I’ve had a dozen or so DMs this week about screenwriting contests, which are worth it and which aren’t.

I, without a doubt, have very strong opinions on that subject.

But I can’t tell anyone which is right for them. Everyone has their own journey, their own path or desires.

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Nor do I feel comfortable putting out a list of which I’ll support.

A) I’ll undoubtedly forget one (or more)

B) A contest who’s done right by me may have people out there who will disagree and then the whole thread turns into recriminations

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C) Someone will be offended I didn’t list their favorite contest who has always done right by them.

D) A contest I may no longer use for any number of reasons may have completely changed...

It’s just not worth it to create a list (in my opinion)

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If anyone really wants to know (or cares) which screenwriting contests I support...

Watch what I post, where I may not make a list, I shout out those contests I feel support writers.

And I mention when I place in a contest, which SHOWS which contests I spend my money on.

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But if you want to know which contests you should enter your script into you need to first ask yourself:

What is it you’re looking to get out of the contest?

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If the answer is, I want to be rich and famous— The stop. Don’t enter a contest. That’s not what any contest is for.

But, seriously, look at what the contest offers — For the winners, those who place at various levels, and even those who don’t?

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Search the internet for reviews of what others who have participated in it have said.

Keep in mind almost no contest will guarantee you any specific result in winning.

Because even if you WIN a contest, the responsibility to hustle around and make it mean something...
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Is up to YOU!

Some contests will help spread the word a about your amazing script (now or in the future) but YOU have to put the work into making something happen.

So when thinking about entering, ask yourself how that particular WIN will help you achieve your goal.
8/

Look up previous winners on IMDbPro — See what those winners are doing now?

Are they working writers?

Are they repped?

Trophies, certificates and seeing your name on the internet is nice, and if that’s your end goal, more power to you!

But if your goal is to be a...

9/

Working writer?

What are you really looking for?
-Getting something produced?
-Mentors?
-Representation?
-Contacts?
-Reads by people in the Industry?
-Reads by people with power?
-Service from someone?
-Money?

Only YOU can answer that.

10/

And even then you have to balance that out against the COST of the screenwriting contest.

They can get damn expensive!

Especially if enter several of them.

No one should use the rent/mortgage money to enter a contest, no matter what the prize.

11/

Because no matter how good your script is, it’s still a gamble.

Because ALL contests have readers, and to do well in that contest — Yes, you need a good script,
But you also need readers who connect to your work.

And not everyone will.

Good scripts will get left behind.
12/

So to do well in a contest, in most cases, you need to find 2 readers to give you high scores to make it to the
QUARTERFINALS
Then 1 to 2 more to make the
SEMIFINALS
Then another 1 or 2 to get to the
FINALS
And even then, the Judges are only reading the top 3-5 scripts?
13/

That means to WIN, you need to convince 6 to 12 people your script is great.

Think back to pre-Covid days when with your friends, how long did it take to decide where you’d al go eat?

Which is me saying, finding 6 people in a row who LOVE your script is a MIRACLE!
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Now this isn’t to convince anyone not to enter screenwriting contests— There are great contests out there — I enter them!

But you need to be realistic about what you’re entering, why you’re entering and what you expect from it.

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Does your script stack up to others?

Need feedback to see if your script holds up against others and industry stands for a minimal price tag?

Want to add something to a query
Need to teach yourself to meet a deadline?

And...

16/

I’ll also add the two BEST set of NOTES I have ever received came from contests.

But again, for those of you who really want to know which contests I support... Watch what I tweet.

Because I honestly try to support the good ones.

:)