UK Film Festival Script Competitions
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About
Unlike other script competitions UKFF doesn’t just give awards or money as a prize but aims to get their winning scripts into production. In fact, we are well known for successfully connecting scriptwriters to the film industry and getting the films made. With 7 of our winners’ scripts made into films, 1 of which won an award at Sundance and 2 of which went on to win Crystal Bears at the Berlin Film Festival; and 4 others have subsequently gone on to be multi-award winning at film festivals around the world including Aesthetica, Bilbao, Galway and Underwire. The films have been Official Selection in 41 other festivals and 2 have gained prestigious distribution deals.
As previous Feature Script winner Joadie Jurgova says,
“Entering The UK Film Festival’s screenplay competition was the best chance I have ever taken. It took my script and breathed new life into it, attaching an award-winning director and placing it with a prestigious international production company in less than a year. The support since winning has been phenomenal, respectful and generous. If you are looking for a script competition that you can place your trust in, this is it.” (Writer of ‘The Canadian’)
As previous Short Script winner, Andrea Allen says,
“When I won the competition, UKFF got my script made into a film within 6 months and went on to be multi-award winning, including the Crystal Bear at the Berlin Film Festival 2015 as well as screenings at 26 other festivals around the world.” (Writer of ‘A Confession’)
Deadline for submissions for this year is 28 February 2025.
The administration and reading fee varies depending on each new deadline.
Winners will receive immediate marketing to the industry, winner’s laurels and the associated publicity. Winners in each category will also receive the latest version of Final Draft 13 (value $250) as well as receiving a 4 month InkTip pro membership. As an InkTip Pro Member, thousands of filmmakers can find and read your scripts, and you’ll be able to pitch directly to production companies every week. With over 3,000 options and 400 movies made, InkTip is the place for independent film.
Prices & Deadlines
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Jun 10th
Early Bird
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Jul 29th
Later Bird
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Oct 14th
Reminder
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Dec 9th
Regular
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Feb 28th
Final
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Feature Film Script Competition
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$65.00
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$68.00
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$74.00
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$80.00
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$84.00
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TV Pilot, Episode or one off Drama Script (60 min)
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$49.00
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$56.00
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$59.00
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$62.00
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$68.00
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10 Minute (or less) Screenplay Competition
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$28.00
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$31.00
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$34.00
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$37.00
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$44.00
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3 Minute Script Competition
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$14.00
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$15.00
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$16.00
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$17.50
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$18.70
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Benefits
Announcements
Rules
- The script should be in English.
- We would ask the winner to agree to grant first option choice for production to the UK Film Festival's associates unless the writer has other filmmaker contacts and wants to work in association with them. Nothing is obligatory and the script remains as the author's work.
Should there be a need to alter any small aspect of the script if it goes into production, the winner should be willing to work with the script editor and/or director to develop the idea. If this should occur the rights to the script still remain with the writer.