The Bigfoot Script Challenge in collaboration with Film Studies at Trinity College Dublin, awards over $10,000 and unparalleled industry access to the next generation of successful screenwriters. Submit your feature, pilot, or short screenplay, and have that work read by studio execs, producers, agents, managers, and WGA writers. Winners receive cash prizes, sought-after meetings, and exclusive fellowships to develop your material. This year’s competition will recognize award-winning scripts on November 17, 2022, at a live ceremony at Trinity College.

Entries into Bigfoot are automatically eligible for table reads, Works-In-Progress events, and Bigfoot Fall 2022 awards ceremony at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland - all of which will deliver high-profile exposure to both producers and Hollywood execs that you’ve come to expect from the Bigfoot Script Challenge.

Entrants may submit feature-length screenplays, TV pilots (both hour and half-hour), and short-form scripts for consideration by top industry professionals, including producers, agents, managers, studio execs, and WGA writers.

We also have a special category this year for screenwriters with projects set in Ireland. If your project qualifies for this track, please check the appropriate box on the entry form.

IRELAND: If you're a writer who resides in Ireland OR your story is set in Ireland, we encourage you to enter your work in this category.

Winning submissions become eligible for cash prizes, fellowships, and exclusive sit-downs with industry professionals who can help bring your script to life.

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Bigfoot Script Challenge offers a unique combination of prizes, fellowships, cash grants, and industry access to help jump-start your career.

• Fellowships with top LA execs, international producers, and select production companies to help develop your material and get it in front of industry decision-maker
• Exclusive hour-long Zoom calls to discuss your material and your career with Bigfoot Judges
• Over $10,000 in prize money and in kind benefits for category winners, including $1,000 for Best Feature, $1,000 for Best Feature (IRISH), $500 for Best 30-Min Pilot, $500 for Best 60-Min Pilot, and $250 for Best Short.
• Winners will receive a 4-month InkTip Pro Membership. As an InkTip Pro Member, thousands of filmmakers can find and read your scripts, and you'll be able to pitch directly to production companies every week. With over 3,000 options and 400 movies made, InkTip is the place for independent film.

Judges for the 2022 contest include:

- Erik Andreasen (SVP, Dreamworks; Deepwater Horizon, Beasts of No Nation )
- Beth Barret (Seattle International Film Festival)
- Patrick Chu (SVP, Annapurna; Miss Sloane, The Founder)
- Brian Dobbins (Partner, Artists First; Black-ish, The Sea of Trees)
- Megan Herring (Director of Development, Circle of Confusion)
- Aldis Hodge (Actor/Writer/Producer; Black Adam, One Night In Miami, City on a Hill)
- Edwin Hodge (Actor/Writer/Producer; The Tomorrow War, Good Sam, Bumblebee)
- Jonathan Keasey (WGA Writer/Producer, Mind Riot Entertainment; Parallel, K-Sun, Tow)
- Jai Khanna (Oakhurst Entertainment; Black Bear, Four Good Days, One Nation Under Earl)
- Amy Lillard (Washington Filmworks)
- Justin MacGregor (Trinity College)
- Graham Roland (Tom Clancy's Jack Ryan, Dark Winds)

Before you enter the Bigfoot Script Challenge, please review these rules and guidelines. Any submission that does not comply with contest rules may be disqualified.

1. All writers of submitted material must be 18 years of age or older on the date of submission, and each writer or writing team may not have earned more than $50,000 or the foreign equivalent (jointly or individually) for work as a screenwriter and/or fictional television writer.

2. Writers who reside in countries other than the United States are welcome to enter the contest; however, all scripts must be submitted in English and entry fees must be paid in U.S. dollars. Entry in the competition is void where prohibited by law.

3. Judges, sponsors, administrators, and independent contractors who work with or for the Bigfoot Script Competition are not eligible to enter the competition, nor are their spouses or other immediate family members.

4. Scripts must be the original work of the author(s) and on the date of submission must be wholly-owned and controlled by the author(s). If a script has been sold, is currently under option, is being produced, or is in any other way encumbered by a third party on the date of submission, the script is not eligible for an award. If a script is optioned, sold, or produced after it has been entered, it will NOT remain eligible for this year’s contest.

