Contest Closed

Santa Barbara International Screenplay Awards - Summer 2025

The 2025 Fall Contest is now open where every entry receives professional, studio-grade written feedback and analysis guaranteed to bring your script up to the truly marketable level.

Opens: July 11, 2025
Closes: October 4, 2025
About This Contest
Winning scripts now go directly to professional Hollywood Literary Management This is the only screenplay competition established and managed by award-winning WGA writers, producers, show runners, and DGA directors. This is the only screenplay competition whose senior judging panel has a total of more than 1,000 produced film and television writing, producing, and directing credits. This is the only screenplay competition offering entries for personal, live online 90-minute line notes and live consultation with an award-winning WGA writer-producer.
Awards & Prizes
Grand Prize for Best Script (screenplay, TV script, or short script): - Live line notes and consultation with an award-winning WGA writer-producer in a private 60-90 minute session that reviews the winning script line-by-line. - Written studio-grade analysis. - InkTip Pro membership for direct pitching to production companies. - Free listing at MovieBytes.com. Feature Screenplay (all genres): - 50% discount for live line notes and consultation with an award-winning WGA writer-producer. - Written studio-grade analysis. - InkTip Pro membership. - Free MovieBytes.com listing. TV Script (pilot or episode): - 50% discount for live line notes and consultation with an award-winning WGA writer-producer. - Written studio-grade analysis. - Free MovieBytes.com listing. Short Film Script: - 50% discount for live line notes and consultation with an award-winning WGA writer-producer. - Written studio-grade analysis. - Free MovieBytes.com listing.
Contest Rules
Screenplay contest material submitted to the Santa Barbara International Screenplay Awards is accepted via electronic submission only. Submissions must be in PDF format with the title only indicated in the file name. Final Draft or Movie Magic Screenwriter files will not be read, scored, or judged and will be disqualified. All prizes must be claimed within 30 days of contest closing or they will be forfeited. There is no limit to the number of screenplay, teleplay, or short film scripts you may submit as individual entries. Maximum page counts: Screenplay 130 pages, TV Script 70 pages, Short Film Script 40 pages. Longer page counts incur a 25% surcharge. Submitted script material must be received by midnight of each deadline date and entry fees are non-refundable. All material must be original and wholly owned by the writer or writers submitting. Scripts must be submitted by the credited writer or an authorized representative with the consent of co-writers. All writers must be credited on the title page. If a screenwriting team is selected as a winner, prizes are awarded to the submitting writer; the team is responsible for dividing prizes. Once submitted, material is assigned to analysts and judges. Revisions or new drafts require a separate entry and fee. Multiple entries are accepted. Each level of analysis must be entered individually; only the highest level entered will be provided when multiple levels are combined. By using the service you authorize the contest to use trusted third-party services for hosting, managing, or transmitting submission files. All copyright and ownership remain with the original authors. By submitting material, writers grant permission for the contest to promote the competition, the submitted work, and the writer in any media. Plagiarized or non-original material will be disqualified. All scores are final and at the discretion of the senior judging panel. Written feedback is intended to be illustrative and helpful but is subjective. Once announced and delivered, all prize items and taxes are the responsibility of the recipient.

Entry Options

Screenplay or TV Pilot: Line Notes & Live Consultation
60-90 minutes of live online consultation with a WGA Award-winning writer-producer writing margin notes on your script pages. Includes a full written Executive Analysis and complete video recording of your session. The fastest way to bring your script to the professional level. Limited to four entries per month.
$399
  • Live consultation with award-winning WGA writer-producer
  • Line-by-line notes on the submitted script
  • Includes professional studio-grade written analysis and full recording of your session

Deadline passed

Most Popular
Screenplay Entry w/ 6-10pp Professional Academy Analysis
Contest entry with comprehensive professional studio-grade 6-10 page analysis from senior judges.
$79
  • Your entire script is read, broken down, and analyzed by multiple professional studio analysts and forwarded to the Senior Judging Team for reading and scoring. You receive your score sheet with 6-10 pages of extensive Academy Level Studio Notes covering all 10 primary screenplay elements with specific comments direct from the Judges. (Most popular option) This is studio-level professional feedback and analysis, written by working professionals. No unpaid readers or interns. Ever!

Deadline passed

TV Script/Pilot Entry w/ 6-10pp Professional Academy Analysis
Contest entry with comprehensive professional studio-grade 6-10 page analysis from senior judges.
$64
  • Your entire script is read, broken down, and analyzed by multiple professional studio analysts and forwarded to the Senior Judging Team for reading and scoring. You receive your score sheet with 6-10 pages of extensive Academy Level Studio Notes covering all 10 primary screenplay elements with specific comments direct from the Judges. (Most popular option)
  • Tailored feedback for episodic structure
  • Market-focused recommendations

Deadline passed

Short Film Script Entry w/ 4-7pp Professional Academy Analysis
Contest entry with comprehensive professional studio-grade 4- page analysis from senior judges.
$69
  • 4-7 pages of scene-specific analysis
  • Narrative and pacing guidance
  • Feedback from working industry professionals

Deadline passed