The Del Shores Foundation Writers Search aims to elevate and expose the unknown voices of LGBTQ+ writers in the Southern United States. Our goal is to celebrate specifically queer voices telling whatever stories they have to tell. This Writers Search is open to writers of stage plays, screenplays, short films and web series who currently live in the South and who identify as LGBTQ+.

The Del Shores Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit with a mission to find and facilitate the development of new southern queer artistic voices through bringing together artists and working professionals, amplifying new work and connecting artists to platforms for the creation of the work.

Del Shores is an openly gay and award-winning writer, director and producer originally from Texas. He has created successfully across studio and independent film, network and cable television and live theatre. His eight plays have led to five film adaptations and his southern, gay franchise Sordid Lives began as a play in 1996 and spawned a cult-hit film in 2000, a LOGO TV series in 2008 and a marriage equality-themed sequel in 2017.

**SUBMISSION FEE WAIVERS AVAILABLE**

Our Del Shores Foundation Writers Festival is presented annually with Winners and Finalists in all categories sponsored to attend. The weekend included private workshops for the writers with industry professionals, public panels and live stage readings of all three winning scripts featuring local actors. Our first festival was in Dallas, TX in 2022, followed by Atlanta in Out Front Theatre, then Terrific New Theatre in Birmingham, Alabama and this year at Pensacola Little Theatre in Pensacola, Florida.

See information on our most recent festival here: www.delshoresfoundation.org/writersfestival2026
See an overview video here:
https://youtu.be/nVayqy7PoeM?si=lw2QkPemSOcCpqOd

Awards & Prizes

CASH AWARDS will be given to a single winner in each category:
Short Film/Web Series – $1,000 Award
Screenwriting – $3,000 Award
Playwriting – $3,000 Award
All category Finalists – $250
All category Semifinalists – $100

- If a Del Shores Foundation Writing Festival is presented in 2026, the winning script in each category may receive a staged, public reading at the festival.

ADDITIONAL GRANTS
- Grants will be made available associated with each category to promote the development of each winner.
- Short Film/Web Series – a grant of $2,000 to the production budget of the winner if produced within one year of winning the award.
- Screenwriting – a $10,000 grant to the production budget of the feature film if produced within three years of winning our Writers Search.
- Playwriting – a $10,000 grant to the production budget of the first professional theatre company Del Shores Foundation partner to produce the world premiere of the winning play.
- See website Terms & Conditions for more information on these grants.
- Finalist Play Reading Series Grant - up to $1500 to one of our theatre partners to produce a one-night stage reading of a play finalist script with the writer attending!

Rules & Terms

ELIGIBILITY
- Must identify as a member of the LGBTQ+ community.
- Must be 18 years or older.
- Must be a current resident of one of 15 Southern States inclusive of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia.
- Playwrights and screenwriters who have had previous worked produced professionally or by non-independent means are ineligible.
THIS MEANS:
- Playwrights must not have had a full-length play produced by a community/college/professional theatre where actors or designers were paid.
- Screenwriters must not have had a full-length feature produced.
- Screenwriters who have had a short film produced may not compete in the short category, but may compete in the feature category.
- Scripts submitted must NOT have been previously optioned, purchased or produced at the time of entry. Previous workshops or readings of the scripts are acceptable.

SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS
- All scripts must be in PDF format. The name of the PDF should be only the title of the script.
- All scripts must be written in English in 12-point font. Brief dialogue in another language is acceptable so long as an English translation is provided.
- All scripts should adhere to standard industry margins and format.
- All scripts must be submitted online through FilmFreeway.com.
- All submissions are final. No substitutions of pages, drafts or scripts will be considered.
- Waivers are available for financial hardship. To request a waiver please email info@delshoresfoundation.org

CATEGORY REQUIREMENTS
SCREENWRITING – 80-130 pages
PLAYWRITING – Must be full length, single or multiple acts, no musicals. 75+ minutes or 60-130 pages.
SHORT FILM/WEB SERIES – 8-25 pages. Web series may submit multiple episodes within the page count.

