The EMERGING SCREENWRITER COMPETITION celebrates the work of young screenwriters in 8th-12th grade. The screenplays are adjudicated by a jury of professional screenwriters. Categories include drama, comedy, horror, and more.

This event is for New Jersey Screenwriters only. Anyone submitting from outside NJ will be disqualified.

Awards & Prizes

Past ESC prizes have included:
Grand Jury Prize
Winner for Comedy
Winner for Drama
Winner for Horror
Winner for Sci-fi/Fantasy
Winner for Action/Adventure
Winner for Romance

Up to Three Finalists are also selected for each category. Categories may change year to year based on the scripts submitted.

The Grand Prize winning script will be performed by professional actors as a live table read at the end of the awards ceremony!

Rules & Terms

Emerging Screenwriter Rules:
Short Film or Web Series Pilots will be accepted up to a length of 12 pages (not including the title page).
-Submissions must be submitted as a PDF
-Formatting: 12-point Courier font. 1.5 inch left margin. 1-inch right margin.
-Scripts must be formatted correctly to be considered. If you did not write your screenplay in screenwriting software (Final Draft, Movie Magic, etc.), consider re-writing it using Writerduet.com or Celtx.com, both of which have free options.
-Each writer may submit no more than two screenplays.
-Scripts may be submitted with up to two genres including Comedy, Drama, Horror, ect.
-Awards are determined by the ESC Jury.

Submissions Open: 11/15/2024
Submission Deadline: 3/7/2025
Award Ceremony: 5/10/2025

Teachers: If you would like to set up a meeting with someone from our Education team, reach out to Education@Montclairfilm.org.

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  • Caroline Sheridan

    This is a fantastic festival run with so much care.

    May 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks, Caroline! Hope to see you for our 2025 award ceremony, and look forward to reading your next script!