Short Script Competition

Submissions NOW open!

Welcome to the Chicago Screenplay Awards’ Short Script Contest. 

Oct 19th, 2023

Super Early Deadline

$45
Nov 9th, 2023

Early Deadline

$49
Nov 30th, 2023

Regular Deadline

$55
Dec 21st, 2023

Last Minute

$59
Jan 18th, 2024

Final Deadline

$65
March 21st, 2024
Results

Short Script Submission

Standard Short Script Entry

Enter your feature screenplay and receive get a full read, 200+ words of written feedback, and scores. 

Short Entry + Full Analysis

$119

Participate in the competition and get detailed written feedback of over 1,000 words, comprehensive scoring, and enjoy a 90-minute discussion session with two expert analysts where you have the freedom to inquire about anything of your choice.

We also accept submissions through our partners at

Best Feature Screenplay Prize

Rules & Eligibility

Terms of Service

The Chicago Screenplay Awards invites various writers, agents, producers, and actors to be part of the jury every season. No two seasons are ever the same. All scripts are judged based on the following: concept, story, character, dialogue, marketability, structure, and clarity. Quarter Finalists, Semi Finalists, Finalists, and Winners will be notified by email. Announcements will be made within 30 days following final submission deadline. We reserve the right to amend these rules at any time.

COPYRIGHT AND OWNERSHIP

Neither Chicago Screenplay Awards nor any other partner, employee or agent associated with these awards claims any ownership in or first right of option to, any original screenplay submitted to us. All ownership and rights to the scripts submitted remains with the original rights holders until and unless other agreements are made.

PUBLICITY

Except where prohibited by law, submission of written materials constitutes each entrant’s consent to Chicago Screenplay Awards and its agents’ and sponsor’s use of entrants’ names, likenesses, photographs, and/or personal information for promotional purposes in any media, worldwide, without further payment or consideration. All uses of any entrants’ information will at all times be in accordance with our Privacy Policy.

REFUND POLICY

All fees submitted are non-refundable.

SUBMISSION CONDITIONS AND RELEASE

BY SUBMITTING YOUR MATERIALS YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO THESE CONDITIONS. You agree to release and hold harmless Chicago Screenplay Awards, its subsidiary, parent and affiliated companies, prize contributors, judges, screenplay analysts, sponsors, and any other organizations responsible for administering, advertising or promoting your submission of material, and every one of their respective members, directors, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, the “Released Parties”) past and present from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liability, including but not limited to damages and negligence to property and persons, including but not limited to invasion of privacy, defamation, slander, libel, violation of right of publicity, copyright, infringement of trademark or other intellectual property rights relating to a participant’s submission of materials and/or acceptance or use or misuse of prize; provided however, that such release will not apply to any commercial exploitation of the script by a Released Party in violation of your rights under applicable copyright law; and (c) indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Chicago Screenplay Awards and its sponsor, agents and employees from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liabilities (including reasonable attorneys fees) relating to an entrant’s participation in the Contest and/or entrant’s use or misuse of Prize. Employees of Chicago Screenplay Awards and their immediate families are ineligible to submit materials. Any such submission will be immediately disqualified. SUBMISSION OF MATERIAL IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED or restricted by any Federal, State or Local law. Voided submission fees will be refunded. Recipients’ eligibility will be verified before the grant is awarded and the winner may be required to sign an affidavit of eligibility.