5. Only original screenplays and teleplays are eligible for awards. Novels, short stories, stage plays, treatments, synopses, reality show concepts, and spec scripts for existing TV series are not eligible.

6. Submissions and entry fees must be transmitted electronically on or before 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on the Early, Regular, or Late Entry deadlines in order to qualify for those entry rates. Any script submitted after the Late Entry Deadline will be disqualified.

7. The contest and its administrators are not responsible for submissions or entry fees that are lost, stolen, or damaged in transit, and we cannot return scripts once they have been submitted. The administrators reserve the right at their sole discretion to reject or disqualify any ineligible entries without a refund.

8. Once a script has been entered in the competition, under no circumstances will we accept substitutions of new drafts or corrected pages. If you wish to submit a revised draft of your screenplay, you must enter it as a new submission and pay the appropriate entry fee.

9. Decisions of the Judges are final and may not be disputed. Our Judges are instructed and agree to evaluate scripts based on our standard Judging Procedure; however, the Bigfoot Script Challenge and its administrators may not be held responsible for any errors or omissions on the part of the Judges.

10. All entry fees must be paid in U.S. dollars.

11. If a submission involves two or more writers as applicants, the monetary prize and any reimbursements will be divided equally among them.

12. Winners receiving a cash prize are solely responsible for payment of all applicable local, state, and federal taxes.

Indemnity

BY SUBMITTING THE MATERIAL, THE APPLICANT HEREBY AGREES TO INDEMNIFY, HOLD HARMLESS, AND DEFEND THE FESTIVAL, ITS EMPLOYEES, DIRECTORS, REPRESENTATIVES, AND AFFILIATES FROM ANY LIABILITY, CLAIMS, AND DAMAGES IN CONNECTION WITH THE SUBMISSION AND FROM ANY FEES AND EXPENSES, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO REASONABLE ATTORNEYS’ FEES, THAT ANY OF THEM MAY INCUR IN CONNECTION THEREWITH.

Bigfoot Script Challenge has no obligation (other than as stated in these rules or on our website) to disclose any of the following information: i) identities of readers or judges; ii) notes, feedback, or information relating to the submitted material; and/or iii) details regarding the submission review or selection process.

Overall Rating
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  • Thanks for selecting my feature-length screenplay Winter Bird (www.winterbirdmovie.com) as a 2021 Finalist. Hopefully it will be noticed by a Producer and will inspire me to finish another script in time for Bigfoot Challenge 2022.

    September 2021
  • I'm not big into contests but since Bigfoot (actually he prefers his given name: George O'Squatch) lives in my back yard, I had no choice but to enter the challenge. It was affordable in comparison to others out there with straightforward information.
    My comedy feature, Crazy Athol, was selected a finalist and I was thrilled. Thank you for the opportunity.

    September 2021
  • Well worth it. Great notes. Eecognized in the industry. A real gem.

    September 2021
  • WOW! I've entered a bunch of screenwriting contests but never had such a 5-star experience. The pro judges were amazingly qualified, the communication from Bigfoot was exemplary, the Seattle Film Summit associated with the contest was top notch and I'd highly recommend this new script challenge to screenwriters. The winners in each category are considered Fellows with lots of perks including one on one meetings with producers. Bigfoot directors, Jeremy and Jonathan, are very committed to this process and make themselves available at the Seattle Film Summit. There were 20 ish finalists in the feature category alone which allows many of us to final! The entry fee is affordable, the communication is excellent and Bigfoot is professionally done and extremely worth it.

    November 2019
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you, Kim! Glad you enjoyed the process and festival.

  • Mark C. Spera

    Thank you Big Foot for selecting 'Snarl' as a Finalist. I thoroughly enjoyed the festival. I thought the Panels were all very informative. Actually some of the best, I've been to. Additionally, all of your Judges and Panelists were very approachable and sincerely wanted to educate and help the attendees further their careers in the business. One of the best Festivals I've attended. Not to mention the setting on Washington lake is fantastic. I look forward to attending again next year. Many Thanks!

    November 2019
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks, Mark! Really appreciate the kind words. :)