FILM & SCREENPLAY CONTEST
ACCEPTING SUBMISSIONS UP TO JUNE 14, 2026
SCREENPLAY CONTEST
Our screenplay contest accepts submissions of both feature-length scripts and short screenplays of up to 30 pages.
Each category (feature-length and short) has thirteen winners, with $2,850 in cash prizes awarded to the top three. All winning screenplays are offered publication through 13Horror.com, with rights retained by and royalties paid directly to the writer.
Entries placed within the top 25% are awarded Finalist status. All entrants receive comprehensive feedback, along with the opportunity to revise and resubmit their screenplay before the final deadline.
Winners and finalists receive official laurels and certificates in recognition of their achievement, with additional award options available.
We accept entries via Film Freeway, Stage 32 and directly. Choose your preferred submission option from below or email your screenplay directly to editor@13horror.com.
FILM CONTEST
We accept submissions of both feature-length films and short films of up to 30 minutes.
Laurels are awarded across key categories, including Best Film, Director, Actor, Actress, Horror Baddy and Special Effects, recognising standout work across the craft of filmmaking.
Selected winners and finalists are presented to Black Mandala, an international sales and production company working with distributors, festivals and buyers worldwide. This creates a potential route beyond the festival circuit, with opportunities that include international sales, broader exposure, and inclusion in anthology productions.
All submitted films are viewed in full and receive considered feedback. Winners and finalists are awarded official laurels and certificates in recognition of their achievement.
13HORROR.COM FILM & SCREENPLAY CONTEST 2026
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Prizes include:
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$2,850 in cash prizes
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Comprehensive feedback from industry judges on every entry
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Screenplay publishing deals with royalties
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NEW: Industry partnership with Black Mandala (international sales & production)
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Awards, laurels, and Hall of Fame recognition
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Submit directly or via FilmFreeway / Stage 32
Includes feedback from our Hollywood horror industry judges on every single entry.
Categories
Our 2026 contest includes the following categories:
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Feature-Length Screenplays
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Short Screenplays (up to 30 pages)
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Feature-Length Films
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Short Films (up to 30 mins)
Feedback From Hollywood Judges
Every entry receives detailed feedback from our panel of Hollywood judges, explaining how your screenplay or film performs against our judging criteria. This invaluable insight has made 13Horror.com one of the most recognized and respected horror screenplay competitions in the industry.
Our judges include Andrew Hannon, editor of the international best-selling Thirteen horror anthologies and acclaimed writer of screenplays, films, novels, and stage plays such as Stage Fright, Creepy Hill, CarnEvil, and the Dwell In These Demons series.
Why submit to 13Horror.com?
At 13Horror.com, we take a broad approach to horror, celebrating both the genre's timeless staples and its bold boundary-pushers. Whether it's traditional scares, innovative hybrids blending horror with comedy, sci-fi, historical narratives, or experimental styles—if it’s got horror in its veins, we’re interested. We embrace the full spectrum of the genre, offering ample opportunities for recognition with a large number of winning slots.
We love honoring films and screenplays that uphold the foundations of what makes horror so iconic, as well as those that stand out from the crowd with originality and daring creativity. We deeply respect the dedication and passion it takes to craft a screenplay or make a film, and our detailed feedback reflects that. Designed to be constructive and supportive, our feedback aims to inspire growth, helping you refine your craft, uncover unique strengths, and perhaps spark ideas you’ve never explored before.
We read every single screenplay and watch every film we receive and send comprehensive feedback on all of them. Hundreds of screenwriters have benefitted from their participation in our contest and gone on to publish their screenplays as part of our contest prize.
Rules & Judging Criteria
Winning entries will be judged on:
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Originality
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Story
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Characterization
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Presentation
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Overall Impression
Key Dates
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Entry Deadline: June 14, 2026
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Finalists & Winners Announced: June 29, 2026
Every writer and filmmaker will receive feedback on their entry as soon as the judging process is completed.
Don’t miss your chance to take part in one of the best horror screenplay contests in the world! Enter now at 13Horror.com and let your horror story be seen by industry professionals. With prizes, publishing opportunities, and feedback guaranteed for every entry, this is the ultimate competition for horror creatives.
No FilmFreeway or Stage 32 account? No problem! Simply email your short or feature-length horror screenplay to editor@13horror.com and we'll email you a payment link for the entry fee.
