About CWA

HOW TO ENTER? 

CWA offers three ways to enter.  You may select the orange “Submit Now” button on the CWA website’s home page and in doing so will enter via our secured CWA system. Alternatively, you may enter via Film Freeway or Coverfly.

You may enter your script as an entry only submission into the competition or entrants are also offered the Judge’s Scorecard and a brief summary of notes for an additional $50. Also offered are the Judge’s Highlights, which includes the Judge’s Scorecard and a couple of pages of Judge’s Highlight notes for an additional $85 or the Full Script Analysis that includes the Judge’s Scorcard and a Full Script Analysis by the Judge for an additional $185.

Note: If entering via the CWA system, you will need to select the ‘entry only’ box if you do no wish to receive the Judge’s scorecard option or any other optional coverage.

What to expect once entering the online application for the 2024-2025 CWA screenwriting competition:

1. BASIC INFO & USER NAME/PASSWORD:  Enter your basic information, and create a password. If you are entering via Film Freeway, you will need to create an account with them unless you already have one (free to sign up).
2. WRITER’S INFORMATION: Complete your basic online application including writer’s contact info, applicable genre category (s) listed below, logline (2-4 sentence describing your script), and whether you’d like entry only, the judge’s scorecard, or a script analysis with your entry.
3. RELEASE FORM: can be found on each of the submission entry forms via Film Freeway and Withoutabox.
4. SCRIPT: Upload your script (Adobe Acrobat PDF preferred. Final Draft, Word accepted, but if you have MovieMagic, please convert to a PDF).
5. ENTRY FEE: After you’ve uploaded the above info and your script, you can pay the entry fee with any major credit card via the secure payment system.

Steps 1-5 above fulfill your full entry requirements.

To enter now via CWA, click the Submit Now button. 

Or to enter your project via Film Freeway, click below:

Note: We have gone 100% green, and require the full entry requirements of your script to go through our CWA platform here, or the Film Freeway or Coverfly online system. However, if you prefer to pay with a money order rather than through the online platform, you may submit payment by the respective deadline to the address below. For email inquiries, contact us at info@creativeworldawards.com.

Creative World Awards
4712 Admiralty Way, #268
Marina del Rey, CA
90292

SELECT YOUR GENRE CATEGORY: Judging Categories

Once in the application process, you will be asked to choose which category you would like your screenplay or teleplay to be judged under. All entries can choose any one category they feel best depicts their script. If an entrant would like to select more than the one allotted category, this is available at an additional cost of $15 for each additional genre chosen.

ORDERING RESUBMISSIONS (MUST BE WITHIN THE SAME/CURRENT CONTEST SEASON)

Resubmission Fee: $45 – Should an entrant want to resubmit their script during the same season after the initial entry has taken place; they are welcome to do this at a discounted submission rate. The resubmission fee is $45, and the new resubmitted script will replace the older script as a new submission.

To order your resubmission, you can do so online with the promo code below. Simply visit the CWA submit now button and click to enter a new entry only script and a discount will be applied at the end that will reflect the $45 rate.

Resubmission Discount Code: resubmit!

Once the resubmission is processed, the script will then be in the prelim judging round as if a new entry and will be re-read. The new resubmission score will replace the old score.

NOTE: The script will be verified that it is a replacement within the same season. Do not use the code above if you are submitting your script for the first time in the current season regardless of whether you have submitted to CWA in past years. In this case, you will put up a brand new entry for your script in the current season. For questions, email us info@creativeworldawards.com. *If you ordered the brief notes or other coverage option on the original script submission, the resubmitted script will receive a new Judge’s scorecard & a brief update of notes after the resubmission has been judged (a couple of paragraphs of notes).

• Kickoff Entry by 08/21/2024 – $40 (entry only/newly added)
• Early Entry by 9/21/2024 – $45 (entry only)
• Regular Entry by 10/21/2024 – $55 (entry only)
• Fall Entry by 11/15/2024 – $65 (entry only)
• Late Entry by 12/15/2024 – $75 (entry only)
• Final Entry by 1/31/2025 – $85 (entry only)

The first round of judging is done by individual industry professionals. If your script advances beyond the preliminary round, it will then be scored by multiple industry professionals to determine the quarters, semis, and finals. The top three in each genre category will then be read by leading industry executives not only for potential consideration, but also to help determine the winners of the Creative World Awards. All decisions of the judges are final.

