May 31
Early
Jun 30
Regular
Jul 31
Final
Aug 28
Quarterfinalist
Oct 2
Semifinalist
Oct 30
Finalist
Dec 4
Winner
Whether it's a heartwarming tale that brings families together or an innovative animation that pushes the boundaries of creativity, we're looking for original stories with new voices.
Semifinalists and winners will gain access to an exclusive workshop series with established screenwriters behind some of your favorite animation and family films. Learn from the best in the business to refine your craft, understand the industry, and take your storytelling to the next level. Plus, all finalists will receive a meeting with an industry professional and a workshop to help you position yourself and your writing to the industry.
This year's Grand Prize Winner will be invited to a 1:1 mentorship meeting with the esteemed screenwriter and producer, David Maxwell Kirschner. His producing credits include Hocus Pocus 1, 2, and the upcoming 3, An American Tail and Titan A.E. animated features as well as the Child's Play horror film series. His credits also include Universal's animated adaptation of the classic Curious George books, with producers Ron Howard, Brian Grazer, and starring Will Ferrell.
Signed an option agreement
"The biggest obstacle ScreenCraft helped us overcome was getting eyes on our story. Many scripts as good and even better than ours take a similar journey from the printer to the shelf... where they go to die. ScreenCraft provided a platform for our script to be read. To be enjoyed. And to compete! After winning our competition, we were contacted within weeks by Story Warrior producers and development executives. A humbling experience we're beyond grateful for, and curious to see where this momentum goes! ScreenCraft's growing authority among the best screenplay competitions in the country is what really excited my partner Anthony and I to submit our animated script. The organization has done so much for writers, and its platform garners a ton of respect online and among the film industry. When you win a competition with ScreenCraft, you're vaulted into the upper echelon of the Nicholl, Save the Cat! and Austin competitions of the world. "
Signed an option agreement
"Like many other screenwriters, my first introduction to the craft was in the classroom setting. However, once I left that safe productive haven of writing and peer discussion, the real world of screenwriting felt like the wild west. The difficulty of finding the right people to read your script and give you feedback can’t be understated, but the genre-based competitions at Screencraft were the best chance I could find to get my material in the right hands and they did not disappoint. Thankfully, once I placed in Screencraft’s animation contest, they were able to send my scripts to production companies both big and small that were specifically interested in the niche that represented my script. With constant support from their staff, Screencraft helped me craft successful cover letters and forge relationships with some of their judges to create further networking opportunities in the industry as well as job opportunities."
Signed an option agreement
"The main reason we picked ScreenCraft over various other competitions is because of the name recognition and the ability to submit your work to a specific genre. We wrote a really fun animated family-comedy and being able to find both a Family and Animation focused competition was important to us. It was also helpful to have the judges work for companies that make those types of movies. Working with Screencraft helped open numerous doors for us including getting our script optioned by Story Warrior. We would have never had the opportunity to meet with them and then eventually sign an option without the help of Screencraft."
Signed with a literary manager
"The specificity of the categories that I could hone in on under the wide ScreenCraft umbrella of competitions was what drew me towards entering my feature for ScreenCraft’s Family Screenplay Competition. The way in which the ScreenCraft team worked with me, to gently—and very steadily—push me to articulate my goals and hone in on my intentions really set the tone for how my year unfolded. Even just being able to speak the greatest dreams that I harbored out loud in a meeting... really made all the difference with upholding accountability to myself. This wasn’t a pipe dream, ScreenCraft made it abundantly clear; this is my career and my calling. "
Entered partnership with independent producer
"I was drawn to ScreenCraft because the screenplay competitions and judges are tailored to specific genres – in my case, the Family genre. Therefore, I knew my script would be judged by individuals who are experts in, and have an interest in, the genre I write for. Knowing this, I felt assured my feedback and scores would be reliable and fair, regardless of the outcome. My Finalist placement in the ScreenCraft Family Screenplay Competition helped me immensely. I believe the placement provided credibility to my script and my writing abilities. In addition, it provided me with a greater deal of confidence when it comes to writing. I am now connected with a wonderful Development Producer, Dominic Morgan. Together, we are working to connect with a music producer and market BREAKER LANE: THE MUSICAL to studios and other financiers."
Staffed on Disney+ series
"ScreenCraft has been instrumental in guidance and direction. The support helped me develop material and gave me momentum. Thank you so much again for your help, ScreenCraft."
June 22 | by Ken Miyamoto
Do you want to write in the animation genre but need help conjuring compelling stories and concepts that fit into the animated platform? Sometimes reading...
June 1 | by Jeff Kimball
Here are 4 habits of successful screenwriters according to Jim Capobianco who received the 2008 Academy Award nomination for Best Original Screenplay for Ratatouille. He's...
January 30 | by Kevin Nelson
Since the dawn of time, humans have captured their place in the world by drawing stories on walls of stone. Before we had an alphabet...
November 2 | by Ken Miyamoto
The core elements of developing a TV series for the whole family are — in the eyes of network and streamer executives — a culmination...
The reading and judging of the scripts will be based on the following criteria:
In addition to the scoring criteria for the script, ScreenCraft may conduct interviews and send questionnaires to learn more about the entrant, their voice, perspective, and goals to help identify the winning projects. Selected Finalist scripts are read by the industry jury who votes for their favorite scripts at their sole discretion.
ScreenCraft Add-on Prize Selection:
Criteria for Winners and Finalists:
Early Deadline in 17 days