Each year, the Academy Nicholl screenwriting competition awards up to five $35,000 fellowships to amateur screenwriters. To enter, submit a feature length screenplay and entry fee via the online application when the competition is open for submissions. Fellowship winners are invited to participate in awards week ceremonies and seminars, receive individualized Academy member mentorship and are expected to complete at least one original feature film screenplay during their Fellowship year.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Original feature film screenplay (no shorter than 70 pages and no longer than 160 pages) in PDF format only
• Completed online application form
• Early entry fee of US$50 or regular deadline entry fee of US$65 or late deadline entry fee of US$90.
• Writers must create an account at the Nicholl website to enter the competition. PDF scripts must be uploaded and all other requirements met.
• Go to Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Nicholl Fellowships for specific deadlines. 

• freshman
• sophomore
• junior
• senior
• graduate

• US Citizen
• Permanent Resident
• International or Other Visa Status
• Undocumented

REGISTER AND APPLY

Writers may create an online account at the Nicholl website at any time. When the competition opens each year, they should use that account to enter, following the links to the Log In page. The Nicholl website allows entrants to fill out the required online application form, submit a PDF version of their script and pay the entry fee with a credit or debit card. It also allows entrants to confirm receipt of their entry and to update their contact information at any time during the competition.

Only online applications will be accepted.

SCRIPT SUBMISSIONS

A single entrant or writing team may submit a maximum of ONE script in the year of competition.

The script should be no shorter than 70 pages and no longer than 160 pages. The recommended length is 80 to 125 pages.

Writers must create an account at the Nicholl website to enter the competition. Script PDF must be uploaded and all other requirements met.

PAYMENT

The entry fee must be paid online via credit card or debit card.

Up to five fellows in the Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting competition will be invited to participate in awards week ceremonies and seminars in November.

Fellowship recipients will be expected to complete at least one original feature film screenplay during the fellowship year.

Fellowship payments will be made quarterly subject to satisfactory progress of the recipient’s work, as judged by the Academy Nicholl Fellowships Committee.

The Academy reserves the right to grant no awards if, in the opinion of the Academy Nicholl Fellowships Committee, no entry is of sufficient merit.

For more information, contact

Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting
1313 Vine Street
Hollywood, California 90028
(310) 247-3010
nicholl@oscars.org