SPRING 2026 RUNNERS-UP
Two more stories
that made the top three.
Maya Bourak's Ice Cream Apocalypse and Suzy Shah's The Version I Was both fought their way to the top three.

MB

I'm really proud of the journey I gave her, how she grows by facing her pain.
Maya Bourak, on her main character

1. Schools Submit Original Scripts

Each school may submit up to ten original student-written short scripts (5–15 pages) via their verified profile.

2. Kinolime NXT Showcases All Scripts

After a contextual review, scripts advance to the voting round and are posted on the Kinolime NXT platform.

3. Round 1 - Public Read & Vote for Top 10

Readers must review at least two scripts to vote and earn rewards; the more you read/vote, the more rewards you can earn.

4. Round 2 - Judges' Panel

Industry professionals and Kinolime judges review the top-ranked scripts and select 3 finalists.

5. Audience Decides The Winner

From the three finalists, the audience reads and votes on which story Kinolime finances. Only those who voted in Round 1 can cast a final vote.

From Finals Week to Final Draft

The winning story secures a $5,000 production grant to begin its journey from script to screen + $2,500 scholarship for the winning writer of the script.

Fall 2026 Schedule

Six weeks to submit. Your community decides the rest.

Submission: Sep 7 – Nov 15
Review week: Nov 16 - Nov 22
Round 1 (Public Voting): Nov 23 - Dec 6
Round 2 (Judges Panel): Dec 7 – Dec 13
Round 3 (Final Vote): Dec 14 – Dec 22
Winner Announcement: Dec 23

For Student Screenwriters

More than a prize. A real start.

Real short-film production experience. Portfolio-ready recognition. Professional feedback from working screenwriters and producers. Hands-on practice in storytelling and collaboration. This isn't a contest for a trophy. It's your first producer credit.

What You Win

$5,000 to make your film.

Plus scholarships for runners-up and a grant for your school's arts program.

Every tier of NXT pays out real money, straight to you.

Winner Receives:
- $5,000 Grant
- $2,500 Scholarship
Two Runner Ups: $1,000 + $500 scholarship each
Seven Semi-Finalists: $250 grant for their school’s arts program.

Note: All funds go directly to student writers and their guardians.

For Teachers, Schools & Districts

A national scholarship program your students can enter for free.

National recognition for your program. A platform to showcase student work and creative curriculum. Project-based, curriculum-aligned, and easy to fold into your semester. Free to enter. No funding request, no cost to your department.

Submissions open September 7 for the Kinolime NXT National High School Short Screenplay Competition.

Kinolime NXT · Fall 2026
Your script. Real judges. Real money.

$7,500 grand prize. 10 writers take home a grant.

Reminder

Submissions open September 7
Get notified the second the window opens.

Spring 2026 Winner · Northfield Mount Hermon

Kaija Adler won NXT

Her father started researching AI the same year she started screenwriting. She turned that tension into Art Official Intelligence. "I think art is the most human thing in the world right now, and it's being taken away by our parents' generation." — Kaija Adler

Spring 2026 Winner · Northfield Mount Hermon

Kaija Adler won NXT

Her father started researching AI the same year she started screenwriting. She turned that tension into Art Official Intelligence. "I think art is the most human thing in the world right now, and it's being taken away by our parents' generation." — Kaija Adler

Competition

Company

Site Info

Resources

SPRING 2026 RUNNERS-UP
Two more stories
that made the top three.
Maya Bourak's Ice Cream Apocalypse and Suzy Shah's The Version I Was both fought their way to the top three.

1. Schools Submit Original Scripts

Each school may submit up to ten original student-written short scripts (5–15 pages) via their verified profile.

2. Kinolime NXT Showcases All Scripts

After a contextual review, scripts advance to the voting round and are posted on the Kinolime NXT platform.

3. Round 1 - Public Read & Vote for Top 10

Readers must review at least two scripts to vote and earn rewards; the more you read/vote, the more rewards you can earn.

4. Round 2 - Judges' Panel

Industry professionals and Kinolime judges review the top-ranked scripts and select 3 finalists.

5. Audience Decides The Winner

From the three finalists, the audience reads and votes on which story Kinolime finances. Only those who voted in Round 1 can cast a final vote.

From Finals Week to Final Draft

The winning story secures a $5,000 production grant to begin its journey from script to screen + $2,500 scholarship for the winning writer of the script.

Six weeks to submit. Your community decides the rest.

More than a prize. A real start.

Write it. Rally votes. Make the cut.

$5,000 to make your film.

Plus scholarships for runners-up and a grant for your school's arts program.

A national scholarship program your students can enter for free.

Kinolime NXT · Fall 2026
Your script. Real judges. Real money.

Submissions open September 7
Get notified the second the window opens.

Kaija Adler won NXT

Kaija Adler won NXT

Competition

Company

Site Info

Resources

SPRING 2026 RUNNERS-UP Two more stories that made the top three. Maya Bourak's Ice Cream Apocalypse and Suzy Shah's The Version I Was both fought their way to the top three.

1. Schools Submit Original Scripts

Each school may submit up to ten original student-written short scripts (5–15 pages) via their verified profile.

2. Kinolime NXT Showcases All Scripts

After a contextual review, scripts advance to the voting round and are posted on the Kinolime NXT platform.

3. Round 1 - Public Read & Vote for Top 10

Readers must review at least two scripts to vote and earn rewards; the more you read/vote, the more rewards you can earn.

4. Round 2 - Judges' Panel

Industry professionals and Kinolime judges review the top-ranked scripts and select 3 finalists.

5. Audience Decides The Winner

From the three finalists, the audience reads and votes on which story Kinolime finances. Only those who voted in Round 1 can cast a final vote.

From Finals Week to Final Draft

The winning story secures a $5,000 production grant to begin its journey from script to screen + $2,500 scholarship for the winning writer of the script.

Six weeks to submit. Your community decides the rest.

More than a prize. A real start.

Write it. Rally votes. Make the cut.

$5,000 to make your film.

Plus scholarships for runners-up and a grant for your school's arts program.

A national scholarship program your students can enter for free.

Kinolime NXT · Fall 2026Your script. Real judges. Real money.

Submissions open September 7Get notified the second the window opens.

Kaija Adler won NXT

Kaija Adler won NXT

SPRING 2026 RUNNERS-UP
Two more stories
that made the top three.
Maya Bourak's Ice Cream Apocalypse and Suzy Shah's The Version I Was both fought their way to the top three.

Kinolime NXT · Fall 2026
Your script. Real judges. Real money.

Submissions open September 7
Get notified the second the window opens.