TOP 5 WRITING CONTESTS

Hey folks,

Some of you had asked how I felt about writing contests. The truth is that most of them are probably not worth it. That said, there are a few that I would recommend highly. The "screenwriting contest" circuit is the equivalent of the "Film Festival" circuit for filmmakers.

The best contests to enter will provide at least two benefits; 1) Access and 2) Credibility. Access to top level producers, directors, talent and agents. and Credibility that the top placers have writing skills that meet professional standards.

Some are now offering Professional Feedback (called Analysis) on your scripts.

My top five are below. Feel free to reply and add your own top five along with your experience with them.

1) The Nicholls Fellowship - Sponsored by the Oscar Acadamy it is the most prestigeous.
2) The Triple A (AAA) sponsored by CreativeScreenwriting Magazine. Probably one of the most well known and most "connected" to real world professionals.
3) The Blue Cat Screenplay Contest - run by Gordy Hoffman (brother of the great Philip Seymour Hoffman), this has gained great cache as a well respected event that also provides FREE SCRIPT ANALYSIS (feedback) with each registration fee.
4) SCRIPT MAGAZINE's OPEN DOOR CONTEST - A great magazine and lots of talent and access.
5) ScriptPimp DATABASE - ScriptPimp is a members only PAY SITE, that provides a number of other great services beside the contest. They also run a very high profile event each summer for the TOP 20 BEST NEW SCREENPLAYS. I personally scored that award last year and the party at The Improv in Hollywood, was amazing.

Additional - MOVIEBYTES.com A great site that lists hundreds of contests and feedback from the people that entered and won them. A good place to start to get the hang of what's available.

Good Luck,
Mike P.