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Finish Line
The Finish Line Script Competition
2022-2023
Reads in Coverfly
Active Since 2015
$10K GRAND PRIZE - 6+ pages of actionable script notes - 50+ TOP MENTORS will read/meet writers - Resubmit new drafts for FREE throughout competition.
View Latest Season
This season has closed, but there's a new season open now!

About

Get your script across the Finish Line!
Finish Line helps showcase your writing skills, connects you with industry experts and lets you submit unlimited new drafts for free, improving your chances to WIN.
What makes Finish Line special in the world of script competitions?

We offer 6+ pages of constructive and actionable script development notes and allow writers to complete rewrites and resubmit as many times as necessary - for free. If desired, writers can keep purchasing notes as would be given at a studio or network, improving scripts as the process moves ahead.  The better the script - the better your chance to win!

Finish Line is run by an ex-literary manager, who has years of experience in the industry and has sold scripts to networks and studios, seeing them through pitches, development and production.

Our mentors are high level decision makers. Our winners will have their scripts read by and will meet 40+ industry pros who may get directly involved in the winning material and will offer constructive guidance on writing and careers. 

Benefits

Please check out our website www.finishlinescriptcomp.com to see the list of mentors our winners will be read by and meet.

The Grand Prize

The Grand Prize winner will receive $1500 as a cash prize.
The Grand Prize winner will either meet in person, Zoom or speak via phone with our industry professionals ranging from literary managers, agents, development execs and producers.
The Grand Prize winner will receive free consultation from our script consultants for as long as needed.
The Grand Prize Winner will have a filmed table read of their script using Howard Fine's acting students.
The Grand Prize Winner will receive a copy of Script Reader Pro's course Script Hackr. http://www.scriptreaderpro.com
The Grand Prize Winner will receive a copy of the latest screenwriting software of their choice.
The Grand Prize winner will have free and complete access to our knowledge, advice, support and help as they get their script out into the maze that is the entertainment industry.
And…..as a cherry on top, as we’re all living in a world that needs as much love as possible, 5% of the earnings from the competition will be donated to the winner’s favorite charity.

The First Runner Up

The First Runner Up will receive $500 as a cash prize.
The First Runner Up can send their script to 8-10 of the industry pros on the list.
The First Runner Up will receive a copy of Script Reader Pro's course Script Hackr. http://www.scriptreaderpro.com
The First Runner Up will receive a Pitch Session, a Script Read & 30-minute call from Stage32. http://www.stage32.com
The First Runner Up will receive a prize package of four (4) months of InkTip Pro membership from Inktip.com, helping them promote themselves and their scripts to Inktip's large network of producers and reps.
The First Runner Up will receive free consultation from our script consultants for as long as needed.
The First Runner Up will have free and complete access to our knowledge, advice, support and help as they get their script out into the maze that is the entertainment industry.

The Second Runner Up

The Second Runner Up will receive $250 as a cash prize.
The Second Runner Up can send their script to 5-6 of the industry pros on our list.
The Second Runner Up will have a filmed table read of their script using Howard Fine's acting students.
The Second Runner Up will receive a copy of Script Reader Pro's course Script Hackr. http://www.scriptreaderpro.com
The Second Runner Up will receive a Pitch Session, a Script Read & 30-minute call from Stage32. http://www.stage32.com
The Second Runner Up will receive a prize package of four (4) months of InkTip Pro membership from Inktip.com, helping them promote themselves and their scripts to Inktip's large network of producers and reps.
The Second Runner Up will receive free consultation from our script consultants for a year.
The Second Runner Up will have free and complete access to our knowledge, advice, support and help as they get their script out into the maze that is the entertainment industry.

2023-2024 Winners on Coverfly

See Other Placements

Announcements

Oct 6th
Semifinalists
Nov 2nd
Winners

Rules

The Basics

What is special about the Finish Line Script Competition?

One of the most special aspect of Finish Line is that the writer can
re-submit their script after having completed any number of rewrites. They can purchase comprehensive (6+) pages of notes provided by a top-notch, experienced script consultant or resubmit on their own. Finish Line is set up to follow the development process where a script is submitted, receives extensive story notes and is then rewritten and resubmitted until it is in its best form.

We want the writer to have the best script possible by the time the winner is chosen. We are here to HELP you win this competition. Entrants can work closely with a script consultant to get them through to the finish line!

Can you explain the consultation and re-submission process more clearly?

Yes! Firstly, this process is the main reason we created this competition. We want writers to have the chance to use our script consultants expert feedback to help them rework their script and resubmit it so it has the best chance possible to win The Finish Line Script Competition.

Writers can purchase a comprehensive set of consultation notes (from the same script consultant throughout the process, just as though you were getting notes from a film or television producer) as many times as you like until the submission period ends. 

After quarter-finalists are announced, those still in the competition can continue to acquire consultations as many times as they like. The same is true after the semi-finalists are announced.. After this, the final scripts are chosen to go on to the judges to determine the Grand Prize Winner, First Runner Up and Second Runner Up.

Do I have a better chance of winning if I work with one of your script consultants?

The best chance of winning is by submitting the best script possible. There is no guarantee that a winner will be chosen from those who use our script consultants', but we believe their experience can only help improve your script and your chances to win should you take advantage of their expertise. Ultimately, the writing is up to you, but we will help you get your script ready to be shown to managers, agents, producers and executives. Your script will leave this competition in better shape than when it came in.

