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With hundreds of script contests competing for a writer’s attention, choosing where to submit in 2027 matters more than entering as many competitions as possible. The best screenwriting competitions offer a credible selection process, a clear path to industry readers, useful development opportunities or recognition that can strengthen a writer’s next pitch. But the right contest also depends on whether you have a feature screenplay, a short film script or an original television pilot.

This updated guide ranks seven of the best script competitions to consider for 2027, with the Academy Nicholl Fellowships at number one and The Golden Script Competition at number two. We have focused on the actual benefits and on what organisers have confirmed as of November 2026, rather than promising representation or a sale. You can also compare our 2026 screenwriting competition guide and our 2026 guide for TV writers.

1. The Academy Nicholl Fellowships

The Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting remain a benchmark for emerging feature screenwriters. The Academy’s name carries substantial weight, and the fellowships are designed to identify and nurture writers with the potential for a lasting filmmaking career. For a writer with a polished, distinctive feature script, Nicholl is still the most ambitious target on this list.

Important 2027 update: Nicholl no longer operates as a conventional open-entry contest on the Academy website. For the 2026–2027 program, scripts enter through approved partner programs, including public submission portals run by The Black List and the Writers Guild Foundation. Those public portal windows ran in June and July 2026; finalists and up to five fellows are to be selected in 2027. Writers planning a future cycle should check the Academy’s current eligibility and portal guidance rather than assuming direct submissions are open.

2. The Golden Script Competition

The Golden Script Competition is one of the best screenwriting competitions for writers who want their work considered by industry contacts beyond a single market. Open to feature screenplays, TV pilots and short scripts, it offers a mix of prize recognition, mentorship and potential visibility through its annual Golden List of standout unproduced work.

For its 2027 edition, Golden Script advertises $10,000 in total cash prizes and access to a network of 60-plus production companies and agencies that review leading submissions. Its published final deadline is 6 March 2027, followed by an extended deadline of 29 March 2027. These are concrete reasons to shortlist it, though participation does not guarantee an option, sale or representation. Review the industry-partner information and official rules before submitting.

3. Script Pipeline Screenwriting Competition

Script Pipeline stands out for the emphasis it puts on what happens after a strong placement. Its feature-screenplay contest promotes hands-on development, career guidance and circulation of promising material to industry professionals, making it a compelling choice for writers who want support refining a project as well as a competition result.

Unlike many annual contests whose next cycle has not yet been announced, Script Pipeline has already published its 2027 schedule. The 25th annual competition lists 5 March 2027 as the early deadline, 1 May as the regular deadline and 31 May as the extended deadline. Its publicly described support extends to quarterfinalists and higher, although the level of industry attention will naturally differ by script and placement. It is particularly suited to ambitious original features across genres.

4. Austin Film Festival Screenplay Competition

The Austin Film Festival has long positioned writers at the centre of its festival experience. For screenwriters who value conversations, panels and the possibility of meeting collaborators in person, the annual screenplay competition offers something that an online results announcement cannot: a connection to a broader storytelling community.

Austin is worth considering for strong feature and television work, especially if you are prepared to make the most of the festival and conference ecosystem. Check the official competition page for 2027 categories, fees, deadlines and attendance arrangements when they are published; do not rely on last year’s timetable. A contest placement can be useful, but the best return often comes from following up professionally on the people you meet.

5. PAGE International Screenwriting Awards

The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards remain a strong option for writers whose scripts fit recognisable genres and who want their work assessed within an established, internationally accessible competition. PAGE draws on industry professionals in its judging process and has a track record of highlighting writers who later secure meetings, representation or writing opportunities.

Its organisers have confirmed that entries for the 2027 PAGE Awards open on 1 December 2026. Full dates and fees for that edition should be verified directly rather than copied from the 2026 schedule. If you have a commercially focused feature, a television pilot or a short screenplay, compare PAGE’s current genre categories and rules to decide where your script belongs.

6. Final Draft Big Break Screenwriting Contest

Final Draft’s Big Break appeals to writers looking for both competitive recognition and practical introductions. The program has traditionally offered awards across feature, television and short-script categories, with top prizes involving cash and meetings with entertainment-industry professionals.

The 2026 contest is closed, and its published prize package and entry windows should not be treated as confirmed terms for 2027. Nevertheless, Big Break deserves a place on the next submission calendar because of its breadth of categories and established screenwriting-industry profile. It is particularly useful for writers with a polished genre feature or an original half-hour or hour-long TV pilot. Read the next edition’s eligibility rules carefully before paying an entry fee.

7. BlueCat Screenplay Competition

BlueCat earns a place on this list for a different reason: every eligible submission receives written script analysis as part of the entry. For a developing writer, that feedback can be as valuable as the possibility of advancing to the next round. The competition accepts feature and short screenplays, and its Fellini Award recognises a writer residing outside the United States.

The 2027 BlueCat competition has an officially published timetable. Its late-entry deadline is 10 November 2026, while its separate resubmission window runs to 15 December 2026; winners are scheduled to be announced on 16 February 2027. Resubmission is an option for entrants, not a general extension for new scripts. BlueCat is best for writers who will use the feedback, but check the detailed restrictions on previously awarded material and eligibility before entering.

How to Choose the Right Screenwriting Contest in 2027

No single competition is right for every script. Before paying to enter, decide which outcome would genuinely move your project forward:

  • For prestige and a feature-writing fellowship: aim for the Academy Nicholl pathway, provided you qualify through its current partners.

  • For international visibility across features, pilots and shorts: consider The Golden Script Competition.

  • For feature development and long-term guidance: prioritise Script Pipeline.

  • For genre recognition and commercial-market positioning: look at PAGE or Big Break.

  • For in-person writer networking: Austin Film Festival can be a good fit.

  • For written script feedback: BlueCat offers a particularly clear benefit.

Before You Submit: A Practical 2027 Checklist

Read the latest rules on each organiser’s official website, including residency requirements, page counts, previously produced or optioned work, AI-related policies, co-writing eligibility and refund terms. Prepare a clean PDF, a concise logline and a submission budget. Enter your strongest draft, keep a record of the fees and deadlines, and remember that a contest result is one part of a broader strategy that also includes rewriting, networking and pitching.

Editorial note (10 November 2026): Dates above are the organiser-published dates available at the time of writing. A contest carrying the “2027” label may have submissions in 2026; other 2027 deadlines are not yet confirmed. We link directly to primary organisers so readers can verify changes before entering.