Objective

Got a horror short screenplay or short story? We want to read it.

Our Top 10 finalists will be read by a jury of over a dozen literary managers, producers, filmmakers, and absolute horror legends. Prizes include guaranteed industry reads, career consultations, mentorships, increased Coverfly score, a killer trophy, and so much more.

Short Script Coverage is now available! Killer Shorts Short Script Coverage helps screenwriters elevate their script to the next level, while also increasing its Coverfly score! This boost can help place your script on the Red List, where industry professionals discover great talent. Visit our website to order your Killer Feedback today.

Deadline/Entry Fees

Expired. Previous Deadline: 12/31/2024

WinningScripts Pro 25% Off Coupon

Notification: February 9, 2025

Eligibility

Anyone in the world. If under 18, with parental consent.

Rules

Screenplays entered must 20 pages or under, be written in English, and adhere to industry standard screenplay format. For a full list of rules, please visit the official website.

Awards

This year's jury includes:

• John Zaozirny - Literary Manager // Producer - Bellevue Productions
• Gregory Nicotero - Director // Producer // Special FX Make Up Creator (The Walking Dead, Creepshow, The Hateful Eight)
• Xavier Burgin - Director (Horror Noire: A History of Black Horror)
• Gigi Saul Guerrero - Director // Co-Founder Luchagore Productions (Satanic Hispanics, Culture Shock, El Gigante)
• Aaron B. Koontz - Producer // CEO Paper Street Pictures (Shelby Oaks, Scare Package I&II, The Pale Door)
• Melody Cooper - Producer // Writer (Beasts of Prey, Two Sentence Horror Stories, Law & Order: SVU)
• Seth M. Sherwood - Screenwriter (Leatherface, Hell Fest)
• Julian Terry - Filmmaker (Whisper, The Nurse, They Hear It)
• Chelsea Lupkin - Senior Programmer at Short of the Week // Filmmaker (Flagged, Lucy's Tale)
• Glenn Cockburn - Literary Manager - Meridian Artists
• Barbara Crampton - Actress // Producer (You're Next, From Beyond, Chopping Mall, Re-Animator)
• Jenn Wexler - Filmmaker (The Sacrifice Game, The Ranger, ABC's of Death 2)
• Sophie Carroll - Programming Manager - ALTER
• Jason Tamasco - Producer - Traction Pictures
• Matthew Dartnell - Literary Manager - Writ Large

The Top 3 Winners Receive:

• Circulation and recommendation to our network of Hollywood managers, agents, producers and development executives.
• Final Draft 13 Screenwriting Software.
• 1:1 30 minute Crowdfunding Consultation call with Seed & Spark's Head of Creator Success
• Waived entry to multiple other contests and festivals.
• Career consultations with Coverfly's Head of Development, & a 60 minute Career Development call with a Stage 32 industry professional.
• Access to Robert Mckee's 3 Part Horror Webinar Series, including three 90-minute lessons where McKee teaches the sources of horror, the hidden worlds within reality, and the secret to writing a monster that will terrify your audience.
• Waived entry to multiple other contests and festivals.
• A skull-shaped typewriter trophy, hand-sculpted and designed by celebrity FX artist Tyler Green (Syfy’s Face Off).
• Killer swag courtesy of Rue Morgue, Fright Rags, Ghoulish Gary, and Horror Pack.
• ISAConnect Memberships (6 months, 3 months, 3 months)
• 1-Year Premium Subscription to ScriptHop
• 1-Year Rockstar Membership to Script Revolution
• Plus, our 3rd Place Winner will receive 5 pages of in-depth analysis and actionable advice from The Script Butcher!

Top 10 Finalists Receive:

• Finalist Laurels
• Final Draft license
• 1:1 30 minute Crowdfunding Consultation call with Seed & Spark's Head of Creator Success
• Stage 32 short script coverage from an industry professional
• Plus, your script will be read by our panel of industry judges.

Semi Finalists Receive:

• Semi Finalist Laurels
• Stage 32 Next Level Webinar of your choice
• Plus your screenplay will be made available by request to potential producers and filmmakers.

Quarter Finalists Receive:

• Quarter Finalist Laurels
• Increased rank on Coverfly’s The Red List
• 20% off of Stage 32's Search For New Blood Screenwriting Contest

1 Page Script Category

We recognize that shorter scripts have a slight disadvantage when it comes to impressing literary managers, so we are thrilled to continue our new ‘1 Page Category’, with prizes geared towards helping you produce a horror micro-short film.

Can you tell a horror story in just one page?

The Best 1 Page Script Will Receive:

• An all-access 1 year subscription to Stan Winston School, including their Course library by The Masters of FX.
• Final Draft 13 Screenwriting Software.
• A QWERKYWRITER® Best-In-Class Typewriter Inspired Mechanical Keyboard. $500 Cash.
• Increased rank on Coverfly’s The Red List.
• 6 Month ISAConnect Membership.
• 1-Year Premium Subscription to ScriptHop
• 1-Year Rockstar Membership to Script Revolution
• A skull-shaped typewriter trophy, hand-sculpted and designed by celebrity FX artist Tyler Green (Syfy’s Face Off).

Short Story Category

• Publication on Website
• Chris Hicks Career Mentorship Call
• Increased rank on Coverfly’s The Red List.
• Scrivener Writing Software
• A skull-shaped typewriter trophy, hand-sculpted and designed by celebrity FX artist Tyler Green (Syfy's Face Off).

MENTORS

The winner of the Short Story (Prose) category will receive a 30 minute, one on one zoom meeting with Chris Hicks, professional screenwriter and author of I Am Not Alone. Chris will answers general questions about the business, how to take your career to the next level, and navigating Hollywood.

Chris is the author of I Am Not Alone – the record breaking short story sold to Netflix. Misha Green has attached to write the script, direct and produce. Jessica Chastain attached to star and produce. Simon Kinberg producing. His story “All You Can Eat” is currently in development as a television series by Wonder Worldwide and Big Light Productions. His stories have been read by millions of readers on Reddit’s NoSleep where they are among the most popular stories of all time. As a screenwriter, he made the quarterfinals of the 2022 Nicholl Screenwriting Fellowship and was selected to the 2020 Bloodlist. Chris Hicks is a #killeralum with his script "THE BUTTER STREET HITCHHIKER" coming in 3rd Place in Season 1. Chris is represented by Peter Katz of Story Driven.