HollyShorts Screenplay Contest

Contest · 2026Prestige 55/100

Script contest of the Oscar-qualifying HollyShorts festival. The winning short screenplay gets produced.

Deadlines & fees

Closed for this cycle

Entries for the 2026 contest closed on 1 June (fees ran $40 to $75 by deadline). The last cycle opened in late August, so the 2027 window is likely to open around then.

Dates and fees checked against the official site 14 Jul 2026.

Key facts

Formats: Short, TV Pilot
Genres: Action, Adventure, Animation, Biography, Comedy, Crime, Documentary, Drama, Family, Fantasy, History, Horror, Music, Mystery, Romance, Sci-Fi, Sport, Thriller, War, Western
Eligibility: Open worldwide
Required materials: Short screenplay (maximum 30 pages) or TV pilot (maximum 50 pages) · English language, proper script format · Entry via Scrybe or Stage 32

Open worldwide to short screenplays of up to 30 pages and TV pilots of up to 50 pages, in English and proper script format. By entering, writers agree that HollyShorts and the contest sponsor may produce the overall winning short screenplay.

Prizes

Best Short Screenplay is produced, premieres at the 2027 festival at the TCL Chinese Theatres with automatic BitPix distribution, plus a festival-strategy meeting with Alta Global Media and Festival Formula. Best TV Pilot is optioned by 88th Street Productions. Best Female Screenplay wins $1,000 plus a guaranteed screening. Quarterfinalists and above receive all-access festival passes.

Judging

Entries are judged by the HollyShorts selection committee with the sponsoring production company. Quarterfinalists for 2026 were announced on 8 July, with the Top 5 revealed at the awards ceremony during the festival (13 to 23 August 2026). Entries run via Scrybe or Stage 32.