So Cal Screenplay Competition
The Southern California Screenplay Competition
2024
Active Since 2016
Subscribe
Currently Closed. Subscribe to receive a notification when the next season opens.

About

The Southern California Screenplay Competition is based in San Diego, California. It was founded by writer/director/producer Theo Davies, to discover fresh, new writing talent.

There are many undiscovered storytellers who have a voice, but that voice is never heard. We want to create a platform where the screenwriters of tomorrow have a place to showcase their talent, today. To us, this is not just a screenplay competition. We want to create exposure for screenwriters. We want to get your stories into the hands of the people who option, buy and produce scripts.

Every North American writer who submits to us receives a phone call. We love meeting screenwriters, so this gives us an opportunity to talk about your background as a screenwriter and the script we're about to read.

Benefits

Winners and Runners Up will connect with professional writers and producers, will have their script sent to industry executives with first look deals, and take home $3,000 in cash.

Feature Script Grand Prize:

  • $1,000 cash
  • Script read by Jeffrey Reddick (Writer/Creator, 'Final Destination' franchise). 
  • 1 hour video call with Jeffrey Reddick to talk about your script. 
  • Script sent to Hollywood Producers with a first look option to buy or produce the screenplay. 
  • Pitch meetings set up between you and any Producer interested in acquiring your script. 
  • Free entry into all future competitions.

Feature Script Two Runners-Ups Prizes:

  • $250 cash
  • Video Call with SoCal Screenplay founder to discuss your script. 
  • Two AMC Movie Theater Tickets. 
  • Free entry into all future competitions.

TV Pilot Script Grand Prize:

  • $750 cash
  • Script read by leading Hollywood TV Producer
  • 1 hour video call with leading Hollywood TV Producer to talk about your script. 
  • Script sent to Hollywood TV Producers with a first look option to buy or produce the screenplay. 
  • Pitch meetings set up between you and any Producer interested in acquiring your script. 
  • Free entry into all future competitions.

TV Pilot Script Runner Up Prize:

  • $250 cash
  • Video Call with SoCal Screenplay founder to discuss your script. 
  • Two AMC Movie Theater Tickets. 
  • Free entry into all future competitions.

Short Script Grand Prize:

  • $500 
  • Video Call with SoCal Screenplay founder to discuss your script. 
  • Two AMC Movie Theater Tickets. 
  • Free entry into all future competitions. 

Short Script Runner Up Prize:

  • $150 cash
  • Video Call with SoCal Screenplay founder to discuss your script. 
  • Two AMC Movie Theater Tickets. 
  • Free entry into all future competitions.
competition insights image
Coverfly Program Insights
Coverfly vets all programs on its platform, but not every program is right for every writer. Program Insights help you decide where to submit your work.

2024 Winners on Coverfly

Top 1%
Feature  · Drama  · 109 Pages
A retiree's perfect life is shattered when a car crash takes the lives of his wife and daughter. After an insurance settlement leaves him the world's most miserable millionaire, he attempts to pick up the pieces and find a reason to keep going.
Kansas City, KS
Jamie Campbell thrives by finding ways to laugh in the midst of darkness. It’s a survival mechanism for a guy who is lucky to still be alive. When he was eleven years-old, he was kidnapped by one of his parents who took him on the run for six months before police caught up to them. As a teenager, he was beaten at gunpoint at a keg party after accide...
Show more
Top 6%
Short  · Drama  · 4 Pages
A family's tense dinner is overshadowed by the mysterious absence of one twin while the other sits with dark secrets.
Inglewood, CA
Charlie T. Savage (she/her) is a Navy Veteran, New Orleans native and Founder of Charlie Bit Me Joints, where she passionately creates and develops thrilling and hilarious content shining a spotlight on the Black female experience. ​
Top 1%
TV Script  · Drama  · 54 Pages
A young storm chaser and her pet drone must track down a disgraced weather scientist hiding in Antarctica, before an evil oligarch leverages climate change and destroys humanity.
Pasadena, CA
Lisa Hickey is a TV writer/screenwriter. She is also the Publisher and CEO of an online magazine with 2 million visitors per month that talks about the changing roles of men in the 21st century. Out of that come deep and provocative discussions about the big social issues of today--sexism, racism, lgbtqia issues, environmental concerns and more. ...
Show more
See Other Placements

Announcements

Dec 23rd
Semifinalists
Dec 30th
Finalists
Jan 6th
Winners