Thanks to placing in Screamfest, I was put into contact with the amazing producers at Dark Sky Films who optioned my creature feature. – 2020 semi-finalist
Tyler Jones
Screenwriter
Screamfest Screenplay Competition | Submit Your Horror Script
SUBMISSION GUIDELINES:
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Script Length: Feature film screenplays must be between 75 and 130 pages. Short screenplays are not accepted.
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Coverage & Feedback: Writers can opt to receive reader feedback directly on the submission form. Feedback consists of a brief 3-to-5 sentence summary outlining your script's strengths and weaknesses, sent via email towards the end of November.
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Logline & Synopsis: Enter your logline or paragraph synopsis on the online form. Do not include it inside your PDF document.
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Title Page: Include a title page featuring the script title, author name, and WGA registration or copyright details. The title page does not count toward your total page length.
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Formatting & Submission: Submit online using the link above. Save your script file in this format:
Title_Lastname.pdf. Complete your application, upload your PDF, and submit payment electronically. -
Deadlines: Applications and uploads must be submitted by 11:59 PM PST on the deadline date. Late or incomplete entries will forfeit their submission fee.
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Payment Terms: Entry fees are non-refundable and processed securely through PayPal (a PayPal account is not required). We accept Visa, Mastercard, AMEX, and Discover in USD. A $2.00 processing fee is included in the submission price.
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Copyright: We strongly recommend registering your screenplay with the U.S. Copyright Office prior to submission.
Winning Screenwriter Prize:
- $1,000 cash prize
- Our prestigious skull award designed by the legendary Stan Winston.
- 10 free pitches on VPF, the platform for TV/Film professionals seeking scripts and writers to represent. With VPF, writers can submit written pitches to 500+ networks/studios, producers and agents with the assurance of a guaranteed response. One prize per entrant, not per entry.
- 3 months of Roadmap Writers On Ramp program and 2 Open Pitch Sessions. Value $337
- General meeting with literary managers/producers.
- Movie Magic Screenwriting software.
- Winner will receive a 4-month InkTip 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 com-panies every week. With over 3,000 options and 400 movies made, InkTip is the place for inde-pendent film.
- Winner receives a year of Scriptation’s premium toolkit - Scriptation Industry Pro! Revolutionize your workflow with Scriptation, the Emmy® Award winning app that instantly transfers your notes into new drafts in seconds. Scriptation allows you to digitally mark up scripts, separate notes into layers, track changes across revisions, generate breakdown reports, and so much more. Whether you’re in the office, on set, or on the go, Scriptation makes it easy to collaborate and stay connected with your team. For iPhone, iPad, and Mac.
- Winner receives a free half-hour phone consultation with Coverage Ink senior partners. Talk about the script, your next move, or how to take your career to the next level --it's your time. Since 2002. CI has been the industry leader in screenplay analysis, development and editing - and they're also indie horror producers. Visit https://coverageink.com.
Top 3 Finalists Prize:
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COVERAGEINK.COM PRIZE: Coverage Ink is offering three free half-hour phone consultations with their senior partners for the Screamfest top three (includes the winner). Talk about the script, your next moves, or how to take your career to the next level -- it's your time. Since 2002, CI has been the industry leader in screenplay analysis, development, and editing - and they're also indie horror producers. Visit https://coverageink.com.
Top 5 Finalists Prize:
- 5 free pitches on VPF, the platform for TV/Film professionals seeking scripts and writers to represent. With VPF, writers can submit written pitches to 500+ networks/studios, producers and agents with the assurance of a guaranteed response. One prize per entrant, not per entry. Winning screenplay does not receive this prize in addition to the winning prize.
- Movie Magic Screenwriting software.
- 1 Roadmap Writers On Ramp program Open Pitch Session. Value $175
- One full festival pass to Screamfest, including all screenings and parties,
- Read by leading industry managers/producers. Past judges included Ghost House Pictures, Hulu, Impossible DreamEntertainment, Gotham Group and more.
- Winners will receive a 4-month InkTip 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 com-panies every week. With over 3,000 options and 400 movies made, InkTip is the place for independent film.
All Screenplay Submissions Will Receive:
- 1 free pitch on VPF, the platform for TV/Film professionals seeking scripts and writers to represent. With VPF, writers can submit written pitches to 500+ networks/studios, producers and agents with the assurance of a guaranteed response. One prize per entrant, not per entry.
*In the event of multiple writers, Screamfest divides the trophy equally among co-writers.
