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 15 Most Popular Screenwriting 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. 
238 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
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Networking
  • Shahrivar Naser Naser

    This was the second time I entered Oxford script and both time I was very pleased with this screenplay competition and I will continue entering their competition. Thank You to those in charge and keep up the good job!

    July 2026
    Helpful
  • Ramachandran Kandaswamy

    One of the increasingly known name amongst the festivals. Known for excellent communication and hospitality.

    July 2026
    Helpful
  • Lafayette Calhoun

    Thanks for the Finalist designation. Every pat on the back helps. All the best.

    July 2026
    Helpful
  • Madina Joshi

    Being selected as a finalist by Oxford Scripts was an encouraging milestone in my screenwriting journey. I am grateful for the nod for Sword of the Revolution. The communication was professional and timely. I plan to submit more episodes of my historical drama series in the future.

    July 2026
    Helpful
  • William Szarka

    I don't enter a lot of contests, but this one caught my eye. I liked the fact that my script was fast-tracked to let me know whether it was a go or thumbs down. Not only I was honored to be a thumbs up, but I was one of the Finalist. A win - win. Definitely will enter again in the future. --- William Szarka

    July 2026
    Helpful