Resources
Our jury is scary good, featuring agent Daniel Perry (Buchwald), screenwriter Guy Busick (SCREAM 6, READY OR NOT), and more. 

“The industry’s #1 horror screenplay contest.” – IndieWire

More info coming soon

Accepting TV and Feature Scripts

Horror is one of the best genres for emerging talent and has helped launch countless careers. This year, we bring horror heavyweights to our jury including writer and producer Guy Busick of the hits SCREAM VI, READY OR NOT, and CASTLE ROCK.

The ScreenCraft Horror Competition has a long history of creating success for our winners and finalists, many of whom have gone on to sign with companies like Bellevue Productions, Kaplan Perrone, Affirmative Entertainment, Zero Gravity, Story Driven, and more.

Finalist Benefits: All finalists will be invited to an exclusive Finalist+ workshop on how you can best position yourself and your writing to the industry. Finalists will also receive a free 6 month membership to The Tracking Board.

So whether you’re writing a contained, socially-relevant horror movie, or a big horror TV series, our jury wants to read your script.

Grand Prize Mentor

The Grand Prize Winner this year will receive a mentorship with filmmaker, actor, and producer Jim Klock (Green Book) which includes a personalized round of notes, virtual meeting, and project development insight.

Notes

Receive feedback notes to strengthen your script

Meeting

Virtual meeting to discuss feedback and ask questions

Insight

Learn and gain perspective on next steps to take with your project
A Note To Entrants And Those Considering Entry During The WGA Strike:
At ScreenCraft, we stand in solidarity with the Writers Guild of America and its efforts to ensure fair compensation for writers.

ScreenCraft has publicly committed to pausing the sharing of writers’ work with struck companies and, if needed, coordinating with finalists and winners to see what alternate outreach they are comfortable with.

We’re all hoping the strike will be over soon, but if it isn’t, ScreenCraft will offer alternatives, postpone announcements, or otherwise work with writers to ensure they’re staying within the rules of the WGA strike.

Jury

Patrick White

Creative Exec, Lit Entertainment Group
Lit Entertainment Group's Patrick White is a Creative Executive. Lit Entertainment Group was founded in 2019 and has produced Disney/Fox’s FREE GUY and Amazon/Skydance’s film THE TOMORROW WAR, HBO Max sci-fi series RAISED BY WOLVES, and the recent ABC/Hulu series PROMISED LAND.

Daniel Perry

Agent, BUCHWALD
Daniel is a Film & TV Literary Agent at BUCHWALD, representing prolific, iconic, and award-winning writers, directors, producers, and multi-hyphenates. BUCHWALD was launched in 1977, and is an industry leader in representation.

GUY BUSICK

Screenwriter and Producer
Guy Busick is a successful screenwriter and producer. Busick co-wrote the latest installment in the SCREAM franchise, SCREAM VI, with James Vanderbilt for Paramount Pictures and Spyglass Entertainment. Busick has developed projects with Chris Carter, Mark Gordon, John Davis, Evan Katz & Manny Coto and M. Night Shyamalan. Busick wrote the hit film READY OR NOT (2019) for Fox Searchlight in addition to CASTLE ROCK (2019) for Hulu, WBTV and Bad Robot as well as the horror comedy STAN AGAINST EVIL (2016-2018) for IFC.

JON HERSH

Manager, Housefire Management
Jon Hersh is an independent literary manager working with writer and writer/director clients in film and TV. Jon created Housefire Management in 2017 with the intent of finding bold voices with incendiary material. Since then, his lients have gone on to develop film and TV projects with Universal, Netflix, Amazon, Disney, Lionsgate, Paramount Players, AMC, Nickelodeon, Spyglass, and many others. His clients are regularly on the annual Black List, and in 2022 his client was #1 on the list. Before breaking into management, Jon was a Development Executive at Broad Green Pictures, a fledgling film financier and distributor.

