The Golden Script Competition
Enter Now
About
❗IMPORTANT❗
Our contest will continue as planned, even after Coverfly shuts down. You can still submit via Coverfly until August 1st. After that, you’ll receive all status updates from us by email, but Coverfly notifications and rankings will no longer apply. Submissions are also open via our entry form, FilmFreeway and ISA. Thank you for being part of the competition!
The Golden Script Competition is a yearly international competition for short, feature and TV pilot screenplays. Recognized by MovieBytes as one of the TOP SCREENPLAY CONTESTS for 2023-2025, many of our writers have found success through the competition, securing industry representation, signing option agreements, and having their work shopped to major production companies.
You will be submitting to the 2026 edition, and the best scripts of this edition will be read by some of the most renowned production companies & literary agencies (including some that have won several OSCARS and EMMYS), giving you the chance to have your script produced or represented! On top of that, we offer cash prizes totaling $10,000. 2026 mentors include OSCAR-nominee Mark Fergus and three-time EMMY-nominee Jessica Sharzer (TBC). Our judges include producers and executive producers who have produced films like THE USUAL SUSPECTS and BIRDMAN.
Who's reading our top scripts:
- Reliance Entertainment (1917, Ready Player One)
- Killer Films (Still Alice, Carol)
- Amblin Partners (Green Book, The Girl on the Train)
- Benaroya Pictures (Lawless, Margin Call)
- 21 Laps Entertainment (Stranger Things, Arrival)
- Davis Entertainment (The Blacklist, I, Robot)
- Broken Road Productions (The Sorcerer's Apprentice, Next)
- Shoreline Entertainment (The Man from Earth, The Signal)
- Simon West Productions (The Expendables 2, Tomb Raider)
- West Coast Film Partners (Olympus Has Fallen, Donnie Darko)
- MadRiver Pictures (The Trial of the Chicago 7, Ad Astra)
- Lit Entertainment Group (Prisoners, Free Guy)
- Fremantle (American Gods, The Young Pope)
- Stone Village Productions (The Lincoln Lawyer, Runner Runner)
- Knight Hall Agency (repr. writers of In Bruges, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri)
- Signature Entertainment (Predestination, The Guilty)
- Bellevue Productions (repr. writers of Mr. Robot, The Man in the High Castle)
SUCCES STORIES
Prices & Deadlines
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Oct 29th
Earlybird
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Mar 19th
Final
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Mar 27th
Extended
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Feature Screenplay
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$59.99
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$64.99
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$69.99
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Feature OR TV Pilot Screenplay + FEEDBACK (2-3 pages of notes)
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$69.99
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$74.99
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$79.99
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Feature OR TV Pilot Screenplay + PROMO REVIEW (3 pages of notes)
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$74.99
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$79.99
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$84.99
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Feature OR TV Pilot Screenplay + IN-DEPTH CRITIQUE (4-5 pages of notes)
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$89.99
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$94.99
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$99.99
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Feature OR TV Pilot OR Short Screenplay + 1ON1 ONLINE CONSULTATION (1 hour)
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$189.99
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$194.99
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$199.99
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TV Pilot Screenplay
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$54.99
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$59.99
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$64.99
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Short Screenplay
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$44.99
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$49.99
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$54.99
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Short Screenplay + FEEDBACK (2-3 pages of notes)
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$54.99
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$59.99
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$64.99
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Short Screenplay + PROMO REVIEW (3 pages of notes)
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$64.99
|
$69.99
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$74.99
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Short Screenplay + IN-DEPTH CRITIQUE (4-5 pages of notes)
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$79.99
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$84.99
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$89.99
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Benefits
Each July, we unveil our top 30 scripts in the competition with a list called the GOLDEN LIST. This list is shared with many of our partners and industry professionals such as creative executives, producers, and directors, who can access more information about the scripts and request them. However, access to the scripts is limited and requires the writer's permission for anyone outside of our partners and direct contacts.