RULES & REGULATIONS
- All winners are subjectively determined by our readers and jurors selected at the sole discretion of the Del Shores Foundation.
- Scripts must be an original idea, free and clear of any copyright issues.
- Scripts submitted to the competition must not have received grand jury prize awards from other competitions or nationally recognized playwriting competition.
- Submitting your script with a cover page with your name, script name, and contact information is recommended but not required. This may include a title, author name, WGA registration number and/or Copyright information. A single cover page does not count toward your page count.
- It is not required, but we encourage writers to register their script with the US Copyright Office and/or Writers Guild of America.
- Multiple scripts may be entered across different categories but only one entry per category, and each script must pay separate registration fees.
- For a writing team, both writers must meet all eligibility requirements and both be named on the script as writers. Limited to two writers.
- All scripts submitted will remain the property of the writer(s). Neither the Del Shores Foundation nor any of its readers or jurors and/or their respective companies assume any attachment to your work.
- All submission fees are final. No refunds will be issued.
- By entering the Writers Search you agree to receive competition updates by email and periodic marketing emails from the Del Shores Foundation. You may unsubscribe at any time.
- Entering the competition constitutes permission to use the winners’ names and likenesses for publicity and promotions with no additional compensation. We reserve the right to publicize and promote any and all progress, development and success of entered projects.
- The Del Shores Foundation reserves the right, at our sole discretion, to change or modify these terms at any time without notice.
- By entering the Del Shores Foundation Writers Search you agree to its Complete Terms and Conditions. See the Complete Terms and Conditions for submitting an entry at https://www.delshoresfoundation.org/dsfwriterssearchtermsandconditions

32 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
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Networking
  • Brazil None

    The Del Shores Foundation Festival was truly one of the most meaningful and affirming experiences I have had as an emerging playwright. From the moment I arrived, I felt genuinely welcomed, supported, and—honestly—completely spoiled. Every detail of the weekend reflected an extraordinary amount of care.

    Del Shores has created something incredibly special: a space where emerging writers are not only celebrated, but treated as artists whose voices and stories matter. His humor, openness, knowledge, and discernment created an environment that felt both comfortable and creatively energizing. It is rare to encounter a festival that feels so joyful while also taking the work of its playwrights so seriously.

    Emerson, the Foundation’s Executive Director, was equally remarkable. He managed an impressive number of moving parts with warmth, organization, and consistent attention to detail. He made the entire weekend feel seamless while still taking the time to check in with everyone and make each writer feel valued.

    I left the festival feeling inspired, encouraged, and even more committed to my work as a playwright. The special guests interested with the participants in such a meaningful, intimate way. I had access to theatre professionals, show runners, and filmmakers in a way that made them feel like colleagues. The Del Shores Foundation is creating a genuine pipeline for emerging artists and new stories. I am deeply grateful to have been part of it and cannot recommend the experience highly enough.

    June 2026
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  • Drew Reynolds

    I cannot overstate this enough. If you get the opportunity to go, DO NOT PASS ON IT. Queer community, as we all know, is indescribably important, especially in hard times--even more so in the Southern US. This festival was a gorgeous and poignant reminder that we are here for each other, and we are here to stay. I made so many friends that I know without a doubt will be with me for life. If you don't submit, you will regret it!

    June 2026
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  • Elise Edens

    The Del Shores Foundation Writers Search is honestly one of the best festivals I've ever experienced. It truly was an incredible experience, and I can't recommend it enough. If you're part of the LGBTQIA+ community, living in the South, and are a playwright or screenwriter, you should definitely consider submitting!

    May 2026
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  • John Mabey

    I felt so cared for as an artist throughout this festival. It was an incredible amount of fun, and I learned so much about writing and myself at the same time. I highly recommend this festival in every way!

    May 2026
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  • Dalton C C

    The BEST festival for LGBT+ to come together and share our stories! The staff was very easy to work with when I had questions about submitting. They were very genuine and detailed and made me feel comfortable with sending my project through!

    February 2026
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