Accepting TV and Feature Scripts
Horror is one of the best genres for emerging talent and has helped launched countless careers. This year, we bring horror heavyweights to our jury including writer/director, showrunner Mike Flanagan of the hit Netflix shows MIDNIGHT MASS, THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE, and THE HAUNTING OF BLY MANOR.
The ScreenCraft Horror Competition has a long history of creating success for our winners and finalists, many of whom have gone on to sign at places like Bellevue Productions, Kaplan Perrone, Affirmative Entertainment, Zero Gravity, Story Driven, and more.
New 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. Also, all finalists will receive a free 6 month membership to The Tracking Board, so you can stay up-to-date on Hollywood's insider news!
So whether you’re writing a contained, socially-relevant horror movie, or a big horror TV series, our jury wants to read your script.
Previous Season Jury
Mike Flanagan
Mike Flanagan is a prolific director, writer, producer, editor, and partner at Intrepid Pictures, a feature film and television production company dedicated to creating elevated commercial content for global audiences. Flanagan is the creator, director, and showrunner of the hit Netflix Original series THE HAUNTING OF HILL HOUSE, which he executive-produced along with Trevor Macy. Following the mainstream success of the horror anthology’s acclaimed debut season, Netflix ordered a second season entitled THE HAUNTING OF BLY MANOR, and entered into an exclusive deal for non-theatrical content with Intrepid. Most recently, Flanagan created and directed the critically acclaimed series MIDNIGHT MASS. Flanagan is also the director of seven feature films, including DOCTOR SLEEP for Warner Bros.

Valarie Phillips
Valarie is a literary agent at A3 Artists Agency and represents Guy Busick, the writer of SCREAM 5. A3 Artists Agency is a talent and literary agency fostering the careers of performers, filmmakers, and influencers.

Sandino Moya-Smith
After working for Gary Ross on all the HUNGER GAMES films, Sandino Moya-Smith became VP of Development at MGM Studios, the iconic film studio behind films like CANDYMAN with Nia DaCosta.
Guy Busick
Guy Busick is an American film and television screenwriter best known for his collaborations with directors Matt Bettinelli-Olpin and Tyler Gillett, including SCREAM 5 and READY OR NOT.

Antonio D'Intino
Antonio is a literary manager at the production and management company Circle of Confusion, whose clients include writer/directors Keith Thomas (FIRESTARTER), Anthony Scott Burns (COME TRUE), and Iris Shim (UMMA). His clients' films have played at Cannes, Sundance and SXSW, among others. As a production company, Circle's credits include THE WALKING DEAD, FEAR THE WALKING DEAD, and LOCKE & KEY. Circle clients have written commercial hits including DOCTOR STRANGE, SENSE8, and THE CONJURING.

Dan Kavanaugh
Dan Kavanagh works in the TV department of Roy Lee’s Vertigo Entertainment, where he’s helped develop series such as Warhammer, Horizon Zero Dawn and Hellraiser, among others. Prior to that, he served as Development Coordinator for AMC Networks’ SVOD services Shudder & Sundance Now.
Prizes
Grand Prize Winner
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) 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.
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Personal Introduction to industry professionals
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Accepted into the ScreenCraft Writer Development Program
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$1,000 Cash
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An exclusive invitation to a Finalist+ workshop to position yourself and your writing to the industry
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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
Previous Successes
Maria Wilson
Signed with a literary manager at Affirmative Entertainment
2022 ScreenCraft Horror Winner Maria Wilson signed with a literary manager at Affirmative Entertainment after the ScreenCraft team introduced them.
"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
2022 ScreenCraft Horror Winner Ariel Sinelnikoff signed with a literary manager at Bellevue after the ScreenCraft team introduced her and led outreach to multiple companies.
"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.
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
Congratulations to 2020 ScreenCraft Horror Screenplay Competition Finalist, Aaron McCann, whose feature 'Jonesy' was produced by Scullface and the Australian rights were acquired by Monster Pictures. Congratulations to 2020 ScreenCraft Horror Screenplay Competition Finalist, Aaron McCann, who 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)
Davia Carter won the 2018 ScreenCraft Screenwriting Fellowship and just weeks later she was hired as a staffed writer on USA’s TV show QUEEN OF THE SOUTH! She is repped by Fourthwall Management and Rothman Brecher Ehrich Livingston Agency.
"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
ScreenCraft Horror Finalist Zoe Vitale has signed with Nicholas Bogner of Affirmative Entertainment after ScreenCraft introduced them.
"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
Mentorship Prize - 2 Winners to be selected!
This optional add-on prize category will identify two winners to learn, workshop, and strengthen their project with guidance from an industry mentor. Horror competition mentors are Greg Newman (Exec. VP at Dark Sky Films/ Queensbury Films) and Jim Klock (actor, writer, producer, and head of Terror Films). Each mentor will select one writer/writer team that includes this unique add-on benefit with their entry.
Greg Newman - EVP of Dark Sky Films/Queensbury Pictures
Dark Sky Films works with emerging talent as well as established veterans to develop, produce and finance feature films and episodic television projects. The company produced Netflix's THE GIRL ON THE THIRD FLOOR, the writing and directing debut of Queensbury partner Travis Stevens.
Jim Klock
Actor and filmmaker Jim Klock is the head of Terror Films. Most recently, Jim produced the feature film ALREADY GONE alongside Keanu Reeves, starring Sean William Scott and directed by Chris Kenneally, and released theatrically in September 2019. He also directed the Amazon exclusive horror film, SLAYED.
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
101 Terrifying Horror Story Prompts Oct 19 - Welcome to the story den of horror, scares, and the macabre. Most writers are often asked, "Where do you get your ideas from?" A majority of the time, writers find it difficult to answer that… ...
Rules & Terms
- Rules
- Eligibility
- Selection Criteria
- Additional Legal
- Submissions are accepted via electronic submission only.
- Entry fees are as listed on the site and checkout form. No coupon or discount is applicable on a previous entry.
- Optional feedback from a professional reader may be requested at the time of entry. Requests for feedback can be done through Coverfly.
- 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.
- There is no limit to the number of projects you may submit.
- 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.
- All submitted material must be owned by the writer(s), however the material may be based on other works not owned by the writers.
- 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).
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Contact info may be included on the cover page of the screenplay, however it is not required.
- 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.
- 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.
- In the event a juror, partner organization, mentor, or prize partner is no longer able to serve in their specified capacity, ScreenCraft will make its best effort to secure a replacement.
- ScreenCraft reserves the right to change deadline and announcement dates at any time.
- ScreenCraft reserves the right to amend these rules at any time.
- 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.)
- 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).
- All material submitted to other competitions or contests are eligible for this contest.
- There are no requirements as to when the material was written.
- Material should be submitted in standard screenplay format, font, spacing and margin.
- We have no preferences regarding title page content. Title and name of writer would suffice.
- 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.
- Prize winners may be required to sign an affidavit of eligibility and proper tax documentation before prizes are released.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- 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.
- 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.
- 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:
- The winners and top finalists may be contacted by interested industry representatives, such as managers, agents or producers.
- Entrants may be required to submit further information to assist in the judges’ verification of eligibility.
- Any entrant may be deemed ineligible as a Finalist or Winner at the sole discretion of ScreenCraft.
- All recognition, placements, and winners are chosen at the sole discretion of ScreenCraft.
- 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.
- We reserve the right to amend these rules at any time.
- 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.
- 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.
- REFUND POLICY: All entries are non-refundable.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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).
- ScreenCraft reserves the right to amend these rules at any time.