THE MOTION PICTURE INDUSTRY'S PREMIER SCREENPLAY COMPETITION

Ready to take your script to the next level?
The Best Script Awards - London is more than just a competition - it's a gateway to the global film and television industry. We connect new voices with industry insiders, creating real opportunities for talented writers to break into Hollywood, London, and beyond.

Our reviewers are Oscar and BAFTA nominees, members of the WGA, PGA, and DGA, as well as renowned showrunners and television writers. We don’t just hand out awards; we actively promote our screenwriters long after the festival ends. We help our top scripts get in front of major Hollywood agents, producers, and studios. Our celebrated Alumni have gone on to achieve Oscar and BAFTA qualifications, proving that our platform is a real stepping stone to the highest levels of the industry.

We are proud to be one of the few screenwriting competitions that take place in person. We believe in the magic of face-to-face interaction. Our festival provides a unique opportunity for screenwriters to network directly with producers and directors during our events and the prestigious Awards Gala.

MEET OUR JURY LEADERS:
■ Danielle Quinoa – has judged Oscar-qualifying festivals such as Atlanta Film Festival, deadCenter Film Festival, Heartland Film Festival, and San Francisco Film Festival. She has also worked as a talent agent, guiding the careers of stars like Julia Garner (Ozark), Rachel Brosnahan (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel), and Anthony Ramos (In the Heights).
■ Kai Stuart Wissler (United Kingdom) - Winner Best Comedy at Royal Television Society East Awards; Winner at Best Script Awards London 2023 for Super Short Script.
■ Yvonne Lucrezia Condrau (United States) - 15-time award-winning feature screenplay
writer; worked with Nickelodeon/Viacom; Winner at Best Script Awards London 2026 for Best Rising Star Feature.
■ James Sweeney (United Kingdom) - Winner Best Thriller at New York Script Awards; Winner at Best Script Awards London 2026 for Best Stage Play.
■ Ash Sardoddi (United Kingdom) - Winner at Best Script Awards London 2025 for First Time Screenwriter.
■ Kenny O’Connell (United Kingdom) - BASCA award-winning songwriter; finalist at International London Screenwriting Awards; Winner at Best Script Awards London 2025 for TV Pilot Entry.
■ Ronald McQueen (United Kingdom) - Published author (Robert Hale); multiple award-winning screenwriter; Winner at Best Script Awards London 2026 for Best HASTFW Screenplay.
■ Sandra Jones (United States) - Winner of 20+ film festivals; published author and screenwriter; Winner at Best Script Awards London 2026 for Best Queer Screenplay.

🏆 WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT?
• IMDb-Qualifying Competition
• 100% Script Read-Through – No automated filters. Every word is read by a professional.
• Exclusive Physical Event – One of the few competitions worldwide with an in-person event where screenwriters can network, pitch ideas, and gain real industry exposure. The event is held in association with the London Director Awards, where you can meet several film directors who may be interested in your screenplay.
• Pro Feedback Option – Get up to 3 pages of studio-style notes with our 10-point professional analysis covering character, plot, dialogue, marketability, pacing, theme, and more.
• Script Promotion Hub – We actively promote over 100 scripts on our website, regularly visited by producers scouting for new projects. Check it out: https://bestscriptawards.com/i-am-a-producer

PAST WINNERS HAVE LANDED DEALS & INDUSTRY ATTENTION:
Ali Kiani (USA), James Patrick Costello (USA), Dominic Alexander Christopher (USA), Yvette Farmer (UK), Barry Staff (UK), Daniel Martinez (Colombia), Richard Jordan (Spain), Rosemarie Ni Foghlú (Ireland), Glenna Goodman (USA), and many others.

WHETHER YOU WRITE FEATURES, TV PILOTS, OR SHORTS—WE WANT TO READ YOUR SCRIPT!
If you’re serious about your writing, we’re serious about helping you succeed. Our competition is designed to cultivate, mentor, and elevate emerging screenwriters.

SO, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR? SUBMIT YOUR SCRIPT TODAY AND TAKE THE FIRST STEP TOWARD YOUR FILMMAKING FUTURE!

Awards & Prizes

🏆 BEST FEATURE SCREENPLAY
• Sundance Membership (1 year)
• Media Publicity ($ 500) - Interview, Special Social Media Post, Online Library for Producers
• Free entry to the entire London Director Awards festival
• OSCAR Nominated Screenplay (Read Only)
• OFFICIAL DIPLOMA
• IT APPLIES TO THE CATEGORY: FEATURE SCREENPLAY

🏆 BEST TV PILOT SCREENPLAY
• Sundance Membership (1 year)
• Media Publicity ($ 500) - Interview, Special Social Media Post, Online Library for Producers
• Free entry to the entire London Director Awards festival
• OSCAR Nominated Screenplay (Read Only)
• OFFICIAL DIPLOMA
• IT APPLIES TO THE CATEGORY: TV PILOT SCREENPLAY

🏆 BEST SHORT SCREENPLAY
• Sundance Membership (1 year)
• Media Publicity ($ 500) - Interview, Special Social Media Post, Online Library for Producers
• Free entry to the entire London Director Awards festival
• OSCAR Nominated Screenplay (Read Only)
• OFFICIAL DIPLOMA
• IT APPLIES TO THE CATEGORY: SHORT SCREENPLAY

