CHICAGO SCRIPT AWARDS – YOUR GATEWAY TO THE FILM INDUSTRY

Are you an aspiring screenwriter looking to break into the film and television world? The Chicago Script Awards is more than just a competition—it’s a launchpad for your career. We provide emerging voices with the opportunity to connect with top-tier industry professionals, including producers, directors, and agents from Hollywood, Chicago, and beyond.

Get your work evaluated by the best in the business. Our jury pool features elite Oscar and BAFTA nominees, along with seasoned members of the WGA, PGA, and DGA. Our mission is to provide long-term visibility for our writers. By connecting our top talent with influential Hollywood studios, agents, and producers, we turn scripts into careers. Join our ranks of successful Alumni who have already reached Oscar and BAFTA-qualifying milestones

MEET OUR HEAD JURORS:
◆ Talkhon Hamzavi – Special Jury Member
Academy Award nominee for Best Live Action Short Film (Parvaneh), bringing exceptional international recognition and industry expertise.
◆Paul G. Andrews – Head of Jury for Feature Screenplays
An accomplished screenwriter and producer, Paul has led major international productions and collaborated with Oscar-winning teams. His projects have received over 30 international awards, specializing in historical dramas, crime thrillers, and indie films.
◆Roberto Romano – Head of Jury for Television Screenplays
An award-winning Italian screenwriter, Roberto holds degrees in cinema and screenwriting from top European universities. His expertise spans television and feature films, bringing fresh insight to our competition.
◆Chuck Johnson – Head of Jury for Short Screenplays
A producer, director, and action film actor, Chuck has worked on over 100 productions worldwide. As the founder of Quiet Flame Films, he is committed to discovering and mentoring new screenwriting talent.
◆Olena Chepurna – Head of Jury for Super Short Scripts
A Ukrainian screenwriter and educator, Olena merges storytelling with innovative teaching techniques. Her unique approach to screenwriting education makes her an invaluable member of our jury.
◆ Charles Borg (United States) - Projects streaming on Hulu, Amazon, Apple TV+; worked with Bad Robot and Lucasfilm creatives; Winner at Chicago Script Awards 2025 for TV Pilot Entry.
◆ James Robertson (Australia) - Writer for Channel 9 TV; Winner at Chicago Script Awards 2025 for Feature Script.
◆ Dylan Frusciano (United States) - Winner Best First Time Screenwriter at Chicago Script Awards; USC screenwriting program.
◆ Jeanne Bøe (Norway) - International theatre tours across Europe and USA; Winner at Chicago Script Awards 2025 for First Time Screenwriter.
◆ Elise Plakke (United States) - Creative work for L.L.Bean, Trek Bikes and J.Jill; Winner at Chicago Script Awards 2025 for Feature Screenplay.
◆ Fisher Alexander (United States) - NBC series Found actor; Orlando Sentinel Best Featured Actor winner; Winner at Chicago Script Awards 2025 for Drama Screenplay.

WHY SUBMIT TO THE CHICAGO SCRIPT AWARDS?
• IMDb-Qualifying Competition – Gain industry credibility with an official IMDb credit.
• Every Script is Read in Full – Our jury ensures thorough script analysis.
• Exclusive Pitching Opportunities – Connect with directors, producers, and investors actively seeking compelling scripts.
• Professional Feedback – Receive detailed script notes covering character development, structure, and marketability.
• Industry Exposure – Stand out in our online script repository, where numerous writers have caught the attention of producers.

OUR WINNERS HAVE SECURED DEALS & INDUSTRY ATTENTION
Previous winners have included internationally recognized screenwriters such as Henry Myers, Stephen Delos Treacy, Dewane Alexander, Mike Patrick Johnston, Jonathan Vickers, Julian Poulter, Melisa Mathis Raney, Lynn Vincentnathan, and Ryan Costello, among many others.

SUBMIT YOUR SCRIPT TODAY!
With over 5,000 screenplays submitted from 70+ countries, the Chicago Script Awards is a premier competition dedicated to discovering and promoting new talent. Winners in Feature, Television, Short, and Super Short categories receive industry recognition, interviews, and over $10,000 in valuable services annually.

And what’s even more exciting – the Chicago Script Awards will be part of the annual awards ceremony of our partner festival, Crown Point International Film Festival.

Take the first step toward your screenwriting dream! Enter the Chicago Script Awards today and bring your story to life on the big screen.

Awards & Prizes

🏆 BEST FEATURE SCREENPLAY
• Sundance Membership (1 year)
• Media Publicity ($ 500) - Interview, Special Social Media Post, Online Library for Producers
• 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
• 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
• OSCAR Nominated Screenplay (Read Only)
• OFFICIAL DIPLOMA
• IT APPLIES TO THE CATEGORY: SHORT SCREENPLAY

🏆 BEST NEW WAVE FEATURE SCREENPLAY AWARD
• Sundance Membership (1 year)
• Media Publicity ($ 500) - Interview, Special Social Media Post, Online Library for Producers
• OSCAR Nominated Screenplay (Read Only)
• OFFICIAL DIPLOMA
• 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 NEW WAVE SHORT SCREENPLAY AWARD
• Sundance Membership (1 year)
• Media Publicity ($ 500) - Interview, Special Social Media Post, Online Library for Producers
• OSCAR Nominated Screenplay (Read Only)
• OFFICIAL DIPLOMA
• 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.
• We welcome applications from registered organizations and professional representatives.
• 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
• 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 winner, not seasonal.
279 Reviews
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  • Sandra Cropsey

    Fantastic festival! Delighted to have been a part. Thank you!

    June 2026
    Helpful
  • Pam Price

    Thank you very much to the CHICAGO SCRIPT AWARDS for honoring my Feature Length Thriller screenplay "STAR BULLY" with a FINALIST AWARD for Best Screenplay. Best. Pam Price. IMDb Pro at "Pamela Price (V), Writer; Animation Department; Composer".

    June 2026
    Helpful
  • Scott Cox

    Tiis is a well-run competition. They do a great job of keeping you informed and are timely in responding to questions.

    June 2026
    Helpful
  • Ben Burgess Jr.

    Very good film festival. I definitely recommend it.

    June 2026
    Helpful
  • Fernando Gracia Ortuño

    Being part of the Chicago Script Awards has been an extraordinary experience for Hostages of the Abyss (Rehenes del Abismo). Advancing through Semi-Finalist and Finalist rounds among a genuinely international pool of writers — from the US, UK, Canada, Spain and France — gave real validation to years of work on this project.
    What stood out most was the rigor of the selection process. This is not a competition that hands out laurels freely; reaching the finalist stage among 48 writers worldwide felt like a meaningful recognition of the script's craft and commercial potential.
    I recommend the Chicago Script Awards without reservation to any screenwriter seeking a serious, internationally-minded competition that takes the work itself seriously.

    Fernando Gracia — Author, Hostages of the Abyss / Rehenes del Abismo — Barcelona, Spain

    June 2026
    Helpful