Submit your script to the most respected contest worldwide

Submit your script to the most respected contest worldwide

Deadline
Category
Feature Screenplay
Screenplay
Event Website
http://www.oscars.org/nicholl/about
Description

Each year, the Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting competition awards up to five $35,000 fellowships to amateur screenwriters. To enter, submit a feature length screenplay and entry fee via the online application when the competition is open for submissions. Fellowship winners are invited to participate in awards week ceremonies and seminars and expected to complete at least one original feature film screenplay during the Fellowship year.


QUALIFICATIONS

  • Screenwriters who have not earned more than $25,000 writing fictional work for film or television.
  • Entry scripts must be the original work of one writer, or of two writers who collaborated equally, and must be written originally in English. Adaptations and translated scripts are not eligible.

 

  • Deadline: Early is March 7 ($45 entry fee), regular is April 10 ($60 entry fee), and late is May 1 ($85 entry fee). The online application form must be completed and a PDF version of the script uploaded by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on May 1.
  • Fee: Early entry fee of US$45 (by 11:59 p.m. Pacific Time on March 7) or regular deadline entry fee of US$60 (by 11:59 p.m. PT on April 10) or late deadline entry fee of US$85 (by 11:59 p.m. PT on May 1). 
  • Eligibility: Writers who have not earned more than $25,000 for writing for film and/or television in their lifetimes are eligible to submit an original screenplay. U.S. and international writers are eligible to apply.
  • Entry Requirements:
    • Original feature-length screenplay, no shorter than 70 pages, no longer than 160 pages, in PDF format
    • Completed online application form
    • Entry fee

Additional info:

  • 7,422 scripts were entered in 2015.
  • All scripts are read at least twice in the initial round. About 15% of scripts are read a third time, usually when the first two scores diverge between high and low. Roughly 5% of scripts reach the quarterfinal round. About 2% of scripts reach the semifinal round. Typically 10 scripts reach the finalist round.
  • Industry readers who are not members of the Academy judge scripts in the first and quarterfinal rounds. Academy members read and judge scripts in the semifinal round. The Academy Nicholl committee reads and judges the finalist round to choose the Fellowship winners.
  • Up to five Fellowship winners will receive $35,000. During the Fellowship year, winners are required to write a new original screenplay.
  • How to Apply: Online applications are available here.