AWARDS
There will be quarter-finalists, semifinalists and finalists out of which a second runner up, a runner up and a WINNER will be designated. Only one script from each category can win THE GOLDEN SCRIPT award. Note that our mentors and partners are subject to change without notice.
FEATURE SCRIPTS
THE GOLDEN SCRIPT WINNER (1st PLACE) - $4,500 CASH PRIZE + 1on1 MASTERCLASS with OSCAR-nominee MARK FERGUS + GUARANTEED Golden List Inclusion + one 4 month InkTip Pro Membership worth $130 + 1yr ISAConnect Membership worth $120 + 1yr FILMUSTAGE subscription worth $468 + 10 Pitches on Virtual Pitch Fest (VPF) + Trophy + Award Certificate
2nd PLACE - GUARANTEED Golden List Inclusion + one 4 month InkTip Pro Membership worth $130 + 1yr FILMUSTAGE subscription worth $468 + 5 Pitches on Virtual Pitch Fest (VPF) + Trophy + Award Certificate
3rd PLACE - GUARANTEED Golden List Inclusion + one 4 month InkTip Pro Membership worth $130 + 1yr FILMUSTAGE subscription worth $468 + 5 Pitches on Virtual Pitch Fest (VPF) + Trophy + Award Certificate
FINALISTS - Golden List Inclusion (if placed on the 4th to 15th place) + 50% off discount @ FILMUSTAGE + 1 Pitch on Virtual Pitch Fest (VPF) + Award Certificate
TV PILOTS
THE GOLDEN TV SCRIPT WINNER (1st PLACE) - $4,500 CASH PRIZE + 1on1 MASTERCLASS with three-time EMMY-nominee JESSICA SHARZER + GUARANTEED Golden List Inclusion + 1yr ISAConnect Membership worth $120 + one 4 month InkTip Pro Membership worth $130 + 1yr FILMUSTAGE subscription worth $468 + 10 Pitches on Virtual Pitch Fest (VPF) + Trophy + Award Certificate
2nd PLACE - GUARANTEED Golden List Inclusion + one 4 month InkTip Pro Membership worth $130 + 1yr FILMUSTAGE subscription worth $468 + 5 Pitches on Virtual Pitch Fest (VPF) + Trophy + Award Certificate
3rd PLACE - GUARANTEED Golden List Inclusion + one 4 month InkTip Pro Membership worth $130 + 1yr FILMUSTAGE subscription worth $468 + 5 Pitches on Virtual Pitch Fest (VPF) + Trophy + Award Certificate
FINALISTS - Golden List Inclusion (if placed on the 4th to 9th place)+ 50% off discount @ FILMUSTAGE + 1 Pitch on Virtual Pitch Fest (VPF) + Award Certificate
SHORT SCRIPTS
THE GOLDEN SCRIPT WINNER (1st PLACE) - $1,000 CASH PRIZE + GUARANTEED Golden List Inclusion + 1yr ISAConnect Membership worth $120 + 1yr FILMUSTAGE subscription worth $468 + Trophy + Award Certificate
2nd PLACE - GUARANTEED Golden List Inclusion + 1yr FILMUSTAGE subscription worth $468 + Trophy + Award Certificate
3rd PLACE - GUARANTEED Golden List Inclusion + 1yr FILMUSTAGE subscription worth $468 + Trophy + Award Certificate
FINALISTS - Golden List Inclusion (if placed on the 4th, 5th or 6th place) + 50% off discount @ FILMUSTAGE + Award Certificate
Mentors
Mark Fergus
Writer, Producer
An OSCAR-nominee, Mark Fergus has crafted memorable scripts for hits like CHILDREN OF MEN, IRON MAN, and the TV series THE EXPANSE. His broad range of expertise across various genres has solidified his reputation as a skilled and adaptable writer. Mark Fergus will hold a 1on1 masterclass with 2026's 1st place winner (FEATURE category).
