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WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING

Killer Shorts really makes good on their promise to do the most for their writers both during and after the season is over and continues to have amazing communication with their writers to ensure that they stay encouraged and are getting the most out of their entries which, in comparison to a lot of other competitions out there, are incredibly affordable. Truly, there's no other competition out there like it and I encourage anyone with a short horror script to enter.

Sarah WardCoverfly Review

After taking a long hiatus from writing, a contest dedicated to just short horror stories resonated with me. Killer Shorts was the contest that inspired me to start again. Three years later and it's the contest I consistently enter because it's well run and I've met some great writers who have motivated me to keep at it. I also appreciate the articles and short films they feature on their channel year round.

Jason RiceCoverfly Review

Killer Shorts is the best script contest I've entered with a great community of horror fans and some of the most respected people in the genre on the jury. There's very much a feeling of encouragement from the team behind it.

Dave ThorpeCoverfly Review

I really can't say enough good things about this festival - the level of communication and hard work the organisers put into everything is astonishing. These are people who actually care about the submissions, and you really feel that.

Ben WoodiwissFilmFreeway Review

Loved this screenplay competition. The journey was very communicative, the process has been easy, the other writers selected are all incredibly talented, and Alison is awesome. I'm humbled to have been selected as one of their top-10 finalists in the competition, and look forward in submitting again in the future. Season 5 here I come!

Victor RidauraCoverfly Review

As a member of Script Hive, it was amazing to find they were putting on their first horror shorts competition! As a member, I was able to take advantage of some discounts that really sold me on the value of entering. On top of that, the prizes were stellar: the top 3 scripts get sent to top Hollywood agencies who actively develop horror shorts into features! If that wasn't a good enough reason to enter, they also excelled in communicating (through their podcast) during the judging phase by exploring what makes a great horror short. There is only one contest that dares to offer this much value to its entrants!

Garret AmersonFilmFreeway Review

My experience with Killer Shorts was truly an amazing one. They created a fantastic avenue for aspiring horror writers like myself to better the trajectory of your career. I love the social interaction through their contest, their online presence and of course their love for the horror genre. There will definitely be new voices and new stars in horror coming from Killer Shorts. I am honored to have placed in the quarterfinals in their inaugural competition and look forward to submitting new work to them next time around.

Roberto AlvarengaFilmFreeway Review

This is a great little festival. Excellent communication from the organizers. I would love to see them keep building.

Travis HeermannFilmFreeway Review

A really fun festival to participate in with a focus on advocating for horror filmmakers. Loved the challenge of the bite-sized horror.

Deanna GomezFilmFreeway Review

A fantastic experience entering this competition. It is very professionally run with great communication and has a truly special prize. A great opportunity for screenwriters to get their work noticed. Totally recommended.

David BryantFilmFreeway Review

Killer Shorts was an absolute pleasure to take part in from start to finish. Extremely easy to communicate with, they always promptly responded to my questions or messages whether it was via email or even Instagram. I submitted four overall scripts--two for the 1 page contest (neither made the cut, but still fun to write!), and then my regular shorts... both made the Quarterfinals, and I was honored that DUST made the semifinals! The winners are beyond well deserved and it's great to see that true enthusiasts of the genre are reading and judging your work in good faith. Thanks again, Killer Shorts! I'm starting on my next short soon and can't wait to participate again!

Kareline CastorFilmFreeway Review

There are many screenwriting competitions out there, only a few are worth entering. This is one of them, and it's right up there at the top of the list in their inaugural year.

First, the communication. They make you feel immersed and involved. Personalised emails, social media groups, even a podcast where they discuss some of the scripts and judging process. Then the prizes. They are not only decent in themselves, but all revolve around getting you, and you script proper exposure. I even received a free pitch as a prize at the quarter-final stage, which is unheard of.

The attention to detail, care and genuine efforts to promote the screenplays and the writers are above and beyond what most competitions offer. I can see Killer Shorts going from strength-to-strength and highly recommend entering.

Mark RenshawFilmFreeway Review

Very cool festival. Good communication and very high quality.

Mark A. C. BrownFilmFreeway Review

An amazing entry for short horror screenplays run by a professional staff offering amazing opportunities for new writers.

Wilfred EstevesFilmFreeway Review

What I love about Killer Shorts is that the contest director is a writer, who cares about other writers and their success. The contest offers really great perks for the winners to have their screenplays read by some of the best managers in the business. I also received feedback on the quality of my script. Will submit again. Thanks Killer Shorts!

