Creative World Awards (CWA) discovers and advances talented screenwriters, helping them garner the exposure and recognition they need to propel their projects forward.

At CWA, finalists get first looks from some of the most sought after companies in the industry such as Lionsgate/Mandate International, Inferno Entertainment, Morgan Creek and more.

Production Award: The Grand Prize Winner also receives the opportunity to have a short adaptation of their winning feature script produced by CWA in conjunction with The Moving Image Xchange. The film gets a guaranteed premiere at the Richmond International Film Festival.

Special thanks to this year’s sponsors for a prize package worth over $35,000.

GRAND PRIZE WINNER – $3,000 cash PLUS possible opportunity to have their winning script produced into a short film version. If decided upon by the writer and CWA, CWA in conjunction with The Moving Image Xchange Productions, will help produce a short film version of the script to help generate interest for the feature script. PREMIERE: The short film will then get a guaranteed premiere at the Richmond International Film Festival, giving the writer an official imdb credit and the short to promote their work and feature story. Some scripts may not qualify depending upon budget and story. If CWA or the winner choose to forgo this option, the winner receives an additional $1,000 instead. Plus, the GPW also receives:

Final Draft software
Free Submission Entry into the Richmond International Film Festival
One All Access VIP Platinum Pass to the Richmond International Film Festival (non transferrable)
One FLOW Collective Conference Pass
4 Month Ink Tip Pro Membership - As an InkTip Pro Member, thousands of filmmakers can find and read your scripts, and you’ll be able to pitch directly to production companies every week. With over 3,000 options and 400 movies made, InkTip is the place for independent film.
1 free month of the Stage 32 Writers’ Room – a virtual writers’ group that meets once a week with top executives, managers, agents and producers, writing challenges, pitch practice and more!
Stage 32 Industry Mentorship – 1 free Stage 32 script read plus 30 minute phone call with manager, executive or producer of your choice. Choose from a roster of hundreds of industry professionals on Stage 32.
Notes Plus One hour private consultation with Co-owners
4 GENRE CATEGORY WINNERS – $250 cash each, plus a prize package that includes:

Free Submission Submission Entry into the Richmond International Film Festival
One All Access VIP Platinum Pass to the Richmond International Film Festival (non transferrable)
One FLOW Collective Conference Pass
1 free month of the Stage 32 Writers’ Room
1 free Stage 32 pitch session
Final Draft software
4 Month Ink Tip Pro Membership
4 CATEGORY 1st RUNNERS UP – $150 cash each, plus a prize package that includes:

Final Draft software
Free Submission Entry into the Richmond International Film Festival
1 free month of the Stage 32 Writers’ Room
1 free Stage 32 pitch session
4 Month Ink Tip Pro Membership
One FLOW Collective Conference Pass
TELEVISION CATEGORIES – $250 cash each, plus a prize package that includes:

Stage 32, Two Free Pitch Sessions
TVWritersVault.com One Year Membership and Pitch Listing or One FLOW Collective Conference Pass
Free Submission Entry into the Richmond International Film Festival
SHORT FILM SCRIPT – $250cash, plus a prize package that includes:

Free Submission Entry into the Richmond International Film Festival
One FLOW Collective Conference Pass
If the writer makes the script into a film, it receives a guaranteed premier at the Richmond International Film Festival plus a complimentary All Access VIP Platinum Badge
CREATIVE CONCEPT / INSPIRATIONAL SPIRIT AWARD – In honor of veteran analyst and CWA Judge, James Peters, this award goes to the most original and compelling concept that also conveys a redemptive theme of some kind. Winner receives:

Free Submission Entry into the Richmond International Film Festival
1 free month of the Stage 32 Writers’ Room
1 free Stage 32 pitch session
One FLOW Collective Conference Pass
Notes Plus One hour Development Coaching session with CWA Co-owners via phone or online session

UNIVERSITY/EMERGING SCREENWRITER OF THE YEAR – CWA puts a focus on development year-round, including encouraging the advancement of the next generation of writers in the industry. This award goes to the top emerging university screenwriter of the year (annual or every other year). Winner receives:

Acknowledgement as CWA University Screenwriter of the Year
Free Submission Entry into the Richmond International Film Festival
One FLOW Collective Conference Pass
Thirty minute consultation with CWA Co-owner via phone or online session

The CWA contest is open to any screenwriter worldwide who meets the enclosed criteria. Entry into the competition is void where prohibited by law.

Competition is open to all writers 18 years or older. We will accept collaborative work, but by no more than two authors. Each writer, however, must fill out and sign the online entry application and release form individually. If selected as a winner, the prize money will be split equally between them.

Submissions must be the original work of the applicant(s) and may not be based, in whole or in part, on any other fiction or nonfiction material, published or unpublished, produced or un-produced that is not already in public domain.

Each script entered is allotted one genre category in the price of the submission. Please do not enclose letters, resumes or photos with your submission. They will not be forwarded to our partners or the judges.

