Nichols Screenwriting Fellowship

The Gold Standard of Screenwriting Contests

For aspiring screenwriters around the globe, the Academy Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting is the ultimate prize. It is not merely a contest; it is a career-launching program widely regarded as the most significant gateway for new talent to enter the Hollywood industry. Founded in 1986 and administered by the same organization that hosts the Oscars, the Nicholl Fellowship carries an unparalleled level of prestige. Each year, thousands of writers from all over the world submit their feature-length screenplays in the hope of being selected as one of the up to five annual fellows. Winning a “Nicholl” is a life-altering achievement that provides a writer with instant industry recognition, validation, and access.

Unlike many other contests that offer critiques or simple cash prizes, the Nicholl Fellowship is designed as a year-long program to nurture and develop the writer’s talent and career, providing them with the tools and connections necessary to succeed.

The Fellowship Program

The rewards of being named a Nicholl Fellow are substantial and multifaceted:

• Financial Support: Each fellow receives a prize of $35,000, distributed in installments over the course of the fellowship year. This funding is designed to allow the writer to focus exclusively on their writing, freeing them from the financial pressures of a day job.
• Mentorship and Guidance: The Academy staff works with the fellows throughout the year, providing guidance on navigating the industry, connecting them with established mentors, and helping them prepare for meetings with agents, managers, and producers.
• Industry Access: The real prize of the Nicholl is the access it provides. The winning scripts are sent to major agencies and production companies. Fellows participate in an awards week where they are introduced to the industry, and the title of “Nicholl Fellow” on a resume ensures that their future scripts will be read and taken seriously.

The Rigorous Judging Process

The prestige of the fellowship is rooted in its incredibly rigorous and competitive judging process. The competition receives between 5,000 and 8,000 entries annually. Scripts are read and judged in multiple rounds by industry professionals and Academy members. The final selection is made by the Academy Nicholl Fellowships Committee, which includes prominent screenwriters, producers, and directors. This multi-stage, peer-reviewed process ensures that the winning scripts are of the absolute highest quality.

Notable Success Stories

The program has a proven track record of discovering major talent. Past fellows include:

• Susannah Grant: Wrote the Oscar-nominated screenplay for Erin Brockovich.
• Destin Daniel Cretton: Wrote and directed Short Term 12 and directed Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
• Ehren Kruger: Wrote the screenplays for The Ring, Top Gun: Maverick, and several films in the Transformers franchise.