Submit a script, web series or short film today to the Fade In Awards Sci-Fi/Fantasy Competition.

Early Deadline

February 28, 2025

Regular Deadline

March 31, 2025

Final Deadline

April 20, 2025

Winners Announced

May 1, 2025

 

First Prize

Austin Highsmith Garces
STRANGE CHAPEL

Grand Prize

Ken Henderson
KISS ME DEAD

Second Prize

Carlo Ballauri & Giovanni Gualdoni
THE RECYCLING MAN

1st place
$500
CASH MONEY
2nd place
$250
CASH MONEY

Our Winners Work!

 “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.

“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 Fade In Awards, now in its 29th year.  We’ve created nine distinct contests for you to compete in, specifically tailored to the genre or format of your project. Submit a script, web series or short to the Fade In Awards’ Sci-Fi/Fantasy Contest. With over 28 years experience spotting talented screenwriters and filmmakers, then working with them prior to introducing them to vital industry contacts, it’s no wonder our winners have gone on to sign with major Hollywood talent agencies Gersh, UTA, Paradigm, CAA, IPG & WME; write/direct hit feature films and television shows (e.g., The Marksman (2020), Your Honor, The Blacklist, Cold Pursuit (2019), Blades of Glory, Adam, Office Christmas Party, If Only) and; be nominated for Academy Awards (Culture). What’s more, we don’t use third-party readers!

“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 deliver by working closely with Grand Prize winners to make sure their contest submission gives them the best chance at launching their filmmaking career. That’s why Hollywood’s A-list buyers and reps call the Fade In Awards one of the best screenplay contests and short film competitions in the world.

The Fade In Awards Sci-Fi/Fantasy Competition is open to aspiring screenwriters and TV writers of screenplays and teleplays, in addition to filmmakers of both web series and short films. Judges look for mind-bending, high-concept stories set in undiscovered worlds or near-distant futures, grounded and character-driven, written in a unique voice or filmed with an attention for detail.


FADE IN ADVISORY BOARD*

Frank Darabont
Steven de Souza
Scott Frank

James Gray
Nicholas Kazan
Scott Rosenberg
Eric Roth

David O. Russell
Ed Solomon
Robin Swicord

*Not the competitions’ judges.


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