Marc Manus

Founder, Persist Ent.
Marc Manus is a former award-winning photojournalist who attended USC film school before entering the field of artist representation. His first job was with manager Cathryn Jaymes, who represented Academy Award-winning writer/director Quentin Tarantino, among others. Over the last fifteen years, Marc has held positions at various management companies including, most recently, Zero Gravity (Netflix’s OZARK). As a partner at World Builder Entertainment, the company behind the TROLLS animated feature franchise, Marc continued to guide a select roster of creators from around the globe who have film and television projects at the major networks, streamers and studios. In 2024, he founded new management company Persist Ent. 

MJ GROGAN

Director of Development, ACE Content
MJ is the Director of Development at Ace Content. ACE Content develops and produces premium original content for studios, distributors, media networks and brands including feature film, episodic television, such as THE WAY I SEE IT.

Prizes

Grand Prize

The overall grand prize winner in either feature or TV category will be welcomed to the ScreenCraft Writer Development Program and receive personal introductions and phone calls with one or more top Hollywood literary manager(s), producers, or industry exec. who are looking for talented emerging Film & TV screenwriters.

ScreenCraft's genre specific relationships include companies like Blumhouse, Netflix, HBO Max, AMC, and over 150 other Hollywood managers, agents, producers, and development executives.

ScreenCraft has a proven track record for getting writers signed with managers, agents, and staffed in writing rooms.
Personal Introduction to industry professionals
Accepted into the ScreenCraft Writer Development Program
$1,000 Cash
An exclusive invitation to a Finalist+ workshop to position yourself and your writing to the industry
Free 6-month membership to The Tracking Board

Runner-Up Prizes

Feature Winner

$500 cash award

Accepted into ScreenCraft Development Program

An exclusive invitation to a Finalist+ workshop to position yourself and your writing to the industry

Free 6-month membership to The Tracking Board

FINALISTS

An exclusive invitation to a Finalist+ workshop to position yourself and your writing to the industry

Free 6-month membership to The Tracking Board

TV PILOT WINNER

$500 cash award

Accepted into ScreenCraft Development Program

An exclusive invitation to a Finalist+ workshop to position yourself and your writing to the industry

Free 6-month membership to The Tracking Board

More info coming soon

Previous Success Stories

See More Successes

Maria Wilson

Signed with a literary manager at Affirmative Entertainment

"I didn’t go to film school and, especially at the beginning, I was super nervous about sharing my work. ScreenCraft was the first writing competition I submitted to, and I’ve continued to do so for several projects because they consistently work with amazing readers who give in depth, actionable notes. The quality of the feedback has just been incredibly valuable for bettering my craft and taking my scripts to the next level. Sometimes I feel like the path to a successful writing career is this weird, nebulous mystery, and it can be pretty intimidating trying to set an effective course. Which is why I sing such high praises about ScreenCraft’s writer development team!! They have this wonderfully hands-on approach that helps clarify how to take actual steps towards your goals. From strategizing on game plans, to answering questions and concerns, to connecting me with other finalists, I’ve just felt super supported throughout. They even got my script read by a number of reps, and facilitated a meeting with the manager that I’m now repped by. I’m just feeling super grateful — it’s been such a whirlwind experience, and ScreenCraft has really gone above and beyond in advancing my career. I can’t thank them enough."

Ariel Sinelnikoff

Signed with a literary manager at Bellevue

"When I made the finals (and eventually won) the 2022 ScreenCraft Horror Competition, that completely changed the game for me. Being accepted into the ScreenCraft Development Program, I was given the privilege of getting to work one-on-one with amazing folks who have put my name and work out to some incredible players in the industry, from reps to production companies I am looking to work with. This resulted in me finding my manager, Jeff Portnoy at Bellevue Productions, as well as getting me meetings with production companies who I am in talks with to produce my first feature. Having people like the folks at ScreenCraft champion your work takes a massive load off your plate as a writer, and allows you to keep working on your art while also getting it in the right hands of people who can actually get it produced."

Travis Neufeld

Signed with Manager at Bellevue Productions.

