Accepting TV and Feature Scripts

Drama is at the heart of great Hollywood storytelling. Nobody knows that better than this year's jury whose companies and clients are behind Oscar-winning and Emmy-nominated dramas that include shows and films like BETTER CALL SAUL, YOUR HONOR, GREEN BOOK, and many more.

Past drama competition writers have met with A24, MGM, HBO, Hello Sunshine, Bellevue, Ley Line, Ryan Murphy Productions, Anonymous Content, and dozens more - all through our introductions. Plus, ScreenCraft has helped over 275 writers sign with top management companies and agencies.

Plus all finalists will be invited to an exclusive Finalist+ workshop on how you can best position yourself and your writing to the industry.

Awards & Prizes

THE JURY
The top scripts are considered by our incredible industry jury looking for drama projects.

ROB GOLENBERG
Executive Producer & Partner, Silver Lining Entertainment

Robert Golenberg is an accomplished media executive, partner, and Executive Producer at Silver Lining Entertainment, as well as co-owner of Scripted-World, which produced the successful Showtime series, YOUR HONOR. In addition to his producing and ownership roles, Rob manages over a dozen Writer/Producers, including those behind popular TV shows such as BETTER CALL SAUL, STRANGER THINGS, ACCUSED and NCIS. Golenberg decided to leave the agency world behind and establish his own management company. Rob made a first-look deal at A+E Studios in 2020 where he has several projects in development.

KATE SHARP
Manager and Producer, Bellevue Productions

Kate Sharp is an Emmy nominated producer and manager with Bellevue Productions. Previously, Kate was the VP of Development and Production at Occupant Entertainment, produced short- form content for Showtime, MTV, Verizon, Facebook, and U2, and was an Executive Producer on the Hulu original, Emmy-nominated TV series BEHIND THE MASK. Her film credits include PEEP WORLD, BETTER LIVING THROUGH CHEMISTRY, MADAME BOVARY and THE HALLOW. Kate is currently producing FLEEING starring André Holland and Nicole Beharie which recently wrapped production. On the feature side, her client's projects have most recently appeared on the 2021 Black List and premiered at Sundance, TIFF and Cannes. On the TV side, her clients have written on such series as STAR TREK: PICARD, GENUIS: ARETHA FRANKLIN, ORDINARY JOE, PRIMO, CHUCKY, LIFE BY ELLA and NEVER HAVE I EVER.

ADÈLE BORDEN
Manager of Content Strategy, Participant

Adèle Borden is a Manager of Content Strategy at Participant, a leading global media company dedicated to entertainment that stands at the intersection of art and activism. In her role, she works across narrative film, documentary, and episodic projects at all stages, from consideration, to development/production, and sales. Before her move to Content Strategy, she spent 3 years in the Narrative Film group, contributing to the development and production of titles including Stillwater, Dark Waters, and the upcoming film from Disney+, Out of My Mind. Adèle is an MFA graduate of USC's Peter Stark Producing Program.

JOE FRONK
Literary Agent, APA

Joe Fronk is an Agent in the Scripted Literary department at APA. He joined the company in February 2021 after having worked at Artistry and as a Manager at Island Park Entertainment. Joe began his career in the mailroom at UTA and later worked at companies including Chris Morgan Productions and Epix.

JENNIFER AU
Literary Manager, JAM Literary

Jen Au is a literary manager and producer. She began her career working at an independent production company followed by time at The Firm and CAA, and was previously a literary manager at Caliber Media and Untitled Entertainment prior to launching her own company. She graduated with honors from the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Jen is a firm believer in the magic and power of storytelling, in the ability of stories to heal and inspire, and in the responsibility we have to ourselves and to the audience with the stories we create and share.

THE PRIZES

Grand Prize Winner

The overall grand prize winner in either feature or TV category will be welcomed to the ScreenCraft Writer Development Program and receive personal introductions and phone calls with one or more top Hollywood literary manager(s) who are looking for talented emerging Film & TV screenwriters.

ScreenCraft's genre specific relationships include companies like Paramount Network, Netflix, HBO Max, AMC, Macro, and over 150 other Hollywood managers, agents, producers, and development executives.

ScreenCraft has a proven track record for getting writers signed with managers, agents, and staffed in writing rooms.

