New York International Screenplay Awards is an international screenplay competition for screenwriters who aspire to connect with the USA industry workers and explore the US markets.
NYISA winners will be connected to the US film industry by the valued Sponsors; InkTip Magazine, and Script Mailer. They’ll be registered for free at CreatersVault, and will receive free screenwriting courses from Script Reader Pro, Screenwriting Software Final Draft!, Free pitches to the production companies by the Virtual Pitch fest- VPF, Script analysis, follow-up consultations, and an e-book by Uplift Script!…. And much more!
NYISA’s valued jury members are industry professionals such as Producers, Script Doctors, Directors, Actors, and Screenwriters. You can submit via FilmFreeway.
NYISA also offers the workshops “How to write An Award-winning Screenplay” and “Advanced Screenwriting Development Programs”.

Awards & Prizes

Golden Package - For the 1st Place Winners:

An InkTip prize package includes a 4-month InkTip Pro Membership. As an InkTip Pro Member, thousands of filmmakers can find and read your scripts, and you'll be able to pitch directly to production companies weekly. With over 3,000 options and 400 movies made, InkTip is the place for independent film. 
Every InkTip producer has been vetted via resumes and references and demonstrated the ability to get movies made. Companies that are InkTip members include ABC, Anonymous Content, APA, CBS Films, HBO Films, ICM, Paradigm, Paramount Pictures, Hallmark Channel, FX, Universal, WME, Echo Lake, Zero Gravity, Bad Robot, and 20th Century Fox.

Final Draft Screenwriting Software, digital certificates for free! Final Draft 12 automatically paginates and formats your script to industry standards allowing writers to focus on what they do best: writing. 
Final Draft is used by 95% of film, television, and multimedia productions to get from page to screen. With Final Draft 12, you can brainstorm, visualize, report, tag, collaborate, and customize your writing environment like never before. Limitless space to organize your ideas in a customizable, visual way. Plan set pieces, store character research, and much more. Limitless space to organize your ideas in a customizable, visual way. Plan set pieces, store character research, and much more. Collaborate simultaneously with your writing partners IN REAL TIME - around the corner - or around the world. Use your creative energy to focus on your story and characters — let Final Draft take care of the rest. (retail price $244.99)

12 years of free registration from the CreatorsVault. CreatorsVault.com is an online Intellectual Property Registry for Copyright Protection and archival system providing Writers and Creators time-archived third-party proof-of-creation of their written materials and other intellectual properties preparing to market in the Entertainment industry. Writers can register scripts, screenplays, manuscripts, or other creative properties for protective archival with term options of 12 years, 8 years, or 4 years. 
Creators Vault is a global service (Berne Convention). Additional features include options to register New Drafts of an original project and the renewal of projects about to expire at discounted rates. Protect your property before going to the market.

Online Screenwriting Course from the Script Reader Pro. An Online Screenwriting course built on practical exercises and hacks that will supercharge your writing. 
Script Reader Pro are the only script consultancy that lets you choose a professional screenwriter to work on your script according to its genre. (retail price $299)

10 Free pitching! to the production companies you choose! via Virtual Pitch Fest! VPF’s a trusted industry source that connects screenwriters to Film&TV Producers, Reps. To date, site connections have led to success stories including “Midnight in the Switchgrass” starring Bruce Willis, “Hot Seat” starring Mel Gibson, and numerous film &TV deals!

Email blasts will be given to the 1050+ agents and producers via the Script Mailer! Script Mailer was founded in 2011 by a group of agents and producers working in LA. The reason Script Mailer was started was simple—to help talented screenwriters connect with Hollywood.

Page-by-page script analysis will be provided by Uplift Script! Line-by-line feedback, Comprehensive analysis, scene-by-scene margin notes! 
The prize package also includes an e-book, "Common Screenwriting Mistakes”

Silver and Bronze Packages - For the 2nd and 3rd place winners:

An InkTip prize package includes a 4-month InkTip Pro Membership. As an InkTip Pro Member, thousands of filmmakers can find and read your scripts, and you'll be able to pitch directly to production companies weekly. With over 3,000 options and 400 movies made, InkTip is the place for independent film. 
Every InkTip producer has been vetted via resumes and references and demonstrated the ability to get movies made. Companies that are InkTip members include ABC, Anonymous Content, APA, CBS Films, HBO Films, ICM, Paradigm, Paramount Pictures, Hallmark Channel, FX, Universal, WME, Echo Lake, Zero Gravity, Bad Robot, and 20th Century Fox.

Final Draft Screenwriting Software, digital certificates for free! Final Draft 12 automatically paginates and formats your script to industry standards allowing writers to focus on what they do best: writing. 
Final Draft is used by 95% of film, television, and multimedia productions to get from page to screen. With Final Draft 12, you can brainstorm, visualize, report, tag, collaborate, and customize your writing environment like never before. Limitless space to organize your ideas in a customizable, visual way. Plan set pieces, store character research, and much more. Limitless space to organize your ideas in a customizable, visual way. Plan set pieces, store character research, and much more. Collaborate simultaneously with your writing partners IN REAL TIME - around the corner - or around the world. Use your creative energy to focus on your story and characters — let Final Draft take care of the rest. (retail price $244.99)

Online Screenwriting Course from the Script Reader Pro. An Online Screenwriting course built on practical exercises and hacks that will supercharge your writing. 
Script Reader Pro are the only script consultancy that lets you choose a professional screenwriter to work on your script according to its genre. (retail price $299)

5 Free pitching! to the production companies you choose! via Virtual Pitch Fest! VPF’s a trusted industry source that connects screenwriters to Film&TV Producers, Reps. To date, site connections have led to success stories including “Midnight in the Switchgrass” starring Bruce Willis, “Hot Seat” starring Mel Gibson, and numerous film &TV deals!

