Giving short film and screenplay projects by up-and-coming filmmakers and screenwriters increased recognition and industry exposure. Winning short films are considered by Hollywood insiders seeking new talent and feature film adaptation rights.

Official Awards for the best of each genre are given to outstanding projects demonstrating originality and quality among its peers... and all category winners are now eligible for official awards in specific categories!

Awards & Prizes

PRIZES FOR BEST SHORT FILM:

The winning short film will be promoted to our Hollywood contacts who will consider your work for representation or adaptation deals.

* OPTIONAL: If your film is available for public viewing, we'll also add it to our curated Showcase and promote it on our high traffic web presence and social media profiles to give you an additional boost of exposure to audiences and other industry professionals worldwide.

BEST SHORT SCREENPLAY AWARDS:

The winning short script will be sent out to our contacts in Hollywood who will consider you for representation or adaptation rights. Depending on scheduling and interest, we'll also send your script to directors who may be interested in shooting a script in your genre. Scripts of each round will be eligible to win an official category Short Screenplay Award.

PLUS: Winners in all Short Screenplay categories are now eligible for official awards in multiple categories!

SHORT FILM AWARDS:

Genre-specific Awards will be given to a variable number of projects in any given round which achieve a high level of quality and originality in storytelling.

The awards are intended to give an added emphasis on a project's achievement within its genre when the winner is sent out to industry professionals for consideration. (Projects must be entered into the genre-specific categories to qualify for the corresponding award.)

PLUS: Winners in all Short Film categories are now eligible for official awards in multiple categories!

Rules & Terms

1. We are a GREEN competition: To reduce waste, only electronic submissions are accepted. Physical submissions are NOT accepted. Your Short Film must be uploaded to Vimeo (either public or a private screener using a shared password). Short scripts must be submitted in PDF format.
2. By submitting your film or script, you confirm that you own 100% of the rights to the work. If the work's copyright is held by more than one person, the submitter must have the written consent of all other owners prior to submitting.
For short films only: If the entrant, for any reason, prefers NOT to have their film made available on the public Just 4 Shorts Showcase, the entrant is responsible for notifying the competition administrators.
3. Scripts must be written in English. Films may originate from anywhere in the world. However, if the film has dialogue which is required to understand the narrative in any language other than English, then English subtitles must be included.
4. Entrant must be 18 years of age or older. (Entrants between the ages of 13 to 18 may enter with a written letter of consent from a legal guardian.)
5. The short film/script must be less than 70 minutes/pages in length to qualify.
6. Any decisions made by the judges and/or competition administrators must be considered final and cannot be disputed.
7. The competition and its administrators shall not be liable for any typographical errors.
8. Entry fees must be paid in US Dollars and are nonrefundable. The winner is responsible for filing income taxes on any cash prizes that may be received if any is received.
9. Entry must be received by 11:59 PM Pacific Time on the date of the deadline specified.
10. All rights to the submitted material will remain with the entrant. The contest administrators and operators DO NOT claim any rights to the material submitted to the competition.
11. Each film or script is eligible to be entered into multiple categories. All categories qualify for the general prizes. However, only projects entered into genre-based categories qualify for the individual genre awards.
275 Reviews
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  • kathryn carmichael

    I was incredibly overjoyed that my TV Script The Orchard - A Seed of Hope went on to win Best TV Script in March. I'm excited that it won, and look forward to the possibility of hearing from other producers, and Execs to chat about this script. Their communication was great, I look forward to actually meeting up sometime in the future. Kathryn Carmichael.

    April 2025
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  • Mara B

    Thank you for the honour of Finalist in your Screenplay Contest! (March 31, 2025).

    April 2025
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  • ILIYAS DAUDI

    Hollywood Just4Shorts Film and Screenplay Competition a well-organized festival. I wish this festival prosperity.

    April 2025
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  • Jason Seelmann

    Pari Leto will shoot in May, in no small part to its success in screenplay competitions like this one. We're grateful for the nod. Thank you!

    April 2025
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  • Myeshia Babers

    Winning Best Drama Script for Quieted was a huge honor, and I appreciate how this competition provides visibility for unique, thought-provoking stories. I used the momentum from this recognition to knock on doors that were eagerly opened for networking and further development opportunities :)

    If you're looking for a festival that values storytelling and provides meaningful recognition, Hollywood Just4Shorts is an excellent choice.

    — Myeshia C. Babers (Quieted)

    March 2025
    Helpful