open
Shore Scripts
Shore Scripts Short Film Fund
The Short Film Fund offers an opportunity for emerging screenwriters and filmmakers to receive mu...
DeadlineOct 30, 2026 PDT
Shore Scripts Feature Screenplay
ClosedShore Scripts
Shore Scripts Feature Screenplay
We are seeking emerging feature screenwriting talent across all genres who are interested in industry mentorship, cash prizes, and significant strategic momentum in their careers.
Packages
1 option
Season
2026 Feature
Overview
The 15th Annual Shore Scripts Feature Contest!
We are seeking emerging feature screenwriting talent across all genres.
Over the past fifteen years, we’ve built an unparalleled network of industry relationships, resulting in millions of dollars in spec sales, hundreds of writers signed and introduced to representation, and multiple films produced, including The Assessment, starring Alicia Vikander and Elizabeth Olsen, acquired by Amazon for mid-seven figures.
As the only contest with a dedicated Writer Development Manager, we provide ongoing, structured support while connecting our writers to a network of 300+ industry professionals.
Over $10,000 in Cash and Prizes, Including Industry Mentorship, Meetings, and Acceptance into the Shore Scripts Writer Development Program.
NEW in 2026 - Win a Mentorship Call with DEBBIE BERMAN (BLACK PANTHER, CAPTAIN MARVEL, SPIDERMAN: HOMECOMING)
With 3 Winning Placements and 10 Finalist Placements, there are lots of ways to win your spot in the Shore Scripts Writer Development Program.
NOT YOUR TYPICAL SCREENWRITING CONTEST
• Cash Prizes
While we do offer cash prizes, our true focus is on providing writers with career support and direct access to industry professionals.
• Real Industry Connections
Direct introductions to a curated network of 300+ producers, agents, and executives actively seeking new material.
• Development Support
Ongoing development support from our dedicated Writer Development Manager, helping writers refine their work and prepare it for industry opportunities.
• Full Transparency
Run by an experienced team of industry professionals, with full transparency on who we are and how we work. Meet the Team!
• Real Results
A proven track record, with writers gaining representation, securing spec sales, and seeing their projects produced.
AT SHORE WE HELP BUILD YOUR PATHWAY INTO THE INDUSTRY.
Prizes
Grand Prize Winner
$5,000 CASH PRIZE
MENTORSHIP CALL WITH DEBBIE BERMAN (BLACK PANTHER, CAPTAIN MARVEL, SPIDERMAN: HOMECOMING)
STRATEGIC 1:1 WORK WITH OUR WRITER DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
SCRIPT CIRCULATION TO OUR INDUSTRY ROSTER
INDUSTRY MENTORSHIP
2nd Place Winner
$1,000 CASH PRIZE
STRATEGIC 1:1 WORK WITH OUR WRITER DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
SCRIPT CIRCULATION TO OUR INDUSTRY ROSTER
INDUSTRY MENTORSHIP
3rd Place Winner
$500 CASH PRIZE
STRATEGIC 1:1 WORK WITH OUR WRITER DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
SCRIPT CIRCULATION TO OUR INDUSTRY ROSTER
INDUSTRY MENTORSHIP
Top 10 Finalists
STRATEGIC 1:1 WORK WITH OUR WRITER DEVELOPMENT MANAGER
SCRIPT CIRCULATION TO OUR INDUSTRY ROSTER
INDUSTRY MENTORSHIP
Rules & Guidelines
01
* Scripts should ideally be within 80-120 pages. Writers can exceed the recommended limits by up to 30 pages, with an additional fee of $1 per page.
* Screenwriters from all countries are welcome to enter. All scripts must be written in English.
* The script must be the writer’s original work. Adaptations are accepted but the writer must own all copyright. At no point will Shore Scripts ever have any rights over your work.
* All ages are welcome.
* We accept all genres, including animation. It’s absolutely fine if your script is a combination of multiple genres or sub-genres. If that’s the case, use the Genre dropdown to indicate the main genres on your submission, and make a note of other Genres, and any other information you feel will be relevant to the reader in the Any Other Project Comments field.
