2026 Film & Screenwriting Winners - New York Metropolitan Int'l Screenwriting Competition & Film Awards

Congratulations to all of 2026's winners!!!!!

Oh, my goodness!! This is an unspeakable honor. I couldn't be prouder to be chosen as a nominee! Thank you for being such an immense support to writers, and thank you, again, for the recognition. All of the absolute best to each of you. -Chris Langford

My feature screenplay won Grand Prize at New York Metropolitan Screenwriting Festival and Film Awards: this was the pinnacle of success so far for this project and yours truly could not be more pleased with the outcome. Joseph and the Festival Team guided it into the professional hands of literary managers who took more than their allotted time and were more than generous with their thoughts, many of which have since been incorporated into the final draft! For these folks to dive in, see possibilities, and reply with valuable suggestions went way beyond expectations! This festival a treasure! -Kevin Michael Irvine

I had the honor of winning Quarter Finalist at this Festival. The organizers kept good communication and everything was very professional. I'll be back again in 2026! ~Christal Kahles-Jones

Wonderful festival Thank you! -Luella Hill

The BEST professionally operated competition. -Tony Schweikle

This contest is the very best! Highly supportive in every way. From the first phone call, telling you how much they like your work to seeing through the awards process. They help you get hooked up with a support team that allows discussing your career to go in the right direction! -Kevin Pike

Worth every penny. The script feedback they provided was unequivocally the best I've *ever* gotten from a competition. I tip my hat to whichever NY Metropolitan script reader reviewed my screenplay, because he/she flawlessly grasped the nuances of my narrative intent. That gave their compliments -- and criticisms -- a validity that was immensely useful. Having earned semifinalist honors, I'm truly grateful to the entire team at NY Metropolitan Screenwriting & Cinema. -Joseph Dionisio

I submitted my script to several festivals with feedback and New York Metropolitan’s feedback was superior to the rest – by far! I eagerly incorporated the changes they suggested. I only wish I could work directly with their Analysts fulltime. To the jurists, please accept my heartfelt thank you for the Semi-Finalist award. -Bryan Jacomo

An absolute honor. Thank you so much for the support. ~Mike Kitchens

Thank you so much for your message and the incredible honor. I’m truly grateful that The Last President has been selected as a category winner, especially in such a competitive season. This recognition means a great deal to me and the entire team behind the project. ~Bin He

Thank you for your feedback. It is very much appreciated. Wil Cuba

Thank you so much for this wonderful news and for your kind words about DAFFODILS. I’m truly honored to be selected as a quarter-finalist and grateful for your support of independent storytellers. Alice Giza

It is an honor to be recognized at your Festival. I will always cherish this Award… I wish I could congratulate all the Winners. Thank you again, John R Sacco

The leaders of this competition and awards festival have a good eye for scripts that shine. I appreciate not only being a finalist but also being recognized in my own home town. Gary Jaworski

Great communication from the start. Many opportunities to compete and win. I highly recommend this Festival. Five Stars are not enough! Hat tip to the staff. ~Eddit Clay Thompson

Thank you for your support! It was an honour! Alberto Diamante

I’m so thankful that metropolitan acknowledge my hard work. ~Charlies Harrison

Being a Quarter Finalist with DAFFODILS at the New York Metropolitan Screenwriting Competition & Film Awards was a wonderful experience. This festival connects writers with industry professionals, giving our stories a real chance to be seen and heard. ~Andys Platrites

This festival is seriously a cut above. The time and care put into this festival is impressive. Communication was incredibly good. I did win the grand prize and all of the prizes were set up right away. This should be in everyone's top ten festival list. -Barry Jay

I just now saw your feedback on my script “7 The Legend”. What a great Christmas present it was to read your comments! This script was a work of passion and I loved hearing that you enjoyed reading it. Thank you so much for your detailed notes and thoughts. I will work on implementing them. Thanks again and I hope you had a great Christmas and that you have an amazing New Year! Regards, Randall

It has been my pleasure to submit my work to this festival. Films and Screenplays are analyzed with the utmost respect and appreciation! The communication is outstanding! Thank you so very much for honoring my script, with Gratitude! Kimberly Fisher

