Raindance is dedicated to fostering and promoting independent film in the UK and around the world. Based in the heart of London, Raindance’s ecosystem includes Raindance Film Festival, Raindance Raw Talent, Raindance Open Courses, the higher education institute Raindance Film School, and the prestigious British Independent Film Awards.Â
At Raindance, we believe in championing independents in every way. As such, our script competition is designed to develop upon Raindance’s network and community, and offer greater opportunities to emerging screenwriters.Â
Similarly, Raindance has always been proud to offer a fantastic opportunity to network amongst both established and emerging talent, for those looking to develop their network of collaborators and peers.Â
Raindance is proud to have supported an array of successful artists in their pursuit of creative goals. Such success stories include, but are not limited to: Christopher Nolan, Guy Ritchie, Andrea Arnold, Matthew Vaughn, David Yates, Gavin Hood, Tom Hooper, Edgar Wright, Sacha Baron Cohen, Julian Fellowes and Nick Hornby.
For further enquiries, please email scriptcompetition@raindance.co.uk
Early Deadline: 7th December 2026
Regular Deadline: 18th January 2027
Late Deadline: 8th March 2027
The Raindance Film Festival Script Competition exists to support and champion emerging screenwriters, in keeping with Raindance’s long-standing commitment to independent film and storytelling. The competition is designed to offer writers recognition, visibility, and meaningful opportunities to engage with the film and television industry, while ensuring writers retain full ownership of their work.
As part of the competition process, selected scripts will be named to The Raindance Discovery List. The Discovery List represents the finalist selection of the Raindance Script Competition and consists of a curated shortlist of 16-20 standout scripts chosen from all eligible submissions.
Scripts selected for the Discovery List will be shared directly with a group of established production companies and industry partners. The Discovery List is designed to bridge the gap between emerging writers and the film and television industry by placing selected scripts directly into the hands of development teams.
Discovery List Breakdown
The Discovery List will include:
- 4-5 Unproduced Feature scripts
- 4-5 Unproduced Short scripts
- 8-10 Unproduced TV scripts
Scripts selected for the Discovery List will be publicly announced as finalists of the Raindance Script Competition. Industry partners may evaluate Discovery List scripts for development, advisory involvement, or future collaboration, at their own discretion. Selection for the Discovery List does not guarantee development, representation, or production.
At any stage of the judging process, if a script is considered particularly strong and aligned with the creative interests of one of Raindance’s industry partners, it may be shared with a producer for consideration prior to finalist selection. Being shared with an industry partner does not guarantee selection for The Discovery List and does not imply development, representation, or production. Likewise, early industry sharing does not disqualify a script from progressing through the competition or from being selected for the Discovery List at a later stage.
If a writer does not wish for their script to be shared with industry partners, this must be clearly stated at the time of submission.
The competition recognises excellence across the following categories:
- Unproduced Feature
- Unproduced Short
- Unproduced Comedy TV
- Unproduced Drama TV
From all eligible submissions, the judging process is expected to identify approximately:
- 64 Quarterfinalists, divided across categories
- 32 Semifinalists, divided across categories
- 16-20 Finalists, named to The Raindance Discovery List
All selections are made by the competition judges. Judges’ decisions are final.
One winner will be selected in each category.
Winners will be announced at the official Raindance Film Festival Awards Ceremony, held in London, UK, in June 2026.
Additional Benefits
Festival Accreditation
All finalists will receive a complimentary accreditation to the Raindance Film Festival.
Script Angel Consultation
Each Raindance Script Competition category winner will receive a free one-to-one script consultation with a Script Angel consultant.
Script Development Masterclass
All shortlisted writers (Quarterfinalists and above) will be invited to attend an exclusive Script Development Masterclass with Script Angel.
Additional prizes may be announced closer to the festival.
Please read the following rules and guidelines carefully before submitting. Submissions that do not adhere to these regulations may be disqualified.
- Writers from all countries are eligible to submit.
2. All scripts must be submitted in English, or include a full English translation. The English-language version will be used for judging purposes.
3. Raindance employees and their immediate family members are ineligible to enter the competition.
4. Scripts must be the original work of the writer(s). All writers must hold full legal ownership of the material and the right to submit it.
5. Adaptations are permitted, provided the submitting writer(s) hold the legal rights to adapt the underlying material.
6. Scripts must be unproduced at the time of submission. Scripts scheduled to enter production after the Raindance Film Festival Awards Ceremony remain eligible.
7. There is no limit to the number of scripts a writer may submit. Each submission requires a separate entry fee.
8. Resubmissions of the same material are permitted but require a new entry fee.
9. All submissions must be made electronically.
10. Scripts that placed in the top three of previous Raindance Script Competitions are not eligible for re-entry.
11. Entry fees are non-refundable once a submission has been made.
12. Written feedback is not provided unless selected and purchased at the time of submission.
13. All scripts must be submitted in PDF format and adhere to industry-standard screenplay formatting (12-point Courier font).
14. Co-written scripts are permitted. All writers must be credited at the time of submission.
Script registration (Raindance, WGA, copyright services, etc.) is recommended but not required.
15. All submission deadlines are 11:59pm GMT, without exception.
16. Series bibles or additional documents submitted alongside pilots will not be read and must not be included.
17. If a script contains graphic content or material that may be considered potentially triggering, the submitting writer must provide an appropriate content or trigger warning, either within the script or via a comment at the point of submission.
18. All judging decisions are final.
19. Prizes are awarded to the script. In the case of co-written entries, it is the responsibility of the writers to divide any prizes between themselves.
20. By submitting to the competition, writers grant Raindance permission to share their script internally with trusted industry partners for consideration purposes, regardless of whether the script is selected for the Discovery List.
21. By submitting, finalists and winners agree to the use of their name, script title, and image for promotional purposes by Raindance and its affiliates.
22. Raindance asserts no ownership or option rights over any submitted material. All rights remain with the original rights holders.
23. By entering, the submitter confirms they have obtained permission from all co-writers and any attached parties to submit the script.
