The Southern California Screenplay Competition is based in San Diego, California. It was founded by writer/director/producer Theo Davies, to discover fresh, new writing talent. There are many undiscovered storytellers who have a voice, but that voice is never heard. We've created a platform where the screenwriters of tomorrow have a place to showcase their talent, today.

To us, this is not just a screenplay competition. Our main objective is to create some exposure for screenwriters. We want to get your stories into the hands of the people who option, buy and produce scripts and actually introduce you to top Hollywood writers and producers.

Every North American writer who submits to us receives a phone call. We love meeting screenwriters, so this gives us an opportunity to talk about your background as a screenwriter and the script we're about to read.

As the winner of the feature length competition, you will not only receive $1,000, but your script will be read by Jeffrey Reddick (Writer/Creator, 'Final Destination' franchise). You'll also have a one hour video call with Jeffrey to talk about your script.

The winner of our TV Pilot competition will receive $750 and the winning script will be read by Arturo Guzman (Producer, 'Orange is the New Black'). You will also have a 1 hour video call with Arturo to talk about your pilot.

In both the feature screenplay and TV Pilot categories, the winning scripts will be sent to our ever growing list of Hollywood Producers & Execs who have a first look option to buy or produce the scripts. We will also set up pitch meetings between you and any Producers interested in acquiring your screenplay.

Awards & Prizes

FEATURE SCRIPT (60-150 Pages*) - Any Genre

Grand Prize
- $1,000
- Script read by Jeffrey Reddick (Writer/Creator, 'Final Destination' franchise).
- 1 hour video call with Jeffrey Reddick to talk about your script.
- Script sent to Hollywood Producers with a first look option to buy or produce the screenplay.
- Pitch meetings set up between you and any Producer interested in acquiring your script.
- Free entry into all future competitions.

Two Runners Up Prize
- $250
- Video Call with SoCal Screenplay founder to discuss your script.
- Two AMC Movie Theater Tickets.
- Free entry into all future competitions.

​​​TV PILOT SCRIPT (20-70 Pages) - Any Genre

Grand Prize
- $750
- Script read by leading Hollywood TV Producer
​- 1 hour video call with leading Hollywood TV Producer to talk about your script.
- Script sent to Hollywood TV Producers with a first look option to buy or produce the screenplay.
- Pitch meetings set up between you and any Producer interested in acquiring your script.
- Free entry into all future competitions.

Runner Up Prize
- $250
- Video Call with SoCal Screenplay founder to discuss your script.
- Two AMC Movie Theater Tickets.
- Free entry into all future competitions.

SHORT SCRIPT (Up to 60 Pages) - Any Genre

Grand Prize
- $500
- Video Call with SoCal Screenplay founder to discuss your script.
- Two AMC Movie Theater Tickets.
- Free entry into all future competitions.

Runner Up Prize
- $150
- Video Call with SoCal Screenplay founder to discuss your script.
- Two AMC Movie Theater Tickets.
- Free entry into all future competitions.

Rules & Terms

We invite writers from all countries to submit their scripts to The Southern California Screenplay Competition. Below are the terms and conditions for the competition:

- Feature Length Screenplay (60-150 pages)
- TV Pilot (20-70 pages)
- Short Screenplay (Up to 60 pages)
*Screenplays that exceed 150 pages will not be accepted.