🏆 BEST RISING STAR FEATURE SCREENPLAY AWARD
• Sundance Membership (1 year)
• Media Publicity ($ 500) - Interview, Special Social Media Post, Online Library for Producers
• Free entry to the entire London Director Awards festival
• OFFICIAL DIPLOMA
• OSCAR Nominated Screenplay (Read Only)
• IT APPLIES TO THE CATEGORY: First Time Screenwriter (Feature), UK Feature Screenplay, Feature Treatment, Best First 10 Pages, Stage Play, Drama Screenplay, Comedy Screenplay, HASTFW Screenplay (Horror, Action, Sci-fi, Thriller, Fantasy, Western), Queer Screenplay, War Screenplay, Foreign Screenplay (non UK/USA and Australia screenwriter)

🏆 BEST RISING STAR SHORT SCREENPLAY AWARD
• Sundance Membership (1 year)
• Media Publicity ($ 500) - Interview, Special Social Media Post, Online Library for Producers
• Free entry to the entire London Director Awards festival
• OFFICIAL DIPLOMA
• OSCAR Nominated Screenplay (Read Only)
• IT APPLIES TO THE CATEGORY: Super Short Screenplay (under 10 pages), First Time Screenwriter (Short), UK Short Screenplay, Drama Screenplay, Comedy Screenplay, HASTFW Screenplay (Horror, Action, Sci-fi, Thriller, Fantasy, Western), Queer Screenplay, War Screenplay, Foreign Screenplay (non UK/USA and Australia screenwriter)

Rules & Terms

All writers of submitted material must be 18 years of age or older
• Entries must be in English
• Submissions via PDF file only
• Resubmits/changes incur additional fee
• Produced/optioned or otherwise encumbered scripts are ineligible
• All submitted materials must be the original work of the author(s)
• Adaptations of prior works must give source material credit
• Decisions of judges are final as per industry criteria
• Pages should be numbered.
• Full-Length Feature Scripts: 160 pages or under
• Short Film Scripts: 40 pages or under
• TV Pilots: 130 pages or under
• All written or verbal coverage, critique, criticism, or analysis of submitted material is provided subjectively based upon objective standards as they are applied to the writing submitted and under consideration.
• No warranties are expressed or implied as to the utility, value, or accuracy of statements written or spoken by our reader-analysts with regard to material submitted to us by writers, customers, or contest entrants.
• Comments provided by judges, readers, administrators, or other writers are based upon personal opinion only and do not reflect the opinions of management; management assumes no responsibility the academic, creative, professional, economic, or emotional impact or consequences of the opinions we provide.
• Submitting writers agree to hold harmless against claims of any and every kind, each and every employee, independent contractor, reader, analyst, system administrator, or officers of the company in perpetuity.
• By entering this contest or any others with which Best Script Awards – London is affiliated, you agree to receive email marketing messages and updates relative to this contest and any affiliated sources and providers from us. You may opt out/unsubscribe from those messages and marketing protocols at any time simply by letting us know at info@bestscriptawards.com
• We welcome applications from registered organizations and professional representatives.
• Material submitted to the competition is solely at the risk of the individual registering, entering, or offering written material for scoring, analysis, judgment, or commentary.
• Once submitted material has been read, reviewed, analyzed, critiqued, scored, or commented upon by agents, employees, representatives, or management of the company, no refund of entry fee will be made.
• Sundance Membership is only awarded to annual winners, not seasonal.
350 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
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Networking
  • Paul Alan Gober

    I am thrilled that my screenplay, DEAD EAST: Nippon Flight 319, was recognized as a Semi-finalist in the Best Script Awards - London. The competition's commitment to finding high-concept, marketable stories is clear, and the communication throughout the process was incredibly professional. This festival provides genuine industry visibility and is a fantastic platform for writers looking to take their work to the next level. Highly recommended!

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your thoughtful feedback. We are delighted to hear that you found the process professional and rewarding, and we wish you continued success as you bring your stories to new audiences.

  • David Hamilton

    I'm honored to have been selected as a semi finalist in the Best Script Award - London Festival and want to express my sincere thanks for selecting my screenplay, Hellhounds (God sees everything). The past year has presented me with a couple of health challenges that prevented me from attending but I was honored to have been a semi finalist.. As a first time screenwriter this is great encouragement and I appreciate all who took the time to read it. Thanks again from the hills of Tennessee.
    Sincerely,
    David Hamilton.

    May 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your kind words. We are pleased that the recognition provided encouragement, especially as you continue your screenwriting journey, and we wish you all the best with your health and future creative projects.

  • THOMAS BRANNAGAN

    Pleased to have Pathfinder Down reach the semi-finalist category. Thanks from Canada.

    April 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your kind words and support from Canada - we truly appreciate it!

  • J. Austin Gentry

    Thank you to the entire BEST SCRIPT AWARD - London team for awarding DIETER TULLY as a finalist. I'm honored.

    April 2026
    Helpful
  • Teodor Cimpeanu

    Wow, I didn’t expect it. Such a wonderful surprise! Thanks to the jury and the organisers for the effort they put in. Great competition, smooth communication. Until next time, I wish you all the best!

    April 2026
    Helpful
    Response from festival:

    Thank you for your kind words - we’re delighted the experience was pleasant :)