Finish Line Script Competition
Finish Line Script Competition
One of the most writer friendly competitions around, The Finish Line Script Competition helps showcase your writing skills, connects you with industry experts and lets you submit unlimited new drafts for free, improving your chances to WIN this career changing competition.
Nov 7, 2026
23 days remaining
5 options
2026-2027
Overview
Get your Script across the Finish Line! $10,000 GRAND PRIZE!
One of the most writer friendly competitions around, The Finish Line Script Competition helps showcase your writing skills, connects you with industry experts and lets you submit unlimited new drafts for free, improving your chances to WIN this career changing competition. We work internationally and provide access to industry professionals throughout the world.
Finish Line is run by an ex-literary manager, who has 25+ years of experience in the industry developing writer's careers, seeing them through pitches, development and production and has sold scripts to networks and studios worldwide.
NEW!! 12 week INDUSTRY MENTORSHIP with Jenny Frankfurt, founder of Finish Line and ex-literary manager & producer. For more information please check out our website at www.finishlinescriptcomp.com
Our script notes are among the best in the business. We employ professional consultants to provide 6+ pages of constructive and actionable script development notes and allow writers to complete rewrites and resubmit as many times as necessary - FOR FREE. If desired, writers can keep receiving notes as would be given at a studio or network, improving scripts as the process moves ahead.
Our mentors are high level decision makers with whom our writers are guaranteed meetings. Our winners will have their scripts read by and will meet 50+ industry pros who may get directly involved in the winning material and will offer constructive guidance on writing and careers.
Throughout the competition and afterwards, Finish Line is involved with our writers and offers mentorship and advice about log lines, query letters, basic contracts and representation - for free. We have phone/Zoom calls with all our Quarter and Semi Finalists and offer advice, insight and help moving forward.
Prizes
Grand Prize
The Grand Prize winner will receive $10,000 as a cash prize.
The Grand Prize winner will either meet in person, Zoom or speak via phone with our industry professionals ranging from literary managers, agents, development execs and producers.
The Grand Prize winner will receive free script notes from our script consultants for a year.
The Grand Prize Winner will have a filmed table read of their script using Howard Fine's acting students.
The Grand Prize Winner will receive a copy of Script Reader Pro's course Script Hackr. http://www.scriptreaderpro.com
The Grand Prize Winner will receive a new copy of the screenwriting software of their choice.
The Grand Prize winner will have free and complete access to Finish Line's knowledge, advice, support and help as they get their script out into the maze that is the entertainment industry.
And…..as a cherry on top, as we’re all living in a world that needs as much love as possible, we will make a substantial donation to the winner’s favorite charity. "."
First Runner Up
The First Runner Up will receive $2000 as a cash prize.
The First Runner Up can send their script to 10+ of the industry pros on the list.
The First Runner Up will receive a copy of Script Reader Pro's course Script Hackr. http://www.scriptreaderpro.com
The First Runner Up will receive free script notes from our script consultants for a year.
The First Runner Up will have free and complete access to Finish Line knowledge, advice, support and help as they get their script out into the maze that is the entertainment industry. "."
Second Runner Up
The Second Runner Up will receive $750 as a cash prize.
The Second Runner Up can send their script to 6+ of the industry pros on our list.
The Second Runner Up will have a filmed table tread of their script using Howard Fine's acting students.
The Second Runner Up will receive a copy of Script Reader Pro's course Script Hackr. www.scriptreaderpro.com
The Second Runner Up will receive free script notes from our script consultants for a year.
The Second Runner Up will have free and complete access to Finish Line's knowledge, advice, support and help as they get their script out into the maze that is the entertainment industry.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What makes The Finish Line Script Competition Special?
- This competition is unique among all screenplay contests because the writer can resubmit their script after having completed any number of rewrites, at no extra cost. We have set up the competition to follow the studio/network development process where a script is submitted, the writer receives 6+ pages of notes provided by a top-notch script consultant and the script is then rewritten and resubmitted until it is in its best form. We want to HELP you win this competition and entrants can work closely with a script consultant to get them across the finish line!
- Do you circulate winning scripts to studio decision-makers and production companies?
- Yes. We have been in the entertainment industry for 30+ years and have extensive contacts throughout film and television. As all winners and many semi-finalists can attest to, we will make sure that key decision makers, agents, managers and producers receive their screenplays or television pilots. We work closely with our winners to identify who would be the best career-makers and do our best to get the script to that person.
- How does the consultation and resubmission process work?
- fter quarter-finalists are announced, those still in the competition can continue to receive as many consultations as they like until that phase of the competition ends. The same process occurs in the semi-finalist period. Competition and industry judges evaluate the final scripts and they choose the Grand Prize, First and Second Runners Up.
