Objective

Deadline/Entry Fees

WinningScripts Pro $5 Off Coupon

Notification: Quarter-Finalists: Oct 6, 2026;Semi-Finalist: Nov 13, 2026;Finalist & Winners: Dec 9, 2026.

Eligibility

Rules

Scripts should ideally be within 80-120 pages. Writers can exceed the recommended limits by up to 30 pages, with an additional fee of $1 per page.

Screenwriters from all countries are welcome to enter. All scripts must be written in English.

The script must be the writer’s original work. Adaptations are accepted but the writer must own all copyright. At no point will Shore Scripts ever have any rights over your work.

All ages are welcome.

We accept all genres, including animation. It’s absolutely fine if your script is a combination of multiple genres or sub-genres. If that’s the case, use the Genre dropdown to indicate the main genre on your submission, and make a note of other Genres, and any other information you feel will be relevant to the reader in the Any Other Project Comments field.

Each writer, or writing team, may not have earned more than $50,000 in screenwriting fees in the preceding 18 months. This clause is in place to help us support emerging talent. (Contest & Fellowship awards and writing fees received outside of fiction screenwriting do not count toward this total).

You may enter a newer draft of an already submitted script. There is a small additional fee as the script will be reread. You may re-enter your script through the Resubmission page.

A writer can enter as many scripts in as many categories as they wish.

If a script is optioned or purchased during the competition, then it will no longer be eligible for the contest.

Scripts should be in standard screenplay formatting and submitted electronically as a PDF.

Please only include the Script Title on the cover page.

The winners consent to Shore Scripts using their name, script title, and any other relevant information for promotional purposes on their website. This will be used to inform other contestants and the media of the results.

If Shore Scripts helps a writer gain representation, option, sell, or have his/her screenplay produced, then we are entitled to state this on our website and on any other platform whenever we see fit.

Shore Scripts staff and associates are unable to enter.

The decision of Shore Scripts is final. By applying to this contest each participant agrees to hold Shore Scripts, our judges and sponsors immune from any competition disputes, claims, liabilities, and expenses.

By entering Shore Scripts, you authorize us to use any trusted third-party online, cloud-based, and email services and databases for hosting, managing, and/or sending/transmitting your submission file(s).

If we see fit, we can extend the final deadline for the competition. (Please note that this has never yet happened).

FOR ALL THE RULES & FAQ: https://www.shorescripts.com/rules-faq/#f-rules.

Awards

Over $10,000 in Cash and Prizes, Including Industry Mentorship, Meetings, and Acceptance into the Shore Scripts Writer Development Program.

NEW in 2026 - Win a Mentorship Call with DEBBIE BERMAN (BLACK PANTHER, CAPTAIN MARVEL, SPIDERMAN: HOMECOMING)

With 3 Winning Placements and 10 Finalist Placements, there are lots of ways to win your spot in the Shore Scripts Writer Development Program.

See website for more.