Get Your Script Read by UK Industry Leaders

The Oxford Script Awards is an IMDb-qualifying competition built for one purpose: getting your script into the hands of UK industry professionals looking for the next indie talent. Ranked as a Top 30 Most Popular Festival in the UK and Top 100 Best Reviewed globally, we provide the ultimate professional platform for emerging screenwriters.

We run a specialized marketing portal for directors and producers where we actively promote the best scripts from every season. This is your chance to be part of a curated selection seen by industry professionals looking for new stories. Moreover, the best screenplays receive our Main Prize of $400 for further development and career support from our professional jury.

Our Live Table Readings in the Oxford Director’s Box bring your story to life, providing a powerful tool to showcase your project’s potential to a worldwide audience..

Our reputation is built on the success of our writers. With over 190 positive reviews, we are known for our clear communication and professional process:
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “A well-run festival with a supportive, professional team. I really appreciated the clear communication.” – Michele Condo
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “Thoughtfully and expertly run… strong, relevant categories… exceptional communication and support throughout the process…” – Patricia Planck

Our jury is composed of renowned screenwriters, producers, and directors who have achieved remarkable recognition in the industry, like Robert Simpson who was a semifinalist in prestigious competition the Academy Nichols Fellowships and Austin Film Festival (quaterfinalist). The rest of our team was proudly part of another international competitions like Final Draft Big Break Screenwriting Contest, and Script Pipeline Screenwriting Competition. Each screenplay will be properly reviewed by our clear-sighted jury according to appropriate requirements of an expert analysis.

We are truly honored to have received submissions from such remarkable talents at our festival. Among our notable past submitters, Markus Meedt, a member of the BAFTA Crew, has captivated audiences with his award-winning films featured at festivals such as Aesthetica and Austin. Melanie Abrams Fierstein's acclaimed feature, Sunrise, won the Hollywood Screenplay Contest and was a semifinalist at the Austin Film Festival. Kevin J. Howard has collected over 450 film festival awards worldwide and has been a finalist in major competitions, including the Academy Awards and BAFTA, highlighting the exceptional quality of submissions we receive. Additionally, both Scott D Cox and Bryan Regan have been recognized as semifinalists in the prestigious Academy Nicholl Fellowship. We are deeply grateful to these talented screenwriters for choosing our festival to showcase their work, enriching and inspiring our audiences around the world.

If you believe in the power of story, you’re in the right place. Welcome to the Oxford Script Awards.

Awards & Prizes

SCRIPT STAR AWARD

This award celebrates the script that stands out for its exceptional storytelling, creativity, and cinematic vision, elevating it to the highest honor in our screenwriting competition.
You'll receive 𝟒𝟎𝟎 𝐔𝐒𝐃 in prizes, including:

Promotional Service: Get ready for some serious exposure! Your work will be promoted across our social media channels and website, reaching a wide audience. Plus, you'll have the chance to share insights about your journey and career in an Interview.

But wait, there's more! Your script will undergo an extra layer of evaluation with a professional review from a renowned screenwriter. Get ready for some invaluable feedback!

The Script Star Award will be awarded to the annual winner from following main categories:

Best SHORT Screenplay
Best FEATURE Screenplay
Best Television Script
First time writer (feature screenplay)
️First time writer (short screenplay)

Rules & Terms

1) Judges, as well as members of our team and other sponsors are not eligible to enter the competition, nor are their affiliates or immediate family members.

2) All scripts must be submitted in English.

3) Once a script has been entered into 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.

4) All writers’ names should be listed in the online entry form, “written by” credits are optional on the script/pilot file itself. By submitting online to the Oxford Script Awards, entrant warrants that all writers have authorized the submission. If a screenplay is written by multiple authors, all cash and awards will be remitted to the entrant of record, with all proceeds to be divided at the writers’ discretion.

5) We accept screenplays only in one of the following formats: .PDF, Final Draft, Movie Magic Screenwriter, Microsoft Word, Rich Text Format, or Text.

6) Entries will not be returned. Be sure to retain a copy of all material submitted.

7) Entrants of Oxford Script Awards retain all rights to their screenplays.

8) Entries must be received by the applicable Entry Deadline.

9) Oxford Script Awards will not share your screenplay with anyone except the official judges of the competition without prior permission.

10) By entering the Oxford Script Awards, you represent that your entry is your original work, and does not infringe on the copyright or other rights of other people or legal entities.

