The Seven Best Screenplay Contests to Enter in 2011

Summer is around the corner and, for movie-going audiences, that means another season of car chases, explosions and at least three cases of Earth pushed to the brink of Armageddon as blockbuster mania is on the way. But, for you -- the budding screenwriter -- the coming months augur something far more ominous -- the onslaught of fast approaching script contest deadlines.

That's right. If you've been keeping track on a calendar, your scrawling ought to resemble something close to the schematics for the D-Day invasion by now. But, while over 100 script contests currently vie for you entry fee, there are really only seven worth your time. So get those copies printed and your bank accounts in order. Here are the seven competitions most worth your money in 2011.

(Listed alphabetically, not in order of awesomeness.)

Austin Heart of Film

Held in conjunction with the Austin Film Festival, the Heart of Film Competition offers several divisions based on genre including a special award for science fiction scripts. This contest is one of the longest running, having started in 1994, Heart of Film is particularly good for writers interested in independent film.

The early deadline is May 15 ($40 entry fee) and the late deadline is June 1 (for $50).

Bluecat Screenplay Competition

Brought to the fray by screenwriter Gordy Hoffman (Love Liza), Bluecat remains my personal favorite of screenplay competitions for the simple reason that every submission receives detailed and (in my opinion) very thoughtful feedback as a courtesy service. While many other contests offer analysis for an extra sum (often more than the entry fee in the first place), Bluecat gives every submission a read and critique for a mere $60. And, for the first time ever, 2011 featured two script analyses. That's a lot of bang for your buck.

The 2011 Bluecat deadline was January 20th, however submissions for next year's contest will be accepted before the end of the year. So, while you scramble to meet the looming deadlines of the summer, keep in mind that one of the best contests out there will let you slide by until the winter.

The Nicholl Fellowship

Still the granddaddy of all screenplay competitions, Nicholl has been awarding aspiring screenwriters more the $100,000 in prizes each year for 25 years. This competition's divining rod for talent is rivaled by no other, uncovering the likes of Allison Anders, Susannah Grant, Ehren Kruger, Andrew Marlowe, Mike Rich and Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Jeffery Eugenides whose book The Virgin Suicides was adapted and filmed by Sofia Coppola.

Final deadline is May 2, 2011. Be sure to check out the Nicholl website where you can read actual pages from winning scripts. Nicholl Script Samples

The PAGE International Screenwriting Awards

Created by a collection of industry agents, producers and development exes, the PAGE Awards has risen quickly through the ranks of screenplay competitions to become on of the most coveted prizes for aspiring scribes. PAGE offers a fairly unique approach in judging by pitting scripts of like-genre against each other for sub-prizes, while a grand prize winner is picked from among the entire contest.

Top prize is $25,000. Most deadlines have already past, but if your script is ready right this very second, you might still make the April 30th last minute deadline. Entry fee is $69.

Scriptapalooza

In play for 13 years, Scriptapalooza's entries are read by a current crop of Hollywood producers, managers and agents. This alone can be worth more than the $10,000 first place prize. Final deadline was April 18, but you can gear up for next year's contest which starts accepting entries in December. The early bird entry fee for next year is $40.

Script Pipeline (also known as Script PIMP)

In addition to awarding thousands of dollars in prizes, this contest actively promotes its contest winners to the film industry at large. The "Pipeline Into Motion Pictures" lives up to its acronym.

Final deadline is May 1st. Entry fee is $50

Slamdance Screenwriting and Teleplay Competition

Like its film festival namesake, the Slamdance Screenplay Competition is geared toward uncovering talent whose sensibilities are a few steps outside the Hollywood mainstream. Slamdance readers focus on "originality and promise" as opposed to "commercial potential" and "marketability." In other words, if you've got a script about transvestite nazis who also happen to be werewolves, then this is the contest for you.

Deadline is June 10 with a $55 entry fee. Late submissions will be received until July 29 for $65.

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