Competition presented by: International Screenwriters’ Association
See more contests presented by International Screenwriters’ Association.
The information included in on this page was provided by Jordan Trippeer, ISA Development and Contest Coordinator, on June 10, 2020.
Competition Information
One of the main aspects of this competition is to find writers for the ISA’s Development Slate where scripts are then championed throughout the industry to top agents, managers and producers, on an on-going basis.
| Competition Name | Emerging Screenwriters Genre Contest |
| Competition Website | emergingscreenwriters.com |
| Contact Information | info@emergingscreenwriters.com jordan@networkisa.org jerren@networkisa.org |
| Competition Type | Competition |
| The information included on this page was provided relative to: | The 2020 Script Competition |
| Total number of scripts entered in the previous year | 1685 |
| Total number of scripts entered in the previous year per genre | Action/Adventure: 266 Comedy: 319 Drama: 365 Historical/Bio: 169 Horror: 245 Mystery: 110 Sci Fi: 211 |
Entry Dates and Fees
| Opens for Entries | April 11, 2020 | Entry Fee: $39 |
| First Submission Period | April 11, 2020 to May 15, 2020 @ 11:59 p.m. PST | Entry Fee: $39 |
| Second Submission Period | May 16, 2020 @ 12:00 a.m. PST to June 18, 2020 @ 11:59 p.m. PST | Entry Fee $49 |
| Final Submission Period | June 19, 2020 @ 12:00 a.m. PST to August 27, 2020 @ 11:59 p.m. PST | Entry Fee $59 |
Discounts
A variety of discounts are offered, including those for previous entrants and those who are part of ISA Connect.
Type of Scripts Accepted
| Feature-length | 80 to 120 pages |
| Teleplay Pilot | Original pilots only Both Half-hour and Hour lengths accepted Half-Hour: 20 to 35 pages One-hour: Up to 70 pages |
Type of Genres Accepted
| Feature-length Feature scripts are not judged by genre until the final round of the competition. | Action/Adventure Comedy Drama Historical/Bio Horror/Thriller Mystery/Crime Sci Fi/Fantasy |
| Teleplay Pilot Teleplays are not judged by genre until the final round of the competition. | Action/Adventure Comedy Drama Historical/Bio Horror/Thriller Mystery/Crime Sci Fi/Fantasy |
Advancement Tiers
| Semifinals | Top 25 scripts per genre |
| Finals | Top 10 scripts per genre |
| Genre Winners | One Winner per genre |
| Grand-Prize Winner | One Grand-Prize Winner chosen from Genre Winners |
Advancement Notifications
| Entrants | Advancement notifications are sent directly to entrants via email and/or phone call. |
| Public | Semifinalists, finalists and winners are posted on the competition website and shared via social media pages. Email blasts as well. |
Awards and Prizes
| Promotion | Publicized on the ISA and Emerging Screenwriters websites, winners invited to development slate, scripts up for submission to companies and executives. Winning scripts sent to rolodex of agents, managers and producers, including CAA, Gersh, Disney, MGM, etc. Entrants will be informed who their script and contact information was sent to. |
| Education/ Mentorship | The development slate is an ancillary mentorship and exclusive community where select writers are featured as writers to watch and proactively promoted to ISA contacts and for writing gigs with production companies and studios for at least one year. |
| Other Prizes | Grand Prize: $10,000 cash prize, ISA Development Slate invitation, 12 month ISA membership, prizes in all other tiers. Genre Winners: $2500 cash, ISA Development Slate consideration, Development evaluation for a new script ($149-$249 value), 12 months ISA Connect Membership. 10 Finalists in each genre: “Craft Course,” 6 month ISA Connect Membership, ISA logline Review. Semifinalists: 3 months ISA connect Membership, Digital copy of (Not Just) Another Book on the Craft of Screenwriting. |
Judges
| Judge Credentials | At least one year of reader coverage, and usually a degree in writing, English, or film (screenwriting, producing, etc.). Publicized judges are usually studio executives and producers. |
| Judges Seeking New Writers or Material | Yes, all competition judges are seeking new writers or material. Judges generally agree to read curated material that fits their mandate. If a judge is interested in a script or writer, ISA will act as the go-between until a rapport forms between the judge and the writer. |
Judging Process
| Script assignment | Scripts are randomly assigned to judges. |
| Judge knowledge of script prior to reading | Judges are provided with a script’s logline and genre prior to reading. |
| Script qualities the competition looks to advance | Original, well structured material that satisfies the expectations of its genre. Diverse voices, including LGTBQIA+ and BIPOC. |
| Judging Criteria This criteria is the same for every round of competition. | Excellent writing and craft technique Strong structure Pitchable concept Unique, robust and flawed characters |
Submission Information
| Required materials | Script, writer contact information, logline, genre. Logline and genre are provided to a script’s judges. Show bibles may be submitted with teleplay entries. |
| Submission Pathways | Competition website ISA website Emerging Screenwriters website Filmfreeway Coverfly |
| Rights | Entrants retain all rights to their entered script and other submitted materials. |
Script Eligibility Requirements
| Page Length | Features: 80 to 120 pages Teleplays: Half-Hour: 20 to 35 pages One-hour: Up to 70 pages Scripts that fall outside the requested page-lengths will not be disqualified. If feedback is requested, a $1.00 per page fee is required for scripts over 120 pages. |
| Adaptations | Accepted if in the free domain or the writer has the rights. |
| Scripts based on true events | Accepted. |
| Previous or Concurrent Competition Entry Restrictions | A script cannot be entered if it has won the competition previously. |
| Script purchases, options, production, etc. | Scripts that have been sold, produced for a profit, or are currently under option are not eligible. |
| Copyright | Not required, but is recommended. |
| WGA Registration | Not required, but is recommended. |
Writer Eligibility Requirements
| Age Restrictions | Entrants under 18 years of age must have parent’s/guardian’s permission. |
| International Submissions | Accepted. |
| Earnings | No requirements reported. |
| Multiple Writers | Writing teams of two are allowed to submit. |
Written Critiques
| Critique Name | Reader Feedback Types: First 20s Full Feedback Development |
| Fee | $20 to $149. Sometimes included with competition entry. A $1.00 per page fee is required for scripts that exceed the requested page count. |
| Purchase Opportunity | Critique can be added to competition entry or purchased separately. |
| Receipt | Critique will be sent to entrant within 90 days. |
| Length of Critique | First 20s = 1-page critique Full Feedback = 3-page critique Development = 5-page critique |
| Number of Critiques | One per purchase |
| Critique Contents | Readers address concerns and offer solutions for: Concept Structure Characters Voice Plot |
| Critics | Scripts are evaluated for written critiques separately from the competition and therefore the written critiques entrants receive are not written by their competition judge/s. Critiques are written by Script Analysts (unless the critique is purchased as part of a package to speak with a producer) who must have at least one year previous experience providing coverage or working for a studio, company or agency. A critic’s individual credentials are not included with the critique. Critics are not seeking new writers/material. |
| Script Assignment | Scripts are assigned randomly to critics. |
| Script Knowledge | Prior to reading the script, critics are provided with the script’s logline and genre. |
Screenplay Competitions 