitions is not just about the end result—it’s an opportunity to promote yourself as a writer. Yet many screenwriters hesitate to share their journey, often out of fear of failure or judgement. Here’s why you should overcome that hesitation:
Build interest
Announcing that you’ve entered a competition can generate intrigue and excitement around your project. While you don’t have to broadcast every rejection, sharing milestones—such as making it to the quarterfinals—can help establish your credibility.
Network effectively
Writing competitions are often followed by networking opportunities, either in-person at festivals or online via forums and social media. Engaging with other entrants, judges or festival organisers can open doors to valuable connections.
Step 3: Redefine ‘winning’
Success in screenwriting competitions isn’t always about taking home the top prize. In fact, many industry professionals value placements, quarterfinals, or even semi-finalist rankings in prestigious contests just as much as a first-place win. Here’s how to shift your perspective:
Celebrate milestones
Making it to the semi-finals of a competition like the Nicholl Fellowships (which receives over 5,000 entries annually) is a significant achievement. Even if you don’t proceed further, you’ve already stood out among thousands of other writers—a feat worth celebrating. In fact, we’ve had many students and graduates on our course place highly in such competitions only to be chased by producers and agents looking to read their work. That’s a win in anybody’s book.
Recognise the value of feedback
Many screenwriting competitions offer feedback as part of their submission package. Use this as an opportunity to refine your script further. Even constructive criticism from judges can be a win if it helps you improve your craft.
Step 4: Showcase your success
Once you’ve achieved recognition in a competition, make sure to highlight your accomplishments. Doing so not only builds your credibility but also positions you as a serious screenwriter. Here’s how to effectively showcase your wins:
Add laurels to your script
If you’ve placed in a competition, include the relevant laurels on your script’s title page or in your email signature. However, avoid cluttering these areas—prioritise prestigious accolades over minor ones.
Update your portfolio
Create a dedicated section on your professional website or LinkedIn profile to highlight your competition achievements. This can make a strong impression on potential collaborators or agents who view your work.
Share on social media
Post about your competition milestones on platforms like X, Instagram, or LinkedIn. Use relevant hashtags (#screenwriting, #scriptcompetition, #amwriting) to increase your visibility and engage with the screenwriting community. The key to successful social media posting is to find the wins – even if you didn’t get as far as you’d like in the competition, find the value of the experience and share it. And if you’ve got nothing to share, enter a new competition and brag about that instead!
Final thoughts
Entering screenwriting competitions is a powerful way to put your script to work, but success requires more than just submitting your entry and hoping for the best. By preparing thoroughly, sharing your journey, redefining what it means to win, and showcasing your achievements, you can turn each competition into a meaningful steppingstone for your screenwriting career.
Remember, every step forward—even if it’s not a first-place finish—is progress. So, take the leap and let your screenplay shine on the competitive circuit. Who knows – your next big break could be just one submission away.
Every year, our screenwriting community of Writing for Script & Screen master’s students and graduates put these tried-and-tested tips into practice, achieving remarkable success on the competition circuit. This year, several members of our community reached the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the prestigious Nicholl Screenwriting Fellowship, along with numerous other festivals. Why not join our community and gain the support you need to start racking up those wins?
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