Welcome to the New York Metropolitan Screenwriting Competition & Film Awards.

We love New York and we love film! We especially loves films shot, set, about, or written and produced and starring New Yorkers! And by New Yorker, we mean New Yorkers from the State, the City, and around the world. Even New Yorkers who haven’t made it here yet. We love you all. (And no, you don’t have to be here or be from here to submit your work).

We want to inspire New York’s next generation of great writers and filmmakers. We care deeply about nurturing, developing, and furthering the careers of the next generation of New York filmmakers and screenwriters from the U.S. and around the world. Our team is passionate about discovering new talent. Our greatest joy is in finding and recognizing talented artists first.

We want our festival to inspire up and coming artists who are passionate about film. We are especially passionate about supporting artists in the ‘Mecca’ we call home. We love so many of the great films set in New York and made by New Yorkers. As such we love all kinds of genres of film from studio blockbusters to little indies. No two paths are ever the same and no two stories are either.

We accept projects from all over the world not just the US and from writers of all shapes and sizes, ethnicities, sexes and sexual orientations.

New York has a long history of producing the most talented writers and filmmakers in the world. We want to continue that tradition. We are an independent organization and we want to inspire and support artists at all levels to make great films in, about, or around New York. We love film and we love filmmakers. And we want to do everything we can to support the people who make them. We want to inspire an entire generation of filmmakers to tell great stories in New York, the US, and abroad. The New York Metropolitan Screenwriting Competition & Film Awards is a Cinema Public House production. We are a US based independent festival company that produces both live festivals and online festivals all over the world. This festival is currently online only.

We want to put writers and artists on the map so their films get made and we can see them on the silver screen.

The NYMSC rewards screenwriting winners with various prizes including consultation packages provided by Roadmap Writers with talent managers and development executives in New York and Los Angeles. Our grand prize screenwriting winner receives a consultation package that includes script notes from three top lit managers or production executive this is in addition to a page and a half of script notes from our final round judges. Our other screenwriting finalists will also receive a page and a half of script notes from our final round judges.

Please note that only the top screenwriters receive industry introductions. Semi-finalists and filmmakers only receive laurels and online recognition like at most festivals. Likewise, Film winners also receive recognition only. Prizes and recognition are not awarded to any other entrants.

Submissions are accepted via electronic submission only through our partner websites.

Writers retain all rights to their work.

There is no limit to the length of the projects you submit. Projects can be in script or treatment form.

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

Scripts must be written in English, but can be in any film or television genre.

Entrants are prohibited from contacting the judges during the competition. Any entrant who attempts to contact a judge will be disqualified and their entry fee forfeited. The decision of the judges is final.

Entry fees for screenplay entries are posted on our partner websites and are non refundable.

Employees and family members of the film festival are not eligible.

Entrants must be 18 years or older to enter the contest. Misrepresentation of age, upon discovery, will forfeit entry and fees to the contest.

Entries must be received on or before the deadlines and submission fee payment must be made in full at time of the submission. All entry fees are non-refundable

All submitted material must be original, and all rights must be wholly owned by the writer(s).

All entries must be the original, and unpublished, un-produced, un-optioned work of the entrant. The entrant ensures that he or she is the sole author of the work and that it does not infringe on any existing copyright.

All winners are responsible for their own U.S. income tax withholding. Contest is void where prohibited by law, be it state, federal, or local.

The competition, its judges, and its officers accept no liability whatsoever for any claims of damages, real or perceived, by any entrant(s) as a result of their participation in this contest.

All persons from anywhere in the world are eligible; however the material submitted must be in English.

All material submitted to other competitions or contests are eligible.

Professional writers, journalists, poets, and previous contest winners are eligible.

There are no requirements as to when the material was written.

Material must be your original work.

The material submitted must not be encumbered by any obligation to, or option held by, a third party prior to entering the competition.

By submitting your material you agree to be added to our email list, but can remove yourself by unsubscribing at anytime.

We do not provide feedback, notes, grades, or rankings of any kind. We assume you already know how to write at a professional level and that is why you are entering this contest.

Please note that the New York Metropolitan Screenwriting Competition is in no way affiliated with any other film festival, screenwriting competition, film school, museum, conservatory, or any other film related enterprise or organization including, but not limited to NYU, Tribeca, Tisch, NYFA, NYSC, BFF, MOMA, MOCA, NYCIFF, or the Met.

This festival is produced by Cinema Public House, a US based company that produces festivals, events, and competitions all over the world.

All judging is done at our sole discretion. We may have outside input, but all judging and all decisions are made at our sole discretion. Furthermore, unless otherwise stated, we do not use "celebrity" judges or "industry" judges and we do not advertise that we use "celebrity" judges. We use intelligent readers with a passion for cinema who love to read. We distribute our winners' scripts to industry executives who provide consultations, but those executives do not judge our contests. To prevent tampering we do not reveal the identities of our judges. Entrants are prohibited from contacting the judges during the competition. Any entrant who attempts to contact a judge will be disqualified and their entry fee forfeited. The decision of the judges is final.

By submitting your film: 
You agree to use parts of your film (including trailer/teaser/film poster/stills) for promotional purpose. 

Entry fees are non-refundable.

Entries may be entered in multiple categories.

We do not make films available online.

We may promote some of the films by uploading the trailers/teasers/posters/production.

We do not accept: Extremist content from religious or political organizations, or pornographic content.

The festival further reserves the right to revoke recognition status at any time with or without cause.

By entering this contest you agree to all of our terms and conditions.

See festival website for complete list of terms and conditions.

Overall Rating
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Networking
  • Jamie Mollart

    I'm incredibly grateful for the experience I had with New York Metropolitan Screenwriting Competition. It was well run, friendly and I'm honoured to have won. The prize consultations were incredibly valuable. I'll be entering again and would recommend others to do the same

    October 2024
  • Terence Fisher

    A lot can be said about reviewers of screenplays and books. I want to thank the reviewer who critiqued Limelight. It gave me a clear understanding of how this person does their job. Hats off to you being a critic is a tough gig.

    October 2024
  • I am honoured to have received this award.

    October 2024
  • Wonderful festival !! I will come back next year !

    October 2024
  • The festival presents a captivating showcase of high-quality visual motion pictures, providing a platform to appreciate exceptional cinematic artistry. We extend our sincere gratitude for your valued support.

    September 2024