"ScreenCraft really helped when I was seeking representation. Being new to the industry, it was good to have a team to offer insight on the representation process. Outside of that, I’ve found Screencraft’s Q&A’s very informative and inspirational."

Aaron McCann

Signed with a literary agent at Claire Best & Associates

"At the time I had only written and directed a small indie feature and was not repped in the USA. Australia (at the time) looked down upon genre films and TV shows and Amazon were demanding I pay extra for international shipping (we went back and forth - ultimately I lost). So I started to write the films and TV shows I wanted to see but wasn't allowed to make them. Having ScreenCraft recognise my work absolutely helped to boost my career and give me the motivation I required to keep my head down and write and just stick with it. Writing is what I really love to do more than anything else... well... directing too, but that's only because I'm just a little crazy. Every day I try to get 3-4 pages down. No matter what (Thanks C. Robert Cargill) and just try to have 1-2 screenplays banked at the end of each year. I hope that one will get picked up one day and I can finally buy that standing desk that Amazon keeps advertising to me. But I should probably just keep my head down and write."

Davia Carter

Signed with Manager at & Agent and Staffed on multiple shows (QUEEN OF THE SOUTH, DEBRIS)

"The week of Fellowship meetings was invaluable; I’m fairly certain I wouldn’t have a career without it. I met with executives at Netflix, Universal, and Bad Robot (naming a few). The dozen-plus meetings I took taught me something that would have taken years to learn without ScreenCraft: meeting etiquette. I’m in awe of how comfortable I am in meetings now. I have ScreenCraft to thank for that."

Zoe Vitale

Signed with Manager at Affirmative Entertainment

"I was working on several projects when I could find time outside of my day job in TV, and was starting to feel in need of some external confirmation. After placing as a finalist, I got the confidence boost I was looking for. A member of the ScreenCraft team knew a manager who he thought would like my work and made the introduction. It was that easy. I would tell anyone on the fence about submitting to go for it. ScreenCraft has gone out of their way to give me advice and help me sign with a rep!"

As Featured In

ADD-ON PRIZE OPPORTUNITY

This optional add-on prize category will identify one winner to learn, workshop, and strengthen their project with guidance from an industry mentor. The mentor will select one writer/writer team that includes this unique add-on benefit with their entry.

Seth M. Sherwood

Screenwriter of Devil In Me (Supermassive/2022), Light as a Feather (Hulu/2019), Hellfest (2018) Leatherface (2017)
Seth is a Los Angeles based, Emmy-nominated screenwriter, director, and producer. His feature screenwriting credits include LEATHERFACE, HELL FEST and uncredited on-set script work for LONDON HAS FALLEN. On the TV side, Seth has staffed on two teen-horror shows with Awesomeness TV: THE UNSETTLING and LIGHT AS A FEATHER for Hulu. He has also developed original pilots with Amblin TV, Valhalla Entertainment, and Crypt TV. His first video game, THE DEVIL IN ME released in November 2022.
Only projects submitted to the ScreenCraft Horror Competition AND that select this add-on are eligible for consideration in this category. Additionally, all projects that place in the Top 10 of the competition will automatically be considered.

Horror Articles

Read More Articles

"State of the Scare" Late Night Horror Podcast & Panel

April 29 | by Valerie Kalfrin

Horror films are known for relentless evils like supernatural curses, ghosts, and ghouls, plus blood, gore and screams—but that’s not what really gets under our...

How Screenwriters Can Embrace Horror in Their TV Scripts

How Screenwriters Can Embrace Horror in Their TV Scripts

July 30 | by Ben Larned

One rarely comes across a consistently, satisfyingly scary work of fiction, whether literary or cinematic, that breaches 2 hours or 300 pages. Once the genre...

The Art of Writing Horror: Constructing a Scare

The Art of Writing Horror: Constructing a Scare

April 24 | by Ben Larned

Getting scared is cool again. With the current visibility of high-class horror films, the genre has found new life, and ScreenCraft’s horror screenplay contest provides...

