Our aim is to forge an independent screenwriting competition that will launch the careers of cinema's next generation of great writers and artists. We want our competition to be a bridge between up and coming artists and the talent agents and managers that will ultimately put them in front of studio executives in both Canada and the US. We are also passionate about introducing them to the various producers and production teams that call our city their home.

Our city has a long history of nurturing and showcasing the most talented filmmakers in the entertainment industry. We want to give screenwriters the same level of exposure. We want to develop writers to work on studio films as well as high end independents. We are an independent screenwriting competition that wants to inspire, support, and develop writers at all levels to make great films that leave others touched, moved and inspired. And we love all kinds of scripts and stories from studio blockbusters to art house fare. No two paths are the same and no two stories are either. We accept scripts from all over the world not just the US and Canada and from artists of all shapes and sizes, colors and ethnicities, sexes and sexual orientations.

The Toronto Metropolitan Int'l Screenwriting Competition is a Cinema Public House production.

Our aim is to open doors for aspiring writers in all genres the same way Sundance, Edinburgh, and Cannes open doors for filmmakers.

Awards & Prizes

We reward our top three winning screenwriters with various prizes including introductions to at least three top industry executives in New York, LA, and Toronto. In 2017, one of our finalists signed with one of Beverly Hills most prestigious talent management companies. Our grand prize winner will also be given one hour worth of script notes from a top Hollywood development executive.

2019's grand prize winner was personally introduced to six talent managers and producers and was given a one hour consultation with the top manager at Fictional Entity.

Please note that we do not advertise who we will be introducing our grand prize winner to as we prefer to tailor the introduction to the individual writer's style so as to get them the most benefit. For example, if our winner wrote a drama, we wouldn't be connecting them with people who specialize in comedy. Also, only our Grand Prize Winner and top two Finalists will receive industry distribution and prizes. Semi-Finalists will only be rewarded by recognition like in most screenwriting competitions.

Rules & Terms

Writers retain all rights to their work.

Submissions are accepted via electronic submission only.

There is no limit to the length of the projects you submit. Projects can be in script or treatment form.

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

Scripts must be written in English, but can be in any film or television genre.

Entrants are prohibited from contacting the judges during the competition. Any entrant who attempts to contact a judge will be disqualified and their entry fee forfeited. The decision of the judges is final.

Entry fees for screenplay entries are posted on our partner websites and are non refundable.

Employees and family members of the film festival are not eligible.

Entries must be received on or before the deadlines 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 original, and all rights must be wholly owned by the writer(s).

All entries must be the original, and unpublished, un-produced, un-optioned work of the entrant. The entrant ensures that he or she is the sole author of the work and that it does not infringe on any existing copyright.

All winners are responsible for their own U.S. income tax withholding.

The competition, its judges, and its officers accept no liability whatsoever for any claims of damages, real or perceived, by any entrant(s) as a result of their participation in this contest.

Industry distribution should in no way be in interpreted as a guarantee of future representation or success. Whether or not industry partners choose to work with finalists, is done so at the sole discretion of each and every individual company. We can not force our industry partners to option your property and or sign you as a client.

Past prizes listed in winner reviews should not be construed as current prizes. All current prizes are spelled out on our website. We also do not reveal the names of recipients on our industry distribution list.

Entrants must be 18 years or older to enter the contest. Misrepresentation of age, upon discovery, will forfeit entry and fees to the contest. Contest is void where prohibited by law.

All persons from anywhere in the world are eligible; however the material submitted must be in English or French.

All material submitted to other competitions or contests are eligible.

Professional writers, journalists, poets, and previous contest winners are eligible.

There are no requirements as to when the material was written.

Material must be your original work.

The material submitted must not be encumbered by any obligation to, or option held by, a third party prior to entering the competition. It can be based on existing IP, if that IP is in the public domain and or you also own the rights to that stage play, short film, etc.

We do not provide feedback, notes, grades, or rankings of any kind unless paid for with your entry at the time of entry. We assume you already know how to write at a professional level and that is why you are entering this contest.

By submitting your material you agree to be added to our email list, but can remove yourself by unsubscribing at anytime.

Please note that the Toronto Metropolitan International Screenwriting Competition is in no way affiliated with any other film festival, screenwriting competition, film school, or film related enterprise or organization including, but not limited to TSC, TCA, TWA, Tisch, and or TIFF.

TISC reserves the right to revoke recognitions status at any time with or without cause.

All judging is done at our sole discretion. We may have outside input, but all judging and all decisions are made at our sole discretion. To prevent tampering we do not reveal the identities of our judges.

We do not offer script notes and or script advice. We are looking to reward professional level writers that we can help get to the next level by recognizing their work. If these are services you desire, we recommend hiring a script consultant. These services can be found via a simple google search.

By entering the competition you hereby accept these competition rules.  
16 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Rachana Suri

    Amazing, Kind, helpful and passionate.

    May 2019
    Helpful
  • Salvatore Bono

    Outstanding festival. Excellent communication, and was contacted by one of the Directors informing me that I was selected as a top three finalist for my Supernatural Thriller, "Executed and Risen." I was kept apprised of all activities and next steps in the process. My screenplay was sent to 6 agents/producers for consideration within 72 hours of notification! I highly recommend this festival and will gladly participate in it again! Thank you, TISC Team for make this event very special to me!

    April 2019
    Helpful
  • Courtney Suttle

    Clear communications. Hit their deadlines, which is more than I can say for a lot of festivals. Thank you!

    April 2019
    Helpful
  • Chi Hsiu Chen

    I'm very delighted to hear that the project has been selected in 2019 Semi-Finalists in good time. Many thanks for the recognition of excellence in female writer's screenwriting.

    ☘ I dedicate my script to Selina Ren, who rose from the ashes, encourage S.H.E's Lucky shamrock fans and Taiwanese aboriginal children The Flying Fish to be your own iLife Robot and never truly defeated.

    Finally, thanks again for everyone who supports my dreams!!! ❤️✌🏻️

    April 2019
    Helpful
  • Lynne Ashe

    I highly recommend this Festival; I had a very positive experience, and festival communications were excellent. I ordered the optional feedback, and the reader's notes were thoughtful and helpful for revisions. I'm very honored that my screenplay Scuppernongs was chosen as a semi-finalist; I plan to submit another script next year.

    April 2019
    Helpful