Our Winners Work!

Welcome to the Fade In Awards, now in its 29th year. We’ve created nine distinct contests for you to compete in. Each is specifically tailored to the genre or format of your project. Submit a script, web series or short film to the Fade In Awards Comedy Competition. Hollywood A-list buyers and reps call the Fade In Awards one of the best screenplay contests and short film competitions in the world.

Over 28 years experience discovering, mentoring and promoting emerging screenwriters and filmmakers. Our winners have gone on to sign with major Hollywood talent agencies Gersh, Paradigm, UTA, IPG, CAA & WME; write/direct hit feature films and television shows (e.g., The Marksman (2020), Your Honor, Preston Tylk, Cold Pursuit, Clay Pigeons, Adam, If Only) and be nominated for an Academy Award (Culture). What’s more, we don’t use third-party readers!

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

 “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 working closely with Grand Prize winners to make sure their contest submission gives them the best chance at launching their filmmaking career.

“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 Fade In Awards Comedy Competition is open to aspiring screenwriters and TV writers of screenplays and teleplays, and filmmakers of both web series and short films. Judges are looking for fresh, high-concept, humorous stories set in compelling, grounded worlds. Should be character-driven and written in a unique voice or filmed with an eye for detail. Genre-benders welcome (e.g., Romantic Comedy, Action Comedy, Dark Comedy, Dramedy, etc.).