Email blasts will be given to the 1050+ agents and producers via the Script Mailer! Script Mailer was founded in 2011 by a group of agents and producers working in LA. The reason Script Mailer was started was simple—to help talented screenwriters connect with Hollywood.

Detailed coverage for the prize winners will be provided by Uplift Script. Logline, 5-line grid analysis, 4+ pages notes + suggestions! 
The prize package also includes an e-book, "Common Screenwriting Mistakes”
Uplift Script - We're a group of professional writers who've been working in the industry for years. We believe writers thrive in the business together!

8 years of free registration from the CreatorsVault! CreatorsVault.com is an online Intellectual Property Registry for Copyright Protection and archival system providing Writers and Creators time-archived third-party proof-of-creation of their written materials and other intellectual properties preparing to market in the Entertainment industry. Writers can register scripts, screenplays, manuscripts, or other creative properties for protective archival with term options of 12 years, 8 years, or 4 years. 
Creators Vault is a global service (Berne Convention). Additional features include options to register New Drafts of an original project and the renewal of projects about to expire at discounted rates. Protect your property before going to the market.

Other Perks:

Not just the winners will have the prizes! - THE FINALISTS will have;

Free Final Draft 12 – Screenwriting Software Certificates!,
3 Free pitching! to the production companies you choose! by the Virtual Pitch Fest- VPF!
4 years of free registration by CreatorsVault!
The finalists’ query letters will be sent to more than 1050 agents and producers via the Script Mailer!
Uplift Script offers basic coverage for all the finalists! The prize package also includes an e-book, Common Screenwriting Mistakes.

Also, The Semi-Finalists, will have a free pitching to the production companies you choose! by the Virtual Pitch Fest- VPF!

And…EVERYONE WHO ENTERS!! Can use Uplift Script’s consulting services for your loglines free of charge!
Please mention that you’re an NYISA participant.

Rules & Terms

All scripts must be submitted in English, formatted in 12-point courier font.

Entry fees must be paid in U.S. dollars. Entry in the competition is void where prohibited by law.

Screenplays written by up to four people may be entered in the contest. Only one entry fee is required for such entries. All writers' names should be listed on the online entry. All writers must authorize the submission of the entry. If a screenplay is written by multiple authors, prizes will be divided at the writers' discretion.

All entries must be uploaded in PDF format. (www.freepdfconcert.com)

Entrants to the NYISA retain all rights to their screenplays.

Entries must be received by the applicable Entry Deadline.

Once a script has been entered into the competition, we will not accept substitutions or revised drafts. If you wish to submit a revised draft of your script, you must enter it as a new submission.

NYISA will not share your screenplay with anyone except the official judges of the competition.

By entering the NYISA, you represent that your entry is your original work, and does not infringe on the copyright or other rights of other people.

Entry fees are non-refundable.

We do not accept hardcopy submissions by mail.

Submissions must be the original work of the applicant. Entries may be adapted from the applicant's own work.

The decisions of the judges are final.

NYISA reserves the right to make any necessary changes, postponements, or cancellations to event scheduling at our discretion.

Notification of winners and official finalists will be sent by email and posted on our website. It is the responsibility of the winners to redeem any prizes allotted to them by the NYISA or our sponsors. Applicants will be responsible for providing current contact information and mailing addresses for prize redemption purposes.

Feature screenplays must be between 41 and 150 pages in length.
Short screenplays must be between 1 and 40 pages in length. Please email us if you have a longer screenplay that you would like to submit.

There is no limit to the number of screenplays you may submit.

Under absolutely no circumstances will substitutions of either corrected pages or new drafts of the entry screenplay(s) be made. Screenplays will not be returned.

Screenplay titles cannot be changed upon resubmission under any circumstances.

To enter the NYISA, you must agree to its Terms and Conditions.

To protect your script, we strongly suggest you register your work with the Writers Guild of America, West (www.wga.org or call 323.782.4500), and the US Copyright Office (http://www.copyright.gov).
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  • Julia Maddox

    I have to say that my experience with NYISA has been nothing but stellar. The feedback I've gotten on my scripts has always been helpful and thoughtful, so I really appreciate that. I had a great time at the awards ceremony this year and got to meet so many other lovely writers. There's not another event like it here in New York. I felt incredibly honored. Thank you, Emine!

    June 2022
    Helpful
  • Asia Harris

    Such an honor to be nominated as a Quarter-Finalist in the New York International Screenplay Awards.

    June 2022
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  • Brittany Marasciulo-Rivera

    It was such an honor to be a part of the New York International Screenplay Awards! There was so much passion in the crafting of this event, and the team was always friendly and helpful! Thank you so much for making “Willow’s Compass” a Quarter-Finalist!

    June 2022
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  • Tyler Turner

    I'm very honored and humbled to have been a Quarter-Finalist in the 2022 NYISA! Thank you so very much! It truly means a lot to me. I would recommend this festival to all screenwriters.

    June 2022
    Helpful
  • Jacob Lazarow

    Thank you NYISA for selecting my feature script "Homegrown" -- this is the second selection I've received from you and it's always such a great experience!

    June 2022
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