We’re proud to unveil an exciting new chapter for the Raindance Script Competition in our 2026 edition — introducing The Discovery List.
This new format aims to bridge the gap between talented writers and the film and television industry, giving more scripts the opportunity to be seen, developed, and ultimately produced.
What’s new
Alongside our traditional awards, we will introduce The Discovery List — a shortlist of 20 standout scripts selected from this year’s submissions. These scripts will be shared directly with leading production companies, including Bosena, Marauder Pictures, Developing Room Films, Eldub Films, and more to be announced soon. By putting your script into the hands of industry professionals, we aim to bring you one step closer to seeing your story on screen.
Competition categories remain the same:
We’ll continue to recognise excellence across the four existing categories:
– Unproduced Feature
– Unproduced Short
– Unproduced Comedy TV
– Unproduced Drama TV
Winners in each category will be announced at the awards ceremony in London, UK, in June 2026.
Why the change
With The Discovery List and our growing network of production partners, writers will now have more tangible opportunities to get discovered and engage directly with development teams. Even if a script isn’t picked up immediately, the experience of industry feedback and collaboration will offer valuable insight into the development process.
This evolution of the competition is designed to give writers greater exposure and practical routes into the film and TV world — ensuring that success at Raindance means not just recognition, but real opportunity.
Submissions now open
Submissions for the 2026 Raindance Script Competition are now open. The Early Bird Deadline is 8 December 2025. This year, alongside entering your script into the competition, you can also choose to receive professional feedback or coverage from one of our expert readers — a new opportunity to gain constructive insights and strengthen your work before it reaches industry hands.
Stay tuned for more partnership announcements and submission details in the coming months.
Raindance promotes and supports independent filmmaking and filmmakers.
From new and emerging to industry pros, Raindance connects, trains, supports, and promotes visual storytellers through every step of their career.
The Raindance Film Festival runs each Summer in London’s Leicester Square.
Raindance has been delivering film training since 1992. A wide range of Open Classes to a 2 year HND Level 5 BTEC in Moving Images to a Postgraduate Film Degree are delivered to students on five continents, both in person and online.
