Are Script Competitions A Scam?

I can't say script competitions are all bad, but what I will share, is why I don’t mess with script competitions and what I believe writers should do instead.

Writers are constantly told that script competitions are the key to success. They’re marketed as launchpads to get discovered, sell your scripts, and maybe even get jobs. But in my experience, and after years of working closely with emerging writers, I’ve seen the same pattern play out again and again: Most competitions don’t move your career forward. They do raise your hopes. They boost your social media temporarily. They take your money. They gain rights to your intellectual property.... But RARELY do they actually help you.

That doesn’t mean competitions are all bad. It just means they aren’t built to deliver what writers really need. Keep reading, I'll explain my position.

Let’s talk about the numbers. In 2024, the Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting received 5,500 submissions for only 5 slots.  And now, the Academy Nicholl Fellowship changed its submission model so writers must have their scripts submitted by a vetted university program, filmmaker initiative, or through The Black List platform. This new requirement pretty much eliminates opportunities for writers who aren't already in the right circles. While I can appreciate the extra layer of rigor, I wonder what happens to writers without access to these vetted programs. Do they submit their home grown scripts to The Black List and cross their fingers? That's not a strategy.

Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting

Another example is The Tyler Perry Studios Dream Collective. I love that they are awarding a total of $150k to produce movies in Atlanta. What excites me most about this is that the Tyler Perry Studios Dream Collective is almost a mirror image of Flip The Script, the rapid film development fellowship I architected in 2020. Even on a shoestring budget, we provided education, mentoring from industry professionals, SAG-AFTRA talent, and on-set training. And before we sunset the initiative in 2024, we made career changing movies that sold out real movie theaters!

I often wonder what we could have done with a real production studio, Hollywood backing and access to billions - but I digress. In a lot of ways, this is a really exciting opportunity, but the window is small. The program will only accept 1,000 submissions total. Out of those, just 100 creatives will be selected for a development cohort. Five will receive $30k each to direct a short film in Atlanta. And here’s the key detail: to apply, you must have already directed two narrative short films.

That requirement automatically disqualifies some of the most talented emerging writers in the country — not because they aren’t ready, but because they haven’t had access to directorial opportunities. If this is an opportunity you want, I want it for you. I combed through the submission requirements and created a handy checklist to be sure you're ready to submit before applications open on April 17th.

Even smaller competitions often promise exposure or feedback but fall short of delivering mentorship, funding, or meaningful access. In many cases, they make their money off hopeful writers without building a real bridge to the industry.

I started to notice this trend back in 2018, when I launched Movie Maker Mondays and worked with writers who had incredible stories and serious talent. But they were stuck because they lacked pathways. And I didn’t like that. So instead of complaining about what script competitions didn’t offer, I built something that could: the Flip the Script Film Fellowship.

Over five seasons, me and my little skeleton crews helped turn first-time writers into confident filmmakers. We trained total novices in screenwriting and directing, then produced and showcased nine original films that sold out theaters and received standing ovations! Flip the Script confirmed what I’d long believed: writers don’t just need feedback. They need a real system that helps them write, plan, shoot, and showcase their work in a repeatable way.

So, if I had a great story today, here’s exactly what I’d do instead of entering a competition:

• Write, fund, and direct my own short (even with my limited resources)

• Connect with other serious filmmakers to build my creative ecosystem

• Collectively showcase our work online, at live screenings, or in festivals

• Repeat the process and build (and monetize) my body of work over time

  
  

This path might feel harder because it puts the responsibility on you to script your success, but it works. It sharpens your craft, expands your network, shows the world what you’re capable of, and you maintain ownership of your intellectual property (the real path to wealth). Flip the Script alumni like Season One winners Asha and Chad took this exact path. They used their short films to break into the industry, and today, they’re now enjoying careers in Burbank, California.

Why would I choose a more difficult path?

Because here’s the truth...

Hollywood isn’t coming to save you.

And neither is Tyler Perry.

But to be fair, that’s not their job (or mine)

It’s yours.

You are not entitled to success.

But you do deserve a real shot. That's why I created Page to Production, to give you one.

Built on the success of Flip the Script, Page to Production now equips writers to fund their projects and grow a filmmaking brand while they write, produce, and direct their own original work. Designed for busy adult learners, this immersive accelerator provides the structure, support, and trusted guidance you’ve come to expect from the WordSmith brand, as you take creative control and develop a body of work that reflects your vision and values.

Imagine how unstoppable you’ll be once you know how to transform your ideas into movies people applaud! There’s nothing like seeing your vision come to life and realizing it started with a a story only you could tell. That kind of creative expression empowers you to lead with confidence and build meaningful connections that create both income and impact. This is how you take ownership of your voice, build momentum, and move toward the creative life you’ve been waiting to claim.

Let’s take your story off the page and onto the screen, where it belongs.