More info coming soon

Rules
Eligibility
Selection Criteria
Additional Legal
  1. Submissions are accepted via electronic submission only.
  2. Entry fees are as listed on the site and checkout form. No coupon or discount is applicable on a previous entry.
  3. Optional feedback from a professional reader may be requested at the time of entry. Requests for feedback can be done through Coverfly.
  4. TV pilots may be any length -- however the standard 1/2 hour is between 20 - 40 pages, and the standard hour-long is between 40 - 70 pages. Feature screenplays must be a minimum of 75 pages and a maximum of 150 pages. Any submission longer than 120 pages will incur a $1 per page overage fee for each page over 120.
  5. There is no limit to the number of projects you may submit.
  6. Entries must be received on or before the deadline dates by 11:59PM Pacific Time, and submission fee payment must be made in full at time of the submission. All entry fees are non-refundable.
  7. All submitted material must be original, and all rights must be wholly owned by the writer(s).
  8. Material must be submitted by the writer. Material written by writing teams must be submitted by one of the writers, with consent of the other(s).
  9. If a writing team is chosen as a winner, prizes will be given to the person who submits the project. Each team is responsible for dividing or sharing the prize money.
  10. Substitutions of either corrected pages or new drafts of the entered material will be allowed for a limited time with a $6 reentry fee through Coverfly. Please proofread your script carefully before submitting.
  11. It is recommended that original material be registered with the WGA or The Library of Congress before submitting to any competition, however we do not require registration.
  12. Contact info may be included on the cover page of the screenplay, however it is not required.
  13. ScreenCraft claims no ownership nor option on your work. All ownership and rights to the scripts submitted to this contest remains with the original rights holders.
  14. The decision of the judges will be final and cannot be contested in any manner. There is no score on a scorecard that guarantees advancement to the next level as advancement will be based on all scores in the competition.
  15. ScreenCraft reserves the right to change deadline and announcement dates at any time.
  16. ScreenCraft reserves the right to amend these rules at any time.
  1. All writers at least 18 years of age are eligible. However, a writer who has earned more than $50,000 (or equivalent currency) from professional writing services for film or TV in the preceding 12 months or $500,000 (or equivalent currency) from professional film or TV in the proceeding 10 years is not eligible. (Contest winnings not included.)
  2. All persons from anywhere in the world are eligible; however the material submitted must be in English (occasional dialogue in other languages is acceptable, if subtitle translation is provided).
  3. All material submitted to other competitions or contests are eligible for this contest.
  4. There are no requirements as to when the material was written.
  5. Material should be submitted in standard screenplay format, font, spacing and margin.
  6. We have no preferences regarding title page content. Title and name of writer would suffice.
  7. All material must be submitted electronically as a PDF. Broken files or non-PDF files may be accepted, but if the file cannot be read ScreenCraft will not judge the submission.
  8. Prize winners may be required to sign an affidavit of eligibility and proper tax documentation before prizes are released.
  9. By entering the competition, user acknowledges their eligibility for the competition. ScreenCraft will verify all eligibility requirements at the finalist stage of the competition and before distributing any prizes.
  10. Scripts or projects based on underlying material not owned by the writer are accepted as samples, so long as the script itself is indisputably written by the writer and that the script does not contain any plagiarism.
  11. ScreenCraft reserves the right to amend these rules at any time.

The winners will be chosen based on the following criteria: 

  • Voice
  • Concept
  • Story
  • Structure
  • Characters
  • Dialogues
  • Genre Conventions

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. Top scripts are read by the industry jury who votes for their favorite scripts at their sole discretion.

Mentorship Selection:

  1. Only writers who submit to the competition and include this add-on at the time of entry or who make it to the Top 10 of the competition, are eligible to be considered for this prize opportunity.
  2. The winner of this prize will be selected solely by the specified industry professional(s). The selected winner of this prize will engage with the specified industry professional(s) in an educational development capacity.
  3. The approach and manner in which the industry professional(s) and winner interact is at their discretion. ScreenCraft will have no involvement in the process beyond facilitating an introduction.

