Lets hear it for the screenwriters people! The backbone, yet often overlooked, of the film industry. Screenwriters are a group of people who would love to have their work recognized but seldom do. The Florida Script Challenge is aiming to change that. We ourselves are screenwriters and have been for five years now. We know the struggle for screenwriters and the inability to find someone to read your work. We’re here to give you an avenue to have your work judged by your peers in screenwriting.

For our second year we decided to take things up a notch! Not only will we be adding a feature category to the contest but we have paired with Final Draft to offer a copy of Final Draft 11 Screenwriting Software to our Grand Prize winner for 2021!

What a great film festival.  Very warm, it is in Florida, and friendly.  Keeps you informed and extremely punctual, unlike some other fests. —Screenwriter Drew Henriksen

This is a great challenge for those of us who have short scripts to get some feedback and exposure.  Dallas and Crow respond quickly to emails,and are knowledgable on all related subjects. I highly recommend this contest! Place 1st , 2nd, or 3rd to get a trophy! — Screenwriter Brad Giampaoli Aurora, Illinois.

I have really enjoyed being a part of your challenge. I am so appreciative that you all have liked my script! I wish you all the best in future endeavors. — Screenwriter Meryl Thomas

Sponsor - Final Draft — Thank you to the best screenwriting software out there for being a part of our challenge and rewarding our Grand Prize winner with Final Draft 11!

Awards & Prizes

Hurricane Award - Grand Prize Winner - Trophy and Digital Download of Screenwriting Software Final Draft 11 provided by Final Draft! The winner will also receive a one hour session to create/review their logline and pitch and then a 30 min follow up session. With Tracee Beebe of Indignant Dog Films!!

Our 2021 Hurricane Award will be named the Hurricane Heidi Award after our 2020 winner, Heidi Barrientes!!

Short Screenplay First Place - Trophy and Certificate
Short Screenplay Second Place - Trophy and Certificate
Short Screenplay Third Place - Trophy and Certificate

Feature Screenplay First Place - Trophy and Certificate
Feature Screenplay Second Place - Trophy and Certificate
Feature Screenplay Third Place - Trophy and Certificate

All Official Selections will receive a certificate.

Rules & Terms

Short screenplays and Feature Screenplays of any genre will be accepted. Screenplays submitted must be writers original work. Short Screenplays must be NO LONGER than 30 pages. Feature Screenplays must be between 60 and 120 pages in length. All submissions must be in English.

Only projects submitted through FilmFreeway will be considered in the Challenge.

Screenplays will be judged on originality, plot, character development and story. There is no limit on number of submissions per writer but each submission will require its own entry fee.

Works in progress will NOT be considered. Work must be completed before submission.

Official Selections will be announced on or before May 8, 2021.
Semi-Finalists will be announced on May 11, 2021.
Finalists will be announced on May 13, 2021.
Winners will be announced on May 15, 2021.
Our 2021 Grand Prize winner will receive a code from Final Draft that is good for a download of screenwriting software Final Draft 11!

1st Place for each category will receive a custom trophy and a certificate.
2nd Place for each category will receive a custom trophy and a certificate.
3rd Place for each category will receive a custom trophy and a certificate.
All Official Selections will receive a certificate.

* By submitting your screenplay, take note that:
All Entry Fees are non-refundable.
Submitter grants us authorization to share and promote information for projects submitted. Submitter will be given credit for all material submitted as it is their own intellectual property and will remain so.

Submitter agrees they have read and understood all the terms and conditions, rules and guidelines before submitting a project.

All determinations and decisions are made solely by the Florida Script Challenge directors and jurors. All decisions are final.

13 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Ken Hewski

    Great script challenge and great communication. I look forward to taking part in the next one.

    September 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you for the kind words Ken! We loved having you in our festival and look forward to seeing more of your work!

  • Heidi Barrientes

    A top-notch festival that went all out compared to others that I have entered in. They were on top of all communication and utilized all social media outlets for finalists and winners. They live-streamed the finalist announcement and then live-streamed again for the winners on FaceBook live for each category. They even ended up with a surprise category which I won (was a total surprise that was absolutely amazing) and they named next year's award after me and will do the same for the next year's winner! They also sent out personalized trophies to each winner and shipped it for no charge. All this for being their first-year festival was an absolutely amazing experience and I can't wait to finish another script to enter again! I highly recommend this festival!

    July 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Heidi for your kind words. It was truly an honor and a privilege to read your work. We are so honored to have you as a winner in our festival and look forward to your future work. Our goal is to celebrate screenwriters. We will always keep our entry fees reasonable and our prizes will always be given to the winners for no charge. The screenplay is the integral part of every great cinematic tale. We know how hard it is to be a screenwriter and want to celebrate amazing writers for their work! Congratulations Heidi!

  • Jeffrey Howe

    Hospitality and Networking scores given within the context of an online-only event. They did a fine job on social media even before COVID-19 became an issue. Professional and thoughtful communication from start to finish. Looking forward to their expansion into features!

    June 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you Jeffrey! We appreciate the kind words and are glad you enjoyed our first year! We can’t wait to read your features!

  • David J Schroeder

    Congratulations to the Florida Script Challenge's inaugural event! I will be submitting next year with feature scripts.

    May 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you David! We look forward to seeing those features next year!!

  • stuart schulz

    Although my short SPINACH wasn't a finalist, I was surprised by a frameable certificate. I'd like to try again. Thanks Stuart

    May 2020
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    Response from festival:

    Thank you for submitting Stuart! We’re glad you enjoyed the certificate! We hope to see more of your work!