#screenwriting contests

Hi Anon,

First and foremost, my advice would be to write and read a lot of scripts. Final Draft is the standard software, but there are lots of free alternatives. (Word even has a template that’s actually really good.) Forming or joining a writers room is a great way to keep writing and get feedback on your writing.

Reading good scripts is crucial and there are thousands of fantastic scripts floating around on the internet. I recommend starting reading the scripts of your favorite films. Another good place to start is the resource drive (link in bio). It has nearly 200 scripts you can download and read for free and you can also request scripts you’d like to read but can’t find.

There are lots of screenwriting contests to enter wherever you are. Some of the top screenwriting contests in the business include the Nicholl Fellowship and the Austin Competition. There are lots more you can look at here. There are also many local screenwriting competitions you can find with a quick internet search. Often these have a much smaller amount of applicants and often some cash prizes as well.

And finally, some texts for screenwriting I recommend are:

The Hollywood Standard - for formating

The Tools of Screenwriting - for general storytelling

Creating Unforgettable Characters -  for character development

Screenwriting is Rewriting - for, you guessed it, rewriting a script

Happy writing!