Criteria for Winners and Finalists:

  1. The winners and top finalists may be contacted by interested industry representatives, such as managers, agents or producers. 
  2. Entrants may be required to submit further information to assist in the judges’ verification of eligibility. 
  3. Any entrant may be deemed ineligible as a Finalist or Winner at the sole discretion of ScreenCraft. 
  4. All recognition, placements, and winners are chosen at the sole discretion of ScreenCraft.
  5. Finalists may be required to sign and return within seven (7) business days of receipt a notarized Affidavit of Eligibility and a Release and Indemnification and proof of valid passport and any other documents that ScreenCraft or any other partner may require before receiving prize payment. Failure to respond to the initial notification within ten (10) days or return of notification will result in disqualification. 
  6. We reserve the right to amend these rules at any time.
  1. COPYRIGHT AND OWNERSHIP: ScreenCraft or any other partner, employee or agent associated with this contest claims no ownership nor first right of option to any original screenplay submitted to this contest. All ownership and rights to the scripts submitted to this contest remains with the original rights holders until and unless other agreements are made.
  2. PUBLICITY: Except where prohibited by law, participation in the contest constitutes each entrant’s consent to ScreenCraft and its agents’ and contest sponsor’s use of entrants’ names, likenesses, photographs, and/or personal information for promotional purposes in any media, worldwide, without further payment or consideration. All uses of a entrants’ information are in accordance with our Privacy Policy.
  3. REFUND POLICY: All entries are non-refundable.
  4. SITE TERMS OF SERVICE. By entering this competition, the user agrees to all ScreenCraft Terms of Service in addition to these rules and eligibility criteria.
  5. DATA MANAGEMENT AND PRIVACY. Entries for this competition are managed on the submission platform Coverfly, and ScreenCraft (a d/b/a of Red Ampersand, Inc) uses other data management tools, including but not limited to, Google Services and Amazon Web Services, to securely manage your data. ScreenCraft is not accountable for any data hacks (internal or external) or user errors that may release scripts or writer data unintentionally.
  6. ENTRY CONDITIONS AND RELEASE: BY ENTERING THE CONTEST YOU ACKNOWLEDGE THAT YOU HAVE READ AND AGREE TO THESE CONDITIONS. You agree to release and hold harmless ScreenCraft, ScreenCraft.org, its subsidiary, parent and affiliated companies, Prize contributors, judges, screenplay readers, Sponsors, and any other organizations responsible for administering, advertising or promoting the Contest, and every one of their respective members, directors, employees, agents and representatives (collectively, the “Released Parties”) past and present from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liability, including but not limited to damages and negligence to property and persons, including but not limited to invasion of privacy, defamation, slander, libel, violation of right of publicity, copyright, infringement of trademark or other intellectual property rights relating to a participant’s Entry, participation in the Contest and/or acceptance or use or misuse of Prize; provided however, that such release will not apply to any commercial exploitation of the script by a Released Party in violation of your rights under applicable copyright law; and (c) indemnify, defend and hold harmless the ScreenCraft.org and its Sponsor, agents and employees from and against any and all claims, expenses, and liabilities (including reasonable attorneys fees) relating to an entrant’s participation in the Contest and/or entrant’s use or misuse of Prize. Employees of ScreenCraft and their immediate families are ineligible to participate in this contest. Any such submission will be immediately disqualified. ENTRY TO THIS CONTEST IS VOID WHERE PROHIBITED or restricted by any Federal, State or Local law. Voided entries will be refunded. Recipients’ eligibility will be verified before the grant is awarded and the winner may be required to sign an affidavit of eligibility. By entering the contest, you authorize us to use any trusted third-party online and cloud-based services and databases for hosting, managing and/or transmitting your submission file(s).
  7. ScreenCraft reserves the right to amend these rules at any time.

THRILLS AND SCARES

The Haunting of Hill House
It
The Shining
Lovecraft Country
Scream
Get Out
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WRITER RECOMMENDED FEEDBACK

Amanda Dettrick

Screencraft provided insightful and detailed feedback for my drama - thanks again!
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