The announcement dates are as follows:

• Preliminary Finalists – Week of April 30
• Quarter Finalists – May 5
• Semi Finalists – May 8
• Finalists – May 11
• Winners – Week of May 15

The CWA 2024-2025 Season is now open. For feature screenplays, there are four main genre categories to compete within.  Additionally, there are categories for television and short film.

FEATURE FILM SCRIPTS: approx. 90-120 pages

• ACTION & ADVENTURES – All types including: Action, Adventure, Action-Thriller, Action Comedy, Sci-Fi       & Fantasy Action, Comic Book/Super Heroes, Martial Arts, Western, Adventure Drama
• HORRORS, THRILLERS, & FANTASIES – All types including: Horror, Thriller, Fantasy, Supernatural, Film Noir, Occult, Sci-Fi Horror, Mythological, Sci-Fi Disaster
• COMEDIES – All types including: Comedy, Dark Comedy, Romantic Comedy, Comedy Thriller, Heist Comedy, Slapstick, Musical Comedy, Satires
• ALL DRAMAS & FAMILY – All types including: Drama, Family, Coming-of-Age, Family Adventure, Gangster, Period/Historical, Political, Animation, Romantic Drama, Musicals, Western, and War Epic

TELEVISION & SHORT SCRIPTS

• ORIGINAL TV SITCOM PILOT: Up to 50 pages
• ORIGINAL TV  DRAMA PILOT: Up to 70 pages
• SHORT FILM SCRIPTS: Up to 40 pages. We accept short film scripts of all genres.

ORDERING ADDITIONAL CATEGORIES

Each script entered into the contest will be entered into one category of the entrant’s choosing. If an entrant would like to enter a single script into more than the one allotted category, the cost is $15 for each additional category, and you can order this at check out via Film Freeway only.

ORDERING RESUBMISSIONS (MUST BE WITHIN THE SAME/CURRENT CONTEST SEASON)

Resubmission Fee: $45 – Should an entrant want to resubmit their script during the same season after the initial entry has taken place; they are welcome to do this at a discounted submission rate. The resubmission fee is $45, and the new resubmitted script will replace the older script as a new submission.

To order your resubmission, you can do so online with the promo code below. Simply visit the CWA submit now button and click to enter a new entry only script and a discount will be applied at the end that will reflect the $45 rate.

Resubmission Discount Code: resubmit!

Once the resubmission is processed, the script will then be in the prelim judging round as if a new entry and will be re-read. The new resubmission score will replace the old score.

NOTE: The script will be verified that it is a replacement within the same season. Do not use the code above if you are submitting your script for the first time in the current season regardless of whether you have submitted to CWA in past years. In this case, you will put up a brand new entry for your script in the current season. For questions, email us info@creativeworldawards.com. *If you ordered the brief notes or other coverage option on the original script submission, the resubmitted script will receive a new Judge’s scorecard & a brief update of notes after the resubmission has been judged (a couple of paragraphs of notes).

JUDGING SCORECARD & BRIEF NOTES (Tier One)

Offered to CWA entrants, you can receive the judge’s scorecard and their brief notes (about a page of notes on your script’s overall strength and weaknesses). This option is available to order for an additional $50 at check out.

• Delivery: Notes are returned 4-6 weeks after they are ordered with the writer’s entry.
• Please note: A $1 per page fee applies if your script is 125 pages or more.

JUDGING SCORECARD & JUDGE’S HIGHLIGHTS (Tier Two)

Offered to CWA entrants, you can receive the judge’s scorecard plus the Judge’s Highlights (about 2 pages of notes on your script’s overall strength and weaknesses). This option is available to order for an additional $85 at check out.

• Delivery: Notes are returned 4-6 weeks after they are ordered with the writer’s entry.
• Please note: A $1 per page fee applies if your script is 125 pages or more.

JUDGING SCORECARD & FULL SCRIPT ANALYSIS (Tier Three/Highest Level)

Offered to CWA entrants, you can receive a 6-8 page comprehensive script analysis that includes the Judge’s scorecard and extensive development feedback covering such elements as identifying and analyzing story arcs, plot development, premise, character development, dialogue critiques, and tightening all critical elements to produce the most potential market value for your script. This development coverage option is available for an additional $185 at check out.

• Delivery: All coverage orders are delivered back to the writer 4-6 weeks after the writer’s entry is placed.
• Please note: A $1 per page fee applies if script is 125 pages or more.

