Screenplay Competition

Welcome to the California Film Awards Screenwriting Competition!  This annual screenplay competition was created to help aspiring screenwriters break into the entertainment industry as well as to showcase original new voices and support emerging talent.  All genres and categories are invited.

Click to Download the Official Screenplay Entry Form

Five scripts will be recognized at Top Winners - 1st through 5th place.

Ten scripts will be recognized as Official Finalists.
Ten scripts will be recognized at Honorable Mentions.
A select number of scripts will be awarded the Orson Welles Screenwriting Award.

Winners will have the opportunity to have their work forwarded to our talent management and agency partners.  All Finalists, Winners and Honorable Mentions will be featured on our website and in our annual Press Release announcing the Winners of the Competition.

Short Script Competition

Five scripts will be recognized at Top Winners - 1st through 5th place.
Ten scripts will be recognized as Official Finalists.
Ten scripts will be recognized at Honorable Mentions.
A select number of scripts will be awarded the Orson Welles Screenwriting Award.

Short Scripts are screenplays under 50 pages.  The entry form, fees, and deadlines for the Short Script Competition are the same.

Deadlines
Early Deadline - April 25, 2012
Regular Deadline - July 25, 2012
Late Deadline - October 25, 2012
Extended Deadline - November 20, 2012

Fees
Early Deadline - $25
Regular Deadline - $30
Late Deadline - $35
Extended Deadline - $45

Competition Rules and Conditions

All entries must be accompanied by a completed entry form.

Screenplays written by up to four people may be entered in the competition. Only one entry fee and one entry form is required for such entries. All authors' names should be listed on the entry form.

You may submit multiple entries.  Each screenplay submitted must include its own separate entry form and entry fee.

Scripts may be submitted via hardcopy or electronic file.

Scripts should be no longer than 185 pages.

The entry fee is nonrefundable.

Submissions must be the original work of the applicant. Entries, however, may be adapted from the applicant’s own work. If the script is based on a true story, historical or contemporary, that should be noted on the title page of the script.

If you would like notification upon receipt of your materials, please include a self-addressed stamped postcard.

Script materials will not be returned.

Entrants retain all rights to their screenplays.  The California Film Awards will not share your script with anyone except the judges of the competition.

Students receive a $10 discount.  Please include a copy of your student ID.

Submission Mailing Address
California Film Awards
6977 Navajo Road
Suite 225
San Diego, CA 92119

Email Electronic Entries to:
info@calfilmawards.com

Screenplays should be clearly labeled with name of screenplay and writer contact information.

Submission of a film or screenplay to the California Film Awards implies express understanding and acceptance to all competition rules and conditions.