New York International Screenplay Awards is an international screenplay competition for screenwriters who aspire to connect with the US industry workers and explore the US markets.
NYISA winners will be connected to the US film industry by the valued Sponsors;
InkTip, Script Mailer, R2W2 talent & project accelerator/ consulting, Script Reader Pro, Screenwriting Software Final Draft!,
And much more!

NYISA’s valued jury members are industry professionals such as Producers, Script Doctors, Directors, Actors, and Screenwriters. You can submit via FilmFreeway.

NYISA also offers the workshops “How to Write an Award-winning Screenplay” and “Advanced Screenwriting Development Programs.”
Check out via Course Horse or Eventbrite.

Awards & Prizes

Golden Package - For the 1st Place Winners:

An InkTip prize package includes a 4-month InkTip Pro Membership. As an InkTip Pro Member, thousands of filmmakers can find and read your scripts, and you'll be able to pitch directly to production companies weekly. With over 3,000 options and 400 movies made, InkTip is the place for independent film. 
Every InkTip producer has been vetted via resumes and references and demonstrated the ability to get movies made. Companies that are InkTip members include ABC, Anonymous Content, APA, CBS Films, HBO Films, ICM, Paradigm, Paramount Pictures, Hallmark Channel, FX, Universal, WME, Echo Lake, Zero Gravity, Bad Robot, and 20th Century Fox.

Final Draft Screenwriting Software, digital certificates for free! Final Draft 13 is the most customizable version of the world’s bestselling screenwriting software. Take your idea to script with easy-to-use tools so you can get more done with your writing sessions and achieve your goals faster.
Final Draft is used by 95% of film, television, and multimedia productions to get from page to screen. From enhanced productivity tools to new options to organize your script to additional display modes, Final Draft 13 helps you build the perfect workspace for you, then gets out of your way so you can focus on what you love best.

Email blasts will be given to the 1050+ agents and producers via the Script Mailer! Script Mailer was founded in 2011 by agents and producers working in LA. The reason Script Mailer was started was simple—to help talented screenwriters connect with Hollywood.

Each 1st place winner in the Feature, Short, and TV Pilot categories will receive a 30-minute project packaging and pitching session. Led by a veteran producer and a TV executive, these sessions offer invaluable industry insights to help winners refine and position their projects for success. Provided by the R2-W2 Project Accelerator.

Silver and Bronze Packages - For the 2nd and 3rd place winners:

An InkTip prize package includes a 4-month InkTip Pro Membership. As an InkTip Pro Member, thousands of filmmakers can find and read your scripts, and you'll be able to pitch directly to production companies weekly. With over 3,000 options and 400 movies made, InkTip is the place for independent film. 
Every InkTip producer has been vetted via resumes and references and demonstrated the ability to get movies made. Companies that are InkTip members include ABC, Anonymous Content, APA, CBS Films, HBO Films, ICM, Paradigm, Paramount Pictures, Hallmark Channel, FX, Universal, WME, Echo Lake, Zero Gravity, Bad Robot, and 20th Century Fox.

Final Draft Screenwriting Software, digital certificates for free! Final Draft 13 is the most customizable version of the world’s bestselling screenwriting software. Take your idea to script with easy-to-use tools so you can get more done with your writing sessions and achieve your goals faster. Final Draft is used by 95% of film, television, and multimedia productions to get from page to screen. From enhanced productivity tools to new options to organize your script to additional display modes, Final Draft 13 helps you build the perfect workspace for you, then gets out of your way so you can focus on what you love best.

Email blasts will be given to the 1050+ agents and producers via the Script Mailer! Script Mailer was founded in 2011 by a group of agents and producers working in LA. The reason Script Mailer was started was simple—to help talented screenwriters connect with Hollywood.

Other Perks:

Not just the winners will have the prizes! - THE FINALISTS will have;

Free Final Draft 13 – Screenwriting Software Certificates!,
The finalists’ query letters will be sent to more than 1050 agents and producers via the Script Mailer!

At the Red Carpet Award Ceremony/Cocktail reception on May 8th!

Rules & Terms

All scripts must be submitted in English, formatted in 12-point courier font.

Entry fees must be paid in U.S. dollars. Entry in the competition is void where prohibited by law.