11) Entry fees are non-refundable.

12) Entrants can include author and/or contact information on their entry’s cover page at their own discretion, but it is not required.

13) The decisions of the judges are final.

14) Our festival reserves the rights to change, cancel or re-schedule the dates, awards & categories. All submitters will be informed about any changes through email and our online platforms. Competition staff reserves the right to substitute any advertised prize for another prize of similar value.

15) By submitting to this festival, you agree to our terms and conditions and to receiving marketing newsletters and discounts about film or screenplay festivals in the form of emails. We will never sell your information to third parties.

16) The festival authorities have rights to use freely available photos, promotional material and information about our submitters and these materials can be used for educational, promotional or commercial purposes.

𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞: Please make sure that you have read and understand all the rules and terms before submitting your screenplay to the Oxford Script Awards. Submitting your screenplay to the festival means that you have agreed to abide by all the rules and terms. 
214 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Paul Alan Gober

    I am incredibly honored that my screenplay, DEAD EAST: Nippon Flight 319, was selected as a Finalist in the Oxford Script Awards. This competition is clearly dedicated to elevating indie talent and getting scripts into the hands of real industry pros. The communication was excellent throughout the process, and the specialized marketing portal they offer is a game-changer for writers seeking representation or production deals in the UK. Truly a top-tier platform for emerging voices!

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you so much for this fantastic feedback, Paul! We are incredibly honored to have had DEAD EAST: Nippon Flight 319 in our lineup this season, and a huge congratulations on earning that Finalist spot in a very competitive field.

    Hearing that our specialized marketing portal and industry-focused communication hit the mark for you means the world to us. Our main goal is always to provide a real launchpad for emerging indie voices in the UK and global markets, so knowing that you see the value in what we do is the ultimate validation.

    Thank you for trusting us with your story, and we can't wait to see where this project goes next!

  • Kyle Cheatley

    Honoured to have been a finalist with my short script 'Full Stop' Looking forward to submitting again in the future!

    May 2026
    Helpful
  • Shannon Denise Evans

    Thrilled to have won Best Feature Screenplay at the Oxford Script Awards for BETTER ANGELS. This is an IMDb-qualifying festival with a thoughtful jury composed of working industry professionals, and the review process reflects that — every screenplay receives a proper evaluation. I also appreciate that the festival goes beyond the laurel, offering promotional support and the opportunity for an interview. For screenwriters looking for a well-organized, internationally minded competition, I'd recommend it!

    April 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Congratulations on your win, and thank you for such a thoughtful review!

    We are absolutely thrilled that BETTER ANGELS took home the Best Feature Screenplay award this season. Our jury was deeply impressed by the quality of your writing, and it’s rewarding to hear that the depth of our evaluation process resonated with you.

    Supporting our winners through promotional features and interviews is a core part of our mission to help bridge the gap between the script and actual production. We are proud to have your work as part of our 2026 alumni.

    We look forward to seeing where this project goes next and hope to see more of your work in the future!

  • Steven Antonuccio

    I was honored to be an award winner in the Oxford Script Awards with my screenplay "All Quiet on the Italian Front" The fact they had 370 entries and selected the top 20 as winners makes it even more special. The only problem that I have with the festival is I have little or no self esteem and being selected as a winner is not good for my self image. Seriously, thank you again and I was impressed with all the international scripts that were winners.

    April 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Congratulations on your win!

    We were truly honored to have "All Quiet on the Italian Front" in our selection this year. Standing out in a field of 370 entries is a massive achievement and a testament to the strength of your voice and the quality of your storytelling.

    While we can't help much with the self-esteem (though we think a win like this is a pretty good reason to feel proud!), we are thrilled that you enjoyed the international scope of the festival. Bringing together unique perspectives from around the world is exactly what we strive for.

    Thank you for your kind words and for sharing your work with us. We look forward to seeing what you write next!

  • Jon Wright

    I’m thrilled to be a part of the Oxford Script Awards and honored to know my story (Renaissance Boy) was reviewed and nominated as a finalist in the category of best feature film script.

    April 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Congratulations on your achievement!

    We were truly impressed by Renaissance Boy, and it was a pleasure for our jury to review such a compelling story. Reaching the Finalist stage in the Best Feature Film Script category is a significant accomplishment and a testament to the strength of your writing in a very competitive season.

    Thank you for sharing your work with us and for being a part of the Oxford Script Awards. We are excited to see where you take this project next!