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Enter on or before March 17th to save $15
Mar 17th
Early
Jul 1st
Regular
Sep 1st
Late
Oct 6th
Extended
Keep or Destroy
New York New Stories Screenplay Contest
2025
Active Since 2019
NYNS is a script contest dedicated to discovering & celebrating the work of writers and elevating unique & creative stories that are ready to be told.
Accepting Features, Shorts, TV Pilots, and Web Series
Enter Now
Enter on or before March 17th to save $15

About

New York New Stories a script competition in its 7th Year seeking submissions in the following categories: Feature Films, Short Films, TV/Web Pilots. This competition is sponsored by Keep or Destroy.

New York New Stories is dedicated to discovering and celebrating the work of screenwriters from all backgrounds and all levels of experience. Our mission is to elevate unique and creative stories that are ready to be told. With sponsorship from Brooklyn based production company Keep or Destroy, New York New Stories will award quality, original work and connect the winning screenwriter with a professional network of producers and filmmakers in order to produce their screenplay.

Six past NYNS winners and runners-up have gone on to be produced and enjoy successful festival runs.

Past Winners include:

2024
Feature Film Grand Prize - Yolanda by Kari Mote
Short Project Grand Prize - Not Without Laughter by Jermaine Manigault
Short Project Runner Up - The Officiant by Maria DeCotis
2023
Feature Film Grand Prize- Exposed by Alan Schwarz
Short Project Grand Prize- Perfect Love by Kelly McCready
Short Project Runner Up- Offspring by Hannah Silverman

2022

Grand Prize Winner - Bathroom Break by Dave Canning [produced by Keep or Destroy, 2023]

Runner Up (TV Pilot) - Going Native by Ian Trutt

Runner Up (Narrative Short) - En Memoria by Roberto Fatal and Ali Meyers-Ohki [Official Selection, Sundance Film Festival 2025]

2021

Grand Prize Winner - Mancha by Nicole Mejia [produced by Keep or Destroy & Netflix, 2022]

Runner Up (TV Pilot) - Sex&Magic by Carolyn Page

Runner Up (Narrative Short) - What’s Grandad by Ivy Johnson

2020

Grand Prize Winner - Lenny’s Luck by Colin Pierce

Runner Up (TV Pilot) - Night Nurse by Laura Mitchell

Runner Up (Narrative Short) - The Thermometer by Bill Liggins

2019

Grand Prize Winner -Samurai Sword by Stanley Sievers [produced by Keep or Destroy, 2020]

Runner Up (TV Pilot) - Light-Skin Lightning and the ToyBoy by Thomas F. Ray

Runner Up (Narrative Short) - The Squirrels in the Attic by Rachel Thomas Medwid [produced by Seapoint Studios, 2020]



*NOTE* Scripts DO NOT have to be set in New York, from New York-based writers or New York centric in any way whatsoever.

Prices & Deadlines

Mar 17th
Early
Jul 1st
Regular
Sep 1st
Late
Oct 6th
Extended
Feature Film Screenplay
$45.00
$60.00
$80.00
$90.00
Feature Film Screenplay + Coverage
$115.00
$130.00
$150.00
$160.00
Short Film Screenplay
$27.50
$40.00
$55.00
$65.00
TV/Web Pilot
$35.00
$50.00
$60.00
$70.00

Benefits

Feature Length - Grand Prize Award Winner (1) will receive: a cash prize of $1000, detailed coverage, a feedback and development meeting with Keep or Destroy, a pitch deck and line budget consultation, and introductions to select, applicable, industry professionals.

Short Project - Grand Prize Award Winner (1) will receive: $750*, live table read of screenplay workshopped by professional actors, detailed feedback, a development meeting, and an opportunity to have your script produced by Keep or Destroy. Open to TV/Web Pilots and Short Films.

Short Project - RUNNER UP (1) will receive: live table read of screenplay workshopped by professional actors, detailed feedback, and a development meeting with Keep or Destroy. Open to TV/Web Pilots and Short Films.

NOTE: For Feature Scripts with Coverage/Feedback: Every submitted project will receive feedback within 30 days of their submission. Feedback will include: numerical scores for: Premise, Plot, Character, Dialogue, Setting, and Overall. Each script will also receive a written evaluation on the strengths, weaknesses and prospects of the screenplay. This detailed coverage is invaluable to any writer looking to take their script to the next level.

*Short Project monetary prizes may be awarded in the form of in-kind donations. See official rules for judging criteria and submission details.

2024 Winners on Coverfly

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Announcements

Dec 8th
Runner Ups
Dec 8th
Grand Prize Winners
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Website Contact
2025