Slamdance Writing Competitions

CALL FOR ENTRIES SCHEDULE

Short Screenplay Competition - January 5, 2009

Teleplay Competition - January 28, 2009

Feature Screenplay Competition - March, 2009

Horror Screenplay Competition - July, 2009

Welcome to the Slamdance writing competitions information page!  Slamdance 2009 will host four competitions: Teleplay, Shorts, Feature and Horror.  The Short Screenplay competition accepts all genres 59 pages or less.  The Teleplay competition has three categories: Comedy half hour, Drama one hour and Unscripted Follow Docs or Competitions.  The Feature Screenplay Competition encompasses all genres 120 pages or less.  Horror is horror and we'll take feature-length and shorts in this competition.

If you're really hoping to polish your script and refine your writing with both constructive and professional feedback from readers who work in the industry and are not your friends (and therefore will not sugar coat, but  desire to help), then we invite you to take advantage of our year-round Coverage Service.

All questions or comments about Slamdance's writing competitions should be sent to screenplay@slamdance.com. 

 INDUSTRY FEEDBACK

"Some of the best material comes from Slamdance — I should know!"
-Lee Daniels, producer of MONSTER'S BALL, and the Slamdance winning script and Sundance hit film, THE WOODSMAN

"I was very happy to get a chance to meet with other screenwriters in Park City. The festivals tend to be a bit director-centric, and it was useful to have the opportunity to talk about work with fellow writers."
-Benjamin Brand, WGAw screenwriter, NOVEMBER

"I have found Slamdance to be an unmatched source of new talent. From new directors in the festival to undiscovered writers in the Screenplay Competition Slamdance remains a goldmine of new talent and material."
-Stephen Isreal, producer, SWIMMING WITH SHARKS

"The Slamdance Screenplay Award received by Joshua Marston for MARIA FULL OF GRACE was the first public validation of the project... the publicity surrounding this award helped put the project in the public eye."
-Paul Mezey, producer, MARIA FULL OF GRACE

"Slamdance's mission by filmmakers, for filmmakers is perfectly aligned with that of the WGAw Independent Writers Caucus. We're here to support and protect new writers and projects of any budget level."
-Jill Sprecher, Independent Film Steering Committee Member, co-writer and director of THIRTEEN CONVERSATIONS ABOUT ONE THING.

FINALIST FEEDBACK

"Winning Slamdance was an incredible moral booster and the seal of approval that made the industry stop and take notice."
-Nicole Kassell, 2001 Slamdance 1st place winner and director of THE WOODSMAN

"When I wrote NEO NED I had absolutely zero contacts in the movie business. NEO NED was optioned and produced because of the exposure I got in the Slamdance screenplay competition. Van Fischer, the director, found my script while he was showing his first movie at the Slamdance Festival."
-Timothy Boughn, 1999 Slamdance Finalist NEO NED

"Slamdance doesn't care about marketability, proven formulas nor insider politics--they care about unique, moving, well-told stories. To have fellow filmmakers and storytellers embrace my screenplay, and to be in the company of so many talented writers, sets Slamdance far above others in the crowded world of screenplay competitions."
-Todd Holmes, 2005 Slamdance 1st place winner PREETI GIRL

"As screenwriters we're running a marathon -- although it is exhilarating, we are bound to get tired or discouraged because it's a long journey. The Slamdance community is lined up along our path with water bottles, cheering us on."
-Amir Ohebsion, 2004 Slamdance 1st place co-writer THE APOLOGY

"It is so gratifying to be surrounded by such a dedicated and passionate group of filmmakers. I know I am in a special place now."
-Miranda Kwok, 2003 Slamdance 1st place winner, SONG OF SILENCE

"Slamdance is a great experience; it really is 'a festival for filmmakers by filmmakers'. It's like eating at a family-style restaurant where everyone is hungry for innovative, creative nourishment!"
-Tom Lewis, 2002 Slamdance 1st Place winner, SPY

"Having our names and script posted on the Slamdance Web site gave us a massive boost in visibility. So many industry people contacted us based on that."
-John Douglas Sinclair, 2005 Slamdance Finalist SPLIT INFINITY

"The award means a lot to me because I know that my script was read by people who love film and take film to heart."
-Tayna Steele, 2003 Slamdance 2nd place winner, THE PARACHUTE FACOTRY

"Winning third place at Slamdance had done more for me than winning first place at other contests."
-Gary L. Miner, 2003 Slamdance 3rd place winner, WIZARD OF GENOA

"Being a top ten finalist in Slamdance's screenplay competition gave me what felt like overnight exposure. Within twenty-four hours of their announcement I was receiving queries from agents and producers."
-Chris Rodgers, 2004 Slamdance Finalist, EMMA

"When I realized Slamdance had previously recognized two of the most moving films IÕve seen in recent years, THE WOODSMAN and MARIA FULL OF GRACE, I thought, 'I want to be part of that club'."
-Tamara Farsadi, 2005 Slamdance Finalist, GREEN SHAG CARPET GIRLS