Barnstorm Fest

12th year

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Festival Description

Barnstorm is not just a screenplay competition, its goal is to help you develop your script for production. Every script receives actionable and constructive feedback from an industry professional and Finalists receive a one-on-one consultation with a feature film producer, as well as heaps of other rewards designed to help you get your film produced. The GRAND JURY PRIZE chooses between $5,000 USD or a $5,000 screenplay option from Barnstorm Media.

Deadlines

Call for Entries

06/20/2026

Discounted Earlybird

07/10/2026

Earlybird

07/31/2026

Discounted Official

08/21/2026

Official

09/12/2026

Discounted Extended

10/02/2026

Extended

10/31/2026

Last Minute

12/01/2026

Short Description

Barnstorm is the leading festival for emerging screenwriters and independent voices.

info@barnstormfest.com

Official Website

https://barnstormfest.com

Rules+Terms

Rules
1. Screenplays must be in English, formatted to industry standards and submitted as PDFs.
2. Scripts submitted to the competition must NOT have been previously optioned, purchased or produced at the time of entry.
3. Barnstorm's competition decisions are final.
4. In the event of multiple writers, list all additional co-writers on title page. Please NOTE: Barnstorm divides awards equally among co-writers.
5. Submissions that are 120 pages or longer may see a delay in the return of their feedback.

Terms & Conditions

I have read all of Barnstorm Fest’s rules and regulations. I understand and have complied with these rules.

I understand that if awarded, I have seven days to claim my prize, after which the prize is voided.

I understand that failure to adhere to Barnstorm Fest’s rules will result in disqualification. 

I am the sole owner and author of the submitted material.

Furthermore, I indemnify Barnstorm Fest, its affiliates, sponsors and judges of and from any and all claims, loss or liability that may be asserted against you or incurred by you or any associates, at any time in connection with said material.

If chosen as an AWARD winner, I give Barnstorm Fest a Non-exclusive, Worldwide, Royalty Free license to use excerpts of my media and biographical information for advertising or promotional purposes, including, without limitation, the right of display, reproduction, and distribution on barnstormfest.com or its social media outlets.

Also, please refer to our FAQ at barnstormfest.com/faq

Awards + Benefits

Every submission receives feedback from an industry professional.

FINALIST PACKAGE

Three finalists will be awarded from each category.

Every finalist receives a one-on-one consultation with a producer from Barnstorm Media who can advise you on how to get your film or pilot made, or, better yet, how to make it yourself.

All finalists receive a prize package from Script Mailer, who will email your script to over 400 of the industry's top agents, including agents at ICM, CAA and WME.

One finalist from each category will receive a 4-month InkTip Pro Membership. As an InkTip Pro Member, thousands of filmmakers can find and read your scripts, and you'll be able to pitch directly to production companies every week. With over 3,000 options and 400 movies made, InkTip is the place for independent film. Companies who are InkTip members include: ABC, Anonymous Content, APA, CBS Films, HBO Films, ICM, Paradigm, Paramount Pictures, Hallmark Channel, FX, Universal, WME, Bad Robot, and 20th Century.

One finalist will have have their screenplay considered for grant offers and production by Unsolicited Scripts.

GRAND JURY PRIZE

One script, regardless of category, will receive the Grand Jury Prize package. The package includes all prizes offered to finalists, plus the choice of either $2,500 USD or a $5,000 screenplay option from Barnstorm Media.

During the option period, Barnstorm Media will strive to package your script for production!