Katherine Sainte MarieFilmFreeway Review

Amazing festival!!! Very attentive, with great communication. They offered to help however they can with my one-page Honorable Mention script, whether it be crowdfunding or promotion. They create a spirit of camraderie with their FB group and the #killeralums group. The prizes are also awesome. Thank you for my Honorable Mention, Killer Shorts! I'll be back 🙂

Sandra WadeFilmFreeway Review

Killer Shorts is the premiere short horror screenplay contest. I’ve only participated in 2 seasons, but I feel that it will become an annual tradition for me as long as the contest continues!

Phill DishonCoverfly Review

This is a great competition! Excellent communication, well organized, and fun prizes. It's obvious that the organizers really care about these scripts and the writers behind them. Highly recommend!

Maureen TrinhFilmFreeway Review

Awesome competition with an amazing team of people running it!

Briana BougardFilmFreeway Review

I was honored to have my one page script “Staring Contest” selected as a top 10 finalist. This festival promotes fantastic work in the horror genre, and even though I was not a top three finisher, the exposure and support of the festival staff has opened so many doors for me! Thank you again!

Phillip DishonFilmFreeway Review

Incredibly well run. I can't say enough for how much work the people behind this contest put into it. I've submitted twice to this competition and in both cases my experience has been super rewarding.

Brian LisiFilmFreeway Review

I am grateful that my script GATE BAIT was a selection at Killer Shorts. Despite not advancing past the Semis, I know that others have had tremendous advances in their careers due to this festival. Killer Shorts' social media presence and transparency is top-notch. This festival is worth the price of submission.

Paul GrammaticoFilmFreeway Review

Killer Shorts is easily one of the best screenwriting competitions I've been part of. They're so communicative, they look out for their contestants, and they're FUN. I'm so honored to have been a Semi-Finalist in Season 3. If you're a horror screenwriter, submitting to Killer Shorts is a no-brainer.

Sara LynnFilmFreeway Review

This was a fun and informative process. Communication was great 🙂 The podcast was also very helpful. Thank you!

April M. SanchezFilmFreeway Review

I was very impressed with this newly established contest. Communications were both personal and professional. I especially enjoyed the podcast wherein they discussed what makes a winning short script, discussing some of our current entries and what made them stand out. It probably sounds corny, but I felt welcomed and appreciated. I was also pleased to win a free pitch!

Janet LoftisFilmFreeway Review

Amazing contest with top notch sponsors and prizes. The contest was administered with professionalism, offering updates via email and on all social media platforms. The discord channel provides a sense of community beyond just the competition, so the support continues long after the entry date! Hard to believe that this was only the first year of the competition, I can only see it growing and getting better in years to come!

Chris HicksFilmFreeway Review

Was a great chance to stretch my writing chops into the horror genre -- the team behind the competition are very friendly and know their stuff - if there's another one happening - count me in.

Justin VillemureFilmFreeway Review

Great competition. The host was very friendly, communicative and encouraging. Will definitely enter again next year!

Rubel Rafael AhmedFilmFreeway Review

JUDGES

Get in front of Hollywood judges who love horror shorts and supporting emerging screenwriters.

SUCCESS STORIES

Season 3 Top 10 Finalist KELLY NUGENT signed with a literary manager at WONDER STREET after Killer Shorts set her up with a career consultation at Coverfly. “Out of all of the competitions I entered (and even other ones that I straight up won), Killer Shorts was the most helpful and most tailored to me.”

Kelly NugentSCREENWRITER

Season 1 Third Place Winner CHRIS HICKS signed with literary manager PETER KATZ of STORY DRIVEN, after the success of his short script THE BUTTER STREET HITCHHIKER landed him on Coverfly's The Red List. He recently made a record-breaking short story sale to Netflix with Jessica Chastain attached to star!

Chris HicksSCREENWRITER

After setting up a Coverfly career consultation for married #killeralum writing duo KATHERINE COX & MATT MCCARTHY, they sold three short screenplays to a production company!

Katherine Cox & Matt McCarthySCREENWRITERS

"Before winning Killer Shorts, I had no idea how much buzz a short script could create. I’ve since met with a couple managers and I’m working with two producers on getting my short made!" Alessandra is now a writer on the Paramount+ show Wolf Pack, starring Sarah Michelle Gellar.

