Holle Award for Excellence in Screenwriting

The Holle Award for Excellence in Screenwriting celebrates an exemplary original script of any genre.

Who’s eligible?

Any individual undergraduate student who is currently enrolled in a U.S. institution of higher learning. Students who are graduating during the calendar year of submission are eligible to apply, even though the award may be conferred after they have graduated. 

Submission Guidelines and Materials

• Applicants must create an account with the Submittable platform to apply for the award. Complete the online application form.
• Submissions should be anonymized. Please remove or distort any identifiable information from your entry.
• Upload a completed and original full-length feature script (80-120 pages). Include a cover page with a one sentence logline.
• Submit a brief synopsis (approximately 300 words)
• Submit an artist statement (no more than three paragraphs) that explains how your submission aligns with the Holle Awards mission. This statement should also provide context and insight into the work and include the intentions of the project.
• Scripts should be written in standard spec screenplay or teleplay format, set in 12-point Courier font (for help with standard formatting, see The Screenwriter’s Bible). Entries must be uploaded as an Adobe Acrobat .pdf file. 
• The entry must be an original work. Adaptations of other artistic works will be disqualified.
• Include the name and contact information of one faculty reference/sponsor at your current institution, who has reviewed your work.
• Include a professional headshot and brief bio. Headshots should have a neutral background and include your head and shoulders only.

AI policy: The use of AI is not allowed for submissions to the Holle Award for Excellence in Screenwriting. Applications will be disqualified if AI or plagiarism is suspected. All advanced entries will be checked with AI-Detection tools to ensure compliance. The Holle Awards are intended to reward originality, creativity, and ingenuity.

All applications should align with the mission of the award and the vision of Everett Holle.

While it is not a requirement to apply to the Holle Awards, we encourage you to register your work through the U.S. Copyright Office. 

Holle Award winners will be required to release the use of their name, image, likeness and representation of their work for promotional purposes but not commercial gain.