Special thanks to this year’s sponsors for a prize package worth over $35,000.

GRAND PRIZE WINNER – $3,000 cash PLUS possible opportunity to have their winning script produced into a short film version. If decided upon by the writer and CWA, CWA in conjunction with The Moving Image Xchange Productions, will help produce a short film version of the script to help generate interest for the feature script. PREMIERE: The short film will then get a guaranteed premiere at the Richmond International Film Festival, giving the writer an official imdb credit and the short to promote their work and feature story. Some scripts may not qualify depending upon budget and story. If CWA or the winner choose to forgo this option, the winner receives an additional $1,000 instead. Plus, the GPW also receives:

• Final Draft software
• Free Submission Entry into the Richmond International Film Festival
• One All Access VIP Platinum Pass to the Richmond International Film Festival (non transferrable)
• One FLOW Collective Conference Pass
• 4 Month Ink Tip Pro Membership
• 1 free month of the Stage 32 Writers’ Room – a virtual writers’ group that meets once a week with top executives, managers, agents and producers, writing challenges, pitch practice and more!
• Stage 32 Industry Mentorship – 1 free Stage 32 script read plus 30 minute phone call with manager, executive or producer of your choice. Choose from a roster of hundreds of industry professionals on Stage 32.
• Notes Plus One hour private consultation with Co-owners

4 GENRE CATEGORY WINNERS – $250 cash each, plus a prize package that includes:

• Free Submission Submission Entry into the Richmond International Film Festival
• One All Access VIP Platinum Pass to the Richmond International Film Festival (non transferrable)
• One FLOW Collective Conference Pass
• 1 free month of the Stage 32 Writers’ Room – a virtual writers’ group that meets once a week with top executives, managers, agents and producers, writing challenges, pitch practice and more!
• 1 free Stage 32 pitch session – pitch your script directly to a manager, executive or producer of your choice from a roster of hundreds of industry professionals on Stage 32.
• Final Draft software
• 4 Month Ink Tip Pro Membership

4 CATEGORY 1st RUNNERS UP – $150 cash each, plus a prize package that includes:

• Final Draft software
• Free Submission Entry into the Richmond International Film Festival
• 1 free month of the Stage 32 Writers’ Room – a virtual writers’ group that meets once a week with top executives, managers, agents and producers, writing challenges, pitch practice and more!
• 1 free Stage 32 pitch session – pitch your script directly to a manager, executive or producer of your choice from a roster of hundreds of industry professionals on Stage 32.
• 4 Month Ink Tip Pro Membership
• One FLOW Collective Conference Pass

TELEVISION CATEGORIES – $250 cash each, plus a prize package that includes:

• Stage 32, Two Free Pitch Sessions
• TVWritersVault.com One Year Membership and Pitch Listing or One FLOW Collective Conference Pass
• Free Submission Entry into the Richmond International Film Festival

SHORT FILM SCRIPT – $250cash, plus a prize package that includes:

• Free Submission Entry into the Richmond International Film Festival
• One FLOW Collective Conference Pass
• If the writer makes the script into a film, it receives a guaranteed premier at the Richmond International Film Festival plus a complimentary All Access VIP Platinum Badge

CREATIVE CONCEPT / INSPIRATIONAL SPIRIT AWARD – In honor of veteran analyst and CWA Judge, James Peters, this award goes to the most original and compelling concept that also conveys a redemptive theme of some kind. Winner receives:

• Free Submission Entry into the Richmond International Film Festival
• 1 free month of the Stage 32 Writers’ Room – a virtual writers’ group that meets once a week with top executives, managers, agents and producers, writing challenges, pitch practice and more!
• 1 free Stage 32 pitch session – pitch your script directly to a manager, executive or producer of your choice from a roster of hundreds of industry professionals on Stage 32.
• One FLOW Collective Conference Pass
• Notes Plus One hour Development Coaching session with CWA Co-owners via phone or online session

UNIVERSITY/EMERGING SCREENWRITER OF THE YEAR – CWA puts a focus on development year-round, including encouraging the advancement of the next generation of writers in the industry. This award goes to the top emerging university screenwriter of the year (annual or every other year). Winner receives:

• Acknowledgement as CWA University Screenwriter of the Year
• Free Submission Entry into the Richmond International Film Festival
• One FLOW Collective Conference Pass
• Thirty minute consultation with CWA Co-owner via phone or online session