Alessandra Jara Del CastilloSCREENWRITER

Season 1 Top Ten Finalist JEREMIAH LEWIS's script THE RICKETY MAN was discovered by director CAMERON GALLAGHER on the Killer Shorts website. The film has been produced and is currently on the film festival circuit.

Jeremiah LewisSCREENWRITER

CONNOR SAVAGE was inspired to write a feature version of his Season 1 semifinalist script SASKIA, which reached the Top 10% in the Academy Nicholls Fellowship and helped him get accepted to AFI’s Screenwriting Conservatory, the #1 Film School in America.

Connor SavageSCREENWRITER

JOHN LICATA was inspired by Killer Shorts to write YOU'RE IT, which placed as a semifinalist in Season 1. The script caught the attention of a producer who now plans to film John's Season 2 quarterfinalist script CHOCOLATE ROULETTE. John credits this exciting new partnership to Killer Shorts!

John LicataSCREENWRITER

“Gummies would not exist without the prompt from Killer Shorts!”
Michael’s 1-page short GUMMIES received an Honorable Mention in Season 3. This momentum placed a spotlight on the script and we’re thrilled to report it has found favor with award-winning director, Renetta Amador.

Michael CliftonSCREENWRITER

Being a semi-finalist in Killer Shorts definitely gave me encouragement to pursue directing my short THANK YOU YOU'RE WELCOME, and the confidence to approach cast and crew. "If Killer Shorts liked it, then maybe it is worthwhile to make." If I hadn't submitted to Killer Shorts, I never would've done my subsequent rewrites, and the script would've just been shoved into a metaphorical drawer, unfinished and forgotten. Instead, I'm now shooting in three weeks!

Erin SmithSCREENWRITER

THE TOP 3 WINNERS RECEIVE:

Circulation and recommendation to our network of Hollywood managers, agents, producers and development executives.
Final Draft 12 Screenwriting Software.
Career consultations with Coverfly’s Head of Development, & a 60 minute Career Development call with a Stage 32 industry professional.
Access to Robert Mckee’s 3 Part Horror Webinar Series, including three 90-minute lessons where McKee teaches the sources of horror, the hidden worlds within reality, and the secret to writing a monster that will terrify your audience.
Increased rank on Coverfly’s The Red List.
ISAConnect Memberships (6 months, 3 months, 3 months)
1-Year Premium Subscription to ScriptHop
1-Year Rockstar Membership to Script Revolution
A skull-shaped typewriter trophy, hand-sculpted and designed by celebrity FX artist Tyler Green (Syfy’s Face Off).
Waived entry to multiple other contests and festivals.
5 pages of in-depth analysis and actionable advice from The Script Butcher. (3rd Place Only)
…plus free memberships and swag courtesy of Rue Morgue, Fright Rags, Ghoulish Gary, and Horror Pack.

ADDITIONAL PRIZES

Top 10 Finalist

Finalist Laurels, Final Draft license, Stage 32 short script coverage from an industry professional, Increased rank on Coverfly’s The Red List, plus, your script will be read by our panel of industry judges.

Top 1%

Semi Finalist

Semi Finalist Laurels, Increased rank on Coverfly’s The Red List, Stage 32 Next Level Webinar of your choice, plus your screenplay will be made available by request to potential producers and filmmakers.

Top 5%

Quarter Finalist

Quarter Finalist Laurels, Increased rank on Coverfly’s The Red List, 20% off of Stage 32's Search For New Blood Screenwriting Contest, and 5 Coverfly Tokens for use on Coverfly’s free peer-to-peer notes exchange.

Top 10%

We recognize that shorter scripts have a slight disadvantage when it comes to impressing literary managers,
so we are thrilled to continue our ‘1 Page Category’, with prizes geared towards helping you produce a micro-short horror film.

Can you tell a horror story in just 1 page?

THE BEST 1-PAGE SCRIPT RECEIVES:

An all-access 1 year subscription to Stan Winston School, including their Course library by The Masters of FX.
Final Draft 12 Screenwriting Software.
A QWERKYWRITER® Best-In-Class Typewriter Inspired Mechanical Keyboard.
$500 Cash.
A skull-shaped typewriter trophy, hand-sculpted and designed by celebrity FX artist Tyler Green (Syfy’s Face Off).
Increased rank on Coverfly’s The Red List.
6 Month ISAConnect Membership.
1-Year Premium Subscription to ScriptHop
1-Year Rockstar Membership to Script Revolution

*Submissions are $10 and unlimited, but must not exceed 1 page. Not eligible for the main competition prizes.