Ready to see your story on screen? 🎬
The Wilmington International Film Festival (WIFF) is hosting its Screenwriting Contest, and it’s FREE to enter!
Brothers Productions in 2026!
The Wilmington International Film Festival (WIFF) is thrilled to announce its inaugural Screenwriting Contest, designed to discover and celebrate fresh screenwriting talent. We’re looking for compelling stories that highlight the unique character of Row Homes In Your City, offering a platform for new voices and fostering the creation of original content. This contest aims to engage both youth and adult writers in creative storytelling inspired by a truly iconic local theme.
Best of all, there’s no entry fee to submit your script!
Categories & Eligibility
We’ve designed two distinct categories for participation from all ages:
- Youth Category: Open to aspiring screenwriters 18 years old and younger as of the submission deadline (July 22, 2025).
- Adult Category: Open to screenwriters 18 years old and over as of the submission deadline (July 22, 2025).
While the contest is open to anyone, please note that for the Grand Prize winner, the future filming of the screenplay will need to be conducted in the states of Delaware, Pennsylvania, Maryland, or New Jersey.
Submission Guidelines
Unleash your creativity within these parameters:
- Script Length: Each script entry must be 8-10 pages long, inclusive of the title page, adhering to standard screenplay format.
- Theme: “Row Homes in Your City”: Your story must prominently feature or revolve around row homes. This can be a personal home, someone else’s specific home, or an entire neighborhood.
- City Mention: Your script must also explicitly or implicitly mention something your chosen city is known for (e.g., a specific landmark, historical event, industry, or unique cultural aspect).
- Genre & Story Type: We welcome any genre—Drama, Comedy, Thriller, Sci-Fi, Horror, Romance, and more! Your story can be entirely fictional, a true story, or based on a true story.
- Format: Please submit your script in standard screenplay format (e.g., Courier 12pt font, proper margins) as a PDF. For judging fairness, your script should not include your name on the title page or within the script itself; use a separate cover sheet for your contact information.
- Multiple Entries: You may submit up to 2 scripts per person.
- Originality: All submitted scripts must be original works by the submitter(s) and must not have been previously produced.
Submission Process
- Platform: Submissions will be accepted through our online submission form below.
- Deadline: Mark your calendars! All entries must be received by July 22, 2025, at 11:59 PM EST.
- Required Information: When submitting, you’ll need to provide your full contact information, age category, script title, a brief 1-2 sentence logline, and a short one-paragraph synopsis, along with confirming your originality and agreement to the contest rules.
Judging Process
Our esteemed panel of judges will include experienced filmmakers, screenwriters, industry professionals, local historians, and community leaders. Judging will be blind, meaning judges will not know the identity of the writer. Scripts will be evaluated based on:
- Creativity and originality of the story
- Strength of character development (within the page limits)
- Dialogue quality
- Adherence to the “Row Homes” theme and “City Mention” requirement
- Pacing and structure
- Overall impact and readability
- Proper screenplay format
Awards & Recognition
Winners will be announced at our prestigious Awards Brunch during WIFF on Sunday, October 12, 2025. All winners will be notified prior to the festival.
- Youth & Adult Winners: Receives a recognition award.
- Grand Prize: One of the two winning screenplays (Youth or Adult, chosen by judges based on artistic merit and production feasibility) will be produced into an actual short film in 2026 by Film Brothers Productions! The Grand Prize winner will be actively involved in the pre-production phase, including script development feedback, casting input, and on-set visits. The completed film will then premiere at the 2026 Wilmington International Film Festival!
- Finalists: Will receive recognition on the WIFF website and in the festival program guide.
Rights & Legalities
- Ownership: Writers retain all rights to their submitted screenplays.
- Production Option: The Grand Prize winner grants Film Brothers Productions a one-year option to produce their screenplay as a short film. A separate production agreement will detail credit, profit-sharing (if any), and release.
- Publicity: By submitting, writers agree to allow WIFF to use their name, likeness, and script title for promotional purposes related to the contest and the festival.
Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to tell your story and see it come to life on screen! Start writing your “Row Homes in Your City” screenplay today!