The New York Screenplay Competition (NYSC) stands as a distinctive script contest tailored for aspiring authors eager to share their creative visions with the world.

Whether you're an established screenwriter, a cinema enthusiast, or a film school student, our evaluation of your scripts is approached with a unique perspective, devoid of preconceived notions or expectations. Our esteemed team comprises seasoned screenwriters and producers.

Screenwriters bear the weighty responsibility of researching the story, crafting the narrative, and delivering the script, complete with screenplay and dialogues, in the specified format to development executives. This process endows them with significant influence over the creative direction and emotional resonance of the screenplay, thereby shaping the ultimate impact of the finished film.

Recognizing that screenwriting is a business, the most distinguished screenwriters cultivate a distinctive brand—a unique writing style or talent that sets them apart and makes them easily identifiable. Filmmakers seeking a story anchored in a grand idea, nuanced characterization, captivating dialogue, or a compelling theme can effortlessly pinpoint the ideal writer for their project when that writer is branded as a specialist in one of these crucial areas.

Awards & Prizes

Best Feature Script
Best Short Script (up to 20 pages)
Best screenplay (TV Show)
Best Drama
Best Comedy
Best TV Pilot

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Rules & Terms

1) All submissions must be in PDF format via FilmFreeway. We do not accept postal submission from January 2022.
2) All levels of experience eligible, whether it is your first script or your 100th...
3) All screenplays are considered complete once they are submitted to us. No revisions or updated copies will be accepted.
4) Submission fees are non-refundable.
5) Feature-length scripts must be a minimum of 35+ pages.
6) Short Scripts must be under 35 pages.
7) All the screenplays must be in English language.
8) We do not accept anonymous submissions.
9) Submissions must be original in content - you must own the property rights to the script.
10) One script submission per entry fee. You can submit as many scripts as you like but these must be individually submitted.
11) We guarantee that any of the scrips which we get will not be publicly presented.
12) We reserve the right to change the date of our anual event
31 Reviews
Overall Rating
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  • Haldun Altan

    That was really "sympa". They answer, they assure you, they keep up... a real presence. Thanks to the team NYC. I'll come back :)

    February 2026
    Helpful
  • Nick Yeh

    I truly appreciate the jury's kind words on my script. They came in as a timely morale booster. Thanks!

    January 2026
    Helpful
  • Irving Torres

    Thank you so much for selecting my script, Lawn Boys, for Best Short Script! I am so honored! I am grateful for your time and kind words. This process was absolutely a great experience!

    January 2026
    Helpful
  • Christophe Bontemps

    Excellente initiative pour ce type de concours. Merci a eux pour avoir donné une chance a mon projet

    January 2026
    Helpful
  • Ben Pfeiffer

    Thrilled to have been announced a winner. The festival’s communication and engagement was thorough, efficient, generous and kind. Thank you for everything - deeply grateful.

    January 2026
    Helpful