2026 Screenwriting Winners

Grand Prize Winner

Art of War: Episode 1 -the Dress by Mark A. Dahl

Finalists

Shadow Self by Tom Zimmerman

Corporate America by Elora Ellis

Semi Finalists

Routine by Apple Kim

Triangle Girls by Jane Ann Gonzalez

Coney Island by Kaenan Oliver & Dominic Oliver

Guardian Ahole by David Case

Viewing by John C. Fitch III

Millenium by Chloe Gruber

The Mask by Nilesh Yagnick

Gin and Sin by Scott Daniel Wheeler

By Way of Canarsie Rob Cuccurullo & Stacey Nation

Billy Daniels Straight by Allison Moir

Bleeding Beauties by Jason Parks

12:37 One Building by Michael John Fedun

Becca Goes Back Julue Kraut

Corkscrewed Juliet Meyer

Burnout by Izzie Mantese

Tooth Fairy by Dre Higginbotham

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2026 Film Winners

A Dream in the Saha World by Sabrina Ren

Best Director, Best Picture, Best Short, Best Actress, Best Drama

Pretty by Erol Duren

Best Short Director, Best Cinematography, Best Horror or Sci-fi

Port Chicago Incident by Kenneth Stuart

Best Documentary

The Cat that Lives in your Dreams by Seon Shim

Best Student Film, Best Inspirational Film

The Liars of Black Mountain Road by Parker Croft

Best Actor, Best Actor, Best Indie Director

Temple of Money Changers by Nicole Blessing

Best Pilot

Eraser by Maria Fragkia

Best Comedy

Whitney on the Run by Donald Watson

Best Acting Ensemble, Best Indie Film

The Seamstress by Manuela Schneider

Best Short, Best Period Piece.

Nonfiction by QQ Xing

Best Indie Director

Hell by Parker Croft

Best Animation

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Thank you most sincerely for this award, you are true Lovers of Film. I recommend this festival to all sincere thrill-seeking screenwriters. Cheers! -William Prosser

Awards ceremony hosted by comedian Joseph Nybyk

A first class level competition organized and run people people who care. It was an honor to have The SICKEN in the NYMSC and even more so to have been awarded top screenplay. The communication is superb and dedication to the screenwriting community is second to none. It should be in everyone's top ten screenwriting competitions to enter. -Danny Alex

Great competition. I received fantastic notes that were positive and productive. -Marco Ruggio

I could never say good enough things about your festival and I wish it continued success going forward! -Justin Jackson

A Wonderful Screenwriting Competition That Does A Great Job Supporting The Writers!!! -Sean Chandler

A wonderful opportunity to submit my scripts to. I would highly recommend you try it out for yourself. -Elyssa Catalfano

Pleasant experience, honored I was part of the competition, thanks a lot! -Jonathan Zarantonello

I want to thank you guys for recognizing exactly what I was shooting for. I wanted the texture of their grit to be as evenly mixed with their gifts as cops and their very natural and familiar senses of humor. I wanted them to be serious about their craft but, at the same time, find the fun in it all as long as it didn't compromise the quality of what they're trying to accomplish. When I saw that you absorbed the atmosphere and soaked up the spill over of the ongoing child in both of them that started this whole thing; I just felt such a glow. Anyway, thank you so much as you really made my week with your compliments & opinions. -Jack Vecchio

Thanks for running a great festival. Hats off to the new year! -Giovanni Sanseviero

New York Metropolitan Screenwriting Competition provided me with a great festival experience and is an outstanding professional festival. New York Metropolitan Screenwriting Competition is a fantastic venue for writers to showcase their screenplays. Thanks. -Joseph L Harrison

Great Communication & Great Festival! I highly recommend this festival for up-and-coming screenplay writers! -Ben Burgess Jr.

Had a wonderful experience with NY Metropolitan Screenwriting Competition. - Jack Vecchio

The festival was an important and very useful experience. -Jerzy Kowynia

One belongs to New York instantly, one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years.

I was drawn to this competition because as an east coast inhabitant, I cringe whenever people say that all the best screenplays come from LA. What does Louisiana have over the rest of us? This is an outstanding contest that does not focus specifically on New York subject matter. Just good writing.

Friendly, positive and fantastic at feedback - I would recommend these guys to everyone.

The staff I have interacted with at NY Metro Screenwriting Competition has been fantastic. They are respectful and encouraging. They are truly supporting screenwriters. I would recommend this competition!

Outstanding contest experience driven by individuals looking for the best screenplays.

Friendly, positive and fantastic at feedback - I would recommend these guys to everyone.

Hosted by comedian Joseph Neibich.

Awards ceremony hosted by comedian and talented screenwriter Joseph Neibich

One belongs to New York instantly, one belongs to it as much in five minutes as in five years.

"Cool festival! They asked me if I could get my script to anyone who would it be. So I gave them a producer's name and now she's reading my script. What a cool prize! i wish everyone could be a winner."

"Janet Lee was always available and was so enthusiastic (as was Jerrol LeBaron , of InkTip, one of the sponsors) when informing me of my second place award. Overall, an enjoyable experience."

"Really positive festival. I'm glad I submitted."

"Wonderful experience for me and my partner."

Over the great bridge, with sunlight through the girders making a constant flicker upon the moving cars, with the city rising up across the river in white heaps and sugar lumps all built with a wish out of non-olfactory money. The city seen for the first time, in its first wild promise of all the mystery and the beauty in the world.