Writers are free to enter their submitted material to other contests; however, they must not have already received a screenwriting prize that includes a “first look” clause, an option, or any other quid pro quo involving the writer's submitted entry to Creative World Awards LLC. If a submitted screenplay becomes optioned or purchased between the time of submission and the end of the Creative World Awards judging period, the applicant must notify us and that screenplay will no longer be eligible for an award.

Scripts must be typed in English, with pages numbered; be headed by the title page, which includes title of work and WGA registration date/number if applicable; font must be 12-point Courier, Courier New or Courier Final Draft (no exceptions).

Scripts should attempt to adhere to standard lengths. No entry will be disqualified but these lengths are considered the norm throughout the industry.

Feature length screenplays: approximately 90-120 pages
Original TV Sitcom Pilot: 50 pages or less
Original TV Drama Pilot: 70 pages or less
Short Film Scripts: up to 40 pages

The writer's name should not appear on the title page, and not on any other page of the script. No other information outside of title of work and WGA registration (if applicable) should appear on the title page. CWA reserves the right to return the script if the above procedures are not followed. If the script is based on a true story, please note it on the title page.

Submissions must be transmitted electronically on or before the deadline, and the entry fee paid in order to qualify for the respective submission rate. Online entries may be submitted up until midnight Pacific Time on the final deadline date. Any entries transmitted or payments postmarked after the final deadline will be disqualified. Creative World Awards, LLC reserves the right to extend the entry deadline.

Submission fees are encouraged online through the submission service's secure payment system, however, they can be submitted by mail. If paying by mail, we accept money orders only. It must be mailed via a delivery method that does not require a signature. If sending by mail, the address is:

CREATIVE WORLD AWARDS
4712 Admiralty Way, #268
Marina del Rey, CA 90292

Online script submissions must consist of a standard script format (Final Draft or a PDF). *Please note, PDF files are the recommended format file to send, and Final Draft or other software programs allow you to convert your script easily to a PDF file. Once your script file is open, simply click on the ‘File/Save or Export as PDF’ option. If you do not have one of the above, you may submit in a Word .doc as a last option, but it must contain the industry standard format.

Resubmissions: Once a script has been submitted, no revised drafts or corrected pages will be accepted to the original unless you pay a separate resubmission fee of $45 through the CWA site or FilmFreeway. If through CWA, you must notify us via email to discard the original entry, and we will treat your revised draft as a new eligible submission. Email us at info@creativeworldawards.com for any further instructions.

The competition is not responsible for submissions that are lost, stolen, or damaged in transit.

All entrants understand and agree that there are a diverse amount of story contexts and ideas, and in no way is Creative World Awards LLC responsible not now or in the future of borrowing or stealing from an idea, copy written concept, or storyline from a script entry.

All winners will be responsible for their own U.S. income tax withholding. Creative World Awards LLC is not responsible for withholding any taxes or payments to any government agency, at any level, be it state, local or federal.

Contest applicants must accept without reservation the decisions rendered by the jurors.

Entry fees are payable by Credit Card (online) or US Money Order (by mail). Entry fees are nonrefundable.

Employees and the relatives of Creative World Awards LLC are not eligible, nor are competition judges and their immediate families.

Each applicant will receive an e-mail notifying them of the competition results. All writers must keep their personal contact information on file with us updated and current. Creative World Awards has no responsibility for correspondence that is misdirected as a result of writer(s) failure to provide us with current contact information. We also highly encourage entrants to add CWA to your email address list to ensure email correspondence is not sent to your spam or bulk mail.

Following the close of the season, the Grand Prize Winner will be given a choice to either receive $1,000 additional cash prize money, or elect to use that $1,000 as payment in full for writing a short version of their winning feature script (the short script will be fifteen pages or less). If Creative World Awards (CWA) produces the short script, it will be used by CWA as a tool to help promote the Grand Prize Winner’s feature script, and also give the writer imdb credit once it premieres at the Richmond International Film Festival. The Grand Prize Winner agrees that if they elect to forgo the additional $1,000 cash and instead choose to use that money as payment in full for their writing contribution on the short film production, that The Moving Image Xchange LLC and CWA will have ownership of the produced film, however, the writer will still retain full and ownership of their feature script. The short production will have no impact on the ownership of the writer’s feature length script; the writer will maintain complete ownership. The Grand Prize Winner also understands that should they elect to use the additional $1,000 for payment in full for writing the short version of the script rather than as cash, that they are responsible for working with the CWA Co-Founders in a timely manner to create the content of the short script. The Moving Image Xchange and CWA may elect not to produce the script if the genre or content isn't a good fit for the new short format or if the writer does not meet the deadlines in a timely fashion. If offered the opportunity to the writer, CWA Co-Founders will work with the writer to develop the short script in the months of September-October with a tentative shoot date set for December or January each year. The film will then premiere at the Richmond International Film Festival in late April, and be used for promotional purposes for the writer to garner interest in the writer's feature script as well as on the contest’s behalf. Producing the short script is at the sole discretion of CWA and The Moving Image Xchange, LLC. Should CWA and The Moving Image Xchange elect not to produce a short version of the Grand Prize Winner’s feature script, the Grand Prize Winner will still receive the additional $1,000. If the Grand Prize Winner consists of more than one writer, it is up to the writers to split the additional $1,000 between them.

