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Program Description

The 27th Annual Scriptapalooza Inc. screenplay competition has begun. The influential competition, which is known for developing talent and providing career opportunities, is inviting storytellers from all over the world to enter and compete. 

“It’s not about how many scripts we receive, it’s about how many writers we can help,” said Mark Andrushko, President at Scriptapalooza.

The scriptwriting competition has a $10,000 Grand Prize Award and seven categories, with each genre winner receiving $500. 

Deadlines and Fees

Early
Dec. 02, 2024
Regular
Jan. 06, 2025
Late
Feb. 03, 2025
Final
Mar. 03, 2025
Extended
Apr. 07, 2025
Screenplay entry
Standard Fee
$45
$50
$55
$60
$65
ISAConnect Fee
$40
$45
$50
$55
$60
SHORTS entry
Standard Fee
$25
$30
$35
$40
$45
ISAConnect Fee
$20
$25
$30
$35
$40
Screenplay entry + FEEDBACK
Standard Fee
$165
$170
$175
$180
$185
ISAConnect Fee
$160
$165
$170
$175
$180
SHORTS entry + FEEDBACK
Standard Fee
$110
$115
$120
$125
$130
ISAConnect Fee
$105
$110
$115
$120
$125

Program Benefits

The competition's success lies not just in its ability to connect writers with producers and agents but also in its reputation for discovering original voices and unconventional stories. Scriptapalooza has consistently attracted scripts that push boundaries, offering fresh perspectives and innovative storytelling. This dedication to originality makes the competition an attractive option for writers looking to stand out in a crowded marketplace.

Success Stories

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4-F: OPERATION UNDERWORLD Won 3rd Place at 2018 Scriptapalooza TV

Greg Beck - Screenwriter
Greg Beck's thrilling Second World War TV Pilot 4-F: OPERATION UNDERWORLD has scooped up 3rd Place at 2018 Scriptapalooza TV. This original take, based on true events, wins another accolade.
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Scriptapalooza Shorts Category

Jackie Bateman - Screenwriter
A quarterfinalist in the Scriptapalooza SHORTS category, Luna is a bittersweet comedy of an imaginative little girl going through a mute phase. In the course of a day, she shows her exhausted mum and neurotic friend what’s important in the world: simple living, being themselves, and chocolate, because in her...
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TOP-30 Finalist Scriptapalooza Screenplay Competition

George Varotsis - screenwriter
George Vartosis' thriller feature BLACK EQUINOX was a Top 30 finalist in Scriptapalooza's Screenplay Competition. A maverick homicide detective discovers a shocking connection between himself and a series of gruesome murders when he realizes that his past is intertwined with his present and the serial killer he's been chasing -...
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AMERICAN DAYDREAM - Semifinalist | Scriptapalooza (2022)

Jim Grieco - screenwriter
Jim Grieco is honored to have his feature length Rom Com, AMERICAN DAYDREAM, selected as a top 100 Semifinalist at Scriptapalooza (2022).
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FOLLOW THE BADGE BY JAYSON CRITTENDEN IS SCRIPTAPALOOZA'S 2nd PLACE WINNER

Jayson Crittenden - Screenwriter
Out of more than 4,000 submissions around the world, FOLLOW THE BADGE, an original action feature script with franchise potential written by Jayson Crittenden, is awarded 2nd place by Scriptapalooza’s International Screenplay Competition.
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Quarterfinalist in SCRIPTAPALOOZA SCREENPLAY COMPETITION 2021

VOLKAN DURAKCAY - Screenwriter
l wrote his first book, "The Devil's getting married," and He turned his first book into a script. And now It is Quarterfinalist in SCRIPTAPALOOZA SCREENPLAY COMPETITION 2021
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Listing on Scriptapalooza...

Curt Samlaska - screenwriter
The Reluctant First Gentleman has been selected as one of the top 100 screenplays submitted and has been added to Scriptapalooza listings that will be promoted on their website for one year. The screenplay has been listed on Coverfly as being in the top 3% of all submitted screenplays.
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SHABADOODAH advances in the Scriptapalooza Fellowship

L E Coleman - Screenwriter
Development Slate writer L.E. Coleman's live-action, animated comedy, SHABADOODAH, is selected as a finalist in the Scriptapalooza Fellowship.

LATEST NEWS & STATS

 

  • Over 95 producers reading all the entries
  • We promote the Semifinalists for a full year
  • Over $50,000 in prizes awarded
  • You can now order feedback with your submission
  • Robert McKee endorses Scriptapalooza
  • Join our social media pages for updates

 

  • 97 writers have sold or optioned their script
  • 180 writers have been hired to write on film or tv
  • 113 writers have films in production or release
  • 204 writers have gotten agents/managers

GETTING FEEDBACK

Announcement Dates

Winners announced

Aug. 11, 2025

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I order feedback on my script?

Yes, you can order feedback on your screenplay or short.
The screenplay feedback is $120 and the feedback for shorts is $85.

What does the feedback look like?

When you order feedback, you will get:

Logline, synopsis (of the entire script) and 4 – 5 pages of notes.

