Script Competition

Nov 15, 2026

The Pittsburgh Shorts Script Competition showcases stellar scripts of 15 pages or fewer with live readings by some of Pittsburgh's best actors.

Submit now on FilmFreeway!

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Script Competition

Pittsburgh Shorts Script Competition has earned a reputation for presenting the best international contemporary short films and scripts in the Pittsburgh region in partnership with Carnegie Screenwriters. We are dedicated to the art of short film, which we know starts on the page. That’s why we boost writers through a script competition in partnership with Carnegie Screenwriters where we continually seek out new voices.

We pride ourselves on our reasonable entrance fees, cash prizes, travel assistance, and all-festival and all-conference passes for finalists. The winner of the Script Competition will receive a $500 prize and a 1-hour consultation with a Roadmap Writers executive.  All four finalists will have their scripts performed by professional actors at a well-attended staged reading. In addition, all writers who submit a script to the competition receive a free educational webinar of their choice from Roadmap Writers plus a 10% off discount on any additional program at RoadmapWriters.com.

Script submissions are now open!

2026 Juror

2026 FINALISTS
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DRAWN TOGETHER
by Amy Harrison
A woman with strict dating criteria finds herself drawn to the wrong man, just as a psychic’s sketch hints she might be right.

HOLD TIGHT
by Ayla Amano
Grieving 13-year-old Nat flees the house and runs to the one place she still feels in control: a football match.

MAVOURNEEN
by Kwabena Nimo
A household mourns the untimely passing of a family member, each in their own way.

A PHOTO FROM YESTERDAY
by Dominick Cura
A closeted teen escapes to the Washington Coast with his camera. Joined by a carefree runaway, their journey sparks a bond that forces him to confront his past and identity.

Semifinalists

BAND-AID by Kush Rajesh
CLEANER by Sara Hallowell
FROM MEMORY by Carter Sanderson
SPIRIT WALKERS by Victor Dean
THE SUBJECT by Kelly Karam
A WALK WITH UNCLE SAUL by Tanisha Jackson

Quarter Finalists

EVERY NIGHT AT MIDNIGHT by Julie Sharbutt
FIRST TIME by Chase Norman
GWADA by Kathy Meng & Harry Bacon
INHERITANCE by Kevin Machate
LIL’ BOOMER by Patrick Daniels
MIRACLE TREE by Maren Curtis
THE NIGHT SHIFT by Jacintha Charles
SAME LAST NAME by Matthew Palmer
THE SPIDER by Isabella Blick
SPLINTER by Amy Grove & Selene Phillips

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