How do I format my script for a script writing competition?

Formatting a Movie Script for a Script Writing Competition follows the same industry-standard conventions used throughout the Film Industry, though writers should always confirm exact requirements against the specific Film Festival or contest they're entering, since rules vary slightly between organizations.

Basic layout. Movie Scripts are typically formatted on standard 8.5 x 11-inch paper in portrait orientation, using 12-point Courier or Courier New font throughout. The left margin is generally set at 1.5 inches to allow for three-hole punching, while the right margin sits at around 1 inch. Page numbers usually appear in the upper right corner, about half an inch from the top and one inch from the right edge. The first page of the Movie Script itself is not numbered.

Scene headings and structure. Scene headings, or "sluglines," should be capitalized, with "Interior" and "Exterior" abbreviated as INT. and EXT., followed by the location and time of day. Action lines, dialogue, character cues, and parentheticals each follow their own specific indentation and spacing rules within the standard format, which most screenwriting software (such as Final Draft, Fountain, or Celtx) applies automatically.

Title page and anonymity. Many Script Writing Competitions require a title page listing only the script's title and sometimes a logline, deliberately omitting the writer's name and contact details so Movie Scripts can be judged anonymously. Full identifying information is instead submitted separately through an entry form.

Page length. Expected length depends on the script type: a feature-length screenplay commonly falls somewhere between roughly 90 and 120 pages, while short scripts, TV pilots, or web series episodes have their own separate ranges set by each competition. Since one script page roughly equals one minute of screen time, staying within the stated range signals a properly paced, professionally formatted piece.

Why it matters. Many Film Festivals and labs use formatting as an early screening filter — entries that stray from standard conventions or exceed page limits are sometimes set aside before a reader even evaluates the story. For this reason, Filmmakers and aspiring Screenwriters are strongly advised to study produced Movie Scripts, use dedicated screenwriting software, and carefully review each competition's individual submission guidelines rather than relying on general assumptions, since requirements can differ meaningfully across Film Festivals and industry bodies.