What is the Big Break® Screenwriting Contest?
The Big Break Screenwriting Contest offers film and TV writers in 11 genres the chance to win up to $80,000 in cash and prizes. Grand prize winners also get flown to Los Angeles to meet with managers, producers and executives.
The Big Break Contest is now closed.
But next year's contest is just around the corner!
Sign up for the Big Break Newsletter to receive articles, news and tips on how to win.
PLUS our free guide to entering (and winning) the Big Break Contest!
2017 Grand Prize Award Winners
Hana Callaghan & Chad Callaghan
2017 TV Grand Prize Winner for Portia's Law
We're completely floored by how well Final Draft takes care of its winners. There's no other competition quite like it - the industry exposure, the learning opportunities, and the personal time and attention paid to advancing our careers, not to mention the rockstar treatment at the Final Draft Awards. They really pull out all the stops to set their writers up for success. Our jaw muscles are sore from smiling!
Greta Heinemann
2017 Feature Grand Prize Winner for City Under Fire
Winning Final Draft Big Break has been an insanely humbling and at the same time empowering experience. Not only did the award show put me in front of a room filled with brilliant (and intimidating) writers, the competition and organizers also did a tremendous job introducing me to mentors, reps and industry insiders. It was a career changer and for that I’ll forever be grateful.
Awards
Every year we celebrate 11 Category Winners and 2 Grand Prize Winners at our annual awards show. Over 30 past winners have sold scripts, received representation or gone on to professional writing careers > read more
FAQs
Learn more about deadlines, eligibility and more here > read more
Judges
The industry judges for the 2018 Big Break Contest are listed below. Final Draft thanks these executives and managers for their time and passion for supporting scriptwriters > read more
Sponsors
Final Draft thanks our 2018 Big Break sponsors who are dedicated to supporting aspiring scriptwriters. Please visit their sites to view their offerings for writers > read more
Rules
Read the official rules for the 2018 Big Break Contest here > read more
NYFA Fellowship
Co-sponsored by The New York Film Academy, this unique screenwriting fellowship is merit-based and designed to raise each writer to a higher level of storytelling craft and provide intensive real-world training in the business of Hollywood > read more
Prizes
11 Winners share up to $80,000 in cash and prizes! 2 Grand Prize winners are flown to Los Angeles, introduced to producers and executives and receive a NYFA Fellowship > read more
Success Stories!
In recent years, over 50 Big Break semi-finalists, finalists, and winners have been signed to professional representation. Many have had scripts optioned, sold, and produced. Others have found full-time work in television. > read more