Big Apple Film Festival Screenplay Competition

Launch your writing career in NYC.

Now in its 23rd year, the Big Apple Film Festival (BAFF) is a vibrant celebration of bold, original storytelling. The goal of the BAFF Screenplay Competition is to connect emerging writers with a network of industry professionals and mentors through live events, pitch opportunities, and year-round programming.

Networking opportunities include "Agents, Managers & Producers Pitch Forum", panels, receptions, and year-round mentorship and pitch sessions.

Festival Dates: November 6–12, 2026

NOTE: For preliminary rounds, screenplay entries submitted to the Big Apple Film Festival Screenplay Competition are reviewed by InkTip, one of the leading platforms supporting screenwriters.

AGENTS, MANAGERS & PRODUCERS PITCH FORUM

Includes Small-Group Pitch Sessions (sold separately), in which participants will have the opportunity to pitch directly to agents, managers, producers and other industry reps in an intimate virtual setting.

Informational sessions hosted by agents, manager, producer and other industry professionals. Include live Q & A.

Live Q&A with agents, managers, producers and other industry professionals. PARTICIPANTS INCLUDE REPS FROM:

• The Gersh Agency

• CAA

• Innovative Artists

• Magnolia Entertainment

• The Writers Guild of America

As well as producers, development executives, writers and industry professionals who have developed projects for:

• Netflix

• Universal

• Marvel

• Disney

• Amazon MGM Studios

• and more...

Additional participating agents, managers, producers and industry reps will be announced in the fall of 2026.

NOTE: Participation provides opportunities to pitch projects, receive feedback, and network with industry professionals. Script requests, representation, development deals, acquisitions, and other professional outcomes are NOT guaranteed, and individual results vary.

The All-Access Pass includes admission to all informational sessions at no additional cost, as well as priority registration for small group pitch sessions (sold separately).

Accepted Formats

Features, Pilots, Shorts, TV Series, as well as SPOTLIGHT CATEGORIES: Women Screenwriters and First Time Screenwriters

Industry Jurors

Big Apple Film Festival industry jurors include writers, producers and industry professionals with credits at NETFLIX, AMAZON MGM STUDIOS, DISNEY, 20th TELEVISION, AMC NETWORKS, WARNER BROS. and more. (visit bigapplefilmfestival.com for the complete list of jurors).

NOTE: For preliminary rounds, screenplay entries submitted to the Big Apple Film Festival Screenplay Competition are reviewed by InkTip, one of the leading platforms supporting screenwriters.

Producer's Notes

Submitters have the option to upgrade their entry to include Producer's Notes. If this option is selected, the submitter will receive one page of notes from one professional accredited producer.

Participating producers include:

• Krushan Naik (producer of Oscar®-nominated film "Anuja")

• Josef Sawyer (writer/producer, Paramount, Lionsgate, Marvel, BET, CBS)

• Devan Renea (Hulu, CW, OWN)

• Aeryn Michelle Willams (Netflix, Marvel, Disney, Prime Video)

• Samantha Sharma (former Original Scripted Content Coordinator at Disney+, former Creative Executive at Marvel Studios, Franchise Asset Coordinator at LucasFilm Ltd.).

Throughout the year, BAFF hosts virtual networking and mentorship sessions designed to help writers build relationships, get advice, and grow their careers. Previous speakers and mentors have included representatives from:

• Netflix, HBO, Amazon, Apple TV+, Sony Pictures, Hulu, NBCUniversal, Anonymous Content, Gersh, WME, A3 Artists Agency, and many more. (visit bigapplefilmfestival.com for upcoming sessions)

Over the years, BAFF has showcased the work of talented filmmakers and screenwriters—many of whom have earned major industry recognition.

Big Apple Film Festival has been proud to feature or select projects such as:

• THE SINGERS - BAFF Selection and Academy Award® winner for Best Live Action Short (distributed by Netflix)

• I’M NOT A ROBOT – BAFF selection and Oscar® winner for Best Live Action Short

• IF ANYTHING HAPPENS I LOVE YOU BAFF selection and Oscar® winner for Animated Short (distributed by Netflix)

• THE LIVING WAKE – Starring Academy Award nominee Jesse Eisenberg and Emmy Award winner Jim Gaffigan