Are Screenwriting Contests Worth It?

Here's what I learned as a judge for a TV writing competition this winter.

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This week’s question came from an in-person conversation with a Script Anatomy student over drinks at Golden Road Brewery:

Are screenwriting contests worth it, and how do I know which ones to apply to?

This is a very good question. These contests typically cost around $40-80 to submit to with promises of prize money, representation, and meetings with execs. But how often do they really impact anybody’s career?

There are the very prestigious, extremely competitive festivals like the Sundance Episodic Labs, The Blacklist, and the Nichols Screenwriting Competition. Obviously those can be game changers.

But what about the rest of them? Roadmap Writers, ScreenCraft, Scriptapalooza, Final Draft Big Break, Outstanding Screenplays (disclaimer: I was a judge for them this year), the list goes on.