Kinolime NXT Shorts Competition Closes Nov. 15 for High School Writers
Summary
The free contest for U.S. writers ages 14 to 18 pays its winner a $5,000 grant plus a $2,500 scholarship.
"Submissions for Kinolime NXT, a free short screenplay competition for U.S. high school writers ages 14 to 18, close on November 15, 2026, giving students about one more week to enter. Scripts must be original and run 5 to 15 pages, and there is no submission fee.
The winner receives a $5,000 grant and a $2,500 scholarship, and two runners-up each receive $1,000 plus a $500 scholarship. Seven semifinalists each earn a $250 grant for their school's AV, media or arts program, or for their guardian if they entered outside a school. Students can submit on their own, and schools with verified profiles can submit up to 10 original student-written scripts.
Judging runs in three rounds. After a review week from November 16 to 22, the public reads and votes for a top 10 from November 23 to December 6. A panel of industry professionals and Kinolime judges then picks three finalists, and a final audience vote from December 14 to 22 decides the winner, who will be announced December 23. Entries are accepted at kinolime.com/competition/nxt."
