Screenwriting : What are some benefits of screenplay contests? by Victor Titimas

Winning one of the top four or so would be very beneficial, it did great things for Max Adams.

That's what I'm trying to do apart from just randomly approaching managers/producers etc but the only issue I have with comps is that the low level readers can be absolute amateurs just like me. It's only when you reach the top levels that the actual judges read your script. Because I mainly write horror I doubt I'll ever bother again with the Nicholl unless it is a character heavy piece. The Screencraft competitions are gaining traction but Big Break, Page Awards and Nicholl seem to be the ones people gab about the most. If you can reach the finals or even the semi-finals you're doing well. Winning or placing in a comp can get you more reads. It doesn't matter how good your script is unless you can get someone to read it.

I think it depends on the contest and who "sees" it. Winning best short at Cannes would probably open a lot of doors, whereas winning "Best Cover" for a novel wouldn't necessarily open any. (I've won the latter, by the way :-))

I believe that being a finalist in the top 10 contests gives you credibility as a screenwriter. A query letter to an agent, manager or production company may go further with these credentials.

I agree with Dan. In addition, the writing contest folks want you to think that winning will open doors for you professionally - so you submit your work and pay their fee.

I was reading through a forum a few months back where there were two writers saying they won gold in their category in the page competition about five years ago, and are entering the page competition again this year. So in their case it's hard to say how much winning helped them. I imagine they're entering with a new script, but you think they'd be on their way especially this long after winning, no?

What Dan says. Placing in a half-dozen minor contests, even without feedback, shows you're on the right track. Conversely, going only for the majors, where the competition is 20x more fierce, and then bombing would be discouraging.

However, if you have an award winning script you have a greater chance of someone taking a chance on you. Which is what a producer friend of mine told me when he was pitching my script, so I've been putting my script in festivals. It also depends on the festival. The Napa Valley Film Fest has a pitch fest component and the year I entered one of the Weinsteins and Netflix were there as judges. You can also try pitch fests to get in front of execs.

All good points!

Its who you know, not how good your script is.

I agree with Matthew, unfortunately. Although, it helps if you have a great screenplay or have access to money.

I do think a contest placing or win can help you get the reads you need but they aren't an open door. I entered Screencrafts horror this year and if I get a decent result I'll be querying with that in the email. Whatever helps.

I think ranking only in major competitions gets you somewhere; ranking well or even winning an obscure competition no one ever heard about doesn't change anything in a screenplay's "marketability" (I know that from experience)...

Fair point too there Dan. All you need is someone to read your script who will love it. Obviously you need to make your script as good as you can but some of the absolute garbage that gets made makes my head hurt. Lazy paint by the numbers boring films that any hack could of hacked up.

I use screenwriting contests for the brutal feedback. Their goal is not to enjoy the script but to pick it apart word for word and find something wrong with it in order to eliminate you from the competition. That being said, the feedback is usually ​pretty cutthroat, even when I have placed in the competition, and if there's a problem with your script, they will let you know. It's a good learning platform but I don't see it opening any doors.