Winning a screenwriting competition can be a major stepping stone. Here are five competitions that have launched writers' careers, along with success stories from past winners and the years they won.

1. Academy Nicholl Fellowships

Since 1986, the Nicholl Fellowships have identified many talented screenwriters. In 2008, Michael Werwie's Nicholl-winning script Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vile became a film starring Zac Efron. Another notable winner, Elizabeth Chomko, won in 2015 with her script What They Had, which she later directed, featuring Hilary Swank.

2. PAGE International Screenwriting Awards

The PAGE Awards have recognized emerging talent since 2003. After her 2005 win, Davah Avena landed a role as a writer's assistant on Kyle XY, and Scott Parisien, who won in 2010, received numerous option offers. This competition has helped over 150 winners secure representation and jobs in the industry.

3. ScreenCraft Competitions

ScreenCraft's niche competitions have produced several success stories. In 2018, Shiwani Srivastava won the Comedy Competition, which led to representation and introductions to Netflix. Rich Van Tine, a 2019 finalist in the Action/Thriller category, soon after signed with Housefire Management. ScreenCraft winners often find themselves quickly advancing in Hollywood.

4. Austin Film Festival (AFF) Screenwriting Competition

Known as "the writers festival," AFF has been elevating screenwriters since 1994. Christopher Corte, a 2019 finalist, signed with Lit Entertainment Group soon after. The AFF competition has also helped many winners secure representation and option deals.

5. Shore Scripts

Established in 2012, Shore Scripts has a proven track record of helping writers break into the industry. Mary Bronaugh, who won in 2020, secured a role as a staff writer on Disney's Big City Greens. In 2017, Alex von Hofmann placed third in the Feature competition, leading to an option for his script Locked In, which is now in development.

These competitions offer more than just prize money—they open doors to representation and production opportunities. For screenwriters eager to get noticed, entering one of these contests could be the first step toward a professional career.