Another FLASH SCREENPLAY Festival!
It's time to submit to our SPRING FORWARD SCREENPLAY FESTIVAL!

This May, we’re looking for screenplays where the protagonist goes through a transformation. This transformation can be physical, mental, or emotional.
Whether comedy or drama, we want to read your work.

Enter your screenplay between May 1, 2026, and May 31, 2026.
Winners will be selected by June 12, 2026.

At Southwest Film Productions (SWFP) we celebrate writers from all over the world in our screenplay festivals. This event is supported by established creatives in Austin, Texas with extensive experience producing, writing, directing, and consulting, and whose companies have been operating for over a decade. The SWFP readers have been jurists and readers at prestigious festivals prior to joining SWFP.

Awards & Prizes

Categories are Best Drama Screenplay, Best Comedy Screenplay, Best Drama Short Screenplay and Best Comedy Short Screenplay. One winner from each category will be selected among the finalists.

Winning SHORT comedy and drama will each win $250.
Winning FEATURE comedy and drama will each win $500.

Our **Gamechanger Award** is given to to any script, in any category, that reveals a style or concept that hasn't been seen before, or leads the pack in a new and refreshing way.

Although rare, some categories may not have a winner.

ADDITIONAL CATEGORIES: By entering the Southwest Film Festival you agree that the jurists may bestow a unique award on your script if it's recognized as a standout but doesn't truly fit into a listed category. For example, "Best Screenplay - Historical Fiction," or "Best Experimental Screenplay."

Rules & Terms

Most genres are accepted however, please do not submit horror, pornography, musicals or a combination thereof.

We accept Comedy Short Screenplays 40 pages or less. 
We accept Drama Short Screenplays 40 pages or less. 
We accept Comedy Feature Screenplays 120 pages or less.
​We accept Drama Feature Screenplays 120 pages or less.

If your screenplay is over the page count, please email us before submitting at contact@swfilmproductions.com or your screenplay will be disqualified automatically.

11 Reviews
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  • Terry K Jacob

    I’m super thrilled my screenplay The Last Resort resonated with the readers/judges. Screenwriting is difficult, and sometimes heartbreaking. Getting a pat on the back every now and then helps us screenwriters know we are moving in the right direction. Thank you!

    June 2026
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  • Ernestina Juarez

    Excited and honored that my script, The Banner, was named a Silver Award winner in the Spring Forward Screenplay Festival. The professional background of experience of those judging the entries is impressive.

    June 2026
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  • Brian Spatz

    Thank you for selecting script "Parlay" as a finalist for Best Drama Feature Screenplay. I am truly honored.

    June 2026
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  • Evan Neill

    SWFP are top notch people to work with. Their communication and feedback are always professional and kind. Highly recommend.

    June 2026
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  • Brittany Brice

    I'm honored that you selected my screenplay, Gray Veil, as a Finalist for the Southwest Film Spring Forward Flash Screenplay Festival. Thank you so much for the selection and helping me work through the technical issues I endured. Kat and Ana are so kind and professional. Looking forward to the next contest!

    June 2026
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