Chicago Script Award is a screenplay festival that presents the best screenwriters in the world. We are looking for screenplays that we offer as a product to the world's independent film directors, producers, film investors and film productions.

Our festival combines productions that are looking for suitable scripts for their future projects. We also connect music creators and creators of music videos.

Screenwriting is a business and the best screenwriters have a brand. A special writing style or talent that makes them unique and easy to recognize. Filmmakers needing a story that centers on a big idea or great characterization or engaging dialogue or a compelling theme are able to seamlessly identify the best writer for the project when the writer is branded as a specialists in one of those needed areas. The Chicago Script Awards recognizes writers who specialize on a specific writing element and works to elevate their overall brand awareness.

Through the screenwriting competition, presented by Chicago Script Awards offers writers the opportunity to submit feature scripts to the category/categories they feel are strongest within their script, which will be reviewed by readers at top Hollywood talent agencies and management companies.

FilmFreeway has ranked our competition, the Chicago Script Awards, among the TOP5 THE MOST POPULAR SCREENWRITING COMPETITION in Chicago. 

Short/Feature Review Pro Analysis - Standard contest submission + up to 3 pages of major Hollywood studio-style coverage with a 10-point professional analysis of character, conflict, marketability, dialogue, emotional investment, theme/premise, pacing, structure/plot, tone, and concept.

The reviewer has been at the forefront of competitions such as Nicholl Fellowship and the Austin Film Festival in 2019. He has written more than 10 feature films in a variety of genres - from drama, comedy, horror, to fantasy.

The Best Project of the Year is nominated for the Golden Art Film Academy, which redistributes $ 5,000.00 which they will receive in the form of various movie rewards.

SPRING EDITION 2022/23 - CATEGORIES

✍️ Best Super Short Script (under 10 pages)
✍️ Best Short Script (under 40 pages)
✍️ Best Feature Script
✍️ Best Television Script – Pilot
✍️ Best First Time Screenwriter (Short)
✍️ Best First Time Screenwriter (Feature)

SUB-CATEGORIES
✍️ Best Screenplay for Music Video
✍️ Best Drama Screenplay
✍️ Best Comedy Screenplay
✍️ Best Horror Screenplay
✍️ Best Thriller Screenplay
✍️ Best LGBTQ Screenplay
✍️ Best Female Screenwriter
✍️ Best Scifi Screenplay
✍️ Best Young Screenwriter (under 30y.)
✍️ Best Chicago Screenplay
✍️ Best American Screenplay
✍️ Best Foreign Screenplay
✍️ Best Psychological Screenplay
✍️ Best Historical Screenplay
✍️ Best War Screenplay
✍️ Best Crimi Screenplay
✍️ Best Fantasy Screenplay
✍️ Best Action Screenplay
✍️ Best Romantic Screenplay (Short/Feature)
✍️ Best Western Screenplay (Short/Feature)
✍️ Best Detective Screenplay (Short/Feature)
✍️ Best Musical Screenplay (Short/Feature)
✍️ Best Social Screenplay (Short/Feature)
✍️ Best Documentary Script (Short/Feature)
✍️ Best Social Screenplay (Short/Feature)
✍️ Storyboard for Animation Script (Short/Feature)
✍️ Best Stage Play
✍️ Best Story
✍️ Best Book

ADDITIONAL CATEGORIES
Best Characters
Best Conflict
Best Dialogue
Best Emotional Investment
Best Theme/Premise
Best Pacing
Best Structure/Plot
Best Tone
Best Concept
Best Marketability/Outlook

Each winner will receive a digital diploma + special official laurels

1. All scripts must be in English.
2. Multiple entries from the same submitter are accepted.
4. The decision of the festival selection committee will be final.
5. Scripts that are submitted must be the entrant’s original work and shall not infringe on any copyrights or any other rights of any third parties.
6. The organizers reserve the right not to award any or all of the prizes.
7. Organizers have the right to use film posters or your photos on public social networks to promote your project and our festival.

Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Seth Jarrett

    Could not be more excited that my script SNIP won Best Comedy Screenplay. This is a superb festival and I am honored to be a part of it. Continue your incredible support of independent film- it is appreciated by so many writers and directors.

    January 2023
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    Response from festival:

    It's great that your work has raised the level of our festival!

  • Salvatore Riggio

    Could not attend, but I appreciate the consideration of my screenplay. Thanks! Happy New Year!

    January 2023
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    Response from festival:

    It's amazing to hear these positive words from you!

  • Viv Young

    Great festival. Well organised, good communication - and best of all my script, Blood Relations' won Best TV Pilot. Couldn't be happier with this start to 2023 and eagerly await the kickback from the festival's promotion of its winners to production companies etc.

    January 2023
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    Response from festival:

    We are glad that you were part of our competition!

  • Quashon Davis

    This was a great experience. I thoroughly enjoyed The Chicago Script Awards

    January 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks for your feedback! It's amazing to hear such nice words!

  • Nicolae Bogdan Groza

    A very good festival! And the award certificate is awesome!

    January 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks for your feedback! It's amazing to hear such nice words!