Most established screenwriters I have talked to have told me that aside from like 3 of them, most screenwriting contests are mostly scams / money snatching schemes. And I have to say, a lot of the contests aren't helping themselves with this reputation. The communication alone can be quite bad. Take for example, the Dallas International Film Festival. Zero communication. When you submit, no emails from them. They announced their quarterfinalists on Instagram! No emails. No updated website, nothing. Just snatch your money and do their thing. A couple of other contests have been like that as well. I don't expect my hand held, but even a minimal attempt at basic communication would go a long way for making them look at least semi-professional. Because otherwise, yeah, it does just feel like a shameless cash grab and really sours a person on the idea of contests.
Screenwriting : Reputation of Screenwriting Contests by Arlis Mongold
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Shortly after I became a member here two years ago, I did a small statistical analysis. I checked the finalists at a big screenwrriting contest ten years ago. For one third of the finalists, there career was better after than before. For an equal number, the result was the opposite. For the remaining third, there was no change.
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For what it's worth (for TV scripts at least), here's a list of some current ones with good reputations that aren't run like a shady used car lot:
1. Stage 32 (all of their contests)
2. Austin FF
3. Big Break
4. Scriptapalooza
5. PAGE
6. Emerging Screenwriters (screenplay and genre contests)
7. Los Angeles International Screenplay Awards
8. Script Pipeline
9. Shore Scripts TV Mentoring Program
10. The Golden Script Competition
11. Outstanding Screenplays
12. ISA Fast Track Fellowship
13. Filmmatic (TV pilot, genre categories, Inroads fellowship)
14. Roadmap Writers
15. Sundance
16. Studio fellowships
I'd say if you stick to like the Top 20-ish of known and trusted screenplay competitions, you'll have a positive experience with them. I personally can't speak to dealing with most of the other contests or festivals out there, but if you submit to the Downtown Green Bay Quarterly Screenplay Competition, there's a pretty good chance you're wasting your time and money and you'd get what you paid for.
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Good stuff. Thanks for taking the time to write that, much appreciated.
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Completely agree with you on DIFF, I will never be participating in that contest again.
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I agree with "most established screenwriters."