The Golden Script Competition is a yearly international competition for short, feature and TV pilot screenplays. Recognized by MovieBytes as one of the ๐—ง๐—ข๐—ฃ ๐—ฆ๐—–๐—ฅ๐—˜๐—˜๐—ก๐—ฃ๐—Ÿ๐—”๐—ฌ ๐—–๐—ข๐—ก๐—ง๐—˜๐—ฆ๐—ง๐—ฆ ๐—™๐—ข๐—ฅ ๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฌ๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿ‘-๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฌ๐Ÿฎ๐Ÿฑ, many of our writers have found success through the competition, securing industry representation, signing option agreements, and having their work shopped to major production companies.

You will be submitting to the 2026 edition, and the best scripts of this edition will be read by some of the most renowned production companies and literary agencies (including some that have won several OSCARS and EMMYS), giving you the chance to have your script produced or represented ๐ŸŽฌ. On top of that, we offer cash prizes totaling $10,000. Our mentors include OSCAR-nominee Mark Fergus (IRON MAN) and three-time EMMY-nominee Jessica Sharzer (AMERICAN HORROR STORY). Our judges include producers and executive producers who have produced films like THE USUAL SUSPECTS and BIRDMAN.

๐—ช๐—›๐—ข'๐—ฆ ๐—ฅ๐—˜๐—”๐——๐—œ๐—ก๐—š ๐—ข๐—จ๐—ฅ ๐—ง๐—ข๐—ฃ ๐—ฆ๐—–๐—ฅ๐—œ๐—ฃ๐—ง๐—ฆ:

โœฆ Scott Free Productions (Gladiator, The Martian)
โœฆ Reliance Entertainment (1917, Ready Player One)
โœฆ Killer Films (Still Alice, Carol)
โœฆ Amblin Partners (Green Book, The Girl on the Train)
โœฆ Benaroya Pictures (Lawless, Margin Call)
โœฆ 21 Laps Entertainment (Stranger Things, Arrival)
โœฆ Davis Entertainment (The Blacklist, I, Robot)
โœฆ Broken Road Productions (The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Next)
โœฆ Shoreline Entertainment (The Man from Earth, The Signal)
โœฆ Simon West Productions (The Expendables 2, Tomb Raider)
โœฆ West Coast Film Partners (Olympus Has Fallen, Donnie Darko)
โœฆ MadRiver Pictures (The Trial of the Chicago 7, Ad Astra)
โœฆ Lit Entertainment Group (Prisoners, Free Guy)
โœฆ Fremantle (American Gods, The Young Pope)
โœฆ Stone Village Productions (The Lincoln Lawyer, Runner Runner)
โœฆ Knight Hall Agency (repr. writers of In Bruges, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri)
+40 more...

Awards & Prizes

๐—š๐—ผ๐—น๐—ฑ๐—ฒ๐—ป ๐—Ÿ๐—ถ๐˜€๐˜๐˜€

Each July, we unveil our top 30 scripts in the competition with a list called the GOLDEN LISTโ€‹. This list is shared with many of our partners and industry professionals such as creative executives, producers, and directors, who can access more information about the scripts and request them. However, access to the scripts is limited and requires the writer's permission for anyone outside of our partners and direct contacts.

๐—”๐˜„๐—ฎ๐—ฟ๐—ฑ๐˜€

There will be quarter-finalists, semifinalists and finalists out of which a second runner up, a runner up and a WINNER will be designated. Only one script from each category can win THE GOLDEN SCRIPT award. Note that our mentors and partners are subject to change without notice.

โœฆ๐—™๐—˜๐—”๐—ง๐—จ๐—ฅ๐—˜ ๐—ฆ๐—–๐—ฅ๐—œ๐—ฃ๐—ง๐—ฆโœฆ

THE GOLDEN SCRIPT WINNER (1st PLACE) - $4,500 CASH PRIZE + 1on1 MASTERCLASS with OSCAR-nominee MARK FERGUS + GUARANTEED Golden List Inclusion + one 4 month InkTip Pro Membership worth $130 + 1yr ISAConnect Membership worth $120 + 1yr FILMUSTAGE subscription worth $468 + 10 Pitches on Virtual Pitch Fest (VPF) + Trophy + Award Certificate

2nd PLACE - GUARANTEED Golden List Inclusion + one 4 month InkTip Pro Membership worth $130 + 1yr FILMUSTAGE subscription worth $468 + 5 Pitches on Virtual Pitch Fest (VPF) + Trophy + Award Certificate

3rd PLACE - GUARANTEED Golden List Inclusion + one 4 month InkTip Pro Membership worth $130 + 1yr FILMUSTAGE subscription worth $468 + 5 Pitches on Virtual Pitch Fest (VPF) + Trophy + Award Certificate

FINALISTS - Golden List Inclusion (if placed on the 4th to 15th place) + 50% off discount @ FILMUSTAGE + 1 Pitch on Virtual Pitch Fest (VPF) + Award Certificate

โœฆ๐—ง๐—ฉ ๐—ฃ๐—œ๐—Ÿ๐—ข๐—ง๐—ฆโœฆ

THE GOLDEN TV SCRIPT WINNER (1st PLACE) - $4,500 CASH PRIZE + 1on1 MASTERCLASS with three-time EMMY-nominee JESSICA SHARZER + GUARANTEED Golden List Inclusion + 1yr ISAConnect Membership worth $120 + one 4 month InkTip Pro Membership worth $130 + 1yr FILMUSTAGE subscription worth $468 + 10 Pitches on Virtual Pitch Fest (VPF) + Trophy + Award Certificate

