Screenwriting : Mention awards in written pitches? by Randall Reese

Randall Reese

Mention awards in written pitches?

Hi, folks. 

I have submitted a screenplay to a few written pitch sessions here on Stage32. Overall the response has been fairly positive (mostly 4s and the occasional 5). This screenplay has won Best Screenplay at a film festival, as well as a couple of finalist laurels. I don't mention this in my written pitch. Should I?

Thanks for any insight.

Gustavo Freitas

Probably not. Just mention it if it’s a famous festival like Nichol, Austin or Screencraft. You can say it’s an award winning screenplay.

Beth Fox Heisinger

My two cents... you can, but I probably would not. Contests have little or no bearing on whether your concept or project is a good fit for the pitch recipient or their company. Focus on writing a great pitch. The pitch should incite interest in reading the script. ;)

Danny Manus

only if its one of the top 10-12 contests or a MAJOR film festival. otherwise probably not.

Allen Roughton

Hey Randall Reese, I run the writing services here including pitching and have seen literally thousands of pitch feedback (it really feels like feedback should have a plural...). We recommend against listing awards unless they are very prestigious (Nichol, Page, Austin, Big Break, and a few others) or allowed you to do something with the script that they would want to hear about (e.g., the last 9 winners of Stage 32 contest have been signed, optioned, or put into development). Anything other than these is generally wasted space that could be better used for other info about your script.

Randall Reese

Thanks for the feedback, everyone. I ended up not listing the awards when I submitted my pitch. :)

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