* Each writer, or writing team, may not have earned more than $50,000 in screenwriting fees in the preceding 18 months. This clause is in place to help us support emerging talent. (Contest & Fellowship awards and writing fees received outside of fiction screenwriting do not count toward this total).
* You may enter a newer draft of an already submitted script. There is a small additional fee as the script will be reread. You may re-enter your script through the Resubmission page.
* A writer can enter as many scripts in as many categories as they wish.
* If a script is optioned or purchased during the competition, then it will no longer be eligible for the contest.
* Scripts should be in standard screenplay formatting and submitted electronically as a PDF.
* Please only include the Script Title on the cover page.
* The winners consent to Shore Scripts using their name, script title, and any other relevant information for promotional purposes on their website. This will be used to inform other contestants and the media of the results.
* If Shore Scripts helps a writer gain representation, option, sell, or have his/her screenplay produced, then we are entitled to state this on our website and on any other platform whenever we see fit.
* Shore Scripts staff and associates are unable to enter.
* The decision of Shore Scripts is final. By applying to this contest each participant agrees to hold Shore Scripts, our judges and sponsors immune from any competition disputes, claims, liabilities, and expenses.
* By entering Shore Scripts, you authorize us to use any trusted third-party online, cloud-based, and email services and databases for hosting, managing, and/or sending/transmitting your submission file(s).
* If we see fit, we can extend the final deadline for the competition. (Please note that this has never yet happened).
FOR ALL THE RULES & FAQ: https://www.shorescripts.com/rules-faq/#f-rules.
Jury
TESS MCGUINNESS
DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT
Red Wagon Entertainment
Tess McGuinness is the Director of Development at Red Wagon Entertainment (DIVERGENT series, THE GREAT GATSBY) under Doug Wick and Lucy Fisher, where she runs point on projects across Red Wagon’s film and television slates. Originally from New Jersey, she graduated cum laude from Dartmouth College with a BA in Art History and Classics and a minor in Theater. She worked as a production assistant for two seasons of “Saturday Night Live” as well as an Associate Producer for MIRMADE Productions — where she helped produce music videos for Danny Brown and Weezer and commercials for Michael Kors, the NBA, Robitussin, and Away Luggage. In 2020, she moved to Los Angeles to pursue scripted film and television, where she worked for Janet Yang and Inspire Entertainment prior to joining the Red Wagon team. She is also an award-winning playwright and has had her plays performed at Northern Stage, New York Fringe Festival and Off-Broadway.
ANTONY JOHNSTON
WRITER
Antony Johnston is one of the most versatile writers of the modern era, with a body of work spanning books, film, graphic novels, videogames, and non-fiction. An award-winning author and New York Times bestseller, his creations include ATOMIC BLONDE, THE DOG SITTER DETECTIVE, the BRIGITTE SHARP thrillers, and many more.
MITCHELL ALTIERI
WRITER, DIRECTOR
With his family immigrating from Brazil, Mitchell Altieri turned to movies to help him practice the English language. That’s where he fell in love with cinema. Years later he would become an Award-Winning writer/director who has premiered his feature films at festivals such as SXSW, Sundance, Berlin, Sitges, and Fantasia. His filmography includes the cult classics THE HAMILTONS & THE THOMPSONS (Lionsgate), APRIL FOOLS DAY (Sony), THE VIOLENT KIND (RLJE Films), HOLY GHOST PEOPLE (Hulu), RAISED BY WOLVES (1091), A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO SNUFF (Lionsgate), THE NIGHT WATCHMEN (Gravitas), STAR LIGHT (1091), and CONSUMED (XYZ Films). Television works include Lifetime’s true crime thrillers: THE DEADLIEST LIE, SISTERS ON THE RUN, and Tubi Originals: LA MADRE.
Similar Programs
Your Story Deserves to Be Told
Join screenwriters who have launched their careers through programs like this one.