Contest Closed

Santa Barbara Screenplay Awards Diverse Writers Outreach - Summer 2025

The Fall 2025 contest is now open with professional written feedback for every entry and industry ACCESS for winners.

Opens: July 6, 2025
Closes: October 5, 2025
About This Contest
Now, more than ever, the world needs to hear from diverse writers who have important personal perspectives and stories to share. We celebrate writers with diverse and under-represented minority perspectives including ethnic, religious, racial, LGBTQIA+, disability, and 50 plus age groups. The themes and subject matter they bring to the screenwriting craft are the focus of this progressive seasonal competition. Our senior judging panel is dedicated to finding the best diverse writing talent and lighting the path toward lasting industry success.
Contest Results
Winner - Best Screenplay Laurel

Winner

Best Screenplay

IT'S WHAT YOU SEE

by Lisa Hickey

Winner - Best TV Script Laurel

Winner

Best TV Script

RECLAIMING JUSTICE

by Liane Rozzell

Winner - Best Short Script Laurel

Winner

Best Short Script

Lluvia De Peces(Rain of Fish)

by Andrés Mejia

Finalists

Feature Script

Script TitleAuthor
Harvard vs DreyfusConnor Harrington-Brandt
Live. Laugh. Lust.William Etheridge
GET LUCKYDeborah Berry
Good Looking Bachelors: The MusicalBrady Stanley

TV Script

Script TitleAuthor
The Immigrant PlaybookAmar Bhakta
HALF BROKEMatthew Stroud

Short Script

Script TitleAuthor
HOUSEMashae Alderman

Semifinalists

Feature Script

Script TitleAuthor
A Folly of FoolsMonty Wolfe
The SextonRamona Taylor
Hi: Part TwoMonte Albers De Leon
Tell Me SomethingDee Benson
WATER THROUGH ROCKMichael Angel Johnson
BoMichael A. Levine
THE SANTA SCOOPTerri Alkire

TV Script

Script TitleAuthor
The SistrenAngela Thorne
SissiesAlon Borten
Blackwater S1E1 (Pilot) "Breaking The Wall"Tom Whelan

Short Script

Script TitleAuthor
Re App: Prime FrequencyAndrew Carroll

Quarterfinalists

Feature Script

Script TitleAuthor
Fight Like A GirlJoe Villanti
HI: PART TWOMonte Albers De Leon
Blue IdahoNoah Zayn Mortier
RoanokeNathan Burt
DOUBLE SILVER ALERTConnie Barretta
One for the RoadBeth Zucker
N-W-G (New World Gangsters)John Snell
The Samurai Ghost and Ms. JonesNancee Lafayette-Pang
Rabid Squirrel Farm 55 (Animation)Mike Voss
REFORMATION - PRISON OF THE FUTURECraig Sultan
When Vengeance Wears HeelsRobert Holton
Birds Of A FeatherGeorge Petrick
Awards & Prizes
Top entry receives line notes and live consultation: a 60-90 minute live online consultation with a WGA award-winning producer including margin notes, full 6-10 page executive analysis, and a recorded session. Feature Screenplay: - 50% discount for live line notes and consultation with an award-winning WGA writer-producer. - Written studio-grade analysis. - InkTip Pro membership and MovieBytes.com listing. TV Script: - 50% discount for live line notes and consultation with an award-winning WGA writer-producer. - Written studio-grade analysis. Short Film Script: - 50% discount for line notes and live consultation with an award-winning WGA writer-producer. - Written studio-grade analysis. Each category winner receives online, social media, and email marketing promotion to more than 25,000 industry professionals.
Contest Rules
Entries should reflect progressive and diverse values or be authored by members of the diverse writing community identified as under-represented ethnic, religious, racial, LGBTQIA+, disabled, or 50 plus age demographics. Material is accepted via electronic submission only and must be in PDF format with the title only in the file name. There is no limit to the number of scripts you may submit. Material must be received by midnight of each deadline date and all fees are non-refundable. Page count limits: short film scripts 30 pages, television scripts 70 pages, feature screenplays 130 pages. Entries exceeding limits incur a 20% reading surcharge. All material must be original and wholly owned by the writer or writers submitting. Scripts must be submitted by the credited writer with consent of any co-writers. All writers must be credited on the title page. Winning teams are responsible for dividing prizes. The contest does not mediate prize distribution among team members. Once submitted, material is promptly assigned to analysts and judges. Revisions or new drafts require a separate entry. Multiple entries and multiple levels of analysis are allowed but each must be entered individually. Only the highest level of analysis is provided when levels are combined improperly. By using the service, writers authorize the contest to use trusted third-party services for hosting, managing, or transmitting submission files, and to promote winning projects. All copyright and ownership remain with the original authors. By submitting, writers agree to hold the contest harmless against claims and acknowledge that all scores are final and subjective.

Entry Options

Screenplay: Entry w/ 6-10pp Professional Analysis
Feature screenplay submission with full professional written analysis.
$49
  • 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)
  • 6-10 page studio-grade analysis
  • Focus on progressive and diverse storytelling

Deadline passed

Most Popular
Screenplay/TV Pilot: Entry with Line Notes & Live Consultation
One-on-one personal and private meeting with an award-winning WGA writer-producer.
$399
  • 60-90 minutes of live online consultation with a WGA Award-winning producer writing margin notes on your script pages. Includes a full Executive Analysis and video recording of your session. The fastest way to bring your script to the professional level. Limited to four entries per month.
  • Personal live consultation focusing on structure and voice
  • Margin notes delivered by award-winning WGA judges

Deadline passed

TV Script: Entry with Full 6-10pp Professional Analysis
Television script entry with comprehensive professional review.
$49
  • 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)
  • Detailed feedback for episodic format
  • Marketability and character development insights

Deadline passed

Short Film Script: Entry with 5-8pp Professional Analysis
Short script submission with focused coverage detailing prospects and strategies for the independent short film market.
$39
  • 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.
  • 5-8 pages of concise analysis
  • Guidance on pacing and thematic execution

Deadline passed