Breaking Walls is the leading screenplay contest for undiscovered thriller screenwriters.

Well-written thrillers are an excellent way for writers to show Hollywood pros a combination of commerciality, your unique voice, and a clear understanding of effective feature film narrative delivery techniques.

Our contest rewards undiscovered thriller writing talent, provide exposure to managers and production companies, and break down the walls between your talent and the industry pros looking for the next great thriller!

Awards & Prizes

Hollywood literary representation and production companies have agreed to receive each round's winning script as well as consider all of the finalists' loglines. Plus, we offer cash prizes for both the winner and runner-up!

GRAND PRIZE WINNER
- $300 in prizes
- Full winning script sent to Hollywood literary representation and production companies
- Included in annual Best of Competition spotlight in industry newsletter with a featured bio on the writer and the winning screenplay
- 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.
- 1 Free Pitch to Industry Insiders on VPF

RUNNER UP
- $100 in prizes
- Featured logline sent to Hollywood literary representation and production companies for a potential read request
- Considered for annual Best of Competition spotlight in industry newsletter with a brief bio on the writer and the winning screenplay
- 1 Free Pitches to Industry Insiders on VPF

TOP FINALISTS
- Logline sent to Hollywood literary representation and production companies for a potential read request
- 1 Free Pitches to Industry Insiders on VPF

All entrants will also receive 1 free pitch to industry insiders from VPF (one per writer.)

COMPANIES INCLUDE
- Grindstone Entertainment Group (subsidiary of Lionsgate)
- Mad Horse Films
- Magnet Management
- Morningstar Films
- Zero Gravity Management

Rules & Terms

- International entries are allowed but the script must be written in English.
- The submitted script must be in PDF format and must be submitted electronically.
- A title page with contact information must be included with every submitted script.
- The script must be 40 to 130 pages in 12pt Courier (or Courier Final Draft) with standard screenplay margins and spacing, and pages must be numbered.
- The script must be unproduced at the time of submission and must be an original screenplay intended for the medium of feature film and the submitter must own 100% of the rights to the script when submitting. Adaptations are eligible as long as the writer can prove full ownership of the original property or life rights (or if the source material is public domain according to US Copyright law.)
- If the script is written by a writing team, it must be submitted by one of the writers with the consent of the other (any and all prizes will be sent to the writer who submitted the winning script, it is the responsibility of the writing team to share or divide the prizes.)
- All entries must be received on or before midnight (Pacific Time) on the date of the deadline and must be paid in full to be considered.
- There is no limit to the number of different scripts you may submit. Duplicate entries of the same project, however, will be automatically disqualified.
- Once a script has been submitted, no substitutions will be accepted. No corrected pages or revised drafts allowed.
- The decisions of the judges are final and shall not be disputed. The contest and its coordinators may not be held responsible for any errors or omissions by the judges.
- By entering the contest, the writer(s) understand that there is no guarantee of representation (by an agent or manager) and/or production in the event that a script is chosen as a winner. Consideration of the script is given for the sole purpose of choosing a winner for the contest.
- All scripts submitted must be registered with the WGAw and/or the US Copyright Office before the time of submission.
- The entry fee must be paid in US Dollars and are nonrefundable. Winners who may be awarded a cash prize shall be responsible for his or her own income tax. If a winner is awarded a cash prize, the entrant is responsible for providing an accurate PayPal address or bank account to receive the cash prize.
- Previous winning scripts are NOT eligible. (Other scripts by the winning writer are still eligible.)
18 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
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Networking
  • Brian McCarthy

    Great people to work with and fun environment for everyone to get engaged and coillaborate.
    Thanks for all the support you provide to writers and film.

    February 2024
    Helpful
  • Paul Sliwinski

    Thrilled my screenplay 'Wonderful Rainbow' was the runner up for the most recent festival round, excited for the next steps : )

    Nothing but a positive experience - this festival is worth it.

    December 2023
    Helpful
  • johnny galvan

    super tough contest but worth it!

    December 2023
    Helpful
  • Brian Hill

    Entering Breaking Walls was a great experience. I really appreciate that the loglines of the Top Finalists’ screenplays are sent to producers. That follow-through is what makes a contest especially valuable to writers. I highly recommend this contest. And I was thrilled that my thriller was named a Top Finalist!

    December 2023
    Helpful
  • Greg Lyon

    Although my script "Reality Games" was doing well in screenplay contests, I was pleased with the recognition from a thriller specific competition as my script was a thriller. My showing in Breaking Walls shows that they understand both thrillers and good writing.

    August 2023
    Helpful