The only good thing to come from this time is that people in Hollywood are spending time reading again. They're going through stacks of screenplays to set up their next projects and to have something ready on the other side of the coronavirus pandemic. 

But you might be left on the outside if you don't have representation or a way to get your work in front of the right eyes within the industry. 


Winning a contest can help. 

We've talked about how to win screenplay competitions before, and though we talked about how most of these things are scams, we also know a good deal when we see one. 

And this screenplay contest is free.  

The Script Lab's 2020 Screenplay Contest is open to feature, TV and short screenplays. Scripts must be in English and formatted with industry-standard screenwriting software.

So what can you win? 

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As you can see, the grand prize includes $500 cash, and that's a pretty good deal for a free contest, but there might be a way to spend money wisely here, too. A page of optional feedback from a professional screenplay reader is available for $59 with your free competition entry. The Script Lab recommends their feedback if you want to see how readers rate your script based on their many years of experience evaluating screenplays.

But make the decisions about getting notes quickly, because the cost of feedback will increase to $69 after the early deadline and $79 after the regular deadline.

Who is judging this contest? 

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That's a healthy list of professionals within the industry who work tirelessly to get things done. 

Might be a good way to come out of quarantine with a hot script and some reps? 

But that's just my opinion. 

When is this all due? 

  • Early Deadline: March 31, 2020
  • Regular Deadline: April 30, 2020
  • Final Deadline: June 30, 2020

Limited to one submission per person. If you submit more than one submission, you will be disqualified from the competition.

Good luck!