Please read and understand the above Rules and Regulations. Failure to adhere to the Creative World Awards contest guidelines could result in disqualification and forfeiture of an entry fee and/or eligible prize.

Terms, Conditions & Release

Creative World Awards LLC Materials submitted to Creative World Awards LLC at this or any future time are accepted by Creative World Awards LLC only on your acceptance of the following conditions: 1. Applicant (s) testify to be at least 18 years or older and warrant as the author of submitted material that they are the sole and exclusive owner(s) of all legal and equitable rights thereto with the full and exclusive rights to submit material to the competition. 2. Applicant (s) has retained at least one copy of the submitted material as Creative World Awards LLC will not be responsible for any loss or destruction of the materials submitted to it. Applicant understands that it is their sole responsibility to copyright and protect their own submitted material. 3. All entrants understand and agree that there are a diverse amount of story contexts, plots, themes and formats and in no way is Creative World Awards LLC, its officers, employees, representatives, sponsors, judges and affiliates responsible not now or in the future of borrowing or stealing from an idea, copy written concept, or storyline from a submitted entry. 4. Creative World Awards LLC exists for the purpose of a competition. Through various phases of the judging process, submitted material will be exposed to a network of influential third parties, included, but not limited to those companies and individuals listed on the Creative World Awards LLC website. All such third party participations in the judging process are not guaranteed. Creative World Awards LLC will provide, though not obligated, applicant's contact information to interested parties. However, Creative World Awards LLC does not attest to or guarantee the validity of any subsequent agreements between applicant (s) and said parties. 5. Applicant (s) indemnify and hold harmless Creative World Awards LLC, its judges, sponsors and partners, individually and collectively, from and against all claims, demands, losses, damages, costs, liabilities and expenses (including legal fees) arising out of or in connection with any and all claims, or third party claims based on stories submitted to Creative World Awards LLC. 6. All Creative World Awards LLC entrants will permit Creative World Awards LLC to use their name and/or likeness, title of the work submitted, its logline and their results in pre & post-competition advertising for publicity & promotional purposes. Applicants hereby agree that their submitted contact information may be released to interested parties hereunder. 7. Providing false or misleading information on this application, or failing in any other way to comply with the rules of the competition, is subject to disqualification, forfeiture of prize money and/or other penalties. 8. Creative World Awards LLC reserves the right to remove submitted material from the competition, with or without cause. Applicant (s) will be notified by Creative World Awards LLC. If without cause, the entry fee alone will be reimbursed and the submitted material destroyed. 9. All decisions by the judges are final and cannot be contested. 10. By signing this form I/we have read, understand and agree to, and will abide by all the terms and conditions of submission of materials to this competition, which are listed in this release form and in the following guidelines and rules. 11. Dispute Resolution; Governing Law; Forum: That contestants expressly acknowledges and agrees that Creative World Awards shall be entitled to injunctive or other equitable relief (an "Injunction") to restrain, prevent or enjoin any breach by a contestant under this screenwriting contest, and the contestant hereby waives any right to notice of any action or proceeding for an Injunction and consents to and accepts entry of an Injunction in any court which may have jurisdiction in connection therewith. The prevailing party in any legal proceeding brought pursuant hereto shall be entitled to recover all of its attorneys' fees and all other costs related to such a legal proceeding. Unless otherwise stated herein, this Agreement shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of California (without regard to the conflicts of law provisions thereof), and the contestant hereby submits to the jurisdiction of the state and federal courts located in Los Angeles County, California.

Overall Rating
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Networking
  • Very honored to have received 'FINALIST' for "Three Tonys"... the CWA has long been recognized as one of the premier script contest venues, and it hasn't disappointed thus far. 🙏

    September 2022
  • Thank you for recognizing Bloodlines in your Wonderful film festival. Great communication from the start. Hat tip to the staff. Five stars.

    September 2022
  • I was honored to be a finalist at the recent creative world awards, which I consider to be one of the more prestigious screenplay competitions. I'm very grateful for their recognition.

    September 2022
  • Chad Hutson

    Honored for the second consecutive year I had a screenplay reach the finals. This year Dead Reckoning made it. Their communication with entrants is always outstanding. https://www.chadhutson.com/screenplays/dead-reckoning

    September 2022
  • Dear CWA,
    Thank you for selecting my short film “Sister” as a 2022 finalist!
    It means so much that you took the time to acknowledge my work, experience, and the important subject matter.

    September 2022