Your feedback will include detailed notes on:

• Premise
• Dialogue
• Transitions
• Setting
• Tone
• Structure
• Pacing
• Character
• General Notes

Do you accept scripts by email?

Yes, we only accept scripts by email, we do not accept scripts by regular mail. Please attach your script in PDF, Word or Text format to the application.

What if I don’t win the competition and I’m a Semifinalist only, will my script be promoted?

Yes, after we announce the winners we promote and pitch the Semifinalists and higher for an entire year. Here’s how the process works: We literally will call and pitch the TOP 100 to all of our contacts, that’s about 125 producers. They tell us what they are looking for and we go thru the list/loglines of the TOP 100 and get the right script to the right producer. It’s a win/win situation.

What kind of scripts win the Scriptapalooza Screenwriting Competition?

We have no bias in judging of the scripts. Genre or budget is not taken into consideration. It is truly about the best writing, story, etc. Winners have ranged from dramas, to comedies to psychological thrillers to high concept comedies to dark comedies to science fiction, to action adventure to romantic comedies to family films. The competition is open to any screenplay of any genre or budget.

Can I submit more than one script?

Yes, you can submit more than one screenplay, but you must fill out separate entry forms and appropriate entry fees for each one.

I live outside of the United States. How do I pay the submission fee?

You can pay with PayPal or call our office and pay over the phone.

How do I submit to Scriptapalooza?

Entry forms are available on our website…please read the rules and regulations and questions and answers.

What if my script is optioned or sold after I have submitted to Scriptapalooza?

Congratulations, you won’t be needing Scriptapalooza anymore.

Once I’ve submitted, should I contact you to see if you received my script?

If you want confirmation that your script was received, please email us at info@scriptapalooza.com

When will I know if I won?

Quarterfinalists will be announced late July. Semi-finalists will be first week of August. Finalists will be announced one week later. And the winners will be announced by the end of August. All who enter will receive an email with the results.

Can I submit the same script I sent in last year?

Yes, but that’s a personal judgment and you need to factor in the following: were you a quarter-finalist or higher? Or, have you tightened or rewritten the script since last year?

Why do I have to include an e-mail address?

Because all notifications will be sent out via e-mail. This saves on postage, paper and ultimately, trees and it’s quicker than snail mail.

Can I see my score sheet/comments/feedback from the Judge?

You can order feedback when you enter the competition. Our score sheet that the Judge fills out is a numeric score sheet solely for Scriptapalooza. But if you would like to order feedback, you can, you will get a detailed 4-5 pages of notes covering Premise, Structure, Character, Dialogue, Setting, Pacing, Tone, Transitions and General Notes. This only costs $120.

When will I get my feedback that I ordered?

Your feedback will be emailed back to you after we announce Finalists.

Who does the reading?

All the reading is done by over 90 production companies. A complete list is available under the link called OUR JUDGES.

Can I submit to other competitions?

Yes you can. But, please be very careful…many new competitions simply mimic existing, successful screenwriting competitions, like us.

I forgot the title page, am I disqualified?

No, you will not be disqualified.

I don’t live in the US, can I enter?

Yes, we do accept scripts from around the world.

Can I register online?

The application process can be done online, you would fill out an application and then attach your script to the application and pay by credit card.

After I entered the competition, I changed my phone number or address, what do I do to let you know?

Please email us your name and script title with your new information, and we will update our records.

Can I send in a new draft of the script, after I sent in the first one?

Yes you can, please visit the page called resubmissions, it only costs $30.

If I win, do you own the script? Does Scriptapalooza own the rights?

No, you will retain all rights to your work. We are just a vehicle to get your script into the right hands. Once you script is sold, you keep all the profits.

Does the writer maintain all the rights to the screenplay if he/she doesn’t win?

Yes.

What genres do you accept?

We accept all genres.

Can I pay the entry fee over the phone?

Yes you can, please call our office at 310.594.5384.

Do you accept animated films, shorts or musicals?

Yes.

Do you accept adaptations?

Yes.

Rules

This competition is open to any writer, 18 or older. Entering the competition constitutes permission to use the winners’ names and likenesses for publicity and promotions with no additional compensation. We reserve the right to publicize and promote any and all progress, development and success of the entered scripts.

• Any script from any genre will be considered.

• Multiple entries are accepted, provided you fill out an application for each script.

• Multiple authorship is acceptable. If the screenplay wins an award, that award will be divided among the writers, by the writers.

• Screenplays must be the original work of the author.

• On the cover page of your script, please DO NOT include your name or address. We only want the title of the script on the cover page.

• Scriptapalooza recommends registering your script with The Library of Congress.

• No substitutions of new drafts or corrected pages for script entries will be accepted under any circumstances. If you wish to submit a new draft of your script you must treat it as a new entry…please fill out an application and pay the resubmission fee of $30. (writers who reach SemiFinalist status will have the opportunity to replace their script with a new draft for free)

• Submit scripts in English.

• For the SHORTS competition, your script must be under 50 pages.

• Body pages must be numbered.

• Scripts must be in industry standard format 12 point Courier font.

• The decisions of our Judges are final and may not be disputed.

• Scriptapalooza is not responsible for submissions that are lost, stolen or damaged while in transit.

Contact Information

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