- Do I have a better chance of winning if I work with one of your script consultants?
- The best chance of winning is by submitting the best script possible. There is no guarantee that a winner will be chosen from those who use our script consultants but we believe their experience will help improve your script and your chances to win should you take advantage of their expertise. Ultimately, the writing is up to you but we will help you get your script ready to show to managers, agents, producers and executives. Your script will leave this competition in better shape than when it came in. No notes or re-submissions are required. If you feel your script is the very best it can be, then you can enter simply by paying the basic entry fee. However, film and TV are the ultimate collaborative arts and as the most successful screenwriters will tell you, every screenplay can be improved, particularly with input from qualified experts. We offer extremely reasonable rates for script consulting services and re-submission, so it may be worth your while to see if we can help you! However, again, notes or re-submission aren’t required, just available, and you can choose to take advantage of this service at any time you wish.
- What genres will you accept?
We accept ALL genres. We are looking for the best writer out there with the best written script.
- What happens to the entries? How does the competition unfold?
If you enter the competition without choosing script consultation your script will be read by our top readers when it is received and will then be given a score based on overall story/character/writing factors. Three readers will read each script and the average of the scores will be logged into our database.
If you have purchased consultation notes, those notes will be written within 7-14 days of your submission (email us for time schedule if you like) and sent back to you. You can then resubmit your new draft as soon as it's ready and then either receive more notes or make that re-submission your final entry. You may use your script consultant for notes as many times as you like before the deadline.
After the Quarter-Finalists are announced, they may receive script consultation notes until they must enter their final script submission. The same occurs with the Semi-Finalists.
- Can I receive a discount if I use my script consultant more than once?
Yes. If you purchase more than one script consultation (i.e. you work on more than one draft with us) you will be charged a flat rate of $122.00 for each set of notes.
- Who reads my script if I make it into the final round?
Several industry judges will break down the final three scripts to find the Finish Line Screenplay Competition Grand Prize Winner. This choice is made without input from anyone who is involved in the administration or the earlier reading of the script. The final judges are producers, writers, agents and managers whose job it is to know good writing and we trust they will find the best of the bunch! In addition to the Grand Prize Winner, the judges will also choose the First and Second Runners Up.
- What do I need to do to enter the competition?
You need to submit an original feature film screenplay, short film script or television pilot in PDF format, a completed online application form and an entry fee (amount varies depending on when you enter and what services you choose, see prices on our pricing page).
- Can I enter more than one script into the Finish Line Script Competition?
Yes. You can enter as many screenplays or pilots as you wish. Each entry requires a separate online application form and entry fee.
Note: If you write as a team, only one application is needed, listing the two of you as writers of the script.
- Is there a minimum or maximum page count for entries?
There is no minimum, but be aware that the WGA states that 70 pages constitute the minimum number of pages for a feature film. If you are submitting your script as 'entry only' there is no maximum number of pages. However, if you request notes we will charge $1.00 per page over 120 pages. This payment can be made directly to us through PayPal or Venmo. Please get in touch through the Contact page for information.
- Where does the entry fee money go?
The entry fees go towards reading costs and administration costs. We pay our script readers well and their notes are proof as to how carefully your material is considered.
- How do I know my script has been received?
You will receive an email receipt of confirmation once your script and application have been submitted and paid for. This is a guarantee that your script has been received.
- Do you have any tips regarding the online process?
Read the rules before filling out the form. Please don’t misspell anything that prevents us from getting in touch with you. Add [email protected] to your e-mail address book.
- Who can enter the competition?
Anyone writing in English can enter this competition. You can come from any country in the world, as long as you can submit your material in English as written by yourself. You can come from Tibet or Tennessee; we want to see your writing! NO AI written material will be acceoted into The Finish Line Competition.
- Are adaptations eligible for entry?
Adaptations are not eligible unless you are adapting your own book or play to screenplay or pilot form. We are interested in who YOU are as a writer, YOUR ideas and characters and we want to help you find YOUR voice, not someone else’s. Historical screenplays or pilots are eligible as are original adaptations in the public domain.
- Can a member of the Writers Guild of America enter a script into the Finish Line Script Competition?
Yes, if the WGA member has not presently sold this material they are free to enter. All writers can enter so long as they have not earned more than $50,000 in the year prior as a working writer.
- What is the script format standard to the United States motion picture industry?
While there is no precise format common to all screenplays written by professional screenwriters there are certainly general standards.
If you follow the format described in any number of screenwriting or television writing guides online, you should be in good shape.
- Should I include my name or any other information on the script?
No. Please submit your script with only the title on the front page. Please do not include names, representatives, addresses or emails/phone numbers. If you want to include your WGA registration number, that is fine.
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