Are you a Wisconsin-connected screenwriter with a completed script OR the idea for one that you’d like to pitch. Check-out Wisconsin’s Own Screenplay Contest and Wisconsin’s Own Pitch Contest. Great exposure for all levels of Wisconsin screenwriters, from students and beginner writers to advanced, professional writers.
Administered by the International Screenwriters’ Association and the Wisconsin Screenwriters’ Symposium, Wisconsin’s Own Screenplay Contest and Wisconsin’s Own Pitch Contest are open to anyone born in Wisconsin or a current state resident, former state resident for one or more years, Wisconsin’s First Nations members, and students or alumni of any college or university located in Wisconsin. 
Screenplay Contest Benefits and Prizes Include:
- All entries read and evaluated by industry working professionals
- Winners receive a one-on-one consult with a professional script coach, producer or produced screenwriter
- Winners receive free registration for the 2026 Wisconsin Screenwriters’ Symposium
- Winning script read in a live table-read by actors from Capital City Theatre at the 2026 Symposium
- and Statewide bragging rights!
Categories for Wisconsin’s Own Screenplay Contest:
- Features (80-120 pages)
- Shorts (20 pages or under)
- TV Pilots (Adheres to industry standard length: 22-25 pages for 30 minute episodic, 45- 63 pages for hour episodic)
- Student (any of the above categories)
Deadlines and Fees for the 2026 Screenplay Contest:
- Early Bird Entry Deadline: October 5th, 2025
- Standard $20 I Student (including 2025 graduates): $10
- Regular Entry Deadline: December 22nd, 2025
- Standard $30 | Student (including 2025 graduates): $15
- Late Entry Deadline: January 16th, 2026
- Standard $40 | Student (including 2025 graduates) $20
Announcement Dates:
- Quarter Finalist Announcement: February 4, 2026
- Semi-Finalist Announcement: February 18, 2026
- Final Winner Announcement: March 15, 2026
Rules:
Only PDF files of screenplays accepted.
Screenplays must be written in English.
Cover page should only have Title and name of author(s).
Only original screenplays accepted. Writers must own IP or have rights to the underlying IP if work is an adaptation.
All screenplays should adhere to industry standard formatting and length (see above page limits for each contest category).
Competition is open to anyone born in Wisconsin, Wisconsin’s First Nations or current state resident, former state resident for one or more years, and students or alumni of any UW system school or Wisconsin college or university.
Pitch Contest
Send us a short, ninety-second video pitch of your project and take the first step to building the momentum needed to get your film or TV show produced.
Administered by the International Screenwriters’ Association and the Wisconsin Screenwriters’ Symposium, Wisconsin’s Own Pitch Contest is open to anyone born in Wisconsin or a current state resident, former state resident for one or more years, Wisconsin’s First Nations members, and students or alumni of any college or university located in Wisconsin. 
Pitch Contest Benefits and Prizes Include:
- All entries reviewed and evaluated by industry working professionals
- All entrants will get free access to the ISA’s educational video on pitching to the pros
- Winners receive a private, one-on-one mentoring session with the ISA’s Creative Executive, Shayna Weber
- Winners get free registration for the 2026 Wisconsin Screenwriters’ Symposium and chance to pitch live to industry producers and showrunners
- and Statewide bragging rights!
Rules:
- Only video pitches accepted. Video submissions must be no longer than 90 seconds.
- Only original concepts accepted. Writers must own IP or have rights to the underlying IP if work is an adaptation.
- All submissions must include a written one-sentence log line and a one-page synopsis of your story. Completed screenplays are not necessary.
- Competition is open to anyone born in Wisconsin, Wisconsin’s First Nations or current state resident, former state resident for one or more years, and students or alumni of any UW system school or Wisconsin college or university.
Deadlines and Fees for the 2026 Pitch Contest:
- Entry Deadline: January 28th, 2026
- Standard fee $35 | Student fee (including 2025 graduates): $15
Announcement Dates:
- Semi-Finalists Announced: February 27, 2026
- Winners Announced: March 13, 2026