- All scripts must be submitted in English.
- All submission fees must be paid in U.S. dollars.
- All script and payment submissions will be made online only.
- All US based applicants will receive a phone call from SCSC to confirm receipt of their script. All International applicants will receive an email.
- All scripts must be the original work of the author(s) with no restrictions from a third party.
- All scripts must be in a pdf format with a title page that clearly states the title, author(s) name(s), email address and/or contact phone number.
- Scripts will not be eligible if they have been sold, produced for profit or optioned.
- Only original scripts will be accepted, including teleplays. The following do not qualify for our competition: novels, short stories, stage plays, musicals, treatments, synopses, reality show concepts and spec scripts for existing TV shows.
- Writers/applicants can only submit scripts. We will not accept loglines, taglines, synopses, casting suggestions, resumes, cover letters, photographs or any other materials of any kind.
- Scripts adapted from your own work, including books, plays and other source materials are all eligible, but only if you retain all rights to your work.
- Adaptations from other works will be accepted, under the condition that the writer of the original work has granted you written permission to use his/her material.
- Adaptations of works in the public domain are also permitted.
- The competition is not limited to one script per writer(s). Writers may submit multiple scripts.
- All scripts must contain a title page with the following information included: title of the script, name(s) of writer(s), telephone number and email address. This information is for office use only and will not have any bearing on the judging process or decision-making.
- The winners will receive script coverage feedback within 14 days of the winners’ announcement.
- Once a script has been submitted, no revised or future drafts will be accepted.
- Writers under the age of 18 years old must provide written permission from a parent or guardian in order to submit their work.
- By submitting their work, applicants agree to accept all decisions made by the judges.
- All writers are advised to register their material with the U.S. Copyright Office and/or the Writer’s Guild of America or the equivalent copyright agency in his/her country.
- All writers/applicants retain the rights to their screenplays.
- All writers/applicants are non-exclusive to the Southern California Screenplay Competition (SCSC) and may submit their screenplays to any other person, competition, producer, agent, publisher and/or organization.
- In the event that an applicant wins either the feature length or short film competitions, he/she agrees that the Southern California Screenplay Competition (SCSC) are permitted to use his/her name for advertising and/or promotional purposes.
- Competition winners will receive financial compensation in the form of a check.
- Competition runners up will be compensated their submission fee.
- Writer(s) may request a refund of their submission fee up to 24 hours after the initial submission payment has been made.
- Writer(s) acknowledge and accept without reservation that he/she is an independent contractor and under no circumstances are the judges or administrators at the Southern California Screenplay Competition (SCSC) responsible for withholding taxes or payments to any local, state or federal government agency.​

27 Reviews
Overall Rating
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Value
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  • Robert Velez

    It’s truly amazing that Theo calls every contestant to talk to the creators and find out who they are , why they created what they did, and get an understanding of the vision in the creation of the ever complex human brain that writes concepts onto pieces of paper to entertainment other complex human brains. Thank you Theo for taking the personal touch, it shows the level of care, time, and consideration Theo puts into his work and foundation of his festival. I placed as a quarter-finalist in the Short division, and I will work to fine tune my writing and create something that will win someday…now, on to honing the feature I’ve been working on! Thank you Theo for the hard work you do.

    January 2025
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  • Matthew Clark

    The Southern California Screenplay Competition is a great opportunity for networking, showcasing your work, and discovering new talent. I highly recommend as they do a great job producing this invaluable opportunity.

    January 2025
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  • Dave Rosas

    This was the first contest I ever submitted to and I ended up as a Semifinalist. Obviously, I would love to have won, but regardless, the SoCal Screenplay Competition seemed great! Before they even started judging, the founder of the competition called me on the phone to discuss my screenplay and get the backstory on it. That's pretty unique. I've never heard of another competition doing that. With many other competitions, you don't even know if they actually read your script, but with SoCal? You can be sure they do read it with great care. I will be submitting again!

    January 2025
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  • John Prather

    I was honored to be selected as Finalist/Honorable Mention. Regardless of my placing, though, this competition is notable for its stellar communication. The phone call before the judges began their task was a nice introduction to the judges and a very humanizing touch in what is too often an anonymous quest.

    January 2024
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  • Frederick Rauschenbach

    Very humbled that my 1st screenplay attempt, “Bridge of Sighs- The Jack Dandy Origin Story”, was found worthy of being a Finalist. This competition offers extraordinary opportunity to writers and I’d like to thank Theo Davies and his staff for recognizing the bones of this story, and accepting the mistakes of a novice.

    The fact that each entrant receives a phone call, highlights the dedication and professionalism of the competition. This recognition provides inspiration and motivation to battle on to improve my storytelling skills and knowledge of the industry. Thank you again!!

    December 2023
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