2nd PLACE - GUARANTEED Golden List Inclusion + one 4 month InkTip Pro Membership worth $130 + 1yr FILMUSTAGE subscription worth $468 + 5 Pitches on Virtual Pitch Fest (VPF) + Trophy + Award Certificate

3rd PLACE - GUARANTEED Golden List Inclusion + one 4 month InkTip Pro Membership worth $130 + 1yr FILMUSTAGE subscription worth $468 + 5 Pitches on Virtual Pitch Fest (VPF) + Trophy + Award Certificate

FINALISTS - Golden List Inclusion (if placed on the 4th to 9th place)+ 50% off discount @ FILMUSTAGE + 1 Pitch on Virtual Pitch Fest (VPF) + Award Certificate

โœฆ๐—ฆ๐—›๐—ข๐—ฅ๐—ง ๐—ฆ๐—–๐—ฅ๐—œ๐—ฃ๐—ง๐—ฆโœฆ

THE GOLDEN SCRIPT WINNER (1st PLACE) - $1,000 CASH PRIZE + GUARANTEED Golden List Inclusion + 1yr ISAConnect Membership worth $120 + 1yr FILMUSTAGE subscription worth $468 + Trophy + Award Certificate

2nd PLACE - GUARANTEED Golden List Inclusion + 1yr FILMUSTAGE subscription worth $468 + Trophy + Award Certificate

3rd PLACE - GUARANTEED Golden List Inclusion + 1yr FILMUSTAGE subscription worth $468 + Trophy + Award Certificate

FINALISTS - Golden List Inclusion (if placed on the 4th, 5th or 6th place) + 50% off discount @ FILMUSTAGE + Award Certificate

Rules & Terms

๐—ฅ๐—จ๐—Ÿ๐—˜๐—ฆ

1) Submitted scripts must be original screenplays, and the sole property of the applicant(s). Screenplays submitted must not have been previously sold or produced. Adapted or based on screenplays are also accepted. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to register their screenplay and secure clearance from the copyright holders of any copyrighted materials included within the submitted screenplay. Also, novels, stage plays, short stories, treatments, synopsesย or scripts based on existing material created without permission will not be accepted in the contest. All entrants, including the nominees and winners, retain complete and exclusive rights to their work.
2) All ages are eligible, and you can submit from any country.
3) All entries must be in English.
4) We accept screenplays between 1-140 pages in length. For scripts over 140 pages, you would need to pay an additional fee.
5) There is no limit to the number of screenplays you may submit.
6) All entries must be uploaded in PDF/FDX format.ย Contact details or names are allowed to be on the title page, but not recommended.
7) All screenplays should be written in industry standard format (Courier 12 pt font).
8)ย Substitutions of either corrected pages or new drafts of the entry screenplay(s) are accepted. However,ย you would need to pay an additional fee: https://goldenscript.net/extra
9) Competition judges, readers and employees of our competition, past and present, and their immediate friends and families, are NOT eligible to enter. Previous winning and finalist scripts are also NOT eligible.
10) Entries must be received on or before the deadlines and submission fee payment must be made in full at time of the submission. Entry fees (including services fees) are non-refundable and we do not provide any feedback (except for paid feedback).
11) By entering The Golden Script Competition you agree to all the rules listed. Regardless of your status (winner or nominee), please note that your script, logline and contact information may be shared with our partners and sponsors, and by submitting you agree with that. You also agree to release and hold harmless The Golden Script Competition and its subsidiary, parent and affiliated companies from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liability, including but not limited to damages and negligence to property and persons, including but not limited to invasion of privacy, defamation, slander, libel, violation of right of publicity, copyright, infringement of trademark or other intellectual property rights relating to a participantโ€™s entry, participation in the contest and/or acceptance or use or misuse of the prize.

The Golden Script 2026 Edition NOMINEES will be announced on the 20th of June, 2026.
46 Reviews
Overall Rating
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  • James Rodney

    I routinely opted for "reader's analysis," when entering a competition, however The Golden Script's feedback was one wherein I felt my script had actually been fully read, "analyzed," and provided with constructive feedback!

    August 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Glad to hear that, thanks James!

  • Tor Kristoffersen

    Great festival - they're clearly engaged with the work and give genuine feedback. Making the Golden List was really amazing - big thanks to the whole team!

    August 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much for the kind words, Tor!

  • Stanislav Zalmanov

    I would like to express my gratitude to the owners, organizers, partners, judges, the entire team and readers of the competition for the opportunity! I am still under the impression that my script was included in the Golden List 2024. Thank you!
    Stanislav Zalmanov

    August 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks a lot, Stanislav!

  • James Dinkins

    A wonderful and encouraging experience! Was selected as a Quarter Finalist and moved up to Finalist. This competition always kept everyone well-informed and provided up-to-date info on their site.

    August 2024
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    Response from festival:

    Much appreciated, James!

  • Deborah Glazier

    I am so appreciative for placing third in the Short Film competition. Thankful my story was well received! I highly recommend entering this competition! The feedback was invaluable - thoughtful and spot on. Thank you Golden Script! I am inspired to bring my story to fruition.

    August 2023
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    Response from festival:

    Thanks so much for the kind words, Deborah!