Jessica Sharzer
Producer, Writer
A three-time EMMY-nominee, Jessica Sharzer is a writer, producer, and director best known for her work on NERVE, AMERICAN HORROR STORY, the mystery thriller A SIMPLE FAVOR and NINE PERFECT STRANGERS. Jessica Sharzer will hold a 1on1 masterclass with 2026's 1st place winner (TV PILOT category).
Top Judges
Kenneth Kokin
Producer, Director, Executive
Kokin, a seasoned executive, consultant, producer, writer, and director, has enjoyed a thriving career spanning over 30 years in the entertainment industry. His diverse expertise encompasses feature films, TV, and animation, resulting in notable accomplishments, including winning over 80 awards. Notably, he directed the extensive second unit for the double Oscar-winning film THE USUAL SUSPECTS, which he also produced. Two films he produced garnered The Grand Jury Prize and Best International Drama at the Sundance Film Festival.
Kristina Rivera
Producer, Executive
Kristina Rivera is best known for her collaborations with Clint Eastwood. She began her career at Malpaso Productions as his assistant on INVICTUS and worked on J. EDGAR and JERSEY BOYS before her promotion to associate producer on AMERICAN SNIPER. Rivera subsequently brought the screenplay SULLY to Eastwood and was co-producer on the film. She then developed the THE 15:17 TO PARIS screenplay with first time writer Dorothy Blyskal, and garnered the title Producer. She also produced THE MULE and was a co-executive producer on Aaron Sorkin's film THE TRIAL OF THE CHICAGO 7.
Molly Conners
Producer, Executive, Director
Molly is an Emmy-nominated producer and member of the Producers Guild of America, BAFTA, and the Television Academy. Over the past 15 years, she has produced or executive produced 35 films that have earned 4 Academy Awards and 11 nominations. Notable credits include BIRDMAN, FROZEN RIVER, KILLER JOE, THE IMMIGRANT and RULES DON'T APPLY.
Writer Success
Announcements
Rules
At the program's request, Coverfly will automatically remove your title page for you if you include one when submitting to this program.
1) Submitted scripts must be original screenplays, and the sole property of the applicant(s). Screenplays submitted must not have been previously sold or produced. Adapted or based on screenplays are also accepted. It is the sole responsibility of the applicant to register their screenplay and secure clearance from the copyright holders of any copyrighted materials included within the submitted screenplay. Also, novels, stage plays, short stories, treatments, synopses or scripts based on existing material created without permission will not be accepted in the contest. All entrants, including the nominees and winners, retain complete and exclusive rights to their work.
2) All ages are eligible, and you can submit from any country.
3) All entries must be in English.
4) We accept screenplays between 1-140 pages in length. For scripts over 140 pages, you would need to pay an additional fee.
5) There is no limit to the number of screenplays you may submit.
6) All entries must be uploaded in PDF/FDX format. Contact details or names are allowed to be on the title page, but not recommended.
7) All screenplays should be written in industry standard format (Courier 12 pt font).
8) Substitutions of either corrected pages or new drafts of the entry screenplay(s) are accepted. However, you would need to pay an additional fee.
9) Competition judges, readers and employees of our competition, past and present, and their immediate friends and families, are NOT eligible to enter. Previous winning and finalist scripts are also NOT eligible.
10) Entries must be received on or before the deadlines and submission fee payment must be made in full at time of the submission. Entry fees (including services fees) are non-refundable and we do not provide any feedback (except for paid feedback).
11) By entering The Golden Script Competition you agree to all the rules listed. Regardless of your status (winner or nominee), please note that your script may be shared with our partners and sponsors, and by submitting you agree with that. You also agree to release and hold harmless The Golden Script Competition and its subsidiary, parent and affiliated companies from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liability, including but not limited to damages and negligence to property and persons, including but not limited to invasion of privacy, defamation, slander, libel, violation of right of publicity, copyright, infringement of trademark or other intellectual property rights relating to a participant’s entry, participation in the contest and/or acceptance or use or misuse of the prize.
The Golden Script 2026 Edition NOMINEES will be announced on the 20th of June, 2026.
For terms & privacy policy, go here: https://goldenscript.net/terms-privacy
