WINTERFILM SCREENPLAY COMPETITION 2025 RULES
All submissions must be original and the sole property of the applicant(s).
Screenplays must be between 1-10 pages in length.
On Launch Date, required elements will be announced; these must be included in script entries.
Screenplays submitted to the Winterfilm Screenplay Competition cannot be produced as part of the main short film Winterfilm Competition.
Screenplays may have more than one writer.
There is no limit to the number of entries you may submit, but you must register separately for each entry.
Scripts must be written within the competition timeframe. Scripts based on outlines, treatments, pitches, log lines or any developmental material related to the script, that was
written previous to the start date of the competition, are not eligible.
All script entries must be uploaded in PDF format.
All script entries must REMOVE screenwriter’s name from their title page to retain anonymity for the judging process.
No script entries may be submitted with a watermark.
Scripts must be submitted with an accompanying log line written on their title page.
You may submit a script once. You may not submit the same script more than once and resubmissions will not be eligible.
Under absolutely no circumstances will substitutions of either corrected pages or new drafts of the entry script(s) be made.
If a submitted script becomes optioned, produced or purchased between the time of submission and the end of the judging period, that script will no longer be eligible and there will be no refund.
85% refunds available up to one week before launch on Feb 1, 2025,
Competition judges, readers, and administrators of the Winterfilm Screenplay Competition, during the competition year, are not eligible to enter.
Immediate friends and family members of the Competition judges, readers, and administrators of the Winterfilm Screenplay Competition, past and present, are eligible to enter, as all scripts are judged anonymously.
Previous winners of the Winterfilm Screenplay Competition are eligible.
Scripts may be submitted to other festivals only after the final deadline / closing date of the Winterfilm Screenplay Competition.
All past Winterfilm Competition and Winterfilm Screenplay Competition applicants are eligible for entry.
Screenplay Competition script entries MAY NOT be produced as a Winterfilm short film. These parallel competitions may not have script crossover.
If you are competing in the short film Winterfilm Competition, you may also compete separately in the Screenplay Competition.
All ages are eligible.
There is no location requirement. Screenwriters may submit from anywhere in the world.
Screenplay must be in English.
Screenplays will be judged on a 1-10 scale in 11 categories, with an overall highest total score possible being 110.
In the event of a tie, Winterfilm administrators will cast a final round of tie-breaking votes.
Screenplay winners will be awarded according to 3rd Place, 2nd Place, and 1st Place Winner. 2nd and 3rd place winners will be awarded a certificate. 1st Place Winner will be awarded a trophy, but no more than two trophies will be awarded to the winning script.
Screenplay winners will be announced in conjunction with the main short film Winterfilm Competition in person at the Screening & Awards Ceremony on May 10, 2025.
Screenplays and writers must adhere to the rules and competition guidelines for the Screenwriting Competition or scripts could be disqualified without refund.
NNotifications of nominated screenplays will be announced in conjunction with the nomination announcements of the short film Winterfilm Competition.
Screenplay Competition deadlines and fees are as follows:
– January 1st: Registration opens – $50/script
– February 1st: Launch / Required Elements Announced / Writing Begins
– March 1st: Turn-in Deadline
Any screenplay is eligible for feedback. Feedback cost is a set $25 no matter the length of script. Feedback will be emailed to screenwriter no later than two days after the Screening & Awards Ceremony date.