Physical film festival with submission categories including Best Screenplay and New Screenwriter (1 to 7 screenplays written).
International Short Film Screenwriting Competition that promotes the development of screenwriting and audiovisual storytelling as a means of artistic expression and a driver of social impact, positioning Cartago, Costa Rica, as a creative hub that supports new voices and purposeful stories.
The competition also seeks to foster creativity and writing as tools for social transformation, providing emerging and professional screenwriters from around the world with a space where their stories can inspire, connect, and create change. From Cartago, Costa Rica, EscudoCorona aims to strengthen narrative culture and create real opportunities in the audiovisual industry.
Schedule
Important Dates
Call for Entries Opens
Jan 15, 2026
Final Submission Deadline
Oct 2, 2026
Notification Date
Nov 20, 2026
Festival Ends
Nov 28, 2026
Recognition
Awards & Prizes
Cash Prizes: 777€Cash Prizes: 777€
Eligibility
Rules & Eligibility
General Rules+
Participants Writers aged 18 or over, whether nationals or foreign nationals, may participate in the competition.
Theme Short film scripts must address themes related to social awareness and human values.
Script Length, Format and Submission Length: 3 to 15 pages, excluding the cover page (Title, Pseudonym, and Synopsis, with a maximum length of 15 lines). Format: Font: Courier New, size
Margins: Left
8 cm, Right
5 cm, Top
5 cm, Bottom
5 cm. Text must be left-aligned and not justified.
Language Short film scripts must be written in Spanish.
Originality and Ownership Scripts must be original and must not have previously been produced as audiovisual works.
Participants must demonstrate ownership of the work by means of an intellectual property registration.
Scripts may have been created up to a maximum of three years prior to the publication of this call, provided that they comply with the stipulated theme.
Rights The rights to the short film script shall remain fully with the AUTHOR, and the competition and its associated entities expressly waive any economic benefit arising from the potential film exploitation of the script.
For awarded works, the author and the product
Current Categories, Deadlines & Fees
Category
Best Screenplay
1.Participants Writers aged 18 or over, whether nationals or foreign nationals, may participate in the competition. 2.Theme Short film scripts must address themes related to social awareness and human values. 3. Script Length, Format and Submission Length: 3 to 15 pages, excluding the cover page (Title, Pseudonym, and Synopsis, with a maximum length of 15 lines). Format: a. Font and layout Font: Courier New, size 12. Margins: Left 3.8 cm, Right 2.5 cm, Top 2.5 cm, Bottom 2.5 cm. Text must be left-aligned and not justified. 4.Language Short film scripts must be written in Spanish.
Current Fee—
Category
New Screenwriter (1 to 7 screenplays written)
1.Participants Writers aged 18 or over, whether nationals or foreign nationals, may participate in the competition. 2.Theme Short film scripts must address themes related to social awareness and human values. 3. Script Length, Format and Submission Length: 3 to 15 pages, excluding the cover page (Title, Pseudonym, and Synopsis, with a maximum length of 15 lines). Format: a. Font and layout Font: Courier New, size 12. Margins: Left 3.8 cm, Right 2.5 cm, Top 2.5 cm, Bottom 2.5 cm. Text must be left-aligned and not justified. 4.Language Short film scripts must be written in Spanish.
Current Fee—
Category
Student Screenwriter
1.Participants Writers aged 18 or over, whether nationals or foreign nationals, may participate in the competition. 2.Theme Short film scripts must address themes related to social awareness and human values. 3. Script Length, Format and Submission Length: 3 to 15 pages, excluding the cover page (Title, Pseudonym, and Synopsis, with a maximum length of 15 lines). Format: a. Font and layout Font: Courier New, size 12. Margins: Left 3.8 cm, Right 2.5 cm, Top 2.5 cm, Bottom 2.5 cm. Text must be left-aligned and not justified. 4.Language Short film scripts must be written in Spanish.
Current Fee—
Category
Mini script
1.Participants Writers aged 18 or over, whether nationals or foreign nationals, may participate in the competition. 2.Theme Short film scripts must address themes related to social awareness and human values. 3. Script Length, Format and Submission Length: 3 to 15 pages, excluding the cover page (Title, Pseudonym, and Synopsis, with a maximum length of 15 lines). Format: a. Font and layout Font: Courier New, size 12. Margins: Left 3.8 cm, Right 2.5 cm, Top 2.5 cm, Bottom 2.5 cm. Text must be left-aligned and not justified. 4.Language Short film scripts must be written in Spanish.
Current Fee—
Category
Best screenplay written by a woman
1. Participants Writers aged 18 or over, whether nationals or foreigners, may participate in the competition. 2. Theme Short film scripts must address themes related to social awareness and human values. 3. Length, Format and Script Submission Length: 3 to 15 pages, excluding the cover page (Title, Pseudonym, and Synopsis of a maximum of 15 lines). Format: a. Font and layout Font: Courier New, size 12. Margins: Left 3.8 cm, Right 2.5 cm, Top 2.5 cm, Bottom 2.5 cm. Text must be left-aligned, not justified. 4.Language Short film scripts must be written in Spanish.