Screenplays written by up to four people may be entered in the contest. Only one entry fee is required for such entries. All writers' names should be listed on the online entry. All writers must authorize the submission of the entry. If a screenplay is written by multiple authors, prizes will be divided at the writers' discretion.

All entries must be uploaded in PDF format. (www.freepdfconcert.com)

Entrants to the NYISA retain all rights to their screenplays.

Entries must be received by the applicable Entry Deadline.

Once a script has been entered into the competition, we will not accept substitutions or revised drafts. If you wish to submit a revised draft of your script, you must enter it as a new submission.

NYISA will not share your screenplay with anyone except the official judges of the competition.

By entering the NYISA, you represent that your entry is your original work, and does not infringe on the copyright or other rights of other people.

Entry fees are non-refundable.

We do not accept hardcopy submissions by mail.

Submissions must be the original work of the applicant. Entries may be adapted from the applicant's own work.

The decisions of the judges are final.

NYISA reserves the right to make any necessary changes, postponements, or cancellations to event scheduling at our discretion.

Notification of winners and official finalists will be sent by email and posted on our website. It is the responsibility of the winners to redeem any prizes allotted to them by the NYISA or our sponsors. Applicants will be responsible for providing current contact information and mailing addresses for prize redemption purposes.

Feature screenplays must be between 41 and 150 pages in length.
Short screenplays must be between 1 and 40 pages in length. Please email us if you have a longer screenplay that you would like to submit.

There is no limit to the number of screenplays you may submit.

Under absolutely no circumstances will substitutions of either corrected pages or new drafts of the entry screenplay(s) be made. Screenplays will not be returned.

Screenplay titles cannot be changed upon resubmission under any circumstances.

To enter the NYISA, you must agree to its Terms and Conditions.

To protect your script, we strongly suggest you register your work with the Writers Guild of America, West (www.wga.org or call 323.782.4500), and the US Copyright Office (http://www.copyright.gov).
149 Reviews
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  • Alex Brown

    I am absolutely thrilled that my Hit Me TV Pilot Episode made the final in the category at the New York International Screenplay Awards. I feel incredibly honoured, but also very humble and deeply thankful to the entire festival team for the time, care, and attention given to reviewing my project. Winning has been truly encouraging and has given me even more belief in both my writing and the future of this series.
    Your dedication to screenwriters and to supporting the industry is clear to see, and the professionalism and passion behind the festival made this a wonderful experience from start to finish. I learned a great deal, not only from this submission but also from my previous experience with the festival, and I genuinely feel that it has helped me grow as a writer.
    I highly recommend the New York International Screenplay Awards to any writer looking for a festival that truly values storytelling and emerging talent. The encouragement and recognition I received have helped me believe that my project, Hit Me, has a real chance of achieving a lifelong dream, and fulfilling a promise I made to my brother, who sadly passed away at a very young age.
    A huge thank you to the entire festival team. Your support means more than words can express.
    10/10 experience: I look forward to submitting more projects with you in the future.

    With heartfelt thanks,
    Alex Brown

    May 2026
    Helpful
  • Bob Tourangeau

    I was pleased that all of the finalists, including quarterfinalists were listed on their website. Thank you for the selection and quarterfinals win.

    May 2026
    Helpful
  • Norbert Castro

    I had a wonderful experience with the New York International Awards. The festival provides a meaningful platform for writers and filmmakers to have their work recognized, and I’m honored that my screenplay Lawfully Yours placed as a Quarterfinalist.

    Being selected gave me added encouragement to keep building my screenwriting career and sharing my work with a wider audience. I also appreciated the invitation to attend the awards ceremony in New York. Although I was unable to make it, the opportunity itself showed the festival’s commitment to creating real networking moments for artists.

    For anyone looking for a professional and encouraging festival experience, I would definitely recommend the New York International Awards.

    Norbert Castro Sr.
    Screenwriter, Lawfully Yours

    IMDb: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm18275580/

    May 2026
    Helpful
  • frank mack

    I'm honored to be included as a quarterfinalist this wonderful international screenplay competition. Thank you for your thoughtful consideration of my work!

    May 2026
    Helpful
  • Matt Frank

    Great contest and helpful staff. Thank you

    May 2026
    Helpful