You can learn more about screenplay options here: 
https://www.studiobinder.com/blog/what-does-it-mean-to-option-a-script

Accepted Formats + Categories

FEATURE (Scripts, Pitch Decks, Treatments, Loglines)
TELEVISION (Pilots, Series, Spec Script, Pitch Decks, Treatments, Bibles)
SHORT (Scripts, Pitch Decks, Treatments)

The Short List

Finalists

Grand Jury

12/15/2026

12/30/2026

Submission Fees

Call for Entries

FEATURE: $50
SHORT: $45
TELEVISION: $45
EXPEDITED FEEDBACK (add-on service, 2 week turnaround): $15

Discounted Earlybird

FEATURE: $55
SHORT: $50
TELEVISION: $50
EXPEDITED FEEDBACK (add-on service, 2 week turnaround): $15

Earlybird

FEATURE: $65
SHORT: $60
TELEVISION: $60
EXPEDITED FEEDBACK (add-on service, 2 week turnaround): $15

Discounted Official

FEATURE: $70
SHORT: $65
TELEVISION: $65

Official

FEATURE: $80
SHORT: $75
TELEVISION: $75

Discounted Extended

FEATURE: $85
SHORT: $80
TELEVISION: $80
EXPEDITED FEEDBACK (add-on service, 2 week turnaround): $15

Extended

FEATURE: $95
SHORT: $90
TELEVISION: $90
EXPEDITED FEEDBACK (add-on service, 2 week turnaround): $15

Last Minute

FEATURE: $99
SHORT: $95
TELEVISION: $95
EXPEDITED FEEDBACK (add-on service, 2 week turnaround): $15

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MENTORS

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ADDITIONAL PICTURES

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Submitted Screenplays

Screenplay name

Project Typ

Description

Submitted By:

Email:

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Barnstorm Fest

12th year

Deadlines

Call for Entries

06/20/2026

Discounted Earlybird

07/10/2026

Earlybird

07/31/2026

Discounted Official

08/21/2026

Official

09/12/2026

Discounted Extended

10/02/2026

Extended

10/31/2026

Last Minute

12/01/2026

The Short List

Finalists

Grand Jury

12/15/2026

12/30/2026

12/30/2026

Submission Fees

Call for Entries

FEATURE: $50SHORT: $45TELEVISION: $45EXPEDITED FEEDBACK (add-on service, 2 week turnaround): $15

Discounted Earlybird

FEATURE: $55SHORT: $50TELEVISION: $50EXPEDITED FEEDBACK (add-on service, 2 week turnaround): $15

Earlybird

FEATURE: $65SHORT: $60TELEVISION: $60EXPEDITED FEEDBACK (add-on service, 2 week turnaround): $15

Discounted Official

FEATURE: $70SHORT: $65TELEVISION: $65

Official

FEATURE: $80SHORT: $75TELEVISION: $75

Discounted Extended

FEATURE: $85SHORT: $80TELEVISION: $80EXPEDITED FEEDBACK (add-on service, 2 week turnaround): $15

Extended

FEATURE: $95SHORT: $90TELEVISION: $90EXPEDITED FEEDBACK (add-on service, 2 week turnaround): $15

Last Minute

FEATURE: $99SHORT: $95TELEVISION: $95EXPEDITED FEEDBACK (add-on service, 2 week turnaround): $15

MENTORS

There are no mentors to display at the moment.

Heading 5

Heading 5

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ADDITIONAL PICTURES

There are currently no pictures to show.

Submitted Screenplays

Screenplay name

Project Typ

Description

Submitted By:

Email:

FEATURE: $50
SHORT: $45
TELEVISION: $45
EXPEDITED FEEDBACK (add-on service, 2 week turnaround): $15

FEATURE: $55
SHORT: $50
TELEVISION: $50
EXPEDITED FEEDBACK (add-on service, 2 week turnaround): $15

FEATURE: $65
SHORT: $60
TELEVISION: $60
EXPEDITED FEEDBACK (add-on service, 2 week turnaround): $15

FEATURE: $70
SHORT: $65
TELEVISION: $65

FEATURE: $80
SHORT: $75
TELEVISION: $75

FEATURE: $85
SHORT: $80
TELEVISION: $80
EXPEDITED FEEDBACK (add-on service, 2 week turnaround): $15

FEATURE: $95
SHORT: $90
TELEVISION: $90
EXPEDITED FEEDBACK (add-on service, 2 week turnaround): $15

FEATURE: $99
SHORT: $95
TELEVISION: $95
EXPEDITED FEEDBACK (add-on service, 2 week turnaround): $15