Our Winners Work!

The Fade In Awards Drama Competition is open to screenwriters and television writers of teleplays and screenplays, in addition to filmmakers of web series and short films. Judges look for original, infectious plots set in different worlds, with solid characters and crisp dialogue. Genre-benders welcome (e.g., Dramedy, Crime, Film Noir, Political, Action, War, etc.).

“I owe my success to Fade In. These guys don’t just promise access – they deliver it!” – Frank Baldwin, Your Honor, Cold Pursuit

Welcome to the 29th Annual Fade In Awards.  We’ve created nine distinct contests for you to enter. Each is specifically tailored to the genre and format of your project.  Submit a script, web series or short film to the best screenplay competition and short film contest in the world.  With over twenty-eight years experience discovering new talent, our winners have gone on to sign with major Hollywood talent agencies Gersh, Paradigm, UTA, IPG, CAA and WME, write/direct hit feature films and television shows (e.g., The Marksman (2020), The Blacklist, Your Honor, Blades of Glory, Preston Tylk, Cold Pursuit, Clay Pigeons, Adam, If Only) and gone on to be nominated for an Academy Award (Culture).

“After winning [the Fade In Awards], we optioned [our award-winning] script to a prominent producer who had made one of the Speed films. The award gave us motivation and encouragement, which has huge value when starting out.” – Danny Kravitz, The Marksman

“The most important moment in my career.” – The Blacklist Executive Producer/Creator Jon Bokenkamp

“When CBS Studios producer Todd Nelson encouraged me to submit, my inclination was to say, ‘No.’ I remember thinking there was no way I could afford it. But my script Preston Tylk won and got me an [CAA] agent. It was huge for me.” Bokenkamp went on to work with Angelina Jolie and Halle Berry on Taking Lives and Perfect Stranger, respectively.

The Fade In Awards deliver by mentoring its Grand Prize winners first and then introducing them to industry movers and shakers in order to launch their filmmaking career. That’s why A-list Hollywood buyers and reps call the Fade In Awards one of the best screenplay contests and short film competitions in the world. What’s more, we don’t use third-party readers!