The CreepyCon Horror Screamplay Competition is the Southeast’s premier horror screenwriting competition, dedicated to discovering bold, original voices in horror and dark storytelling.

Hosted in Knoxville, Tennessee as part of the annual CreepyCon event, this competition celebrates the best in horror screenwriting—from chilling psychological thrillers to creature features, slashers, and the supernatural. Whether you’re an emerging writer or a seasoned storyteller, CreepyCon is looking for scripts that unsettle, entertain, and leave a lasting impression.

Each submission is evaluated by a panel of readers and industry-minded judges using a blind judging process to ensure fairness and integrity. From all entries, a select group of scripts will be named Official Selections, including:

Top 7 Feature Screamplays

Top 7 Short Screamplays

From these finalists, one Winner in each category (Feature & Short) will be chosen and announced live at CreepyCon on August 2nd.

In addition, up to five scripts may be recognized as Honorable Mentions for their standout quality.

As part of CreepyCon’s commitment to supporting regional filmmakers, Tennessee-based writers receive $10 off all entry tiers.

CreepyCon is committed to supporting writers while respecting their work—entrants retain full rights to their scripts at all times. Finalists will receive recognition as part of the Southeast’s fastest-growing horror events and will be showcased leading up to the live awards announcement.

If your script is original, unforgettable, and built to leave an audience shaken, this is where it belongs.

Awards & Prizes

Awards & Prizes

Feature Screamplay Winner

Official CreepyCon Trophy
Live award presentation at CreepyCon on Aug 2
Featured promotion across CreepyCon platforms

Short Screamplay Winner

Official CreepyCon Trophy
Live award presentation at CreepyCon on Aug 2
Featured promotion across CreepyCon platforms

Official Selections
(Top 7 Feature Screamplays & Top 7 Short Screamplays)

Official Selection Laurel
Recognition as an Official Selection of the CreepyCon Horror Screamplay Competition
Promotion leading up to the event

Honorable Mentions
(Up to 5 scripts)

Honorable Mention Laurel
Recognition on CreepyCon platforms

Rules & Terms

Rules & Terms

Eligibility

The competition is open to writers 18 years of age or older.
All entries must be original works and the sole property of the applicant(s).
Scripts must be written in English.
Submissions must not be currently optioned, sold, or produced at the time of entry.

Categories

Feature Screamplays (typically 70–120 pages)
Short Screamplays (typically 1–30 pages)

Submission Guidelines

All scripts must be submitted in PDF format.
Scripts must follow standard screenplay formatting.
Entries must not contain the writer’s name on the script itself (blind judging).
Contact information must be provided through the submission platform.
Multiple entries are allowed, but each requires a separate submission fee.

Judging

All submissions are evaluated through a blind judging process.
Scripts are judged on criteria including originality, story, structure, characters, dialogue, and overall impact.
A panel of readers and final judges will determine the Official Selections and winners.
All decisions are final.

Official Selections & Winners

7 Feature Screenplays and 7 Short Screenplays will be selected as Official Selections.
From these, one Winner in each category will be chosen.
Winners will be announced live at CreepyCon on July 31.
Up to 5 Honorable Mentions may also be recognized.

Entry Fees

Entry fees vary by deadline tier (Early, Regular, Extended).
All fees are non-refundable.
Tennessee-based writers receive $10 off all entry tiers.
Additional discounts may apply for eligible students.

Rights & Ownership

Entrants retain all rights to their work.
CreepyCon does not claim ownership of any submitted material.
By submitting, entrants grant CreepyCon permission to use script titles, writer names, and loglines for promotional purposes.

Disqualification
Entries may be disqualified for:

Plagiarism or unauthorized use of copyrighted material
Failure to follow submission guidelines
Incomplete or corrupted files
Abuse of discount eligibility (including false Tennessee residency claims)

Liability

Entrants confirm they have the legal right to submit the material.
CreepyCon is not responsible for any disputes regarding authorship or rights.

Changes & Cancellation

CreepyCon reserves the right to make changes to the competition as necessary.
In the event of unforeseen circumstances, CreepyCon reserves the right to modify or cancel the competition.