Enter Now
Final Deadline is 4 months and 2 weeks from now
Jun 26th
Mega Early
Jul 24th
Early
Sep 18th
Regular
Oct 30th
Final
Emerging Screenwriters
Emerging Screenwriters Screenplay Competition
2026
Active Since 2010
We’re searching for the most authentic and unique features and pilots in all genre categories.
Accepting Features and TV Pilots
Enter Now
Final Deadline is 4 months and 2 weeks from now

About

Ready to break through?


With $25,000 in cash prizes, we’re seeking the next generation of emerging screenwriters.


Whether you’re just starting out or a seasoned pro ready to take the next leap, this is your opportunity. We’re looking for bold, original features or pilots in any genre—that showcase your unique perspective and undeniable talent.


The Top 10 Screenwriters will receive $1,500 cash EACH and be considered for acceptance onto the ISA Development Slate, where the ISA Development Team can help get your script in front of top industry pros from companies like Max, 20th Century, Disney+, Amazon MGM Studios, Harpo, Paramount+, Lucky Chap, Hello Sunshine, Gidden Media, ICM, CAA, plus ISA vetted literary agents and managers.


Of the 10 scripts selected, one of you will go on to win the Grand Prize and receive an additional $10,000. That’s $11,500 to the Grand Prize Winner!


Prices & Deadlines

Jun 26th
Mega Early
Jul 24th
Early
Sep 18th
Regular
Oct 30th
Final
Feature
$39.00
$49.00
$69.00
$79.00
TV Pilot
$39.00
$49.00
$69.00
$79.00
Feature & Full Script Notes
$98.00
$118.00
$128.00
$138.00
TV Pilot & Full Script Notes
$98.00
$118.00
$128.00
$138.00
Feature + ISA Development Evaluation
$238.00
$258.00
$268.00
$288.00
TV Pilot + ISA Development Evaluation
$238.00
$258.00
$268.00
$288.00
Feature + ISA Accelerator
$899.00
$899.00
$899.00
$899.00
TV Pilot + ISA Accelerator
$899.00
$899.00
$899.00
$899.00

Benefits

Grand Prize Winner 
(Selected from Top 10 Finalists)

  • $10,000 Cash (in Addition to $1,500 from Top 10)
  • Consideration for the ISA Development Slate
  • Script Consultation with an ISA Executive (2 Meetings)
  • General Meeting with an Industry Executive 
  • ISA Pitch Practice
  • 12 Month ISAConnect Membership
  • Prizes in all other categories

_________________________________

Top 10 Finalists

  • $1,500 Cash Each
  • ISA Development Slate Consideration 
  • ISA Development Slate Evaluation (for a New Script)
  • 3 Month ISAConnect Membership
  • ISA Logline Review

_________________________________

Semi-Finalists 

  • Digital Copy of "(Not Just) Another Book on the Craft of Screenwriting" by ISA's Director of Education Max Timm 

Writer Success

2025 Grand Prize Winner on Coverfly

See Other Placements

Announcements

Jan 29th
Semifinalists
Feb 19th
Finalists
Mar 18th
Winners

Rules

At the program's request, Coverfly will automatically remove your title page for you if you include one when submitting to this program.

  • All writers from all countries are welcome to enter the competition; however, all scripts must be submitted in English, and entry fees must be paid in U.S. dollars.

  • Emerging Screenwriters Grand Prize Winners and their screenplays are ineligible to enter into any future contest season.

  • If the writer places as a Finalist 3 times with 3 different screenplays, they will no longer be eligible to submit.

  • Scripts must be the original work of the author(s) and may not be encumbered by any third party.

  • Scripts that have been sold, produced for a profit, or are currently under option are not eligible.

  • Novels, short stories, stage plays, treatments, synopses, reality show concepts, and/or spec scripts for existing TV series are not eligible. The writer's script must be an original screenplay or teleplay.

  • Screenplays adapted from the writer's own self-published books, plays, or other source material are eligible if they have retained all rights to their work.

  • Adaptations from other works are permissible, provided all rights have been secured to adapt the work.

  • Adaptations of works in the public domain are permissible.

  • Collaborative work is eligible; the writers are responsible for the distribution of the competition prize(s).

  • Those that receive a free script feedback are not eligible to receive a free resubmission, which may come as an option with purchased script analyses or unless otherwise stated in a promotion.

  • The writer understand that a script analysis can take up to 90-days turn-around time and may not be received before the end of the contest.

  • Entries and payments are accepted online only. We’re GREEN!

  • Promotions must be used at the time of submission and will not be added to previous submissions.

  • Multiple entries are permissible and get a discount.

  • Once a script has been entered into the competition, we will only accept substitutions of new drafts or corrected pages if the writer contact us within 24 hours. After that, under no circumstances will we accept changes. If you wish to submit a revised draft of your script, you must enter it as a new submission and pay the appropriate entry fee.

  • Writers under the age of 18 years old must have parent or legal guardian’s permission to participate.

  • Competition applicants must accept without reservation the decisions rendered by the judges.

  • The writer understand that it is their sole responsibility to register Material with the U.S. Copyright Office and/or with the Writer’s Guild of America or the appropriate agency in his/her country.

  • Payments to be accepted via Paypal or through registrations on the ISA website. All major credit cards accepted.

  • By entering this competition, and in the event the writer is declared a finalist and/or winner, they understand and accept that Emerging Screenwriters and the ISA will be free to use the writer's name, likeness and voice for advertising or promotional purposes without additional consideration.
  • The writer under no obligation to participate therein.

  • The writer may submit their screenplay to any other person, competition, producer, agent, publisher, and/or organization.

  • If the writer submits to the Emerging Screenwriters Competition, they will retain all rights to their screenplay.

  • No agreement for compensation, other than the prizes, has been implied.
  • Prizes may be distributed in the rate of 1 package per person based on the highest placement and not per winning screenplay, depending on the request of the sponsor.

  • The cash prizes will be distributed 3 months from the date of the final announcement.

  • ISAConnect Membership prizes expire after 90 days and cannot be combined with a current free ISAConnect membership.

  • Decisions of the Judges are final and may not be disputed. The Judges will adhere to our competition guidelines; however, the competition and its administrators may not be held responsible for any errors or omissions on the part of the Judges.

  • Length requirements are as follows: 1). Full-Length Features: 70-120 pages. 2). TV Pilots: Up to 70 pages.

  • If the writer orders a script analysis they may be charged separately $1 for each page over 120 pages, or the reader may only read the first 120 pages.
  • Please do not enclose synopses, casting suggestions, letters, resumes or photos with the submission. They will not be forwarded to the Judges.

  • However, standard supplementary materials, such as lists of recurring characters and future episodes, may be included with a TV Pilot submission. Email them to: Submissions@EmergingScreenwriters.com.

  • The writer understand that their logline and screenplay will be reviewed by our staff and/or our panel of Industry Judges for evaluation. They also understand that any one of the staff or judges may have been or may be exploring ideas similar to theirs, and they hereby waive any claim that the Emerging Screenwriters Screenplay Competition, its staff or judges may have misappropriated any ideas or portions of the submission logline or screenplay.

  • The writer understands and accepts without reservation that they are an independent contractor and that Competition Administrators are not responsible for withholding any taxes or payments to any government agency, at any level, be it state, local or federal.

  • By entering the Emerging Screenwriters Screenplay Competition, the writer agree to the rules.

  • For more inquiries, please email us at Info@EmergingScreenwriters.com