A MESSAGE FROM OUR TEAM
While we adapt to this new reality of self-isolation and social distancing, we must find ways to connect, collaborate, and engage each other. That’s why Open Screenplay has decided to give everyone advanced access to its screenwriting contests for 2020.
If you’re feeling anxious, stressed, or need a break from the news, scroll below, find a contest topic that interests you and embark on the therapeutic journey of writing!
Although some submission dates may not be open yet, start writing your screenplay on openscreenplay.com on any of the topics below. We'll remind you to submit your screenplay when the contest opens.
Join us as we #WriteABetterWorld.
Current and Upcoming Contests
Arab Stories: Debunking Arab Myths
Short Film (5 min)
For decades, the mainstream media in the West has systematically stereotyped and vilified people of Arab origin. Such degradation of an entire people ultimately leads to their dehumanization. It is time to correct this narrative and dispel the various myths and stereotypes that have long unjustly followed this rich and diverse community.
1st Feature Film Contest
Feature Film
Tired of writing short films? This is your chance to show your storytelling and screenwriting chops in the big league format of the feature film. You choose your genre, you choose your topic. All we ask is that you adhere to our guidelines, collaborate, have fun, and keep it at 120 pages or less.
The Impact of Technology on Love & Dating
Short Film (5 min)
To swipe right or to swipe left? As technology rapidly disrupts the social fabric of our communities and cultures, some are finding themselves more and more alone, struggling to connect. Has technology robbed us from the serendipity of falling in love? Perhaps it has made it easier to match with our soulmates? Or has it only served to feed our insatiable egos, making us fall in love with ourselves?
Public Short Film
Short Film (5 min)
We all know you can write alone, but do you have the writing chops to collaborate with multiple writers? Yup, we're challenging you to write a Public Short Film screenplay with a minimum of 2 other writers in addition to yourself. Working with others on a screenplay can be fun, engaging and yield unexpected results. Just ask the Cohen brothers, Damon & Affleck or David Benioff & D.B. Weiss. For our contest, you can choose any topic and genre. Just make sure you follow the guidelines! Happy Writing!
Past Contests
The World After COVID-19
Short Film (5 min)
What lessons are there to be learned from this pandemic? How will they shape our lives and our livelihoods? Will we come out of this as a more united, resilient, and enlightened world? Can we stay positive and find joy, levity and connection among the angst and isolation? As we approach the unknown together, what stories of heroism will emerge?
Layla Mental Health
Short Film (5 min)
Open Screenplay has partnered with Layla to shed light on a critical topic that impacts all of us: mental health. What does it look like to live with mental illness? What steps do you take to overcome challenges and thrive? How can positive mental health communities be formed? What does mental health advocacy look like? How does the current system or societal structure help or fail people living with mental health challenges? Tell us a mental healthy story and help us change lives for the better.
Launch Contest
On January 15th 2019, Open Screenplay launched with its first short film screenwriting contest. The contest was open to all genres and screenplays were required to be 10 minutes or less. The contest was a resounding success attracting 5000+ writers. The winning top five screenplays represent diverse genres and diverse writers. The winning screenwriter who won the $2,000 prize and a production deal was Maddison Tebbutt for The Arrears. Madison was also awarded a private session with Golden Globe nominee and Open Screenplay Advisor Richard Kletter. The second prize winning script is Foundation, was a public screenplay collaboratively written by three writers who had never met before, namely: Katlynn Sverko, Ross Lang, and Christopher Kerr. The third prize winning script is Forbidden Beasts by Tina Marie Singh. The winners were selected by an advisory board of Hollywood film executives and award-winning screenwriters.