Save The Cat!
Save the Cat! Screenplay Challenge
2025
Active Since 2019
All Writers Receive 50 Points of Analysis – AT NO ADDITIONAL COST. All Writers Receive a Full Read by a Save the Cat! Master Cat Reader. Feedback is Grounded in Structure—Not Opinion.
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About

Our approach is simple: a screenplay competition that provides actionable feedback grounded in the Save the Cat! Methodology – the same method used by working writers, readers, and decision makers.


Our focus is on the beats of your story with an aim to help tighten the spine of your screenplay.  You make the character, dialogue, and subject matter fly and we’ll serve as your co-pilot guiding your story's structure through compelling character transformation from the Opening Image to the Final Image.


You have challenged yourself to start, finish, and enter a screenplay competition – let us deliver the Save the Cat! 50 points of analysis to help you achieve your story's potential.


***Now accepting screenplays for feature films and 60-minute and 30-minute TV pilots.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2xUObyyLWohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2xUObyyLWo

Benefits

All entrants to receive: 
•    50 points of analysis report adapted from the Save the Cat! Greenlight Checklist (Save the Cat! Strikes Back --- pages 104-108) 
•   A review by readers and judges trained in the Save the Cat! methodology 
•   Feedback grounded in structure not subjectivity


A group of Feature and TV script winners will be awarded the following:


Grand Prize Winner(s) 
•    Flight to LA ($600) 
•    3-night hotel stay ($1200) 
•    Live table read at the Lee Strasberg Theatre in LA 
    Save the Cat! Software - 12 Month Subscription


Top 5 Finalists
•    Meeting with one of the judges 
•    Save the Cat! Software - 12 Month Subscription 

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%
TV Script  · Thriller  · 52 Pages
After a bad batch of fentanyl kills 13 teenagers, the CIA deploys two top-secret Molotov agents to disrupt and destroy the fentanyl supply chain in Mexico. COMPS: THE AMERICANS meets THE WIRE.
Los Angeles, CA
Roger Corman recruited me out of USC film school to direct low-budget wonders around the world. I learned the hard way that every great film starts with an even better script. As a stay-at-home dad, I write everyman Hitchcockian thrillers between flipping pancakes and mending hearts/knees on the gridiron that is grammar school.
Top 1%
Feature  · Horror  · 100 Pages
A former drug addict's limits are tested when a search for her missing ex-husband leads her into the world of a terrifying BDSM cult.
  • Verified WGA Member
Los Angeles, CA
In 1994, a third-grader named Jason Kaleko put an upturned flashlight under his chin, told a ghost story at a sleepover, and made his friends totally wig out -- and he’s been chasing that high ever since. Since moving to Los Angeles and working through the assistant ranks, Jason has developed several original projects around town with companies such...
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Announcements

Jul 30th
Top 5s
Aug 23rd
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 submit; however, all screenplays must be submitted in English, and application fees must be paid in U.S. dollars.

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

Script must be the original work of the submitting writer and may not be encumbered by any third party.

Screenplays adapted from the submitting writer’s own self-published books, plays, or other source materials are eligible if the writer retains all rights to the work.

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

Prior contest-winning scripts from other contests are acceptable.

Only original full-length feature screenplays and original TV pilots are accepted. Anything else, including but not limited to short scripts, novels, short stories, stage plays, musicals, treatments, synopses, reality show concepts, documentaries, and/or spec scripts for existing TV series are not eligible.

Length requirements for full-length features: 70-130 pages. No exceptions.

Length requirements for TV pilots: 20-70 pages. No exceptions.

Script must be in industry standard format. Formatting is taken into consideration in judging.

Standard title pages should be included: listing the script title, name of author(s), telephone number, and email address. Applicants will not be disqualified if these elements are not included.

Under no circumstances should the writer include name or contact information within the body of the script.

Adaptations from other works are permissible provided the writer has written permission by the owner to adapt the material.

Adaptations of works in the public domain are permissible.

Multiple authorship is acceptable.

If the screenplay wins an award, that award will be divided among the writers, by the writers.

Multiple submissions by one writer are accepted; however, if one or more screenplays by the same writer tie, only one screenplay (the decided “best”) will be selected to determine the winner.

The writer understands that script feedback can take up to 90-days turn-around time and may not be received before the end of the final application deadline.

Applicants must submit materials and payment online only.

Once a script has been submitted, substitutions of new drafts or corrections may only be accepted within 24 hours of the original application.

A revised draft of a script may be accepted after 24 hours if it is entered as a new application with the appropriate fee.

Promotional discounts or waivers offered may only be utilized at the time of submission. Promotional discounts or waivers offered may not apply on all submission platforms (i.e., FilmFreeway).

Applicants must accept without reservation the decisions rendered by the judges.

The writer understands that it is his/her sole responsibility to register material to be submitted with the U.S. Copyright Office and/or with the Writer’s Guild of America or the appropriate agency in his/her country.

Applicants awarded the Grand Prize Winner understand and accept that SAVE THE CAT! will be free to use his/her name and likeness for advertising or promotional purposes without additional consideration.

Writers retain the rights to their screenplay.

Applicants are non-exclusive and may submit their screenplay to any other person, competition, producer, agent, publisher, and/or organization.

No transfer, substitution, or cash equivalent for prizes is allowed. SAVE THE CAT! is not responsible for any applicant errors or omissions on any submitted application materials.

Synopses, casting suggestions, letters, resumes and photos will not be considered.

Applicant accepts without reservation that the submitted screenplay will be reviewed by SAVE THE CAT! staff and/or panel of Industry Judges for evaluation and that any one of these employees or judges may have been or may be exploring ideas similar to the submitted material, and the applicant hereby waives any claim that the staff or judges may have misappropriated any ideas or portions of the submission, logline or screenplay.

There are no refunds for any reason after 24 hours from submission.

You should retain master copies of the submitted material.

Any material we receive cannot and will not be returned under any circumstances.

To submit your materials and be considered, you must agree to these Rules and Terms.