Atlanta Screenplay Competition
The Atlanta Screenplay Competition is rooted in supporting filmmakers, building community, and highlighting creative storytelling. Created with the most basic and powerful principles in mind: The screenplay is the foundation of filmmaking and great films do not exist without great scripts, the competition has manifested itself as an environment for innovative screenwriting. With it’s inception in 1985 and revival in 2008, what began as a small block of seminars has grown immensely and continues to evolve, expanding upon the ATLFF’s tradition of filmmaker discovery and development. Boasting over X total submissions and X finalists from around the globe, we are excited for the continued growth and success of the Atlanta Screenplay Competition.
Three winners are brought to Atlanta for the Atlanta Film Festival’s three-day, immersive Screenwriter’s Retreat hosted by the Serenbe Inn. Here, finalists participate in workshops with established screenwriters and industry insiders in a collaborative, supportive atmosphere. Finalists then enjoy full access to all events and resources available during the ten-day festival including screenings, panels and parties, and opportunities to meet visiting filmmakers and media professionals from around the world. Winners also receive a one (1) year-long CONNECT membership with the International Screenwriters Association.
Submissions for both feature scripts and pilot scripts are accepted and we encourage submission to both categories. Our vetted readers, experienced in film and television writing, judge each submission with an objective yet critical lens.
Past Feature Winners
Heidi Willis, John Pisano-Thomsen, Erik Adolphson, Pearse Lehane
Andrea Feist Stein, Ben Watts, Lyvia A Martinez, Lane Sky & Ruckus Skye
Lutfu Emre Cicek, Tonya Holloway, Melanie Schiele, Moon Molson
Past Mentors
2016: Feature Screenplay
Winners
“Lemon Made” by Erik Adolphson, California
“Dietrich Danzig” by John Pisano-Thomsen, Canada
“Black Sunday” by Heidi Willis, Alabama
Finalists
“The Audition” by Eric Carlson, Virginia
“Catch the Devil” by Martin Blinder, Hawaii/California
“Do You Wanna Talk About It?” by Michael Boyle, California
“Faith” by Steven Brooks, Georgia
"Going Dark” by Alexis Pelot and Jessica Coleman, Georgia
“Homegrown” by Jacques Edeline, California
“Melon Head” by Andy Fortenbacher, New York
“The Midnight Special” by Christy Hall, Rebecca Comerford, Sol Tryon, New York/California
“Twelve Strays of Christmas” by Ken Lemm, Georgia
“Homegrown” by Jacques Edeline, California
2016: Pilot Screenplay
Winner
"Cold Spring Harbor” by Mike Makowsky, California
Finalists
“Bloodworth” by Jonathan Katz, Virginia
“Immaculate” by Colleen Scriven, California
“Janus” by Pearse Lehane, United Kingdom
“Off The Menu” by Dennis Camlek, Georgia
2015: Feature Screenplay
Winners
“Killbook” by Pearse Lehane, England
“The Veil” by Andrea Feist Stein, New Jersey
“When The Devil’s Loose” by Ben Watts, California
Finalists
“Crossings” by Fred Perry, Georgia
“Dance of Blessed Spirits” by Matt Pacini, California
“Derek Dickens & The Dream” by Phil Valentine, Tennessee
“Dream Girl” by Jo Mackerras, France
“Grace” by Linda Lemberg & Jeffrey Allen Russel, Canada
"In Berlin, By The Wall" by Anthony Fisher, New York
“No Man’s Land” by Michelle Davidson & Jeffrey Field, Missouri
“Permafrost” by Kevin French, New York
“Rubber Room” by Doug Bost, New York
“Straight Up” by James Sweeney, California
“Thalatta Mountain” by Eric Betts, Texas
“This Old Man” by Nicholas Oktaras, Australia
2014: Feature Screenplay
Winners
"Be Normal" Lyvia A Martinez, California
"Rattle The Cage" Lane Sky & Ruckus Skye, Georgia
"Whatever Happened to Barbra Brown" Lutfu Emre Cicek, Istanbul, Turkey
Finalists
"Big Sister" by David Chester, Blake Pinter
"Comstock" by Jan Evans
"The Deal" by Brian Fox
"Disappear Here" by Brandon Zuck
"Esteem Ladies of Hope" by Shington Lamy
"The Girl From Mars" by Christina Pamies
"The Long Road" by Alaina McClellan Sims
"The Magic of Valerie B." by Eva Midgley
"A Motley Crew" by Phillipa Coulthard
"Pounders" by Josh Barkley
"Shotgun" by Melissa Harkness
"Zombie Pitmaster" by David Coats
2013: Feature Screenplay
"All Girls Should Know How to Braid" by Tonya Holloway, Georgia
"Butterfly Children" by Melanie Schiele, New York
"Meadowlandz" by Moon Molson, New York
Finalists
"Beneath The Surface" by Deirdre Brenner, California
"The Break-Up Nurse" by Adeline Colangelo, New York
"Cumberland" by Scott Larson, Illinois
"A Deep Sleep And A Dark Dream" by Anna Espada, Georgia
"The Great American Transcontinental Footrace" by Eric Carlson, Virginia
"Guinevere" by Dana Cowden, Texas
"Love Scene" by Bethany Ashton Wolf, California
"The Money Shot" by Jimmy Monack, Maryland
"Separate > Equal" by Thomas Lidd, Indiana
"Terrorists in Love" by Jyn Hall, Georgia
"Warrior and The Beast" by Erik Bernard & London Tait, Georgia
"Wonder Drug" by Caitlin McCarthy, Massachusetts
"Zora" by Cynthia Adarkwa, Maryland
Have questions? Check out our Film Submissions FAQ and our Screenplay Submissions FAQ.
To check the current status of your film, please log in to FilmFreeway or Withoutabox. The status of each project will be listed there.