The Canadian Short Screenplay Competition (CSSC) is Canada’s most prestigious short screenplay competition, dedicated to discovering and championing screenwriters. Founded in 2008, it has produced several award-winning short films and serves as a launching pad for writers’ careers

The competition is open to writers from any country and of any nationality! Whether you’re a professional or an emerging writer, you’re welcome to submit your screenplay.

Early Bird Deadline: December 28, 2025
Early Bird Standard Fee: $50.00 USD
Early Bird Student Fee: $30.00 USD

Regular Deadline: January 25, 2026
Regular Standard Fee: $55.00 USD
Regular Student Fee: $35.00 USD

Late Deadline: February 22, 2026
Late Standard Fee: $60.00 USD
Late Student Fee: $40.00 USD

Final Deadline: March 22, 2026
Final Standard Fee: $65.00 USD
Final Student Fee: $45.00 USD

I-Missed-The-Deadline Deadline: April 12, 2026
I-Missed-The-Deadline Standard Fee: $75.00 USD
I-Missed-The-Deadline Student Fee: $50.00 USD

SHORT SCREENPLAY CATEGORY

BEST SCREENPLAY GRAND PRIZE
Writers’ Block Crystal Award — 1st Place
Option and Purchase Agreement for $1000 CAD
Free Membership to WIFT+ ($199.99 CAD Value)
Free Accreditation to the Yorkton Film Festival ($350.00 CAD Value)
1 Year License for Scriptation Industry Pro ($99.99 Value)
1 Year/Copies of Screenwriting Software of Choice (Writer Duet Pro, DramaQueen Plus and/or Fade In Pro)

GOLDEN CINEMA AWARD
Writers’ Block Crystal Award — 2nd Place
Option and Purchase Agreement for $500 CAD
Free Membership to WIFT+ ($199.99 CAD Value)
Free Accreditation to the Yorkton Film Festival ($350.00 CAD Value)
1 Year License for Scriptation Industry Pro ($99.99 Value)
1 Year/Copies of Screenwriting Software of Choice (Writer Duet Pro, DramaQueen Plus and/or Fade In Pro)

SILVER SCREEN AWARD
Writers’ Block Crystal Award — 3rd Place
Option and Purchase Agreement for $500 CAD
Free Membership to WIFT+ ($199.99 CAD Value)
Free Accreditation to the Yorkton Film Festival ($350.00 CAD Value)
1 Year License for Scriptation Industry Pro ($99.99 Value)
1 Year/Copies of Screenwriting Software of Choice (Writer Duet Pro, DramaQueen Plus and/or Fade In Pro)

TOP 10 FINALISTS
1 Year Scriptation Industry Pro ($99.99 Value)
1 Year Writer Duet Pro License ($107.88 Value)
25% Discount for membership to WIFT+

SHORT FILM CATEGORY

Your script:

Must be written in industry-standard screenplay format.
Cannot exceed 15 pages in length.
Must be in English (foreign dialogue allowed but must be subtitled).
Must be an original work and not optioned, sold, or produced before submission.
Must be in PDF Format.

Your film:

Must have the permission of the filmmaker and/or rights holder to the short film to submit the film to the CSSC.
Must not have been optioned or purchased and/or must have distribution rights remain available.
Must not exceed 40 minutes in length.
Must be in English language (foreign language short films must be subtitled in English).

Yes! Multiple entries are allowed, but each screenplay must be submitted separately and requires its own entry fee.

All submissions must be made through FilmFreeway, Stage32, or ShortFilmDepot.

Yes, but you must provide proof of rights or that the original work is in the public domain.

If your screenplay is optioned and purchased as one of the top three or other finalists, you will be expected in good faith to assign all rights to a production company chosen by the CSSC. Otherwise, all rights remain with you.

Screenplays are evaluated by a panel of industry professionals based on creativity, originality, storytelling, and feasibility as a short film.

If your screenplay is optioned or purchased before the competition ends, it becomes ineligible.

No, once submitted, no revisions or new drafts for the same screenplay will be accepted.

Winners will be notified via email, FilmFreeway, the CSSC website, and social media!

Yes! The top 6 (six) finalists will be cordially invited to the CSSC Writers’ Block Crystal Awards, held at the Yorkton Film Festival’s Golden Sheaf Awards Gala, North America’s longest-running film festival. Accreditation is only provided to winners of the current edition across both categories. Tickets to the Festival and Gala are sold and administered separately by the Yorkton Film Festival.

Of course! Feel free to contact us with any more questions you may have!