Do I have to use your script consultants to enter the competition?

No. You can enter by paying the basic entry fee, which doesn’t include consultation. No notes or re-submissions are required - just available - and you can choose to take advantage of this service at any time you wish.

Readers, Judges and Judging Criteria

What genres will you accept?

We accept ALL genres except erotica. We are looking for the best writer out there with the best written script.

What happens to the entries? How does the competition unfold?

If you enter the competition without choosing script consultation your script will be read by our top readers when it is received and notes will be made based on overall story/character/writing factors. Three readers will read each script.

After the quarter-finalists are announced, writers may receive script consultation notes until they must enter their final script submission. The same occurs with the semi-finalists.

Who reads my script if I make it into the final round?

Three industry judges as well as Finish Line administration will break down the final three scripts to find the Finish Line Screenplay Competition Grand Prize Winner. The final industry judges are producers, writers, agents and managers whose job it is to know good writing and we trust they will find the best of the bunch! In addition to the Grand Prize Winner, the judges will also choose the First and Second Runners Up.

Entry

What do I need to do to enter the competition?

You need to submit an original feature film screenplay, short film script or television pilot in PDF format, complete an online application form and pay an entry fee.

How do I enter the competition?

If you're reading this on Coverfly.com, you can submit here.  Submissions are also available through www.filmfreeway.com and more information is available by visiting the website www.finishinescriptcomp.com

Can I enter more than one script into the Finish Line Script Competition?

Yes. You can enter as many screenplays or pilots as you wish. Each entry requires a separate online application form and entry fee.

Note: If you write as a team, only one application is needed, listing the two of you as writers of the script.

Where does the entry fee money go?

The entry fees go towards reading costs and administration costs. We pay our script readers well and their notes are proof as to how carefully your material is considered. 

How do I know my script has been received?

You will receive an email receipt of confirmation once your script and application have been submitted and paid for. This is a guarantee that your script has been received.

Do you have any tips regarding the online process?

Read the rules before filling out the form. Please don’t misspell anything that prevents us from getting in touch with you.  Add info@finishlinescriptcomp.com to your e-mail address book.

How large a PDF can I send?

The PDF file can be no larger than 1.0 MB.

Eligibility, Adaptations and Collaborations

Who can enter the competition?

Anyone writing in English can enter this competition.  You can come from any country in the world, as long as you can submit your material in English as written by yourself. You can come from Tibet or Tennessee; we want to see your writing!

Are adaptations eligible for entry?

Adaptations are not eligible unless you are adapting your own book or play to screenplay or pilot form. We are interested in who YOU are as a writer, YOUR ideas and characters and we want to help you find YOUR voice, not someone else’s. Historical screenplays or pilots are eligible.

Can a member of the Writers Guild of America enter a script into the Finish Line Script Competition?

Yes, if the WGA member has not presently sold this material they are free to enter. All writers can enter so long as they have not earned more than $50,000 in the year prior as a working writer. 

Format and Presentation

What is the script format standard to the United States motion picture industry?

While there is no precise format common to all screenplays written by professional screenwriters there are certainly general standards.

If you follow the format described in any number of screenwriting or television writing guides and textbooks, you should be in good shape.

Should I include my name or any other information on the script?

No. Please submit your script with only the title on the front page. Please do not include names, representatives, addresses or emails/phone numbers. If you want to include your WGA registration number, that is fine. We will have your information when you submit your entry but we keep the names anonymous from the readers, script consultants and judges.

Readers and Script Consultants

All our readers and script consultants have years of experience working with screenplays and television pilots at studios, networks, production companies and agencies. Here are some actual quotes about our script consultants from writers they have provided script feedback for.

-"Thank you so much for the notes. These are the best ones I've received for this script.  You have really helped me uncover the problems with the script."

-"After reading the review of my script I wanted to respond. I know you probably can't reveal who did the evaluation, but maybe you can pass this along to him/her. This is probably the most encouraging coverage I've ever had on one of my screenplays."

-"Just a quick note to say how grateful I am for these very smart notes. Funnily enough, I have been working on the exact problems specified by your reader and am amazed by the synchronicity of these comments. Other contest feedback has not been as astute. Kudos to my reviewer."

-"It's clearly not a perfect script, but I appreciate that there is a nice balance of what's good about it and what isn't so good and needs work. I've been through a pretty discouraging "dark phase" with my writing for awhile, but this reviewers encouraging words really rocked me out of it!"

-"Thank you for your detailed, no bullshit, feedback. I appreciate that it is no B/S, and not an ego stroke.  While I received great critical feedback from my professor in both Scriptwriting, and Script Adaptation, yours has added another significant dimension"

-"This is truly helpful feedback.  My cheeks are sore, because I smiled all while I read the comments.  I would love to meet this reader one day.  S/He is brilliant!"

-"Your notes were the best I have received from any contest (truly) and they felt really in tune with what I was doing."

-"Your input on notes for our script was fantastic. When the draft is ready we'd love to pick your brain concerning any thoughts or advice or insight you have in the process of maximizing exposure and ultimately getting it sold. You've been a great help!"

-“Many thanks indeed for your kind (and sound!) notes, which I really appreciate!”
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2022-2023