They'll receive:

- Personal Introduction to top literary managers
- Accepted into the ScreenCraft Development Program
- $1,000 cash award
- An exclusive invitation to a Finalist+ workshop to position yourself and your writing to the industry

Feature & TV Winners

- $500 cash award
- Accepted into the ScreenCraft Development Program
- An exclusive invitation to a Finalist+ workshop to position yourself and your writing to the industry

Finalists

- An exclusive invitation to a Finalist+ workshop to position yourself and your writing to the industry

ADD-ON PRIZE OPPORTUNITY

Mentorship Program with J. Holtham

This optional add-on prize category will grant one eligible writer the opportunity to learn, develop, and strengthen their project with guidance from an industry professional. This unique add-on benefit is separate from the ScreenCraft Drama Competition prizes and placements.

We welcome writer J. Holtham who will select one writer/writing team with an outstanding concept from the ScreenCraft Drama Competition for development guidance, including notes, strategy suggestions, and more.

J. HOLTHAM is a screenwriter, playwright, comic book writer and blogger. TV: PITCH (Fox), MARVEL’S CLOAK & DAGGER (Freeform), MARVEL’S JESSICA JONES (Netflix), SUPERGIRL (CW), THE HANDMAID’S TALE (Hulu).

Only projects submitted to the ScreenCraft Drama Competition AND that select this add-on are eligible for consideration in this category. Additionally, all projects that place in the Top 10 of the competition will automatically be considered.

Rules & Terms

For full rules, terms, and conditions, please visit -- https://screencraft.org/drama

At the program's request, Coverfly will automatically remove your title page for you if you include one when submitting to this program.

Submissions are accepted via electronic submission only.

Entry fees are as listed on the site and checkout form. No coupon or discount is applicable on a previous entry.

Optional feedback from a professional reader may be requested at the time of entry. Requests for feedback can be done through Coverfly.

Entries may be any length -- the standard 1/2 hour is between 20 - 40 pages, and the standard hour long is between 40 - 70 pages, and the standard feature is between 85 - 120 pages. Any script submission longer than 120 pages will incur a $.50 per page overage fee for each page over 120 if it does not include feedback and $1 per page if the entry does include feedback.

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

Entries must be received on or before the deadline dates by 11:59PM Pacific Time, 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 owned by the writer(s), however the material may be based on other works not owned by the writers.

Material must be submitted by the writer. Material written by writing teams must be submitted by one of the writers, with consent of the other(s).

If a writing team is chosen as a winner, prizes will be given to the person who submits the project. Each team is responsible for dividing or sharing any prizes awarded as they deem fair (whether there is a cash value or not).

Substitutions of either corrected pages or new drafts of the entered material will be allowed for a limited time with a $6 reentry fee through Coverfly. Please proofread your script carefully before submitting.

It is recommended that original material be registered with the WGA or The Library of Congress before submitting to any competition, however we do not require registration.

Contact info may be included on the cover page of the screenplay, however it is not required. ScreenCraft uses Coverfly to manage submissions and automatically removes cover pages before scripts are read by the judges.

ScreenCraft claims no ownership nor option on your work. All ownership and rights to the scripts submitted to this contest remains with the original rights holders.

The decision of the judges will be final and cannot be contested in any manner. There is no score on a scorecard that guarantees advancement to the next level as advancement will be based on all scores in the competition.

In the event a juror, partner organization, mentor, or prize partner is no longer able to serve in their specified capacity, ScreenCraft will make its best effort to secure a replacement.

ScreenCraft reserves the right to change deadline and announcement dates at any time.

ScreenCraft reserves the right to amend these rules at any time.

For a full list of rules and eligibility please visit ScreenCraft.
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  • Pearse Lehane

    ScreenCraft are the reel deal

    November 2017
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  • Shiva Ramanathan

    Screencraft has a line of competitions that can get great industry exposure to writers. Their communication through the process is always immediate and encouraging. They have a great reputation in the industry and are always creating contests with new partnerships that are great opportunities for writers. It is an honor to be recognized by the Screencraft contest.

    November 2017
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  • Theodore Carl Soderberg

    Blown away fantastic, you couldn't find a better group of professionals if you worked at it 24/7/

    November 2017
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